Fable III to sport Natal support, microtransactions?

[UPDATE] British reports have Peter Molyneux confirming 360 RPG will incorporate motion-sensing tech, offer items for a few dollars; Microsoft downplays developers' comments as misinterpreted.

Earlier this month, Peter Molyneux strongly implied that Fable III would have some sort of connectivity to Project Natal, Microsoft's camera-based motion sensor. Now, several reports out of the UK indicate that the Lionhead founder and creative director confirmed Natal support in the upcoming role-playing game during a presentation at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Fable III will let players buy virtual items via microtransactions, according to reports.

While attending Molyneux's annual Video Games Lecture at BAFTA, two UK game journalists used Twitter to chronicle the event. Johnny Minkley, a Eurogamer and BBC1 correspondent, wrote that Molyneux "confirmed Natal support for Fable 3." The tweet confirmed an earlier tweet from Nicholas Lovell, a British game consultant and founder of the GamesBrief blog, who wrote, "Fable 3 will have Natal support. Is that an announcement?"

[UPDATE] Since this article's publication, Microsoft has backtracked on Molyneux's comments. "News claiming Peter Molyneux has confirmed Fable III as a Natal title is inaccurate," a rep told GameSpot. "Peter did imply that Lionhead would be evaluating the integration of Natal with Fable, but that's quite different than confirming its support. As a company we're very excited about Natal and its potential and are absolutely looking at innovative ways to integrate new experiences into future games and existing game franchises where it makes sense, but we have nothing further to announce right now."

In addition to the dual dose of Twitter, Thatvideogameblog was in attendance and divulged more details. Besides Natal support, Fable III will reportedly incorporate microtransactions, allowing players to buy in-game items such as swords for a few dollars of real-world currency in an in-game store. Such item-based microtransactions are already incorporated into Xbox Live in the form of clothes and accessories for XBL avatars. The Fable III store would also apparently offer expansion packs and even game guides and walk-throughs for a small fee.

[UPDATE] On this front, Microsoft was more recalcitrant. "As for the Fable III shop and microtransactions, Peter has talked about the idea but I don't have any information about Fable III specifically," a spokesperson told GameSpot. "As of now, we have not announced any microtransaction support or features for Fable III."

302 Comments

  • sleath_hunter33

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 2:39 pm PT

    they better have swords in the game cause im not wasting 60 dollars just to blow more cash on c***p thats already in the game. this is why the gaming industry is dying

  • italianice102

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 12:53 am PT

    thats exactly what the gamers want! to spend all their money on an item IN the game! Microsoft is run by corrupt numbnuts.

  • Revan7382

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 11:51 pm PT

    Microtransactions? Bye Fable.

  • insanitycheck70

    Posted Oct 27, 2009 5:00 pm PT

    Microtransactions should never be in single player games.

  • DEATH775

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 5:26 pm PT

    I hope they know how to pull this off.

  • airshocker

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 12:42 pm PT

    I really hate micro-transactions.

  • Gadeos

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 12:13 pm PT

    OK, "MICROTRAN$ACTION$"???? Come on man!!! that's the most ridiculous idea ever!!! It simply obliterates the whole video-gaming idea, which is making your best effort to get through game's story and getting improvements for the game's characters. It would be no surprise if M$ is behind it to get a piece... no more game-milking, or isn't just enough with those stupid avatar accesories, clothes and etc???

  • rando22

    Posted Oct 26, 2009 11:56 am PT

    what i dont understand is why are all these developers starting to charge micro-transaction fee's for stuff that used to be free...not just Fable III but others too. as if paying $60 for the game flat out isn't enough, Madden 10 for example, hafta pay for an extra 800 ponts just to play an online franchise. Now expansions are different story, i can see paying for those but i'm seriously tired of being nickeled and dimed.....

  • Gerard96

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Your all Negative. This'll be cool.

  • mikeg4

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 9:24 pm PT

    Oh my god are you guy's tilling me they are trying to make some swords you have to buy and swing it in front of natal, man i will not spend my hard money on stuff like that just to play fable 3, This is the dumbest thing i ever heard a huge rip off = (

  • mikeg4

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 9:10 pm PT

    Oh just great i don't want to send hour standing up in front of this thing, i work get off just want to sit and play that why i got a 360 if i want to do that i chould have got a wii, hope we can use both controller & natal if not i will not get fable 3

  • fionndruinne

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 7:38 pm PT

    Holy crap... with the amount of fiscal irresponsibility that I display when I play Fable games, I'd be filing for chapter 11 before beating the game.

  • blueliquidplus

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 2:26 pm PT

    Any game that goes with Microtransactions I immediately stop playing.

  • ISuPrEmAcY32I

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 10:36 am PT

    Fable 1 was ok but didn't live up to my expectations. fable 2 was pretty mediocre...and now for fable 3 i'd have to spend real money on a digital sword...after i spent the money to buy the game. Count me out. I'm turned off to the fable series.

  • XenoLair

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 8:06 am PT

    microtransactions? oh come on :/ I loved Fable 2 and i hope 3 wont be too much different from it

  • Quinzark

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 4:23 am PT

    Natal means nothing to me. If i want to do the actions etc myself then ill go play football, tennis etc. i wan't my gaming time to be relaxing i work enough as is.

  • Krieghammer13

    Posted Oct 25, 2009 1:34 am PT

    I, however do think it would be hilarious pawning some little bastard, with the use of tactical strategies, that thinks he's all that because he actually payed real money for this apparently really nice and strong sword. That is if they even allow us to use actual tactics and strategies, and have some kind of player versus player mode. Fable 2 was completely ridiculous, the fact that i could not manually aim my bow or gun in first person, stealth was seemingly nonexistent the whole time i was playing, and the fighting mechanics were lame and WAAAAAY too simplistic no matter how cool they look when triggered.

  • kindredmachine

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 11:19 pm PT

    Natel... zzzZZZZzzzzz

  • rickster34

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 11:13 pm PT

    Cant wait

  • enix165

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 4:28 pm PT

    I could care less about Natal, TBH. What I want is more enemies; Fable 2 was great fun, but you fight about a dozen enemies throughout the entire game, a few of whom only appear two or three times. =/

  • korajama

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 3:20 pm PT

    According to there site, there is no plan for Natal

  • pop_can

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 9:35 am PT

    I just hope they find an actual use for it and it doesn't feel like it was tacked on just to say "It uses Natal!"

    And the microtransaction idea is rediculous. Sure, MMO's use it, but those MMO's are FREE! And the microtransactions are just there for people to get nice things without having to make a massive commitment.

    Fable 3 will not be free. I can see how it would work with expansions, but not buying swords and crap.

  • Port2geezplaya6

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 9:04 am PT

    microtransactions, basically milking us for extra dollars for a sword or other weapon that should be unlocked by playing the game. I hate the idea of it, expansions are ok but why charge people real money for a few trivial in game weapons.
    Also not sure if I'd like the natal support, if that means I've got to talk and wave my arms to play the game I'm not sold on it.
    Granted the technology is cool just not what I'd want from a game.

  • TheJediExile

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 8:39 am PT

    Oh God... I can only imagine the promises we'll hear now

  • justinrscott

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 8:15 am PT

    Some of you people are ridiculous. Natal hasn't even been released yet, and you are blasting it. I wasn't aware you had used it, and it was so bad. I also wasn't aware that you had to use it when it was released to play other games. Grow up. If you don't like Natal, don't buy it!

  • rahul_92bhatia1

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 4:42 am PT

    I hope this natal fails because its not gonna make gaming experience better!!!!!! its only fun for casual gamers.........

  • beardrewz

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 1:42 am PT

    Natal will work great with fable 3 in detecting smiles, gestures etc. People assume Natal is just a sports game thing but there are great combinations with it and the controller.

  • frazzle00

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 12:07 am PT

    @HerbalVideogame

    Because Molyneux and Kutaragi are alike. They don't put their money where their mouth is.

  • olle1990

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 11:41 pm PT

    natal may be cool for sports games and stuff but not rpgs like fable !!!

  • JimmyJimJim

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 11:06 pm PT

    Not sure why people are always hating on innovation, It brings a fresh new look on something that's already been done and tried over and over, I hope natal succeeds. I can see where it'll fit for some games but not all, more then anything I see it as a nice alternative to todays normal gaming scene.

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 10:43 pm PT

    @frazzle00 Why do you have to bring Ken Kutaragi into this?

  • frazzle00

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 10:32 pm PT

    I don't think Molyneux's mouth or ego can get any bigger. He's just like Ken Kutaragi; a PR liability .

  • Antherian_being

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 6:40 pm PT

    PS Microtransactions will cause this game to fail - we Gold users already pay, after all

  • Antherian_being posted Oct 23, 2009 6:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Antherian_being

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 6:39 pm PT (hide)

    To those who believe natal will fail: is this simply bias because you haven't got the energy to get off the couch?Sure sometimes buttons are refreshing but higher interactivity will be good for games, as long as the don't take away buttons completely.

  • tommynj

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    Totally not interested. Natal will fail on all sorts of levels.

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 3:38 pm PT

    I agree with everyone who thinks it will suck. I want natal only for gesture controlling for my Xbox360 User-Interface.

  • WTF2000

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 3:31 pm PT

    @nighthamwknike so the wii and the motion sensing thing for ps3 are stupid too or are all 3 manufacturers just building useless devices?

    I'm traditional gamer myself and i don't really get into the jump around all crazy thing but out of the 3 i think natal looks the best if it works like it should.

    The microtransaction thing is rediculous however 360 users already pay for their service, they should get free items and features that the other consoles are getting otherwise whats the point in paying for the same service.

  • nighthawknike

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    natal with fable will suck,
    natal is actually pretty stupid.

  • Mr_Silent_D

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 2:56 pm PT

    i really hope they're not serious about those microtransactions. it will completely ruin the game if you have to spend 5 bucks or whatever every time you want a new weapon

  • Ehggsz

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 2:34 pm PT

    Oh here we go. It's not enough that we buy the game but we are to be nickel and dime once again.

    They would be well advised to remove the idea of microtransactions.

  • mdboomer

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 1:42 pm PT

    Peter sounds like a big bag of wind! Maybe Microsoft should take him aside and remind him that he really needs to think before he speaks.

    On a differnt note, I'll be damned if I have to spend real cash on a sword that should be an item drop in the game!

  • Hunt270

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    I don't like Natal that much. Controllers are the way of my future!

  • toddze

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    ahh this crap will never end. DLC on launch day, now micro trans. My favorite hobby is going to hell in a handbasket. Its all due to the immaturity of the main crowd. We older gamers know this is BS but we are by far out numbered by these kids who will spend mommy and daddys money at will for anything.

  • Krieghammer13

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 12:26 pm PT

    LOL the cheap greedy capitalist bastards still thinking up "new" and "innovative" ways to screw us all over, even worse, many of us common folk still BUY INTO IT. That has to stop mates, just simply ignore these absurd businesses and their games and movies and look toward more independent and lower budget titles(and i dont mean those "arcade" games in the marketplace lol) to play on consoles where more attention was payed to the actual game,story, and its mechanics instead of how it will make more money for the Co. (oh wait its pretty damn hard to do that is'nt it since most lower budget or foreign games are ignored and seemingly non-existent here). That's because the means to produce and distribute these games are privately owned by big businesses (whose main goals are profit for the company instead of better games and products for the communities). Until a innovative common platform for games to be made on (like perhaps easily accessed computer software and such) made by the commons for the commons, where groups of people could have their own go at making a game and such; be prepared for constant efforts to rip you off by many of these big businesses not just over games but all sorts of stuff that affects our everday lives.

  • doontime

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 12:23 pm PT

    I just hope Fable 3 will be better than 2, I was a little upset with 2.

  • taj7575

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    I wish nobody buys this game just to show Peter Molyneux how big of a ripoff his "add-ons" are.

  • gary_safc

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 12:00 pm PT

    I know the way Natal will work with fable 3. basically natal will allow the hero to be yourself face and body wise. maybe also your own dog would be cool.

  • AA7

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 11:28 am PT

    I don't care what it supports. I just want Fable III.

  • Blank2k2

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 11:23 am PT

    Microtransactions are the upcoming bane of gaming.

    Microtransactions on "Free to Play" MMORPG's etc.. Fine, thats how they make there money.

    Microtransactions on games where you buy the game for £40 or pay a £10 subscription are NOT acceptable.

    Personally if i pay £40+ for Fable 3, i expect that to be the end of it.

    It's like going for a steak dinner & have to buy the plate for £25 then pay £3.50 for the steak, £2.50 for the chips, £2.50 for some onion rings, £2.50 for some veg & £1.50 for some pepercorn sauce.

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