Fable III to incorporate Natal?

Source: An interview with Lionhead Studios head Peter Molyneux by Dutch site GameKings. What we heard: At its E3 2009 press briefing, Microsoft revealed that Lionhead was working on Milo, a simulation game that uses the motion--and emotion--sensing qualities of Project Natal. Two months later at...

Source: An interview with Lionhead Studios head Peter Molyneux by Dutch site GameKings.

What we heard: At its E3 2009 press briefing, Microsoft revealed that Lionhead was working on Milo, a simulation game that uses the motion--and emotion--sensing qualities of Project Natal. Two months later at GamesCom in Germany, Molyneux took the wraps off Fable III, another Xbox 360 exclusive from the Microsoft-owned, UK-based studio.

Given Molyneux's involvement with both Fable III and Natal, it stands to reason that the former might feature some connectivity with the latter. However, the GameKings interviewer expressed regret at having read that the game wouldn't be using Natal. The journalist said he felt it would be ideal for Fable III's gameplay, which casts players as a king passing judgment on subjects.

After joking about how talking about Natal projects could get him assassinated, Molyneux clarified things. "Let me get one thing straight. I have not said that we are not going to have Natal in Fable III." [Emphasis added.]

Then, motioning as though he were holding a 360 controller, Molyneux continued: "All I've really said is that it's a controller experience, but that doesn't mean there isn't going to be any Natal. Do you really think, knowing me, as maybe you do over the years, that I wouldn't want to use something like Natal?! I mean, that's just mad, man!"

The official story: Microsoft did not respond to requests for clarification as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Probably not bogus. Microsoft would love to have a first-party game of Fable III's stature use Natal in order to spur sales when it launches next year. And, by his own account, Molyneux wants to use the technology.

However, it may be a while until the public learns anything concrete. Before being asked about Natal, Molyneux bragged about how much he hasn't said about Fable III. "I haven't even told you what we're doing on the gameplay side," boasted the veteran developer. "My trick with the press is to leave the most exciting thing for later. There's plenty of gameplay stuff coming."

212 Comments

  • Dan21278

    Posted Jan 5, 2010 3:10 pm PT

    That might a little cool

  • ash2197

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 9:31 am PT

    maybe if you used the controller for most things but in SOME aspects used natal to show your emotions or something like that.

  • Sorrien9

    Posted Dec 19, 2009 6:50 pm PT

    It would great to have a fable game have natal i don't think it should be this one however. Have you heard what he's talking about? He wants to start you off at the end game! I don't know about you guys but I like building up my character. How much fun can it really be if you start off with all the bosses dead and with all the best gear? I'm extremely disappointed in a lot of game corporations at this point. Be original go outside the box don't blow it to hell.

  • greatcarbuncle

    Posted Oct 16, 2009 2:00 pm PT

    gamespot are actually the only people circulating hype about natal right now... that is if you dont count the people making endless topics about it on forums. they're the only reliable source of gaming news that seems to care

    gamespot, please shut up about natal and fable together.

  • CurvedSword

    Posted Oct 16, 2009 3:38 am PT

    so basically i learnt nothing from this article considering u cant really believe anything Molyneux says

  • Funky47

    Posted Oct 14, 2009 6:37 pm PT

    as good as natal might sound.... Fable just isn't a natal game for now...

  • Gabe447

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 4:30 pm PT

    Please not another fable i wonder what Molyneux will lie about this time! Peter Molyneux = biggest liar in gaming history

  • videogamer697

    Posted Oct 12, 2009 4:29 am PT

    im a big fan of the fable games but i dont like the idea of project natal with fable maybe with another game but not this game

  • OF-5

    Posted Oct 10, 2009 11:33 pm PT

    I dont really care about Natal I just want this game...

  • Tatemio

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 9:49 am PT

    Fable 3? cant wait DDD i love fable games!!!!!!!!111111111

    No seriously i do, i waited 6 months for fable 2 and i loved it! fable 3 will let you be a king and that is awesome!

    And Natal sure is a great idea, but i wouldn't want to use it for a game like this.

  • PrNatal

    Posted Oct 8, 2009 12:17 am PT

    It will most likely incorporate Natal. More to that: most of game publishers are working on Natal support. The enthusiasm is even strange a bit:

    http://prnatal.com/blog/?p=93

  • MrPilgrim

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    exactly what i was thinking Icehearted

  • Icehearted

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:51 pm PT

    At best, gimmicky, at worst, you're going to end up paying a lot for a little.

    ...and this is Molyneux, people! The man's career is measured in unfinished work, unkept promises, and flat-out lies.

    "It is as of 7pm last night. We are now officially gold. It's released to manufacturing. Fable is absolutely finished and done and dusted."
    - Peter Molyneux 09/22/2008

    If memory serves me, it was then announced not long after that the game was still unfinished and would require a patch for multiplayer, the game was one of the buggiest ever released on the system, and the lmited edition goodies were being slashed away:

    Due to "supply chain issues," the bundle will no longer included a premium box, the five printed fate cards, or a Hobbe figure.
    - Sam Vantilburgh of Lionhead Studios 10/01/2008

    Why does anyone even listen to these people anymore?!

  • Gov1

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Yes but wouldn't there still be a dialogue tree? They would have to cram every possible word and sentence that could be said, if they didn't and there was just the generic response "I don't understand" then it could completely fail.

  • ERNieRN

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:11 pm PT

    the concept in and of itself is fascinating as i believe it is the pinnacle of rpg development to be able to interact with the characters that we have traditionally been bound to a controller and a dialogue tree. Ultimately it will be the story that drives the success of the product. Action sequences are important but in my mind they act like joiners to the overall story. The ability to speak and be recognized or do "gestures" with the ability of natal will add a deeper game play mechanic. The end of the day however unless Lionhead develops something so absolutely intuitive and engaging most core gamers will revert to their beloved controller.

    from the sub assistant flunkie to the nobody in the basement

    respect

  • Chill0078

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:25 pm PT

    forget about what i wrote before this

  • Chill0078

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 12:24 pm PT

    I think Fable 3 will be awesome but how can you put Natal in it what you use the controler then have to quick get up and activate natal to fight

  • daabulls23

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 7:35 am PT

    Adding Natal is pretty cool, but the gameplay and the core mecahnics better come through.

  • Bortson

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 6:55 am PT

    It would be just mad to believe anything this joker says about his games.

    Fable III will be everything you ever imagined it would be when you talk to this guy, but when the game actually ships itll be as empty and short as Fable II was.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 5:45 am PT

    @diabloakaSAHA

    Milo is just one character though. Are our current games consoles powerful enough to allow that level of interation accross a whole society? I pray you are right because that would just be amazing.

  • Talran1

    Posted Oct 7, 2009 4:00 am PT

    if its not bogus i would love to see what Molyneux could do with it in fable III i mean the man is nothing if not creative especially when it comes to pushing things outside the box where they need to be.

  • shenron43

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 5:13 pm PT

    Natal is definitely a gaming experience of the future. People should be excited to be able to play around with something like this with a game as well suited for it as Fable 3.

  • diabloakaSAHA

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:58 pm PT

    why are ppl getting tensed about this?? if natal is imlplemented in fable3 it'll def be great, imagine interacting with ingame characters by actually talking to them. Just like that milo stunt peter showed in e3 09. Im hoping they do a good job with this natal .

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    I really dont think Natal will be a promonent component of Fable 3, i can see it mainly being used in the mini games etc. I still think Molyneux should do a Natal version of Black & White : )

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:40 pm PT

    I really wouldn't do that, Pete. The majority of gamers will not appreciate having to play Fable with their entire body. They just want to chill out and play.

  • Batzy79

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:23 pm PT

    I wouldnt call this completely bogus. There will probably be an in-game gimic or something hidden somewhere. i cant imagine it having a major impact on the game though. off topic......how do you even pronounce Natal?

  • korajama

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:11 pm PT

    It's completely bogus! Lionhead Dev's on their main site forums have confirmed they have absolutely no plans to use Natal in Fable 3!

  • Eziom

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:36 pm PT

    Since it looks like he's saying that Natal will have a role in the game, but not a big one, I don't think they will be using the motion sensor for fighting and such. That would really ruin the game.. or the TV as I'd have to move towards the enemy I'm fighting, since I can't use the controller to move my character while waving my arms around. Wouldn't like speech either, because I'm normally talking with friends in an Xbox live party while playing. English accent isn't great either. And making weird face expressions at the screen would've been kinda lame I guess..
    The only good things I can think of right now is using Natal to burp and shout war cries, more like Easter eggs. Just my opinion! Might be wrong!

  • Altmer45

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:16 pm PT

    I really wouldn't count on this article to make any assumptions. Incorporating Natal into an rpg such as this seems somewhat ambitious, but it would be rather interesting for enhancing fable's player-npc interactions and such. Still, I thought Fable 2 was somewhat disappointing (though still fun) so jumping to conclusions would just make Fable 3 seem worse ... we can just assume it'll be fun to play.

  • POKEpeter

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:10 pm PT

    just got Fable 2 on sunday and i love it. i really hope the sequel uses Natal...

  • rabidjack

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:00 pm PT

    meh, i got rid of my wii due to all the waving about, i dont need all that moving when playing, i play to relax

  • Gov1

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 11:31 am PT

    If they use the motion sensing just for waving your hand over a subjects head to sentence them I will be sorely disappointed, get some naruto style hand gestures for casting spells in there, now THAT would be an awsome MSRPG (Motion Sensing Role Playing Game)

  • Revan_911

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 11:27 am PT

    Microsoft sucks big time. No Fable 2 or Gears 2 for PC. I'm gonna pay a visit to bootleg Pete my next door neighbor to get me genuine Windows 7 for 3 dollars. FU MICROSOFT.

  • -Canas-

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 11:24 am PT

    Motion censors and RPGs?

    Whats going to stop these kids from dressing up in full body armor in their parents basement long after both they and their respective characters have grown beards and had children?

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 10:34 am PT

    Plis Black & White 3 plix plix

  • bowlingotter

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 10:25 am PT

    @face-exploder: Oh, Fable is a good game and so was Fable 2. You just hate Molyneux. But that's ok, don't get me wrong. There's plenty of reasons to despise the guy.

  • tyler1238

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 10:07 am PT

    id try if it used natal

  • cainetao11

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:55 am PT

    Going by face-exploder's logic the PS3 isn't finished and a big failure. I was promised 3d graphics. I had no problems with either Fable game and they are among my favorites. I can't say whether fable 2 was finished or not, I wasn't on the dev team. Looking forward to Fable 3

  • xxsuperbananaxx

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:51 am PT

    Doesn't sound like it will use Natal much though, he does say himself "it's a controller experience" so whatever features use Natal I'm sure is nothing very special. At least that's what this article makes it sound like.

  • Rikuide_Furame

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:50 am PT

    It could be a nice feature, but I'd rather they just focus on making Fable III and its central aspects.

  • Morphine_OD

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:39 am PT

    I just want Fable 2 on my laptop and that's all. PC port ftw!

  • spike6958

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:38 am PT

    Well im not surprised buy this using Natal, it was as good as announced when he announced the game itself at E3, and really who trusts PM, the best way to enjoy Fable games is to ignore him and just play the game when it's released, well at least Fable III might be a good reason to pick up Natal, I just hope they'll release the two as a bundle as i doubt i'll use Natal for any other games.

  • green_dominator

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:33 am PT

    I trust Lionhead, those guys are smart and talented and know how to make great games with quirky aspects work well.....
    I think if they did add Natal to the mix but they do it right then Fable III will still be fun but if they get it wrong....Well there is no telling what might happen....
    I'm just hoping for a fun game like the last one....
    I wasn't so sure about the dog idea but as I played I remembered every dog I ever had and fell for that dog in the game.....I just wish I could have had an adventure with one of my dogs......

  • Isayama

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:25 am PT

    I just want my damn plate armor back..

  • Somebody89

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:21 am PT

    Oh Peter you always think you will revolutionize the world with each Fable release. At least each game has been quite fun so far but still doesn't come close to what you told us.

  • face-exploder posted Oct 6, 2009 9:09 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    face-exploder

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:09 am PT (hide)

    First of all Fable 2 wasn't finished.....so I doubt Fable 3 is anything more than the "left out" parts of Fable 2's design.....and to spend time incorporating Natal into a project that never seemed to live up to any of our expectations seems quite foolish to me...

    Fable was good, but not what was promised....Fable 2 was bad,....very bad...very empty....very short....very choiceless...

    Peter talks as though he adding some spectacular new feature to what was already a masterpiece....but I for one am never buying another lionshead studio game no matter what they promise it to be,....he is videogaming's most renowned liar.

  • CCyberDDemon

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:05 am PT

    Fable 2 is better than the first, Its is a fine art and sometimes comic, but even they don't know how to make those bugs dissapear. What will be if they have natal on the gameplay?

  • aChaChaCha

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:03 am PT

    So many better more suitable features they could be spendin their time and money on for Fable 3 =/

  • diabloakaSAHA

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:01 am PT

    @odst_trooper117 Bethesda will be releasing a GOTY edition sometime this october which will have include the full game and all the dlcs that have been released so far. And NEW VEGAS is another game altogether developed by obsidian....LOL ^_^ .

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