Peter-Molyneux
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Green is mean?
Gaming industry behemoth Peter Molyneux recently sat down to discuss his views on innovation in the MMO universe. Molyneux believes 'innovation is much more difficult when a lot of money is on the line.' Massively has touched upon this subject before which means that...it's happening? Oh no! Our multiplying subscriptions are all going to kill off our own content! I should have never given away my Xbox to focus on EVE! Take a deep breath because before we all panic, there are some important things to consider.With the MMO industry seeing astronomical numbers tossed their way for funding, perhaps he is correct. Much of the criticism around the early release of games like SWG was blamed on the desire to make returns on the huge investments put into the cost of development and production. When ten, twenty, or more recently, Real Time Worlds' fifty million dollars, is on the line, the wallet will become a huge factor towards the development and timetable of any game.On the other hand, that massive amount of money we all wish we had is drawing in designers, producers, investors, and of course, gamers. As Alex St. John pointed out in a recent interview, 'the PC is the home of the most profitable game in history, generating more revenue than the top 10 console games combined.' St. John is certainly right about one thing, (US)$1.2 billion is certainly a way of attracting attention. But WoW is only one of many successful MMOs. The list keeps growing and with each success story comes more interest in creating new and innovative experiences.So where will this new found fortune take the MMO industry? Will the interest generated by new financial resources force developers to focus on profitable returns? Or will that funding bring with it more players, more attention, and more dedication to generating exciting worlds?
Lionhead releases fifth Fable 2 video diary
We know that Fable 2 is being released "later" but every time we see one of these video diaries from Lionhead, we feel like an eight-year old in the back of the station wagon. "Is it later yet? ... What about now?" This fifth video diary, which deals with magic and multiplayer, doesn't make the waiting any easier. Something else that strikes us about the video: Doesn't everyone at Lionhead seem really nice? We just want to move into a back office somewhere and live, perhaps paying our way with beta testing and the occasional foot massa -- err, coffee run. Yeah, that's the ticket. A coffee run.
Fable 2 will 'talk to' three XBLA games
When we start thinking about video games talking to each other, we start getting nervous. The last thing bitter, hateful video game bloggers want is for the Petz 17: Locustz and Sims 2: Kitchen Appliances of the world to become sentient, read the things we wrote about them and kill us in our sleep. But Fable 2's Peter Molyneux is just fine with the idea. In fact, he's encouraging it with three XBLA games that will "speak to" Fable 2 upon its release.He hinted at it last month at GDC, but Molyneux detailed the idea on Major Nelson's podcast. Basically, Microsoft's Carbonated Games (of Uno fame) will release "Mage Dice," "Wizard's Tower" and "Keystone" on to XBLA and the money you win from those games will go directly into your account when you boot up Fable 2. It's a neat idea with a lot of possibilities and as long as the games don't start talking to Puppy Luv 8: Dalmationz, we're all for it.Update: X3F has contacted Lionhead for further clarification. It has yet to be determined whether or not the games will be released separately or as one XBLA download. Regardless, the games will all be included and playable within the Fable 2 gameworld.[Via CVG]
Molyneux boasts about his post-Fable 2 project
Mad scientist extraordinaire Peter Molyneux has made a great discovery! In an interview with GamersGlobal, the Fable 2 designer talked about an AI-focused experiment codenamed Dmitri. The experiment became a game six months ago after "a discovery was made." Said Molyneux, "I think that discovery is so significant... This discovery has lead us to start a game and that game will be on the front cover of Nature magazines and Science magazines." That's assuming the AI project doesn't develop self-awareness and kill us all.As for a release date, Molyneux said it would come out when "trees still [have] leaves, but with a brownish tint." Though our first thought is September, we've gone ahead and sent to Microsoft a picture of the official Joystiq elm tree spray-painted with the proper color in the hopes of an early review copy.
X3F interviews Peter Molyneux about Fable 2, BC, XNA
We've already posted the audio of our interview with Peter Molyneux, but we know not everyone is down with spoken word. As such, we've transcribed the entire interview for your reading pleasure. In this massive interview, Molyneux discusses Fable 2 co-op (he thinks Live co-op is a great idea by the way), the possibility of versus multiplayer (which is also a good idea according to Molyneux), and we even manage to squeeze in questions about Microsoft's new XNA initiative and the ill-fated BC. Find the lengthy and informative interview after the break.
Last Week on Massively: WoW-related stories
This week's round up of WoW-related posts on our sister site Massively covers many different angles of the MMO universe dominated by World of Warcraft. The Game Developers Conference 08 coverage took up much of last week with many people comparing their efforts to WoW's success. You can click on the links below or subscribe to a special WoW-only Massively feed.The Daily Grind: When will you be done with WoW?Akela Talamasca wants know what is it that will end the WoW-affair?GDC08: Massively is Live at the Future of MMOs panel Rob Pardo, VP of Game Design at Blizzard was on a panel at GDC last week debating the Future of MMOs. Massively's Michael Zenke was there to liveblog it. Ask Massively: Show me the MMOney!What will it take to overcome WoW? Massively lays out the battle plan.
Fancast Xtra: Peter Molyneux interview at GDC08
Don't ask us how we did it, but we managed to corner Peter Molyneux at GDC this year. We subsequently tied him to a chair and forced him to answer our questions about Fable 2. No, no, of course we didn't do that. Peter Molyneux is, in fact, an entirely amiable man -- perhaps too amiable -- and was happy to answer our questions. We learn a few details about Fable 2's newly announced co-op features, the Xbox Live Arcade tie-in, and we even wedge in a question about the ill-fated BC. We've posted the audio from the interview below. The audio will also be delivered to subscribers of the Xbox 360 Fancast. Feel free to download the MP3 using the "Read" link as well. Finally, if you can't be bothered to listen to things -- we know how important you are -- stay tuned for the transcription coming later this week.
Heard@GDC: Americans hate nipples
"It's something about you Americans and nipples, there's something you hate! If this was Germany, I'd be romping around naked right now."-Peter Molyneux at his GDC lecture
GDC08: Peter Molyneux talks Fable 2 features
Want to know why Peter Molyneux's replacing your mini-map with a breadcrumb trail? Whether or not his character has unprotected sex? If same-sex marriage is still on the table? Journey on, dear reader, journey on."I'm just going to put the gum on the side of the monitor here. I'll remember to get it."With that humble beginning, Peter Molyneux took the stage to reveal some features of his RPG adventure, Fable 2.
GDC08: The line to see Fable 2 is nuts
We just stood in the above line to see Peter Molyneux discuss Fable 2, and that's just a third of it. Also, we've just heard a fourth feature is going to be revealed. Stay tuned.
GDC08: Fable 2 co-op demo gameplay
The always ambitious Lionhead boss, Peter Molyneux, sat down with reporters during GDC08 to outline the Fable 2 co-op experience in greater detail. Peter discusses the differences between men and women, family life and values and the dangers of giving gamers this much control in a universe while strolling through the beautifully lit world around him. It's an interesting video and gets us ludicrously excited for the game that can't ship fast enough. Fable 2 is set for a 2008 release, but specifics about a release have yet to be revealed.
GDC08: Focus on Fable 2's female
We hope she's not leaping fences with a bun in the oven! In conjunction with today's announcements (a Fable minigame sold separately ... c'mon, really?), Microsoft has posted new shots of Fable 2, sporting considerably more sheen -- and feminine fl-air -- than the last time we spent face time with Molyneux's baby. We're scheduled to catch up with Peter and see more of Fable 2 tomorrow. %Gallery-4807%
GDC08: Fable 2 co-op and XBLA tie-in revealed [Update]
During their conference at GDC08, Microsoft announced new and exciting details for its upcoming role-playing game Fable 2. Firstly, Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux detailed plans to bring the Fable 2 experience to Xbox Live Arcade. Developer Carbonated Games will be working with Lionhead to release an Arcade preview of Fable 2 which will allow players to dive into the world, pre-release, and earn money to be used in the retail version of the game. Earning money, a very important element of Fable 2, will the the essence of the Fable 2 XBLA release. The XBLA title will allow players to experience the universe by participating in mini-games, like a cross between Roulette and Craps shown at the conference, that will allow players to earn money that can be transferred to your character when the retail game ships.Secondly, and more importantly, a dynamic cooperative mode was announced. The dynamic coop mode allows a friend to join your experience at any time. Unfortunately the infamous dog mechanic will not be available for player two, but the drop in and drop out coop gameplay is a first for the series and promises exciting possibilities. No date was announced for the release of Fable 2, but we were told the XBLA release will hit weeks before the final product.Update: For clarification, co-op play has only been announced for local play and not over Xbox Live hence the reason we never mention Xbox Live in the story pertaining to the co-op mode. If the drop in and drop out description above led you to assume it was via Xbox Live we apologize for getting your hopes up.
Molyneux laments the state of PC gaming, blames WoW and The Sims
Gamesindustry.biz has posted an article that features comments from outspoken game designer Peter Molyneux, and his thoughts on the current state of PC gaming -- and he's not awfully happy. The primary causes for his concern are the two enormous PC successes, World of Warcraft and The Sims. While the remarkable sales for these games should mean that new people are brought to PC gaming, he felt that they may be taking too much of the pie: "You've got The Sims and World of Warcraft sucking all the air out of the PC market. It's just incredible."Molyneux also called to question the casual gaming market on the PC. He admitted that some of the earlier successful casual games such as Peggle were all fine and dandy, but as of late the trend for casual-game developers has been to look at what's already doing well and simply re-brand it with a total lack of innovation. Rock star game designer "CliffyB" of Epic Games also recently voiced his opinions on PC gaming, saying that it is in "disarray" and that his studio will focus on console games for the time being.
AI in Lionhead's next game to be "revolutionary"
In a partially published interview with next-gen.biz, Peter Molyneux, spoke about the Black and White team, their current project, and the tech behind it. Turns out the team has been busy, and Peter describes the team's progress in his usual superlative way, saying that the game the team is in production with (currently unannounced) has AI reactions "as close to revolutionary as anything I have ever seen." Which does of course bode well, though we all remember the Fable 1 debacle, and are taking everything Peter says here with a (few) grain(s) of salt. As long as the focus remains realistic and fun the game could be great, and with Microsoft hopefully keeping Lionhead from getting off-track, here's to hoping we see this IP sooner rather than later. The remainder of the interview is embargoed until Wednesday, come back then and we'll update you with the rest of the game's news.[Via Next-Gen.biz]
Rumor: Fable 2 ships May 30
According to a listing on the Amazon UK product page for Fable 2, the anticipated sequel to Peter Molyneux's original Xbox-exclusive role-playing game, a date has been set for a spring release. The listing shows Fable 2 will hit store shelves on May 30.Take this with a giant retailer wants preorders grain of salt, but it could make sense. If Gears of War 2 was to hit in fall of 2008 (Read: naw son!) then Fable 2 could be the game that leads into the fourth quarter push much like Crackdown did in 2007. However, Fable 2 is a big franchise for Microsoft and would most likely ship during the busy holiday season. Also, retailers are sort of keen on picking release dates out of hats.[Thanks, Rob K]
Fable 2, Alan Wake and more confirmed for 2008
Microsoft Games chief Don Mattrick has confirmed (or, in some cases, reaffirmed) via a memo a handful of exclusive titles to arrive on Xbox 360 in 2008. The list of assuredly not canceled titles include Halo Wars, Too Human, Fable 2, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell: Conviction and "several exciting yet-to-be-announced titles." Following the list of 2008 exclusives, Mattrick continues to say that "Xbox 360 will be home to the next versions of great franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil ... Madden and FIFA." We're not sure if he meant to imply Resident Evil 5 is due out this year, but it's certainly a suspicious line. Other than this year, no schedule was given as to the release of these titles, although we now get a sense of what Microsoft feels will keep gamers happy in this post-Halo 3 world.
Molyneux on games as art: "Of course they are."
Speaking to gamesindustry.biz, Peter Molyneux had some strong words for the ongoing games as art debate. When asked whether or not he considered games as art, Molyneux replied simply, "Of course they are." Elaborating on his point, Molyneux noted, "If art is described as something which promotes a reaction in you and lets you glimpse something that's more than reality - then yes, of course they're an art form." Naturally, one would expect a game designer to espouse such an opinion, but Molyneux does so with no doubt at all. When asked about games based on movies that sell more copies than more artistic games, Molyneux cites it as an example of an alarming trend in game design. Molyneux says that games are starting to lose their "Wow!" and that the industry needs to regain its sense of wonder. Of course, Molyneux hopes Fable 2 will accomplish this, noting that it isn't simply a big sequel with more of the same. "The point is," said Molyneux, "we can still do things that amaze people, and that's a fantastic position to be in." Indeed.
Molyneux hints at next big Fable 2 announcement
Super Lionhead Studios fansite Loinhead scored an exclusive interview with the creative mastermind behind Fable 2 Peter Molyneux. And in the interview Molyneux talks a little bit about his past failures (Black and White 2), in-game combat, and hints at one of Fable 2's next big announcements ... death. Molyneux doesn't give any specifics to how death will be incorporated into Fable 2, but goes on to say that in other games when you die "you go back in time twenty minutes to do the same thing over again. That's fine if I'm playing a platformer, not so fine if you're doing an RPG game". So, traditional ways of dealing with death will not be good enough for Fable 2. But we've already known that Lionhead doesn't plan on taking the traditional path with the sequel (dog anyone?).Check out more of Molyneux's candid discussion in Loinhead's complete video interview posted after the break.
Today's best friendiest video: Fable 2 dog
We previously covered Peter Molyneux's Fable 2 talk at GDC, and now the most-watched video at GameTrailers shows off Fable 2's dog, letting us take a closer look for tonight's video. Molyneux stresses not to scrutinize the graphics and that only the dog is worth looking at in the demo's current state. Overlooking the work left to be done, the dog seems to be well animated and deliver a lot of emotion; hopefully this companion will add more depth to the game.See the dog demo after the break.
