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[Doug Heffernan]

Am I surprised that Fable Legends was cancelled?

Hell no.

I saw this coming all along.

 

[Souless Squirrel]

That sucks for the people involved but makes sense given how little Lionhead has been in the spotlight since Fable 1. Fable itself hasn't been received as great game for a while so the franchise doesn't carry any weight anymore. The new game they were doing didn't look any good either although it is weird to cancel it so late in development. I thought Fable Legends was pretty much done at this point.

 

[oti]

minority opinion. they've been on the backburner for a little over half a decade. people are really overreacting, though it's terrible news regardless, but people are reaching across the grand canyon in some of these conclusions.

Fable is one of THE MS IPs. What else do they have? Gears, Halo and Forza. That's not enough. Where's the variety? Fable was an RPG and a very interesting one to boot. With flaws but interesting ideas. Where does MS, where does Xbox stand now after Fable and Lionhead are dead?

 

[Hoo-doo]

Fuck man, Lionhead closed?

There was always this glimmer of hope of there being another great Fable game someday and Fable was an Xbox staple franchise for as long as I can remember.

Hope many of them find their footing elsewhere.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Unless they're ready to cut dies with the gaming division all together in the not too distant future.

They've done it before.

You're certainly not wrong. But again if that's the case why not look to sell your stake to Sony/Nintendo/EA/Ubi/etc? If they tried to and couldn't find a buyer I understand. But shuttering more studios just makes you look radioactive as a company. Not that other console manufacturers are immune here (see: Sony Liverpool).

 

[Poodlestrike]

Guys, I really don't think this has anything to do with MS' PC initiatives. Both of these studios were working on games that were (probably in Press Play's case) coming to PC.

This is just weird.

 

[Arkeband]

♪WELLL~!♪
♪Their studio is now finished,♪
♪but there's still something on the wish list,♪
♪To keep us all going through twenty-sixteen-♪
♪There are no games on their table,♪
♪The least of which was known as "Fable",♪
♪So Microsoft should look into Black and White 3!♪

♪Eidle-eidle-ee!♪
♪Eidle-eidle-ee...♪

 

[CharminUltra]

Hope everyone who was let go lands on their feet.

 

[Darryl M R]

Oh wow, this is sad. I agree with others I think putting efforts into a Fable 4 would have been better than this. A lot more hype at least.

 

[Samurai G0SU]

WOw..... RIP..........

This is some sad ass news man...... No hope for anything Fable anymore =/

 

[Bony Manifesto]

Rare might be immune due to sheer brand name alone. I think closing Rare would be such an affirmation of failure for Microsoft's foray into console gaming that they'd never do it out of pride. Keeping the studio funded and doing little or selling their stake to Nintendo or Sony would be a better move than shuttering the doors of a truly legendary studio and brand.

I don't think Rare's brand is especially valuable these days, and I'm actually surprised that after their big downsizing a few years back, Rare hasn't quietly been axed. Similarly, I'm surprised Microsoft outright killed Lionhead (and the almost-finished game they've been working on for years), rather than shrinking and relocating them.

 

[Deadpool_X]

Wow, that's crazy. The Beta was coming along really nicely and they'd been implementing stuff that was really fun. I'm literally shocked about this right now.

Mostly, I feel for all of those who are now without jobs. I really hope they are able to rebound quickly and get back on their feet!

My prayers go out to all.

 

[BiggNife]

Am I surprised that Fable Legends was cancelled?

Hell no.

I saw this coming all along.

If they cancelled Legends a year or two ago I wouldn't be surprised

At this point it seemed so far along I'm shocked they're just throwing all that development time and money down the drain

 

[shoreu]

♪WELLL~!♪
♪Their studio is now finished,♪
♪but there's still something on the wish list,♪
♪To keep us all going through twenty-sixteen-♪
♪There are no games on their table,♪
♪The least of which was known as "Fable",♪
♪So Microsoft should look into Black and White 3!♪

♪Eidle-eidle-ee!♪
♪Eidle-eidle-ee...♪

I think ea has the rights to the game that's what lh always says.

 

[KooopaKid]

Not surprised one bit, the studio hasn't produced a big hit in years.

 

[ironcreed]

What a shitty way to be let go. Just another normal day and then... were closed. What the fuck?

 

[Mass_Pincup]

Is it available on any online service? I never actually picked it up but was always kind of curious.

I think it's only available in the mac game store, that's the only place I found it at least. So Mac only.

 

[PlatypusDude]

did halo or gears die when they lost the developers who made them? no. of course not. they'll get someone else to make it that's all.

I doubt Fable is as big of a franchise as Gears or Halo to continue on after Lionhead's closure. Could be wrong of course.

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

Literally checked my feeds and saw this. I'm in like total shock. The game looked like it was going to be fine. They showed the gameplay too and everything... I'm... Wow. Hopefully the studio makes out well.

Welp, the studio is being closed as well... Fuck . I hope the devs are able to get on the or feet or go indie to keep it alive

 

[Hispanic! At the Disco]

Wow. That's sad. Hopefully everyone lands on their feet!

It's kind of funny to me in a way though, since I just recieved my Fable Legends beta code and was gonna play it after work today. I guess not!

 

[Dream_Journey]

Bullfrog (1987-2001)

Lionhead (1997-2016)

??? (2017-20XX)

Rare.

 

[Poodlestrike]

Honestly, unless they announce they're buying/forming new studios in the immediate future (and they closed what they considered to be underperforming studios in the mean time to reallocate those resources)...

This just doesn't make any sense to me. Why on earth?

 

[Kill3r7]

I loved B&W 1&2 and Fable 1&2. I hope everyone lands on their feet. Although to be fair, it has been nearly 6 years since Lionhead released a game of note. Closing down a talented studio seems pretty short sighted.

 

[Raldoh]

That's unfortunate, Fable 2 co-op is one of my most memorable game experiences despite all of its flaws.

Rather drastic move from MS but Lionhead's output since the Fable 2 release (2008?) hasn't been that great.honestly. Hopefully those affected will get support in finding new employment, maybe Rare could use some Lionhead talent?

 

[TalonJH]

Good luck to everyone involved.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

I can't imagine Rare being in a great position either. If Sea of Thieves is a bomb they might be axed.

Microsoft has probably thought long and hard about shutting down Rare but they won't survive the PR nightmare of shutting down one of gaming's (used to be) most beloved studios.

 

[papo]

This sucks. End of an era. I loved Lionhead and some of its older games. Black and White and the older Fables are games I will always remember. But Legends, other than being a really beautiful game, was boring and did not feel like a real entertaining game at all.

It is sad. I always had a wish that Peter M would go back a do one more proper single player Fable adventure. As much as the game had problems and under delivered on the ambitious promises the game were wonderful. They had a style, atmosphere and charm akin to the best Bioware/Bethesda game and it a thing that is going to be lost. Loved the series and I hope Ms does not give up on the franchise as a whole and gives us the game we deserve.

Man MS really does not bank on its franchises. Fable could have been as big as Halo or the MS equivalent of Zelda/FF...if they only believed in it enough to back it. They act like Nintendo with some of their games only difference is that Nintendo has had success and great game in those franchises for decades before leaving them in the dust.

RIP Fable we hardly knew 'ye

Microsoft has probably thought long and hard about shutting down Rare but they won't survive the PR nightmare of shutting down one of gaming's (used to be) most beloved studios.

Reading this it makes me hope that some of the talent left out from Lionhead would go to Rare then they would make a Lionhead/Rare tag team that would be enough to make game that reach the top o what both studios made in their prime....a man can wish even f it is too far fetched. Fable 4.... :,(

 

[Leflus]

Fable is one of THE MS IPs. What else do they have? Gears, Halo and Forza. That's not enough. Where's the variety? Fable was an RPG and a very interesting one to boot. With flaws but interesting ideas. Where does MS, where does Xbox stand now after Fable and Lionhead are dead?

Oh come on.

Crackdown?
Scalebound?
Quantum Break?
Killer Instinct?
Recore?
Sea of Thieves?
State of Decay?

All MS IPs.

It's a damn shame that the devs at Lionhead are most likely losing their jobs and that the Fable franchise will be put on ice, but let's not get crazy.

 

[Ricky Ricardo]

WHAT

WHAT

WHAT

Where ... when .. huh? What?!

I just got an update saying things had been added to the Fable Legends beta.

This is truly far, far out of left field.

Hope those affected can find work.

 

[Maxim726X]

You're certainly not wrong. But again if that's the case why not look to sell your stake to Sony/Nintendo/EA/Ubi/etc? If they tried to and couldn't find a buyer I understand. But shuttering more studios just makes you look radioactive as a company. Not that other console manufacturers are immune here (see: Sony Liverpool).

Eh, why is Konami sitting on Hudson and all of their IPs?

I don't get it either, I hope someone can bring more light to this situation moving forward.

 

[CalamityPixel]

Well unfortunately, from a corporate perspective their recent game output is not enough to sustain a AAA studio.

So I understand the shutdown, but I really wish they had one last chance to work on a new IP.

 

[Rembrandt]

Fable is one of THE MS IPs. What else do they have? Gears, Halo and Forza. That's not enough. Where's the variety? Fable was an RPG and a very interesting one to boot. With flaws but interesting ideas. Where does MS, where does Xbox stand now after Fable and Lionhead are dead?

In the same place they've always been since a Fable game hasn't came out in over half a decade.

Press Play had more potential than Lionhead

Oh come on.

Crackdown?
Scalebound?
Quantum Break?
Killer Instinct?
Recore?
Sea of Thieves?
State of Decay?

All MS IPs.

It's a damn shame that the devs at Lionhead are most likely losing their jobs and that the Fable franchise will be put on ice, but let's not get crazy.

also this. we've seen a bigger attempt at variety than anything MS has done in the past years, but let's ignore all of that.

 

[Spitz]

Who ever made the decision that the Fable Franchise next step is a F2P MOBA game should get fired not the people at Lionhead.

 

[Vanillalite]

Are you saying that because they were actually mismanaged or because they didn't produce the games you want?

They started dev on Legends in what 2012 and it's still not out yet? Sounds like something wasn't going well even if you don't want to use the mismanaged term.

 

[DopeyFish]

WHAT

WHAT

WHAT

Where ... when .. huh? What?!

I just got an update saying things had been added to the Fable Legends beta.

This is truly far, far out of left field.

Hope those affected can find work.

welcome to the beta!

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

RIP Lionhead

Hopefully the staffers have better luck getting a new position elsewhere.

 

[Fewr]

Probably for the best.

 

[Kssio_Aug]

I'm very surprised! Negatively... :/

I haven't played the beta, but heard some very positive impressions. And it seems the general consensus was that it was actually a pretty solid game besides the low appeal.

That came out of nowhere...

 

[Outrun]

I wish all those affected the best.

 

[Pooya]

Another one bites the dust. Fable series, Fable III included, actually sold quite well actually. The series might not have been all that good but it was indeed popular enough.
This is Oct 2010 NPD.

1. NBA 2K11 (Take-Two Interactive, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, PC)
2. Fallout: New Vegas (Bethesda Softworks, Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
3. Medal of Honor (Electronic Arts, Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
4. Fable III (Microsoft, Xbox 360) 580,000 units*
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (LucasArts, Xbox 360, PS3, WII, PC, NDS)
6. Halo: Reach (Microsoft, Xbox 360) 315,000 units*
7. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft, Wii)
8. FIFA Soccer 11 (Electronic Arts, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, NDS, PC)
9. Madden NFL 11 (Electronic Arts, Xbox 360, PS3, WII, PS2, PSP)
10. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 (THQ, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, WII, PSP)
and then Nov

1.Call of Duty: Black Ops (360) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD ~ 4.9M
2.Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3) ACTIVISION BLIZZARD ~ 3.1M
3.Just Dance 2 (Wii) UBISOFT ~ 664K
4.Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (360) UBISOFT ~ 718K
5.Fable III (360) MICROSOFT ~ 551K
6.Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) NINTENDO ~ 430K
7.Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PS3) UBISOFT ~ 425K
8.Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) SONY ~ 399K
9.Halo Reach (360) Microsoft ~ 355K
10.Wii Fit Plus (Wii) NINTENDO ~ 353K

I think those figures were really too good for that game compared with everything else on those charts.

It always did really well in UK . Then Fable Kinect happened, then that whatever heroes happened then this Legend happened. They were crazy. Gotta be one of the most mismanaged franchises in vg history, up there with C&C!

 

[Amused]

There goes my Black and white VR-game

Good luck to everyone involved at the studio

 

[Sleight of Jam]

I was honestly surprised Legends wasn't canned sooner. After all the silence, re-working, model changes etc I saw it coming. The beta looked promising, but still something didn't feel right.

It's a real shame to see this happen to Lionhead.

 

[OnionPowder]

Microsoft has probably thought long and hard about shutting down Rare but they won't survive the PR nightmare of shutting down one of gaming's (used to be) most beloved studios.

They probably haven't. While fans are disappointed with Rares output they helped a lot with the Kinect and were able to move on when MS dropped it

 

[Fuchsdh]

Wait, what? That's insane.

The beta was being updated pretty much every few weeks. It felt like almost a complete game, with microtransactions and everything.

Yep. As sad as getting the studio shut down would be considering they poured so much time and money into the game I'm surprised Legends isn't going to drop, and it's a shame. Definitely a lot of fun with it (my only complaint is some UI lagging/optimization.)

And of course this means Fable 4 is now supremely unlikely. Sigh.

 

[KTallguy]

Another one bites the dust. Big company buying small dev. studio eventually ends up like this... very few relationships turn out well.

I hope everyone finds work.

 

[infinit777]

minority opinion. they've been on the backburner for a little over half a decade. people are really overreacting, though it's terrible news regardless, but people are reaching across the grand canyon in some of these conclusions.

Yea I know it is a minority opinion I just wanted to voice my thoughts on it. It is sad to see the team lose their jobs, but hopefully they all find a new place in the industry.

I'm sure this won't be the end of the fable franchise though, It will probably get shoveled to another studio like the Halo and Gears IPs.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

Fable Legends, to me, was the most interesting, inspired thing I'd seen out of Fable in years. It's characters were solid, the effects for the skills and such were gorgeous, and overall, even if it's "Not an RPG", it was on a good path to being something PSO-like with the potential to do much more for expanding the lore of the story than retread RPGs that were put out just to say the Xbox had an RPG series.

Really sad to see that the game won't properly release and be updated; It's season model sounded like it could have great potential if used properly.

Press Play is a shame, too; I don't think I was as impressed by Kalimbra and Max as many, but they were definitely solid games, and the studio deserved to have time to grow into their own, not just get shuttered so swiftly.

I hope Lionhead gets to continue to some degree (since I hear the title is wrong, and they're still in discussion), and I'd totally be fine with getting a playable, never updated version of Legends for like $20 if they'd release it. Seems a real shame for such work to go to waste.

Bleh, this is just nasty news. Not something I'd even expect to hear at all in the next few years, let alone today.

Ah man, I just realized why this game clicked for me. It was basically a take on PSO-lite in structure just not quite as complicated or deep. Fuck, I was really enjoying this thing. It was seriously two or three updates from being open beta ready and I'm curious what data they looked at that made them full stop. I'm seriously bummed out about this.

 

[Elvin Atombender]

Well, that was the most unexpected news in a while.

 

[Ushojax]

What a sad trajectory this studio had. This will happen to Rare soon enough.

 

[……forgetit]

Everything about this seems to be crazy sudden, it seems like the game was even almost done, no doubt no one knew this was coming. This is just more bizarre the more I look into it.