Fable
News, coverage and analysis tracking Fable across the outlets.- Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re MakingXbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be bothFormer PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
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.
10 Upcoming Games With The Highest StakesThis article discusses ten upcoming video games with high expectations, including Grand Theft Auto 6, Marvel's Wolverine, and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It highlights the potential challenges and anticipated successes for each title, considering factors like franchise legacy, developer ambition, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The games are set to release between late 2026 and early 2027 on platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.- Some Of The Most Impressive Gaming Tech Ever Wasn’t Enough To Save Devs From Xbox CutsMicrosoft's recent layoffs at id Software have raised concerns about the future of its proprietary id Tech engine, with reports indicating a significant portion of the studio's coding talent was let go. This follows a trend of major studios, including 343 Industries and potentially MachineGames, moving away from internal engines towards Unreal Engine, potentially hindering technological innovation in the gaming industry.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the pastMicrosoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself AliveXbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average GamersMicrosoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
Obsidian veteran Josh Sawyer thinks RPG choices are best when they're not "purely" good or evil, and Greek plays "knocked it out of the park 1000s of years ago"Obsidian Entertainment design director Josh Sawyer believes that the most compelling choices in role-playing games are those that avoid a strict good versus evil binary, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek tragedies. He argues that such morally ambiguous decisions force players to confront their own values and are more thought-provoking than purely black-and-white options. Sawyer highlights games like Pentiment as examples of this design philosophy, noting a trend in modern RPGs like The Witcher 3 and Baldur's Gate 3 to move away from simplistic morality systems.- 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.
Playground Games says Fable uses the same engine as Forza Horizon with 'a ton of additional technology on top' — 'Using that base for Fable is just a match made in heaven'Playground Games has confirmed that the upcoming Fable title utilizes the same engine as the Forza Horizon series, with significant additional technology built on top. Associate game director Craig Littler stated that the engine's capabilities in high-fidelity graphics and world streaming make it an ideal foundation for Fable. The original creator of Fable, Peter Molyneux, is not involved in the development of this new installment.
If you kill every Fable NPC, Playground Games says the world will 'stay empty for some time' before being…Playground Games has confirmed that Fable will feature a repopulation system for NPCs, meaning settlements will eventually refill even if players kill all inhabitants. While initially considering permanent consequences, the studio opted for repopulation to avoid cutting off game systems. The game will launch on February 23, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.
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.
Fable pre-order & Collector's Edition guideThis guide details the different editions of the upcoming game Fable, including the Standard, Premium, and Collector's Editions. Pre-ordering any edition grants bonus in-game items and a Chicken Suit cosmetic. The Collector's Edition, which includes physical collectibles like a Jack of Blades statue, is currently sold out.
Fable voice actors & castPlayground Games' upcoming title Fable features a star-studded cast of voice actors bringing its characters to life. Notable performers include Hayley Atwell as Isabel, Richard Ayoade as Dave the Giant, and Matt King as Humphry. The article lists the confirmed voice actors for various characters, including the player-controlled Hero of Briar Hill, with some actors lending their voices to multiple NPCs.
We spoke to three Xbox Game Studio teams about exclusivity, and got two very different answersDevelopers from Xbox Game Studios have differing views on game exclusivity. Gears of War: E-Day creative director Matt Searcy believes it makes sense as an Xbox exclusive, while developers for Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable are excited about releasing on multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.
Playground försäkrar att Fable-demon spelades på enklaste svårighetsgradenPlayground Games has addressed fan concerns regarding the perceived ease of combat shown in a recent Fable gameplay demonstration. The studio clarified that the demo was played on the easiest 'story' difficulty, assuring players that higher difficulties will feature more challenging enemies. Fable is set to release on February 23 for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be AheadXbox 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.
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.