Activision has stated they will not
publish console versions of The Movies, but Lionhead is still developing the
titles alongside an expansion for the PC edition--so who will be the publisher? GameIndustry.biz, citing sources close
to the Molyneux-led company say there are two major publishers looking to possibly purchase Lionhead: French-based
Ubisoft and mega-conglomerate Microsoft.Ubisoft is a logical contender, being within arm's reach of the UK-based developer, but Microsoft? If Bill Gates buys Lionhead, he will have gained a powerhouse for their Xbox 360. This would secure Fable as an exclusive Xbox 360 franchise for millennia to come, while essentially destroying all hope for a PS2/GCN version of The Movies.
According to the article, Electronic Arts has no interest in buying Lionhead. Whether or not the developer has even been approached by Ubisoft of Microsoft is still unconfirmed (a Lionhead spokesperson refused to comment), but we have no doubt that Microsoft is, at the very least, toying with the idea of a buyout. Any thoughts?
