Ex Lionhead Dev: Microsoft Made An Interesting Choice For Fable 4; Not Studio Gobo's Electric Square

Former Lionhead developer Don Williamson apparently figured out which studio is building Fable 4 and he commented that it's an "interesting choice" by Microsoft. He also said no studio based in Brighton could take on such a massive task, which would rule out Electric Square and point to Playground Games.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Interesting

[Abash]

"He also said no studio based in Brighton could take on such a massive task"

We have no idea how Fable 4 will be. If State of Decay 2 and Crackdown 3 are any indication, its possible it could look like a more cleaned-up version of the 360 games to save on the budget. I just can't imagine MS building a truly ambitious Fable 4 at this point unless its a next gen Xbox game

[Alexious]

If it is that Playground Games project, it's been described as "large scale" and at an early stage, which could mean a release in 2020 as a launch title (possibly cross-platform like Breath of the Wild?).

[Kumakai]

Playground games knows how to make a good looking game. Horizon games are some of the prettiest out there. And if the game is massive, that hardly speaks to a low budget game.

[Gazondaily]

"I just can't imagine MS building a truly ambitious Fable 4 at this point unless its a next gen Xbox game"

Guess we'll have to wait and see. Seems way too premature to state that the game is made on a budget.

[chiefJohn117]

I'm actually hoping it looks like fable 2 with better animations and detail. The only way I can see such a massive task is if it has a MP portion that's really demanding.

[Mr Pumblechook]

@Septic Surely they can use the engine for Fable Legends? The beta showed it works and 'all' Microsoft need to do is build a single-player campaign. If they started after Legends was canceled that means 2.5 years of development - enough time to be ready for Christmas 2018!

[rainslacker]

Didn't PG say they were working on a new IP though? I can't remember if it was rumored or they specifically said it was an open world RPG, but I do remember something about it being a new IP.

This was with their newly opened 2nd studio as I recall. Their first studio is still thought to be working on FH.

Maybe my memory is fuzzy here, because I know a lot of stuff was going around in the rumor mill about them at the time, coupled with a lot of discussion on if they'd stay exclusive to Xbox, which was exacerbated by them saying they weren't prohibited by going multi-plat.

For the sake of discussion, if PG is still working on FH, then their 2nd studio just recently opening, then I can't imagine Fable 4 would come anytime soon. OTOH, if PG isn't doing FH, then that means they're working on 2 concurrent open world RPGs. That seems like a very unlikely scenario.

[Imp0ssibl3]

This sounds good but also far. Could it be a launch game for the next Xbox?!?

[Cyborgg]

I was thinking the same thing

[gangsta_red]

Doubt it, there hasn't been any rumors to suggest a new Xbox anytime soon.

[gangsta_red]

They just released the Xbox X, I doubt a new console is coming this soon in the same way I doubt a PS5 release anytime soon.

And we don't know if this game is in the early stages, for all we know this game could have been given to a studio the minute Fable Legends was cancelled.

Remember before last E 3 that rumors of Playground and Electric Square were developing games for Xbox.

I think it's safe to assume that these games have already been in development for a good period of time.

[sinspirit]

@ImGumbyDammit

Sony said they were working on PS4 as soon as PS3 released. They never stopped designing and throwing things on a board as they went along. Not that they would already begin prototyping or anything expensive. But, products like these are always on the drawing board. They already said they're working on PS5. Even if they didn't say they were, it's common sense that they are. They just aren't gallivanting around trying to make more headlines to attract attention. You don't need them to say it. "only that Microsoft itself admitted they are working on one".

[PhantomS42]

Quite possibly. It would be more than welcome, Fable has been gone for far too long.

[Zeref]

I guarantee its gonna be at E3. They've probably been working on this for some time now, if its that far off it wouldn't have leaked already. The fact that it leaked means that it must be close.

[Krysis]

The one x seems like it will hole for years or so where it will become the base model and a new upgrade will be available.

[shiva1]

Xbox one x isn't even available in all countries where Xbox one or Xbox one s are available. First they need to make Xbox one x available in all of MS marketing countries. In the mean time they can do all the prototypes for their next launch and start the hype though.

[ChristMustDie]

This is good to know. To be fair to those developers listed, wouldn't you prefer if Fable 4 was made by a premium developer?

[Razzer]

Really hope Playground is the dev taking over Fable. Think they would do an awesome job.

[mcstorm]

I agree. For me horizon has set the bar for arcade/open world racing games and putting them in charge of fable could be an amazing move by Microsoft.

[Razzer]

Agree. They have done wonders with the Forza Horizon franchise. FH3 is my favorite racing game. And a great open world game as well. Definitely think they have what it takes to make Fable great again.

[Eidolon]

Great looking OW racing games and quality. And look at Guerilla Game taking on the OW TP RPG coming from linear first person shooters, let's just hope it turns out that good for them.

[Eidolon]

They had said they were working on an non-racing open world game, then later it's a RPG. So, seems likely it's them.

[rainslacker]

But it was also rumored, or stated(I can't remember which), that their open world RPG was a new IP. That would exclude Fable if they're still working on FH, and it's highly unlikely they'd be working on two concurrent open world RPG's.

[LavaLampGoo]

Now he just have to see what Table is like without a wishful thinker and possibly accidental liar at the wheel

[ccgr]

Hope it turns out okay

[Vasto]

Thank you Microsoft

[Jinger]

But didn't PlayGround say they were working on a new IP? Fable 4 isn't a new IP. Unless they were talking about a new IP for them.

[TheMuffDiver]

@Jinger yea i remember them saying that too! that it was a completely new IP. Lots of theories going around hopefully E3 will shed some light and be alot better than last year.

[Razzer]

I didn’t see where they mentioned new IP. They said a different genre than racing, specifically open world RPG.

https://www.trueachievement...

[rainslacker]

I decided to hunt down the source of the "new IP" thing, because I thought that was the case.

After some digging, it seems the new IP part was conjecture based on the media itself, which interpreted job postings, an interview, and a few twitter posts from the studio. The confusion I believe comes from PG referring to the game as a new open world RPG. However, that could just mean that the game itself is new, as they also referred to it as a new thing for them, not as the game itself was a new IP.

The only thing I found specifically relating to specifically discussing the IP itself was this from Johnathan Rowe, who was hired as the design director.

"I'm proud to announce that I have recently joined the award winning studio at Playground Games," he wrote on LinkedIn. "We're laying the foundations for a project based on a spectacular IP, and will be looking to grow a world-class team."

He notes it's a "Spectacular IP". That isn't a common way to refer to a new IP, because it's status hasn't been qualified as of yet. It's something you may attribute to an existing IP.

I can see why it'd be confusing. There was a lot of stuff floating around about PG at the time, and their new studio, and their new unknown game all happening at once. The media misreporting stuff doesn't help either.

[Jinger]

Thanks for taking the time to research all of that.

[gangsta_red]

So does this officially confirm a Fable 4 is in the works?

I made a theory about this in another post here on N4G earlier. Greenburg had a Fable cover in his header when showing off upcoming and recent Xbox One games.

[rainslacker]

Not really. However, if the rumor is true, then his assumptions are sound enough.

[NotanotherReboot]

MS need to make this franchise a staple in their lineup again, alongside Halo, Gears and Forza

[TheSplooge]

They have a lot of weapons in their arsenal from the og xbox and 360 they could revisit, but for some reason they dont.. I would love a new crimson skies, fusion frenzy or even brute force. They own so many damn IP's that people are asking for but they do nothing about it 😑

[NotanotherReboot]

They shouldn't have cancelled Kameo 2

[opinionated]

It’s good that it’s a UK based studio. Fable needs that flavor to work imo. It said they made Forza Horizon but do they have any experience with third person games? Seems like an odd choice.

[gangsta_red]

I'm hoping for a more serious tone in this next Fable. Part 3 went too far in the comedy direction for me, they need to tone the humor, especially the toilet humor down.

Let's hope they keep the same setting which I found very interesting in the Fable series.

[opinionated]

I don’t want serious. I don’t want slapstick either though I’m with you on that. I want dry ass british humor that only a british studio could do. I like the setting of the first game, I want the golden age of heroes. The industrial stuff with guns completely missed the ball imo.

[TheCommentator]

Yeah, they need to balance out the social aspects with the RPG customization elements, make the overtone more serious, and get back to the swords and magic of the first game. I say more Elder Scrolls and less Sea of Thieves.

[chiefJohn117]

When you fart in the guy's face, I literally turned the game off and didn't finish it till 6 months later lol. 3 was just bad all around.

[timotim]

Well...yeah Horizon is a racing game, that's true...but if this is true, I can see them applying what they learned and have successfully implemented in Horizon to Fable. Open world...first and 3rd person views...seamless online/offline transitions...dense enviroments with lots of variety and weather effects...realtime lighting and weather. The Horizon series has always incorporated fairly deep RPG elements with driver levels, cars levels, parts and body kits that can be added to the car to make it better/worse/different. How they are in the animation department, the combat department etc remains to be seen, but I think Playground Games would be ideal for an RPG in a traditional and non traditional sense.

[opinionated]

You convinced me. I don’t play racing games so I dunno.

[timotim]

Go on YouTube and look at some vids on Forza Horizon 3...pay attention to the world, the discoverablity of it...the wonder. They have the making of how to build good worlds with dynamic weather. I hope this is true actually.

[opinionated]

I believe you lol. Making a world look good doesn’t make it feel alive though. I’m all for dynamic mechanics and I’m not doubting their skill, it just seemed odd.

[rainslacker]

They've hired a lot of respected talent for their 2nd studio, so if they can pull it all together, I can see it being a great game. Without Molyneux trying to throw in everything and the kitchen sink, maybe it can actually be better focused on being a great game, instead of trying to be everything to everyone. The people they've hired have good credentials within the field of open world games to design a solid game. Adding in all that other stuff can be done without being from PG itself, but if they're comfortable with those things in games, then they can maybe find a way to add it in in a compelling way.

PG is, if anything, very talented.

[TheCommentator]

I've heard rumors that suggest Playgrounds' second studio is hiring strong talent from big name, open world games like GTAV to help with the development of their new project.

[ptownjbo]

I’m hoping it’s not playground only because I want them to make a new IP.

[Strafe]

'He also said no studio based in Brighton'

How many studios are there based in Brighton?

[rainslacker]

Quite a few actually. Sega even has a studio there. Most of the studios are indie or mid-tier studios though.

[bluefox755]

Hopefully it's a dev that knows what they're doing. A bit reluctant after Fable 3, but fingers crossed. It's been way too long since there's been a MS published game worth buying IMO.

[doos_vd_kak]

Hopefully this one is made in the same vein as fable 2

[chiefJohn117]

I just hope they get this franchise back on track. 1 and 2 are two of the best open world RPGs ever and then it all went to hell. I wonder what the massive task is. (Mmo with a vs arena?) I don't care if it too early I wanna see a tease at e3. Just give a hint at what to expect.

[Wulfer]

Let's put one of the nails in the the coffin about the PG multi-platform title. Below is the financial report for PG and the titles expected to be in play. Here's a quote from Jinx. He even figured out FH4 signed date and expected release. If the information below is true, their is no multi-platform game and never has been game that fits these records. Also, the report suggests PG has won another contract with MS.

"For any of you wanting to read Playgrounds accounts:

Made up to 31 December 2016: https://goo.gl/2Q5QSR
Made up to 31 December 2015: https://goo.gl/ND31LH
Made up to 31 December 2014: https://goo.gl/xRCXyL

Basically accounts made up to 31 December 2015 show Microsoft signed FH4 in 2015 is releasing fall 2018, but also a second (Unnanounced partner) project signed in 2016 and ending fall 2018 (barring extension.) This could imply a release in fall of 2018, the unnanounced partner could be Ms could be any other publisher or even contract work. We won't get the accounts for 2017 until the end of this year, which might hint at a second contract from MS (thats if MS doesn't announce it at E3.)"

[Yohshida]

So Playground games went to make the best racing game of all time with Forza Horizon 3 nad are now up to the task with a newly built studio to deliver a truly next gen Fable game. Cant freaking wait. They havent made a bad game yet. Every game they made got better and better:

Forza Horizon 2012
Forza Horizon 2 2014
Forza Horizon 2: Storm Island 2014
Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious 2015
Forza Horizon 3 2016
Forza Horizon 3: Blizzard Mountain 2016

I also love their slogan....

Playground Games - We make video games

A humble statement when you make the best games in a genre isnt it?
Unlike some other studios that made their first game that wasnt bad in a long time and open their website with this statement:

"WE SEEK OUT A CHALLENGE, SET OUR SIGHTS HIGH & SHOOT FOR THE STARS. WE DO A MEAN BUFFET TOO!"

Guess what studio that could be

[Emme]

Could be on Xbox One and next xbox, like Zelda was. Massive open world like breath of the wild, with new art style could be the perfect launch game.

[sinspirit]

Would be interesting if Bioware took over the franchise. Not trying to change the game from what it is, but fleshing out the potential of what it should have been after the first one.

[SirBradders]

Is it just me that thought the original fable was the best one.

[sinspirit]

That's everyone

[343_Guilty_Spark]

It’s Playground. Studio Gobo might be working on Shadowrun.