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[Ninja Scooter]

Relationship as in Money?

Yes. It's business. Good relationships involve money, not being someone's BFF.

 

[CrispyBoar]

I dont think they want to give the living room up that soon.

The battle for the living room was over a long time ago. If anything has taken over the living room, it's mobile stuff like tablets & media streaming boxes.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

from the wire:



they are making clear that they are not "next".

You're quoting from a PR piece, it means nothing.
You can probably find a similar quote about Fable Legends as little as a few weeks back.

 

[Garlador]

You've got to be kidding me. Rare is secure, I can promise you that.

Unlike Lionhead, their last few games sold really well, excusing Kinect Sports Rivals of course. MS are constantly using Rare's IPs now and Rare Replay was one of last years best selling games and the most preordered out of E3. Rare are safe, I'd only worry about them if Sea of Thieves flops.

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Kinect Sports Rivals CRATERED. Don't undersell how much it, er, undersold. It was a HUGE disaster for RARE.


And MS using Rare's IPs doesn't mean they need RARE. Killer Instinct is proof of that; a RARE IP not made by RARE at all.

And Rare Replay was a hit, yes... but it also was just a (great) collection of ancient games. It's not a good thing when you're biggest selling point are games nearly 20 years old.... and those outshine their recent output. A collection of old games is not proof of life at RARE anymore than Mega Man Legacy Collection is proof of life for Mega Man.

We'll see if Sea of Thieves succeeds or flops. I'm not optimistic, though... but I'd love to be proven wrong.

But... I would not say RARE is safe at all. They've already suffered extensive layoffs these past few years.

 

[Obliterator]

Considering Lionhead are (were) based in Guildford, maybe it's time for Media Molecule to throw open their doors for a bit of rapid expansion and get a couple of dozen Lionhead folk on board.

Thats not a bad idea at all really if they are hiring. Some of the people from Lionhead would be a good fit there

 

[SplitYourInfinities]

Considering Lionhead are (were) based in Guildford, maybe it's time for Media Molecule to throw open their doors for a bit of rapid expansion and get a couple of dozen Lionhead folk on board.

Considering that there is a good relationship between both (MM was founded by ex-Lionhead) i think they will.

 

[Kelegacy]

Ah, now there's the Microsoft I know and love.

 

[Miles X]

You pretend as if Microsoft doesn't have great third party relationships with studios. Remedy, Armature, Reagent, etc...

There is no commitment there tho, once one game is finished that's it. They can cut ties entirely.

 

[kinoki]

You've got to be kidding me. Rare is secure, I can promise you that.

Unlike Lionhead, their last few games sold really well, excusing Kinect Sports Rivals of course. MS are constantly using Rare's IPs now and Rare Replay was one of last years best selling games and the most preordered out of E3. Rare are safe, I'd only worry about them if Sea of Thieves flops.

A pirate themed MMO being successful is their ace in the sleeve? If I was Rare and had those odds I'd just assume I was being closed down. Sorry, but nothing with Sea of Theives fills me with confidence.

 

[Guymelef]

Kind of saw this coming once Fable became F2P. Fable Journey and fable legends killed that franchise.

Damn you Microsoft!!!

First Phantom Dust, then Fable, what's next? forza horizon studio?

Forza Horizon studio is third party.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Sucks, I was really looking forward to this game. I think this could have had a chance to be successful. Shame it won't get the chance.

 

[BasilZero]

Noo

This was my favorite team/studio from MS and Fable is my favorite IP from Microsoft T__T.

 

[garyizraw]

I saw this coming with Fable Legends, but closing Lionhead? and closing PressPlay im shocked. PressPlay had potential even if they didn't put up numbers. MS better open some new studios to take over Max and Fable. Those IP's can still make bank.

 

[Sydle]

I'm not terribly surprised due to the lack of any hype for both projects, but it's sad nonetheless.

I was in the FL beta and had a lot of fun for about 20 hours and then never felt compelled to go back. I didn't care enough about Project Knoxville to even try the beta.

I'm going to guess Rare is next if SoT flops.

I saw this coming with Fable Legends, but closing Lionhead? and closing PressPlay im shocked. PressPlay had potential even if they didn't put up numbers. MS better open some new studios to take over Max and Fable. Those IP's can still make bank.

I have some doubt they will open or acquire any more studios. The contract-for-hire approach seems to be where they're going.

 

[InsaneTiger]

I called this back with Fable 2.

Fable 1 was to me the best. Regardless of peoples expectations the gameplay was solid and the story was enjoyable and it was very funny at moment. (See Chicken Kicker.).

Fable 2 was the first time I get really worried about Lionhead. I had been paying attention to a lot of the hype around the game and what the devs had been claiming would be in the game. It seemed like it would become a classic. Within 20 mins of playing it I realised that the one thing I really cared about, the gameplay, was not great. It felt really artificial and lack luster. I couldn't even finish the game. I got close, but each time I just couldn't find the will to carry on. It was missing a huge amount of the features promised and while I didn't feel cheated, I wasn't happy.

Spore was the kicker though. It was not what was promised. It was the bare minimum and it was clear it was never going to be more than that. Fable 3 was just a bigger indicator that Lionhead was heading the wrong way.

The only smart guy in the room huh?

Peter is famous for overpromising then not deliver everything he promised, probably due to the limitations of his time, oh and deadlines. The games had a huge amount of praise when released. If anything the Kinect on-rails game might have been an indication but to shutter a studio instead of reusing assets speaks to a deeper problem.

 

[shoreu]

So is my NDA void?

I have a lot to say.

 

[Dlacy13g]

I truly do fear for Rare now. I think the talent is in place to create truly fantastic games, but online MMOs are ripe for development issues - and are extremely volatile in terms of getting a return on investment.

I was hoping they'd play it safe with their return from Kinect Purgatory

I think Rare Replay probably saved Rare from the cutting room. If you look at what Lionhead has put out vs what Rare has put out...even though Rare kinect games were not popular in places like Neogaf, I believe they actually sold pretty well, then Rare Replay did really well vs Lionhead who really after Fable 2 has not done well in the sales side.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I think Rare Replay probably saved Rare from the cutting room. If you look at what Lionhead has put out vs what Rare has put out...even though Rare kinect games were not popular in places like Neogaf, I believe they actually sold pretty well, then Rare Replay did really well vs Lionhead who really after Fable 2 has not done well in the sales side.

I'm not sure an old game collection is enough to save a huge studio like Rare. Even if it was really well done, you can outsource a rom collection to any number of studios. Sea of Thieves is far from a sure thing to me.

 

[AncientDiety]

I think Rare Replay probably saved Rare from the cutting room. If you look at what Lionhead has put out vs what Rare has put out...even though Rare kinect games were not popular in places like Neogaf, I believe they actually sold pretty well, then Rare Replay did really well vs Lionhead who really after Fable 2 has not done well in the sales side.

How did a collection of old games save rare? Not saying Rare are in trouble but I don't think replay has anything to do with it.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

So is my NDA void?

I have a lot to say.

lay it on us.

 

[Leflus]

So is my NDA void I have a lot to say?

I guess so.

It's not like you have a lot to lose if you break it anyways. The only thing they can do is to ban you from the beta.

 

[TheMan]

Fable has been considered shit for a long time and molyneux is a joke, so this isn't all that surprising. Condolences to those who are newly unemployed, I hope they find work soon. Molyneux should just retire.

 

[hemo memo]

This is what I don't get.. If the game is near complete why didn't they just release it? It didn't stop The Order and other games with light content sold at retail price.. Just look at Destiny when it first launched.

 

[Tntnico]

I'm litterally shocked !

I love Press Play and Kalimba is one of the best game of tis generation !

 

[SneakersSO]

That's what surprises me about this. A F2P Fable game on the Windows 10 store could have attracted people to that storefront, which I assume is also the purpose of Forza Apex.

It could be that the higher-ups didn't have confidence in the MT model, or its aggressiveness, that Fable Legends currently had? Maybe whatever Press Play was cooking up was solely SP based and didn't even have an SP component that they could monetize? Or maybe Press Play's latest didn't have any W10 version to speak of?

If I had to take a guess, this is MS pulling the reigns on their 1st party budget a bit, and making some hard choices.

 

[nadnerb 64]

While its crazy it happened, there was never any excitement around it. After the beta, Microsoft seems to have been sweeping it under the rug and when it was delayed, welp that wasn't a great sign. Hopefully someone can pick up the fable licence and make a great NEW AND ACTUAL FABLE GAME.

 

[Doug Heffernan]

There is no commitment there tho, once one game is finished that's it. They can cut ties entirely.

Which makes it a great strategy for Microsoft. They can tap the talents of studios like Remedy, Iron Galaxy, Insomniac and Platinum without the cost of running those studios. It's a win win.

 

[Alebrije]

Wow, hope the guys find job soon.

If Nintendo do release NX with decent 3rd p support and a powerful hardware. Microsoft will have trouble with the Xbone, Sony also but Xbone seems to be the one that will be eated if NX has support

 

[Rephin]

I certainly didn't expect this to start my week off.

I hope everyone affected can come out of this okay.

 

[Elios83]

Sucks for those who have lost their job.
But Lionhead was just the shadow of its former self at this point and if they have canceled the game so close to release they clearly expected poor sales and reception against the continued costs of keeping the studio alive to support it (especially considering the f2p nature that requires continued updates).
So we can't say that the closure doesn't make sense.
The blame is still on MS for the timing and their mismanagement, they should have restructured the studio long ago with a clear goal in mind. Instead they forced them into Kinect and then a f2p model just to close them later.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Which makes it a great strategy for Microsoft. They can tap the talents of studios like Remedy, Iron Galaxy, Insomniac and Platinum without the cost of running those studios. It's a win win.

Considering how bad MS has proven to be at injecting themselves into the established culture of a studio and changing it for the worse, I think it's their safest way forward.

 

[wapplew]

Which makes it a great strategy for Microsoft. They can tap the talents of studios like Remedy, Iron Galaxy, Insomniac and Platinum without the cost of running those studios. It's a win win.

Really no point to keep internal studio running, just keep the IPs and let others do the work for you.
Fable 4 by platinum or Fromsoft sound 400% more hype than Fable 4 by Lion head.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

This is what I don't get.. If the game is near complete why didn't they just release it? It didn't stop The Order and other games with light content sold at retail price.. Just look at Destiny when it first launched.

Marketing, distributing and nowadays supporting a game post release costs money. At some point they must have decided that the game would do so poorly it isn't worth whatever that amount of money is.

 

[Reedirect]

Wow, four years to the day since Molyneux announced he's leaving Lionhead. Can't say I was excited about Legends, but I'm sad to see them go.

 

[AncientDiety]

Wow, hope the guys find job soon.

If Nintendo do release NX with decent 3rd p support and a powerful hardware. Microsoft will have trouble with the Xbone, Sony also but Xbone seems to be the one that will be eated if NX has support

LOL Sony has nothing to fear from NX.

 

[Fardeen]

log in facebook, fables cancelled, wooow

 

[Night Angel]

Which makes it a great strategy for Microsoft. They can tap the talents of studios like Remedy, Iron Galaxy, Insomniac and Platinum without the cost of running those studios. It's a win win.

Until those studios decide to bring their talent to their competitors, of course.

Then again, MS hasn't got a good track record for keeping studios and talent as it is, so maybe you're right.

 

[Papacheeks]

Forza Horizon studio is third party.

Huh?

The way they sold Forza I thought it was a first party studio Kind of like Sony's Poly correct?

 

[Generalpsyduck]

Wanna take bets on when rare is going to get shut down?

Spoiler

I give them a year. Two max

 

[KingJ2002]

So is my NDA void?

I have a lot to say.

Is your NDA with Lionhead exclusively, or with Microsoft as well?

As much as we want to hear. It's best to check your paperwork and see if there's no transfer of ownership over the NDA.

 

[GAMEPROFF]

Wow, hope the guys find job soon.

If Nintendo do release NX with decent 3rd p support and a powerful hardware. Microsoft will have trouble with the Xbone, Sony also but Xbone seems to be the one that will be eated if NX has support

Nintendo wont have decent 3rd party support.

 

[CalamityPixel]

LOL Sony has nothing to fear from NX.

Just like they had nothing to fear from the Wii...

 

[Japanmanx3]

Dang! Not surprised though.

 

[Iorv3th]

Fable has been considered shit for a long time and molyneux is a joke, so this isn't all that surprising. Condolences to those who are newly unemployed, I hope they find work soon. Molyneux should just retire.

Molyneux left Lionhead in 2012. He had nothing to do with the current games, in fact they haven't released anything since he left.

 

[Pizza]

Lion head hasn't done anything extraordinary for awhile, and if fable legends was what the majority of the studio was working on then I could see ms having some problem with them.


It may be more profitable to lend the rights to the different lionhead series to other studios at this point

 

[AncientDiety]

Just like they had nothing to fear from the Wii...

Different audience, lightning rarely strikes twice....Sony is not going to lose third party support even if NX gets it which is doubtfull. PS4 will keep selling very well. Anyone who thinks PS4 will get hurt by NX is delusional imo.

 

[Poodlestrike]

The thing is, this casts doubts on... basically everything they've got coming down the pipe. Legends was, despite the disappointment of a lot of "Fable 4 or bust" types, very good. If this is dead, what does it mean for Decisive Game's strategy title? Or Crackdown, which is supposed to have a spring beta but was a no-show at the Spring Showcase?

 

[Hedge]

What. I thought it was almost done. Why wouldn't it make more economic sense to release and see if it's succesful?

 

[EventHorizon]

That's weird, i mean Fable definitely got bad lately, and the future of this brand wasn't bright at all, though it looked like they would have at least released this Fable Legends as, they've been talking about it a lot and should have been almost done...

The problem is that Fable Legends is a multiplayer game. If it failed to do good from the start it would crash hard due to having a low population count. If that happened then it would become nothing but bad publicity. That's the problem with multiplayer only games. It's either feast or famine.

 

[krang]

Huh?

The way they did sold Forza I thought it was a first party studio Kind of like Sony's Poly correct?

Forza Motorsport = first party. Forza Horizon = third party.