Lionhead Studios
Lionhead Studios business and news from across the web.
No RPG Lets Players Be As Evil As Fable 2Fable 2 is highlighted as an RPG that uniquely allows players to embody extreme evil, not just through traditional means but by exploiting its in-game capitalism and real-estate systems. Unlike other games with binary morality, Fable 2's mechanics, such as monopolizing housing and charging rent, subtly earn the player evil karma, emphasizing housing as a right. The Fable series, including Fable III and the upcoming Fable by Playground Games, is praised for its innovative and thoughtful approaches to player choice and morality.- Fable's Genius Is Rooted In The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion's Ground-breaking NPCsThe upcoming Fable game draws inspiration from the groundbreaking NPC AI systems seen in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This focus on reactive world elements echoes the design principles of the original Lionhead Studios Fable titles.
Ex-Fable devs' Stardew Valley-like is coming to consoles in AugustKynseed, a life simulation game developed by PixelCount Studios, featuring former Fable developers, is launching on consoles including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 4. The game, often compared to Stardew Valley, will include a new tavern management system, a feature highly requested by the PC community.
Kynseed heading to Nintendo Switch, from Fable veteransKynseed, a life simulation sandbox RPG developed by PixelCount Studios veterans of the Fable series, is launching on Nintendo Switch on August 4, 2026. The console version will include all previous PC updates and feature a newly optimized UI and controls. The game allows players to raise a family, farm, run businesses, and explore a world where choices impact generations.
Microsoft Apparently Already Knew It Would Be Closing Ninja Theory When It Announced SenuaMicrosoft reportedly planned to close or spin off Ninja Theory before the studio announced its new game, Senua, at the Xbox Games Showcase. This decision was part of a broader strategy following a "reset" memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, citing declining revenues despite significant investments. While Microsoft is reportedly exploring buyouts for Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine, the future of these studios and their franchises remains uncertain.
Fable drops the original games' good and evil binary for a "subjective and multifaceted" reputation system, which is why you don't have horns or halosThe upcoming Fable game from Playground Games will replace the traditional good versus evil binary with a multifaceted reputation system. Associate game director Craig Littler explained that settlements will react to a player's wealth, shrewdness, or actions, leading to subjective judgments from NPCs rather than physical character morphing like horns or halos seen in previous Lionhead titles. This new system aims to create a more nuanced player identity that reflects how morality is perceived in the real world.
Fable Lets You Live A Second Life, Not Just Save The WorldPlayground Games' upcoming Fable title, set to release on February 23, 2027, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, will heavily feature life-simulation elements. Players can pursue romance by building businesses and improving their social standing, with hundreds of NPCs each possessing unique personalities and preferences for their ideal partner. The game will also receive its first story expansion, Order of the Hero, featuring Isabel played by Hayley Atwell.
Fable pre-orders are live, and the Collector's Edition includes a Jack of Blades statue for die-hard fansPre-orders for the upcoming game Fable are now available, with a planned release date of February 23, 2027. Multiple editions are offered, including a Standard Edition, a Premium Edition with digital extras and early access, and a Collector's Edition featuring a Jack of Blades statue. Fable will also be available on Xbox Game Pass on its release date.
Fable delayed to February 2027Xbox has delayed the upcoming Fable reboot, developed by Playground Games, to February 2027. This decision aims to give the game its own dedicated release window, avoiding a conflict with the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 in Autumn 2026. Xbox CCO Matt Booty emphasized that the delay is to ensure Fable has a moment to shine and will be a focus of the upcoming Xbox Showcase.
'If engineers are becoming three or four times more productive, then we just [want to] do three or four times more stuff': Google DeepMind CEO reckons AI-induced job cuts aren't inevitableGoogle DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis believes that AI-induced job cuts are not inevitable, arguing that increased engineer productivity should lead to more ambitious projects rather than workforce reductions. He suggests that companies replacing engineers with AI lack imagination and understanding of future possibilities. Hassabis also reflected on his past in the game industry and the current limitations of AI in creating compelling game experiences.
Hello from Eurogamer's new editor-in-chiefChris Tapsell has been appointed the new editor-in-chief of Eurogamer, expressing his honor and commitment to the website's future. He reflects on the site's history, its unique culture, and outlines his vision for its news, reviews, guides, features, and opinion sections, emphasizing quality journalism and reader engagement.
'90s virtual reality, Battlefield 2142, and Total War: This month in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years agoThis article looks back at PC Gamer magazine issues from May 1996, May 2006, and May 2016, highlighting cover stories and notable news from those periods. It revisits predictions about virtual reality and online gaming, discusses sequels like Battlefield 2142, and covers the launch of Total War: Warhammer and the early days of VR technology.
"We were children" says Fable creator who admits that the fact it ended well "is a miracle"Fable creator Peter Molyneux reflects on the development of the original game, admitting that its successful outcome was a miracle given the team's ambitious and sometimes unrealistic early visions. He credits the team at Lionhead Studios for bringing the RPG to life despite initial overhyping of certain features. Molyneux also acknowledges Fable as a beloved Xbox series despite a long drought of new entries.
Exploring the Future of RPGs: How Rebel Wolves is striving to raise the bar with The Blood of DawnwalkerRebel Wolves, a studio founded by former CD Projekt RED veterans, aims to elevate the RPG genre with their upcoming game, The Blood of Dawnwalker. The title emphasizes player agency and meaningful choices within a narrative sandbox, featuring a day/night cycle that impacts the protagonist's abilities and motivations. The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X on September 3, 2026.
The Legend of Zelda and World of Warcraft shaped Fable 2's no-death system, but Peter Molyneux had to fight for itThe unique no-death system in Fable 2 was influenced by player experiences with The Legend of Zelda and World of Warcraft, according to creator Peter Molyneux. Instead of traditional death and reloading, Fable 2's characters recover from near-fatal damage with new scars, a design choice Molyneux had to advocate for.
Fable Lacking the Classic Morality System is a “Real Shame,” Says Peter MolyneuxPeter Molyneux, former head of Lionhead Studios, expressed disappointment that the upcoming Fable reboot will not feature the classic morality system that affected character appearance. Instead, the game will use a region-based reputation system. Molyneux hopes some form of good and evil alignment will still be present, acknowledging the technical challenges of implementing such a system in modern high-definition graphics.
Fable creator says it's 'a real shame' the reboot is dropping the horns-or-halo morality systemOriginal Fable creator Peter Molyneux expressed disappointment that the upcoming Fable reboot by Playground Games is removing the series' iconic horns-or-halo morality system. He speculates that the change might be due to the increased difficulty of implementing such a system in modern high-definition graphics and accommodating different genders.
Tools to tell if your game is brokenMatthew Tighe of Gameworks discusses how his company's platform uses AI and machine learning to help developers identify and fix bugs and performance issues throughout the game development process. Similarly, Ken Noland of AI Guys explains how their tool PerfCop analyzes performance data for Unreal Engine games to accelerate debugging and decision-making. Both emphasize that these AI tools are designed to assist developers, not replace them, by handling tedious tasks and improving overall game quality and development efficiency.- Peter Molyneux Reacts to Fable Reboot Ditching Fan-Favourite Feature From the OriginalPeter Molyneux, the creator of the original Fable and the recently released Masters of Albion, shared his thoughts on the Fable reboot's decision to omit a beloved feature from the first game. Molyneux's new game, Masters of Albion, is currently in early access on PC via Steam.
Masters of Albion and Sintopia show god games are nothing without a deity's twitchy fingersMasters of Albion and Sintopia are god games that emphasize physical interaction with the game world through hand-like gestures. This mechanic creates a strong sense of presence and player agency, differentiating them from other strategy games where direct control is limited. The article explores how these gesture-based controls enhance the player's relationship with the game world, even when dealing with bugs or difficulty spikes.