Fable II preorder nets free XBLA Pub Games

Microsoft today announced a pair of promotions to support the launch of Lionhead Studios' Fable II, one designed to save gamers money, the other to sap it away.

First off, those who preorder a copy of Lionhead Studios' Xbox 360 role-playing game at participating retailers will gain free access to the Xbox Live Arcade release of Fable II Pub Games upon its release in August. The casino-style minigame compilation includes three games--Keystone, Spinnerbox, and Fortune's Tower--as well as a tutorial to familiarize players with the rules. Whatever winnings are earned in the Pub Games will be transferable to the full version of Fable II, giving players a head start on the game's rags-to-riches storyline.

Gamers who have no interest in Fable II but want to try their hands at its casino-style minigames will be able to purchase Pub Games for 800 Microsoft points ($10). The contents of Pub Games had originally been announced as separate XBLA titles, but will instead be made into a single download.

Microsoft also detailed a Fable II collector's edition that will sell for $79.99. The extra $20 above and beyond the standard edition price will net particularly enthusiastic gamers a bonus disc with making-of content, a figure of the game's Hobbe creatures, a trial Xbox Live Gold membership, and unspecified "additional in-game content."

Released in 2004, the original Xbox RPG Fable put players in the shoes of a newly orphaned boy and allowed them to grow him into a force of good or evil. Fable II seeks to increase players' ability to shape their characters, offering a wider variety of additional options regarding gender, marriage, children, property ownership, and more.

For more on Fable II, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.