Enizr: "According to a job posting on LinkedIn, Lionhead Studios - maker of the popular third-person action adventure Fable series ¬- are looking to hire talent for a new project, supposedly a "MMO like title for next generation consoles. AAA game and budget!" The post suggests that the venture will be a brand new IP with a "radical new take on how co-operative and multiplayer gameplay feeds into the experience", and will combine online and singleplayer components."
10 Years Ago This Month: Microsoft announces Ensemble's closing time months before it wraps development on Halo Wars.
After Microsoft disbanded Lionhead studios, many of the developers moved onto new projects - Deadbeat Heroes was one of them.
An ex-Lionhead developer has explained why other studios would struggle to capture Fable's unique flavour.
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Considering the fact Lionhead lost Fables "unique flavor" with each sequel and lost track on what the franchise was about I highly doubt it, I think another developer could be good for the franchise
The problem with Lionhead that even with Fable II I felt they still didn't push the franchise as far as they could, there was so many features they could have added but didn't. It felt like each installment became more dumbed down after chasing a more accessible audience and because of this they decided to focus more on co-op features reather then ones which could make the game feel bigger. The lack of weapons, magic, armor etc became more obvious and you'd think by the third game being King we'd be able to literally shape our kingdom by moving houses, designing them and shaping the town into whatever we want.
I would love to have seen what would have happened to Fable had Microsoft not acquired Lionhead in 2006 - if the had remained free of MS's business division (RIP Bizarre Creations etc etc), I think Fable might have grown more organically...
But then, at least MS gave them the budget.
"RIP Bizarre Creations etc etc"
Also lets not forget Ensemble Studios, suffered the same fate under MS after they created Halo Wars for them.
I dont think game would have did nearly as well without Microsoft lets not start the there evil finger pointing
Then Lionhead may have died sooner. The reason Fable became what it was, is due to MS financial backing.
Microsoft should hire some young talented people and try and ressurect it, do it some justice.
@moldybread - "Microsoft should hire some young talented people and try and ressurect it, do it some justice."
I agree...Whether or not they resurrect Fable (which I'd be for), Microsoft should hire some new talented people to make a new AAA studio (or atleast a new AAA dev team within an existing studio)
@ MegamanXXX
Why wouldn't they do that? There's still a huge fan base for the Fable Series. 1 & 2 we're both fantastic, 3 was poor in my opinion, but the franchise still has lots of potential.
They're reviving AOE 4, no reason why a Fable 4 or a new Fable game in general can't happen.
why would they hire some young talent when they could hire entire studios, buy entire studios.
what speak volumes is the fact that they won't (not as often as you'd think) and when they do they buy minecraft. which is great... but i imagine most gamers would have spent the money a bit differently
@threefootwang Maybe because they already closed down literally the best people out there that could have made a Fable 4, you know, the same people that worked on the previous games in the series? Isn't that obvious lol?
"Why wouldn't they do that?" Its nearly only 2 years since Fable Legend was cancelled. It is now over 16 years that Microsoft has owned the Conker franchise. There is a huge fanbase there that would love a new game, potentially people that don't even game on Xbox.............. and they won't make a game in that series in almost 2 decades.
Do you want any more examples why Microsoft "wouldn't do that"?
They could reboot the series, whether they're willing to do that is another thing. It doesn't have to be a perfect replica of the best games in the series, base it on the first two games and build upon that.
I agree loved Fable but felt a bit let down by 2 and 3. Good games but for me the 1st was way above them.
Ide love to see MS bring back some old Lionhead games. Black & White 3 is at the top of that list.
Fable one was great but I only wish the childhood part was longer and that the ending wasn't a complete joke. My most anticipated game was B.C. which of course never launched.
Going to agree. Each sequel of Fable became less and less what made the first one great. The UI, city management and some features in Fable 3 were just down right confusing and stupid.
I really loved the world of Fable also but part 3 was a wreck. I think it had a lot to do with Peter Moleneux who had his own inflated ego to deal with. It didn't help that MS made these guys develop Fable Kinect and then Legends instead of making the darker tone Fable they wanted to make. And all this after Peter which makes me think that new Fable concept would have been decent.
All in all I personally think another company could take the lore and setting of Fable and create something much better.
It was very hard for Lionhead to make a Fable game too. But then again, what can you do when you're being lead by Peter Molyneux.
You are hitting on so many points, Lionhead, ensemble, bizarre creations, all talented developed destroyed by M$ and they wonder why their first party line up pales in comparison to Sony and of course Nintendo. I miss fable so damn much man. I have strong resentment towards M$ for that. Fable was a system seller man.
It wouldn't be as hard to pick up the pieces as other franchises though.
Surely all the assets and world is still there from the 3 years development of Fable Legends on Unreal Engine 4. It would be very beneficial for another developer to step in and try to build a new proper Fable game with that data.
How could it ever happen though? Microsoft already closed down the best studio out there that could have made a Fable 4. They are hardly going to go out of their way to spend more money for somebody else to make something they should have done at the start of the gen.
How likely do you think it is that Rare would step in to do something once they're finished with Sea of Thieves? Another British dev, MS-owned, similar style... not wholly unlikely?
I could see that but I'd prefer it if Rare does another Conker game or the real, true Banjo Threeie
That's a great idea, hopefully MS won't turn away from this franchise. The first game was fantastic, but the series left so much to be desired. Seriously untapped potential
sea of thieves is terrible and may put rare under if they dont make massive improvements
Maybe but like I said, its very unlikely they would do that when they already showed their complete disinterest in Fable by taking their very own studio of the of the series and closing them down. Its quit the opposite thing to get anybody hyped to say "NOW, is the time for a Fable 4 since Fable 3 in 2010, nearly 2 years after the closure of its creator's studio."
Best studio i doubt it. Did you have access to the fable legends beta? I was in it for the duration and little to nothing changed during the course of development, progress was so slow thats why it was canned
I'd be down for a new Fable but I'd like them to make it a Fable game and not another trendy open world survival rpg. I could see some young blood company getting a chance at Fable and totally messing it up. I know the Fable formula is a little dated at this point but I'd like the old school feel.
Personally, I can name at least 10 developers who could deliver a stunning Fables revival, and make a game that's better than Fable 2 ,the dreadful Fables 3 and that abortion of a Kinect title.
ex-Lionhead dev: "It would it be very hard to make another Fable game cause we were lazy as F@#%ck and greedy as hell"
^^^ Article title fixed! ;)
Replies(1)I dont think thats true i think another dev could definitely do it pick up the pieces of fable legends and continue
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I could see that. Fables unique flavor was adding a funny 1 liner to almost every tombstone in the game. It was little things like that which I love. But, if another studio is what it takes to give me fable 4, bring it! I just want fable 4 so bad! Fire lionhead after they release it, not before!
It’s unique flavor was british humor. Use a british studio and you’re good lol.
Fable had a very unique style and detailed world. It wouldn't work without Lion Head
I feel Larian's sense of humor largely falls in line with what we got with the series.
In world where Witcher 3, Divinity & Divinity 2, Shadow of War exist ... very hard? Highly doubt it.
Would it? Media Molecule is compromised of a lot of former Lionhead devs. Strange how the quality of their titles dropped after those devs left, too.
The first game was kinda fun but unremarkable and after that, the series turned into shit. Don't think it would be very hard for someone to make a better Fable game.
I definitely felt the same. Even Rare might not be able to capture the silliness of fable.
Actually, I would love to see another dev tackle Fable. This is one of my biggest wishes. In fact, I look at the recent Zelda and I see Fable in many ways. I think Microsoft needs to get a AAA dev on this project asap. Bring the customizations, variety in weapons, open world, survival aspects, building aspects, a more serious tone...I would LOVE to play that Fable.
It would be very hard for another studio to want to make another Fable game. They just won't see the financial benefit. Fable was an ok game that sold what it sold because it was an Xbox exclusive and then got lost in oblivion. There is nothing truly great about it for another studio to pick it up again.
I played the original Fable and not really played any of the others. But is it just me? fable was a rather basic game with some RPG elements.
It may of been one the first 3d world action RPG game. But it was limited in what was on offer.
I feel it's a way over hyped series that could've been something much bigger.
Something like Kingdom of Amalur Reckoning. Large open world, rang loot, bigger talent system etc.
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It must be very hard, since the studio that made Fable couldn't even make another good Fable game.
I think we can all agree Lionhead got extremely lucky with Fable 1 & 2. Fable 3 should never have happened if they had actually cared about that IP.
i would rather they try and make a mediocre game than let the franchise die
There’s the chance for a good Fable 4/Fable reboot, and I’d like to see it, as long as they do it right.
Improve the writing, but keep the quirky humor. Open world, fluid combat like fable 2 but have more abilities/combos that aren’t tied to magic. Bring back the appearance changing based on moral decisions, and the bulking up/getting fat based on stats and food. Keep the real estate system, but make it harder to exploit. More family interaction, maybe have a friend system.
Most importantly, decisions that change the world/story. Promised since the beginning and never well implemented
still gutted lionhead are no more. I was part of the fable legends alpha and the character that game had was outstanding from the music to the art style and characters, they could have created something really special if they weren't forced to make a f2p game
"It'd be very hard for another studio to make a Fable game" Ironic, seeing they had to cancel Fables seeing that they couldnt even make their own game.
while I like the idea I am concerned about how it will be because correct me if I am wrong put Peter Molyneux has transitioned on to new endeavors. This is a xbox game which and it is a MMO-"like" which means a monthly subscription on top of the xbox live subscription right???? Right???
They drive me nuts. If you're not already in the game with an established franchise, then you shouldn't be making one in my opinion. Yes, I'm still disappointed they did swtor instead of kotor 3. Yes, that has a lot to do with why I think this way.
Consoles? You mean Xbox and maybe windows right?
Nice cause it would be cool to have a decent MMO RPG for consoles.
Prob a big rpg thats fable-like and has some kind of demons souls online incorperating the sp and mp (hopefully). I dont like mmo's and something sp but with added mp or co-op without subs would be best for consoles. Im super hyped lionhead is trying something new i love them to death with or without peter m who i also love.
MS seems to be making many new ip's for next gen behind the scenes. Hope i get more awesome jrpgs from them. If they launch the nextbox with Lost Odyssey 2 its a day 1 even if i have to railroad old ladies and kids to get one lol.