Yes, the rumours are true. Not even two years after Lionhead Studios closed, Microsoft have tasked the Playground group, the creators of the Forza Horizon games, with their next big task: to make a new Fable title.
Microsoft is reportedly investing a lot in this title, however. Over 200 staff will apparently be working on the game in Playground’s newly-established office in the UK.
This is a big step forward for the series. Two years ago the last game set for release, Fable Legends, was canned and developer Lionhead shuttered. Fable Legends, unlike previous games, was supposed to roll out as a free-to-play open-world game, with a focus on online multiplayer. After Lionhead Studios shut down the Fable franchise was thought to be gone for good.
Obviously some have their doubts as to whether Playground will be able to continue the traditions of the legendary franchise. Fable co-creator Simon Carter said to Eurogamer, “On the one hand it’s great for the UK games industry, and very pleasing that Fable isn’t dead; indeed, it will be lovely to play one as a punter, without coming out in hives.”
We can only hope that Albionians will be happy with what Playground can deliver, but the UK developer have had extreme success with their racing games. Forza Horizon 3 was one of the the Xbox One’s top games in 2016. Expertise in racing games is something altogether different from open-world, karmic-alignment-based fantasy (with more than a few weird twists), however. They’ll have a chance to start fresh at least — according to the reports Playground has decided to start from scratch with this project rather than picking up the remnants left by Lionhead’s departure.
Source: Eurogamer