Fable reboot rumors gather pace ahead of potential Xbox Games Showcase reveal

Epitome via Microsoft

Xbox fans are probably familiar with the conquering of Lionhead Studios in 2006 following the original Fable's successful launch. For many, this signaled the get-go of Lionhead'due south down spiral, with subsequent studio efforts failing to match upwardly over the next decade. Considering Xbox's acquisitions over the by few years, in that location'southward the fearfulness of a echo situation. A recent documentary serial, however, suggests Microsoft wants to ensure developers are given proper freedom.

As reported by IGN ahead of the official release of the Xbox Ability On documentary series, Microsoft claims information technology has learned from its mishandling of the UK based developer. Shortly after Fable two, Microsoft's investment in the Kinect was when Legend fans started feeling blindsided. The Kinect exclusive Legend: The Journeying was the terminal thing people wanted after the much maligned Fable 3. Rather than making a grade correction so, Microsoft had them work on Fable Legends, which was still another direction Legend players didn't want. After years of imposed constraints and criticisms, Microsoft close down Lionhead Studios in 2022, cancelling Fable Legends in the procedure.

Looking back, Xbox Head Phil Spencer discussed his hopes for how they programme to handle acquisitions today. Spencer said, "You learn a studio for what they're great at now, and your task is to aid them accelerate how they exercise what they do, not them accelerate what y'all exercise." The comment about not letting the studio advance what Microsoft does appears to be a straight reference to the Kinect days and multiplayer-driven Fable Legends, neither of which played to Lionhead Studios' strengths.

As it is yet early on in the generation, nosotros have yet to come across nearly of the projects come out of Microsoft'southward acquisitions. We can't take these words at face value equally many publishers brand similar claims. Developers like Ninja Theory take claimed that they have full artistic control, but all nosotros can do is wait for the games to do the talking.