Fable 2 will 'talk to' three XBLA games

by Justin McElroy { Mar 19th 2008 at 1:45PM }

When we start thinking about video games talking to each other, we start getting nervous. The last thing bitter, hateful video game bloggers want is for the Petz 17: Locustz and Sims 2: Kitchen Appliances of the world to become sentient, read the things we wrote about them and kill us in our sleep. But Fable 2's Peter Molyneux is just fine with the idea. In fact, he's encouraging it with three XBLA games that will "speak to" Fable 2 upon its release.

He hinted at it last month at GDC, but Molyneux detailed the idea on Major Nelson's podcast. Basically, Microsoft's Carbonated Games (of Uno fame) will release "Mage Dice," "Wizard's Tower" and "Keystone" on to XBLA and the money you win from those games will go directly into your account when you boot up Fable 2. It's a neat idea with a lot of possibilities and as long as the games don't start talking to Puppy Luv 8: Dalmationz, we're all for it.

Update: X3F has contacted Lionhead for further clarification. It has yet to be determined whether or not the games will be released separately or as one XBLA download. Regardless, the games will all be included and playable within the Fable 2 gameworld.

[Via CVG]

Tags: breakingnews, carbonated-games, fable-2, keystone, mage-dice, microsoft, peter-molyneux, wizards-tower, xbla

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

qbix @ Mar 19th 2008 1:57PM

I remember the way I changed my Xbox's name in Halo (as it would be seen to other at a LAN party) was to set a high score in Dead or Alive 3.

elpmis @ Mar 19th 2008 1:59PM

I remember when Psycho Mantis read my memory card to find out I liked Castlevania - that really blew my mind.

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:16PM

Psycho Mantis:"Snake you like men".

Snake:"Are you reading my mind?!"

Psycho Mantis:""NO".

Snake:""Sh*t".

Sorry but everytime I hear something about Psycho Mantis Metal Gear Awesome comes into mind.

*Edit:Damn you reply System.

umm....hello??? @ Mar 19th 2008 1:59PM

okayyyy....so rather than including "minigames" that should already be included in the game itself that we can earn money for Fable2, we now have to purchase them seperately via XBLA to make the game easier to earn money??

no thanks. I'll just wait for the uber-edition of Fable2 which includes all 3 games, extra content, etc etc for less then the original retail price of all 4 games....(a la Oblivion/CoD4)...

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 19th 2008 2:05PM

Pessimistic, much?

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:13PM

The man speaks the truth.

Seriously why these minigames couldn't be included in the game? I mean unless those minigames are mind blowing good and each one cost 100p-200p it's pretty much a rip off.Sorry MS but I'm sick of paying for stuff that should be in the game.

And I think I'll do the same and wait for the Limited of super special awesome edition with all the stuff.

Meanwhile I still have to finish Oblivion.

tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 19th 2008 2:24PM

you really blew my mind with that revelation, seriously I can't believe i never thought of it like that before. It really is just another scam to spend 15-30 more dollars for games that should already be in the actual game.

That also kinda takes the luster away from the idea that a game is "reading" other games when really they should be in there to begin with.

Thanks for opening my eyes to this scam (seriously)

Leobebes @ Mar 19th 2008 2:28PM

Hey bitter cheapskate. You don't have to buy, you don't have to listen, you don't have to read this article. In fact you don't have to post your displeasure at all.

My advice is cheaper than Prozac.

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:37PM

Is that sarcasm?

Well what I meant is that it doesn't sound like they are releasing the games in the spirit of “Finally we are releasing Fable 2 let's release some Xlive games for the fans” but it sounds more like “hey let charge these suckas for minigames”.

There is a difference between a minigame and an actual xbox live game also why 3? Are they going to be that different? For the titles of those games I could assume they are minigames and not something that would make the story better.

If these games were the type of games that would add something to the story lets say a especial 2D episode of the game that explains what happens in the world between Fable 1 and 2 go ahead that would be cool but they are probably going to be minigames that again should be in the game already.

umm....hello??? @ Mar 19th 2008 2:38PM

@Leo-

cheapskate? I think not--how about "financially informed and financially responsible"? Since I've owned just about every videogame system since the Atari2600/Commodore64 and have a serious game collection. I loved the original Fable and still own it. I've probably spent almost as much money on games than I have on my car (ok, so maybe not exactly financially responsible--but I have no debt, so take that as you will).

I like the fact that the developer is thinking outside the box and thinking of balance/consequences/etc...but how much I'm willing to pay to "enhance" the experience is something else.

my new gaming philosophy is this:
buy multiplayer/co-op games right away to get quality time while those games are still popular

single-player experiences can wait--since I have a backlog anyways and it seems like the future of gaming is similar to DVDs--delayed releases of special edition, enhanced edition, ultra edition, uber edition as time goes on--how many times do you want to pay for the same movie/game?

on the fence games (MP or single player)--rental.

umm....hello??? @ Mar 19th 2008 2:41PM

amendment: not "owned" but "own"....

@Mr Esc

thanks, that's my thinking too...

Jomolungma @ Mar 19th 2008 2:00PM

What I really liked about Molyneux's comments was that money has consequences, so if you load up on gold before the game comes out, and then import all of it, it will have some sort of effect on your character. He hinted that it would actually make you appear wimpier ( a la Bill Gates). Not sure how that all is fleshed out, but glad they thought about game balance issues around this.

Burritoclock @ Mar 19th 2008 2:07PM

I hate to be cynical, but that sounds like typical Molyneux BS.

That being said, I enjoyed Fable and will be purchasing this day one, I have just learned to set the bar alot lower than Molyneux is trying to raise it.

Cyro @ Mar 19th 2008 2:04PM

I really hope this game doesn't suck. They are building a lot of hype about it and I am really looking forward to this game.

If it sucks we should shoot Peter and dump him in a lake.

:P

Jerk Face @ Mar 19th 2008 2:20PM

Yeah.. it kind of reminds me of another game that came out before... what was it...?

Oh yeah, Fable.

Jerk Face @ Mar 19th 2008 2:21PM

What I meant was they're bulding lots of hype that could easily lead to a let down. Wasn't really clear, there. : )

Incidentally, I also hope it's good.

Colin @ Mar 19th 2008 3:02PM

"If it sucks we should shoot Peter and dump him in a lake."

Silly face or not, it's comments like that that don't exactly help the reputation of gamers. Knock that shit off.

Cyro @ Mar 19th 2008 9:02PM

@Colin: Lighten up will you? I am just joking.

foxhound421 @ Mar 19th 2008 2:06PM

this all sounds fine, but i have a strict "i'll believe it when i see it" policy with Molyneux.

Deck @ Mar 19th 2008 2:07PM

I can't wait for Fable 2! Though I think this concept is pretty cool, I probably wont take advantage of it myself. I'm not a big XBLA fan, but for those who are this is great!

But Fable 2 is going to be awesome I hope! Really looking forward to another great RPG on the 360! YAY FOR RPGs! Looks like Cyro shares my opinion too! YAY RPGs!

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:15PM

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:16PM

Damn you reply System.

Mr.ESC @ Mar 19th 2008 2:19PM

If they could connect Undertow and TF2 amount of kills to my Gears of war score life would be sweet.

rTwelve [xbl:Chilblane] @ Mar 19th 2008 2:24PM

I remember playing the original Dogz 3 and breeding Chihuahuas and Great Danes...

the mutants that followed.... well, we will never speak of this again.

Cyro @ Mar 19th 2008 2:33PM

lol

Synner @ Mar 19th 2008 2:25PM

Hey you guys, before you get your panties all in a bunch about this, you gotta remember the source.

Chances are this big mouth is talking features that will never make it into the game, a game which will not be nearly what was promised, and will probably suck.

I still remember what was going through my mind whne I played the first Fable: Wow, it's like Zelda, only with a more generic story.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 19th 2008 2:51PM

I understand people not liking the idea of paying for minigames, but I love the idea of seperate games that effect the main game. It seems to me that you dont need them for Fable, but if you want them you can find some benefit to them. It seems like a nifty concept to me, that you aren't forced to using if you don't wish.

Varone @ Mar 19th 2008 2:54PM

I get the feeling Molyneux is just trying to be innovative for the sake of it. His announcements may be unheard of before, but he should spend more time working on the core of the game.

I remember the whole moral choice aspect of fable had no effect on the storyline, except split it down the middle at the point you were given the opportunity to kill that woman in the arena. Saying you have an idea is one thing, making it work is another.

vor @ Mar 19th 2008 4:26PM

If you hang out at Fable 2 forums, Sam, the Mod, Stated that the mini games will included in Fable 2, BUT the trick is to release them a few weeks before Fable 2 comes out, So you can start earning gold before the game is out. So if your good enough, you can start the game out with million bits of gold.

So if you don't want to do that, Just wait for fable 2 to come out and then just find the mini games in the land's pubs.

Besides, The mini games might be good enough to stand on their own. Some people might want the mini games but don't want fable. So it works.