14 DAY TRIAL // Xbox users will be able to access new Fable gaming content come September 29th, 2009, but Lionhead Studios is in no way done with bringing the Albion universe to Microsoft’s console. In fact, gamescom in Germany served as the scene where Peter Molyneux, creative director at Lionhead, revealed that Fable III would be made available exclusively on Xbox 360 ahead of the 2010 holiday season. From the little details available, Fable III is set no less than 50 years after the events of the last chapter, and will place gamers in the shoes of the Fable II hero’s offspring.
“We’ve spent a lot of time at Lionhead thinking about how we can innovate the gameplay and progress the world of the ‘Fable’ games for its third chapter, and we’re confident that players won’t second-guess what we have planned for ‘Fable III,’” revealed Molyneux, who, in addition to his role at Lionhead, is creative director of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Microsoft Game Studios. “Though I can’t give too much away right now, players should expect to have to make much tougher choices with far wider consequences than ever before in Albion — and with many more interactive adventure elements.”
But until the third chapter of the saga will become available, Microsoft and Lionhead will start offering members of the Xbox LIVE community episodic releases. The Redmond company noted that “Fable II: Game Episodes” were planned for debut on September 29, 2009, and in order to tempt even more gamers to buy the best-selling role playing title on Xbox 360, the first episode will be offered free of charge. There are no less than five episodes for chapter II of the Fable franchise scheduled for release at the end of next month.
“With the launch of Games on Demand on Xbox LIVE, we have a great tool in place to deliver classic titles in an incredibly convenient fashion,” added Phil Spencer, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. “With the ‘Fable II’ episodic model, we’re encouraging people to experience the first chapter of the game for free, then move onto other chapters when they are ready. It’s a unique model and one that will appeal to gamers who’ve been hesitant to dive full into the original retail release.”