Lionhead showing new IP at E3?

Source: Lionhead animation director Andrew Lindsay, as related by a Swansea Metropolitan University student's Twitter feed.What we heard: Last month, BBC radio and television personality Jonathan Ross claimed through his Twitter feed that he had been tapped to provide voice work on Lionhead's...

Source: Lionhead animation director Andrew Lindsay, as related by a Swansea Metropolitan University student's Twitter feed.

What we heard: Last month, BBC radio and television personality Jonathan Ross claimed through his Twitter feed that he had been tapped to provide voice work on Lionhead's as-yet-unannounced next project, Fable III. While it remains unclear whether Ross was referring to Fable III or simply to downloadable content for Fable II, Twitter has again stirred up the rumor mill regarding Lionhead's future endeavors.

According to the Twitter feed of Swansea Metropolitan University student, Lionhead animation director Andrew Lindsay confirmed that his studio was at work on an all-new intellectual property and that the first details on the project would arrive as part of this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in June. Lindsay supposedly delivered the news as part of Swansea Metropolitan University's AmperSAND digital medium forum, where he had been scheduled to speak tonight.

When contacted by GameSpot, the student offered a few more details from Lindsay's presentation. "Every now and then industry heads visit our class," he said. "Not much was said really, just that an announcement for a new game of a new franchise will be revealed. He showed off some incredible facial animation and spoke about some skin textures (put skin up to a light and the red translucent glow)."

While not concrete, the information fits with recent statements made by Lionhead studio head Peter Molyneux. As part of his Game Developers Conference presentation, Molyneux himself nearly outed the title. In describing the cost structure of the Lionhead Experiments program, Molyneux noticeably checked himself, saying, "I almost said the project we were working on. That would have been disastrous!" Molyneux also noted during that presentation that Lionhead plans to incorporate a Portal-esque gameplay mechanic into one of its future titles.

As for the potential of an E3 reveal, Molyneux also said at GDC 2009 during an interview with GameSpot that Lionhead was getting close to showing off what it has been working on. "I feel more empowered to be able to do the most bizarre, most out-there ideas, and I think interestingly you're going to see the product of that come forward very soon," Molyneux said. "I think Lionhead's almost ready to start showing the world what happens when you feel safe about experimenting and inventing and prototyping, and that can lead to some pretty amazing things and we've got some amazing things in our pocket."

The official story: Unfortunately, neither Lionhead nor Microsoft had anything to say on Lindsay's apparent reveal. "We cannot comment on rumour and speculation," a Lionhead representative told GameSpot. [UPDATE] Late on Wednesday, Microsoft provided GameSpot with the following statement: "Lionhead is always exploring new game concepts and we are constantly exchanging ideas about new stories we can tell and experiences we can deliver to our customers through games. As soon as we have something to announce, we'll let you know."

Bogus or not bogus?: Very tentative not bogus. With Fable II wrapped, downloadable content isn't likely to occupy the entire studio's attention. Plus, Molyneux's statements lend a good deal of credence to the notion that something will bubble over soon.

146 Comments

  • Autolycus

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 12:38 pm PT

    Intellectual Property aka money making idea

  • ClaudioVMartins

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 12:09 am PT

    What does IP stand for? jello_flouride, you are the man

  • jello_flouride

    Posted May 30, 2009 6:37 pm PT

    I can't wait for Peter to start showing off ideas that wont make it to the actual game.! =)

  • brunibadger66

    Posted May 30, 2009 5:12 pm PT

    black and white my pocket pets edition.

  • Sharvie

    Posted May 29, 2009 5:28 pm PT

    Sounds promising. Gotta love Peter Molyneux.

  • lmcalack

    Posted May 14, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    PlayNice951 is so right

  • amo_lang123

    Posted May 13, 2009 6:56 pm PT

    please let it be project dimitri! ive waited for that game so long...

  • PlayNice951

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 4:54 pm PT

    if it is fable III, it needs to be alot longer. Fable II was wayyyy too short

  • Flipyap28

    Posted Apr 26, 2009 11:49 am PT

    cant wait for whatever it is...

  • gizmo12345

    Posted Apr 25, 2009 3:07 am PT

    Guys it says "new IP" so forget this being DLC or a fable sequel, I wouldnt be suprised if it was very close to the fable games but it wont be to do with them. If your hopeing for the next fable Moleneux already confirmed them following fable 2's realse so just wait a while they will arrive.

  • fky_frankie

    Posted Apr 24, 2009 12:44 am PT

    I went to this talk at swansea univercity. I can confirm that he did mention there was a new title that lionhead were developing and that lionhead would release the first information about it during the next E3. Thats all he mentioned.

  • tmaclabi

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:20 pm PT

    That's good to hear.

  • poodeek

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    Check out BC's gamespace here: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/bc/index.html

    It had so much potential, just think of the capabilities they can utilize now on the next-gen systems that they couldn't even dream of on the old xbox. So I'd def be one happy mofo if it turns out to be a next-gen "BC." how epic would that be?!

  • mne635

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 2:30 pm PT

    um what is BC? every1 keeps mentioning it but i aint got a clue wat they on about :S

  • cooldude03

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 1:49 pm PT

    I hope this game turns out better than BC

  • Phoenix534

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 1:23 pm PT

    This is going t obe interesting. And to the people saying Fable III and Black & White 3, read the title. If there is a new game, it will be a new IP, not a sequel. This is a good thing, because the Xbox 360 is filled with sequels to over-hyped, over-appreciated games that companies made becuase they knew it would make money. A new IP is a good thing.

  • sluffmochildeater

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    I bet it's a game that reads your mind, can have 1000 players playing at once but they all play a portion of the character (Player 1 is left leg, player two is right index finger), is located on an exact replica of earth and all it's buildings (Which are updated daily) and it will play flawlessly online using REAL MAGIC! Oh and you can do whatever you can imagine!

  • maxenzo12345

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:50 am PT

    maybe a new fable2 made right? that would be cool,instead of the crap they have launched that doesnt scratch what fable 1 was.

  • carlobrown174

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:32 am PT

    It's probably the new fable 2 DLC.

  • l_darky_l

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:11 am PT

    It's a project that's been codenamed "Dimitri", and has been described by Peter Molyneux in a very Fable-like manner...

  • XanderZane

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 11:00 am PT

    It's not going to be another Fable game, so people need to get that out of their heads right now. It's obviously going to be a new IP. I wish it was "BC", but I have a feeling it's not that either. So we'll just have to wait and see at the E3. I'm curious as to what Rare has in store for us. PDZ, Killer Instinct 3, Battletoads, Conker or something original.

  • bamir0

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:59 am PT

    Ooooh good. Another game for Peter Molyneux to hype up to the point of near hysteria and then actually produce a below-par bore-fest.

  • volcomstoner180

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:48 am PT

    this new fable better actually have co op.....they were pretty much lying when they said fable 2 had co op

  • dropster33

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:46 am PT

    they have to make another fable and it has to be twice as long

  • Mason-McGlasson

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:38 am PT

    That would be pretty tight but too bad fable and fable 2 were way too short. Fable 2 from a graphical standpoint was pretty poor too. I kind of want a PS3 version of Fable (but a new IP that uses realistic graphics/detailed, blood and gore, very in depth character customization, and a very long epic story. Pretty sure Lionhead is owned by Microsoft so that probably won't happen... Would be cool though. I want Lionhead to make Fable 3 actually a long game...

  • Pieter101

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:22 am PT

    Nexst Fable for Pc/X360 or Fable 2 With the 2x DLC (PC)
    i h0pe so

  • rh06

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:21 am PT

    I can only hope its the next Fable.

  • hassy94

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 10:00 am PT

    Good there are some Microsoft exclusives being revealed at E3.

    I can't wait for buying a load of games this year:
    (In order)

    1. Fallout 3 - Broken Steel
    2. Prototype
    3. Fight Night Round 4
    4. Forza Motorpsort 3
    5. Modern Warfare 2
    6. Alan Wake

    And loads more that have left my mind.

  • smghottie

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:54 am PT

    Fable II was pretty awesome. It has probably given me more overall play time on 360 than any other game. I love not playing for a few weeks and when I come back my businesses are doing great and I'm rich as hell. I think the DLC was pretty weak, and offered nothing more than a few puzzles. See the Future NEEDS to have more meat to it's bones than Knothole Island.

  • sonynhater

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:45 am PT

    if they make fableIII they need to make it tons better than fableII... FableII did not live up to the hype

  • mushnum5

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:39 am PT

    I wish they'd do another Black and white... the original was so good

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:31 am PT

    I would love to see something new from Lion Head! OMG maybe its BC! I wanted that game so bad! And I feel the next gen can handle the vision!

  • grillepain_man

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 9:09 am PT

    I hope this ''Fable III'' game will be more ''constant'' that the crap that is Fable II.
    Lionhead's forum is FULL of complaints about bugs and freeze and stuff...

  • Adziboy

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 8:52 am PT

    Why do Microsoft never give comments? Nothing at all. Nothing.

  • aBathingApe_

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 8:47 am PT

    New IP would be good for Microsoft assuming it was exclusive to PC/360 and included Molyneux.

  • havocmerc

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 8:43 am PT

    Let it be Fable III. I am not a big fan of downloadable content in general and have always preferred a new fresh addition to the games that I am fond of playing.

  • konradak

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:56 am PT

    Cool.

  • Kickass1313

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:17 am PT

    finally a game for the 360!!!!

  • Dinkyfish

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:03 am PT

    They must be working on something new, looking forward to finding out what it is

  • 1995_1996_1997

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:59 am PT

    nice a new game!!

  • doctor_kaz

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:47 am PT

    Molyneaux was interviewed at this year's GDC (on Gametrailers TV I think) and he was in typical Molyneaux form talking about his unannounced project. Basically it's going to revolutionize entertainment, or something to that effect.

  • ivan_the_one

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:20 am PT

    whatever they decide to make it better have a good plot.

  • ele975

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 6:17 am PT

    @ thenephariouson

    Thanks a lot man!

  • Lateraliss

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:53 am PT

    @mrklorox:

    We've already gotten a game from them with that plot. It was called Fable 2

  • Goblex

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:50 am PT

    A thought about the coming of Fable 3-They would be soiling the experience that Fable I provided if they make another Fable.As far as I remember,Fable has a lot of mystery in it and everything was unclear and unexpected(unless you had read the spoilers),but now we have the basic overview of what Fable is all about and it will not be as exiting as the first game.i think they should come up with something completely new,they are able to do it.
    At this point I'd note that i only read the first paragraph of this article,so if the article is not about F3,then replies to my comm would not be neccessary...

  • mrklorox

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:19 am PT

    Well, we've been god in Populous/B&W. We've been the devil in DungeonKeeper. We've been instinct/survival/evolution in Spore. What's left?

    It's obviously going to be a game called VOID. It will be nothing but black emptiness. To win, you have to exist. GOTY 2012.

  • jojocomeand

    Posted Apr 23, 2009 5:18 am PT

    Maybe it's DK3!!!!!!

    Lionhead bought the rights right?

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