LGF: Molyneux talks Fable 2

By Guy Cocker, GameSpot UKPosted Oct 5, 2006 9:50 am PT

Lionhead chief at GDC London to discuss dynamic environments in sequel; reveals a new approach to testing the game's features.

LONDON--As one of Britain's most revered games designers, Peter Molyneux had no trouble attracting a full crowd on the second day of Game Developers Conference London, which is part of the London Games Festival. The Lionhead chief used the session to talk to fellow developers about dynamic environments, with specific examples taken from his upcoming Xbox 360 sequel Fable 2.

After praising titles such as Assassin's Creed and Alan Wake, Molyneux described the vision behind his next role-playing game. The key theme for Fable 2 will be a "buy-anything" world, where you will be able to purchase nearly everything from a single store right up to an entire city with in-game currency. (Being an Xbox 360 title, the possibility of premium items being on Xbox Live Marketplace is also a strong possibility.) Arguing that he was tired of playing games where he had no impact on the environment, Molyneux claimed that being able to be a lord of the manor will increase your involvement with the game.

Molyneux also argued that a greater level of engagement is needed in the next generation of games. With Fable 2, the designer intends to introduce "unconditional love" as an important emotional factor, particularly with your family in the game. If you decide to have children, they will praise and look up to you whether you choose to be good or evil, which will have an effect on their outlook on life. On the other hand, spouses will always be looking for a better quality of life, and you must perform side missions in addition to the main quests to afford a better house and living conditions.

Molyneux also said that he was depending on typical Hollywood storytelling techniques for the setup of the game. Like the first Fable, the sequel will begin with the main character (who can be male or female), and the conflict will be derived from an "unspeakably evil" enemy character. Molyneux said that this was particularly important to fuel the player's hatred in the game and hinted at some sort of incident with your family as a mechanism to drive this.

At the end of the presentation, Molyneux dropped a new piece of information about the first showing of the game in action. Early next year, Lionhead intends to show off one of Fable 2's new features by letting someone outside the development studio try it out for the first time. Molyneux didn't comment on what the new feature would be, other than that it is both new and important.

165 Comments

  • jellyjamsixpack

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 2:00 pm PT

    Im guessing that this game will hopefully come out by september 2008. I don't know what your talking about jigsaw. The game never got tire or old and i probably spent like 5 hours in the arena every game i made. I played the game 7 or 8 times and it never gets old. Which is why im so excited about Fable 2. Its going to be even longer!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Hellwege

    Posted Jul 7, 2007 10:49 pm PT

    2007 is pushing it i hope they take their time to make it best as possiable im betting itll be out sometime 2008

  • vaanofthewind

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 9:04 pm PT

    Okay on amazon.com.uk it says it comes out October 27, 2007 and it's a possibility it'll be multiplayer remember possibilty!

  • chino188

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 7:04 pm PT

    This game will REVOLUTIONIZE RPGs !!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Assassin_Sam

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 12:24 am PT

    This game is gonna rock

  • somedude242

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 11:36 pm PT

    if anyone knows can someone tell me when Fable 2 will be release.

  • LongShot42

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 6:09 am PT

    jigsaw mand did you get the lost chapters? that was alittle longer than the oringal game

  • vexx365

    Posted Dec 21, 2006 11:11 am PT

    I wish i could see the new feature

  • jigsaw1991

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 11:21 am PT

    The first fable had its low points but, it had so many more good details. It was way to short, and the fact that after you beat the arena you couldnt go back in and fight, disapointed me greatly, another thing was that after you beat the main story you could continue quests and do more things. The only thing you could do was try and take over towns, which got boring after awhile. Even though Fable had some needed improvements I still love the game, it is probly one of the better games i have played. Now about Fable 2, I cant wait for it to be released. One thing that bothers me is the market place feature, i just dont know how many people will actually spend there money on special items, i dont know it just sounds a little iffy to me....but it wont stop me from buying the game.

  • mand_450

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 12:26 am PT

    Fable 1 made me buy a xbox, and fable 2 will make me buy a xbox 360.

    Fable was and is a great game. However, the game was a bit short and easy. I diden't die once, and i completed the game within 10 hours, and it was my first time playing. I hope that fable 2 is soaked with quests and updates, cause i love lengthy games.

  • JayOfCheeba

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 6:29 pm PT

    ok just one thing, flappy is praising fable2 and 1 yet he uses a GOW picture....

  • bloasss

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 8:16 am PT

    man i want a release dait!!1

  • Skysurfer_16

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 5:07 am PT

    Fuzzen needs to play Oblivion... Irritatingly enough Fable never compared to the likes of Morrowind. Although Fable stressed personalisation as a key factor in the game, after playing through a couple of times it still seemed so linear. Loads more sidequests needed in Fable 2 and optional/pointless/just for fun quests ESPECIALLY after the game is completed, needs to have loads more to continue doing after you are ruler of the land or whatever.

    Lets hope we get alot more customisation with wepons and armour/clothing. Maybe some occupational aspects should be implemented such as a shop owner having people work under you while you save the world from sheer evil.

    In a game like Fable, a player should have a huge sense of superflousness for a few game days or hours. Compared to the Eldar Scrolls series - which delivered a HUGE world to explore and to try and make your way in, Fable was Feeble.

    The things I loved about Fable was the humour, the combat, the farmer accents! (which i hear wont play such a huge part in Fable 2) the beautiful scenes and the graphical delights right down to the physiques of each character and monster. Looking forward to the next installment!

  • baconbits3425

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 6:11 pm PT

    this game is gonna b awesome.
    a list of new stuff that i think should be included:

    1. a WAY longer story line

    2. more spells and weapons

    3. at the end of the game more quests, like an endless amount

  • Fuzzen

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 4:37 am PT

    It`S going to be the best game that has ever come out, Fable is the reason I started to play roleplaying-games, but I have not yet found any game that has been better.

  • flappyjackjoe

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 6:37 pm PT

    i cant wait till this comes out i own the first fable and i love it. my gamertag on xbox live is nightmare dx and im hoping that fable 2 will have online co-op. the day this game comes out its mine!!

  • Jdawg1003

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 8:26 am PT

    i am a big fan of fable and i play it all the time now fable 2 holy crap its going to rock

  • AlphaSqaud

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 9:18 pm PT

    fable is one of the best and probably the best game i ever owned and played i can't for it to come out i can assure you if it come out at 12:00 at night im gonna be there

  • gforce85

    Posted Oct 20, 2006 7:16 pm PT

    fable fable ra ra ra

  • jknight15

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 6:59 am PT

    Molyneux's idea of a revolutionised combat system is what's gonna make this game stand well above the others

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