Fable
News, coverage and analysis tracking Fable across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Palworld Developer Doesn’t Use Generative AI Because “Gamers Don’t Want It”
Pocketpair's John Buckley stated that the company does not use generative AI in game development because players are against it, calling current trends unsustainable. He believes that games should be assumed to be human-made unless otherwise stated, and expressed concern over a future where studios might need to add disclaimers. Buckley also mentioned that while some studios might use AI to save time, Pocketpair prefers to utilize its in-house artists.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be Ahead
Xbox is facing significant internal challenges despite a recent showcase of upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day. CEO Asha Sharma admitted to substantial financial losses and poor investment returns over the past five years, citing issues with funding franchises and inadequate infrastructure. Reports suggest impending layoffs and potential restructuring, including spinning off Xbox as a subsidiary or forming joint ventures, as Microsoft seeks to make its gaming division a sustainable business.
Microsoft Apparently Already Knew It Would Be Closing Ninja Theory When It Announced Senua
Microsoft 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.
Xbox Game Studios-chef lämnar – efter 20 månader
Craig Duncan, head of Xbox Game Studios, has resigned after only 20 months, with chief of staff Louise O'Connor also departing. This follows recent news of potential studio closures and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. The departures occur amidst a strategic shift for Xbox, including price adjustments to Game Pass and a re-evaluation of multi-platform releases.
Fable PS5 Looking Far Too Easy? Don't Fear, Harder Difficulties Will Be Available
Playground Games has clarified that the 'Story' difficulty shown in a recent Fable gameplay demo is the easiest setting, and more challenging options will be available. This addresses community concerns that the combat appeared too simple. The studio confirmed that other difficulty levels will ensure enemies are more aggressive and less forgiving.
Fable is harder than the demo made it seem, devs promise: "Other difficulty levels will ensure the guards remember…
Playground Games has addressed concerns that the Fable demo's combat appeared too easy, assuring players that the demo used the 'Story' difficulty setting. Higher difficulty levels will be available at launch, offering a more challenging experience. The developers also clarified that blacksmithing profits in the demo were adjusted for brevity and will be more balanced in the full release.
Microsoft CEO admits "there's more monetization of Xbox games happening on YouTube" than the company as it tries to "turn this into a sustainable business"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company needs to make Xbox a sustainable business, noting that more monetization of Xbox games occurs on YouTube than within Microsoft itself. He acknowledged industry-wide challenges like rising manufacturing costs and the need to define Xbox's future strategy to ensure economic relevance for both the company and its customers.
Halo tops PS5 pre-order charts despite Xbox exclusivity pivot
Despite Microsoft's pivot back to Xbox console exclusives, the upcoming Halo remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, is topping pre-order charts on the PlayStation Store across Europe. This success on a competitor's platform could influence future exclusivity decisions for Xbox.
Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan Has Stepped Down – Rumor
Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor have reportedly stepped down. Duncan stated in an email that his purpose was to serve the studios and teams, and he is proud of the launches achieved during his 20-month tenure. Matt Booty is expected to oversee Xbox Game Studios in the interim, amidst rumors of further layoffs and potential studio closures at Xbox.
Fable Team Promises Difficulty Options for a “Sterner Welcome” in Albion After Combat Concerns
Playground Games has clarified that Fable will feature multiple difficulty options, addressing concerns about combat difficulty seen in a recent walkthrough. The game will offer a "Story" difficulty for a gentler experience, with other levels providing a "sterner welcome." Fable is set to launch on February 23rd, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Fable Might Be Reviving the RPG Feature Everyone Forgot
The upcoming Fable reboot from Playground Games aims to set itself apart with a deeply reactive NPC system that remembers player actions and shapes their relationships. This focus on player agency and a living, breathing world offers a unique take on the RPG genre, moving beyond traditional metrics like map size or quest count. While concerns exist about the long-term impact and potential for systems to be too easily manipulated, the preview suggests a game that prioritizes personal, chaotic, and joyful player stories.
Xbox Closing At Least 2 Studios by 2026 End, Including One “Which Could Come as a Shock” – Rumor
Insider Gaming reports that at least two Xbox Game Studios are at risk of being shut down by the end of 2026, with one closure potentially being a surprise. While specific studios like Obsidian and Rare are reportedly safe, titles that underperformed, such as Forza Motorsport and South of Midnight, could put studios like Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, and Turn 10 Studios at risk.
Xbox’s real exclusivity problem is they don’t make games people want - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Xbox's primary issue is a lack of desirable games, not its exclusivity policies. Despite owning major studios like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, the author believes Xbox has been mismanaged for over a decade, leading to a decline in relevance and a lack of compelling titles that justify purchasing an Xbox Series X console.
Summer Games Week: The Biggest Reveals, Interviews, And Features
Summer Games Week, the successor to E3, concluded with numerous reveals, interviews, and features from various showcases like State of Play and Summer Game Fest. GameSpot covered a wide array of upcoming titles, including Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Resident Evil: Veronica, and Gears of War: E-Day, providing previews and in-depth articles.
You can just bypass Fable's 'complex, nuanced' reputation system with enough gold
The upcoming Fable reboot features a complex reputation system where player actions influence NPC reactions and business dealings. However, Playground Games has confirmed that players can bypass negative reputations by paying a significant amount of in-game gold, a design choice that has drawn criticism for undermining the system's intended depth.
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 halos
The 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 Shouldn’t Have Run Scared From Grand Theft Auto 6
Microsoft's decision to delay Fable until February 2027, citing the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6, is questioned. The article argues that the market is large enough for multiple successful game launches and that Fable could have co-existed with Grand Theft Auto 6, especially since the latter is console-exclusive at launch. The piece suggests that such delays signal self-doubt rather than strategic market positioning.
Fable Reboot Delay Was Disappointing To The Devs, But Avoiding GTA 6 Makes Sense
Playground Games' Fable reboot has been delayed to February 2027, a decision that initially disappointed developers aiming for a 2026 release. Studio GM Ralph Fulton stated that the delay allows the game to avoid competing with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 and secure a less contested release window. The game will feature Hayley Atwell as the villain and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass.
Fable will feature over 150,000 lines of dialogue, Playground Games confirms — 'We've had multiple studios set up running in parallel for over 1000 hours just this year alone, just recording VO'
Playground Games has confirmed that the upcoming Fable reboot will feature over 150,000 lines of dialogue, with a significant portion recorded this year across multiple studios. The studio emphasized the handcrafted nature of the game's 1000 NPCs and systems, aiming for immersion despite the extensive dialogue. Fable is set to launch on February 23, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Don't panic: Xbox is still releasing games on PC despite exclusivity push
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has clarified that despite "Gears of War: E-Day" being a console exclusive, it will still be available on PC and cloud streaming. Chief Content Officer Matt Booty confirmed that PC releases will continue as normal, alleviating concerns about a return to delayed PC ports. This comes amidst broader changes at Xbox, including the discontinuation of Microsoft's Copilot AI tool and a reduction in Xbox Game Pass costs, alongside reports of significant layoffs and budget cuts.
