While Games for Windows Live, Rare and other Microsoft-owned studios were all hit with job cuts back in January, Lionhead remained mostly untouched. The studio's alpha lion, Peter Molyneux, spoke to GamesIndustry.biz, attributing this immunity status to the studios' courteousness and professional attitude among all else: "We tried to be welcoming. So being professional, being nice to do business with, being super-passionate -- when people come to look at saving money and where to direct their resources, it makes their decisions easier to take."
Microsoft probably also appreciates the fact that Lionhead is transparent in its work, opening communication channels with its parent company. This was apparent when Molyneux told Eurogamer that "Microsoft has to see the sense" in what he's doing before unveiling the new project. Speaking of which, Molyneux further revealed that it's something that has been in development for a very long time and will probably be perceived as "insanely simple." He doesn't plan on being any more specific until there's something "tangible" to show.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
Source: Eurogamer
Reader Comments (28)
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 11:57AM FredFredrickson said
I'm sure it didn't hurt that Lionhead made one of the most popular games of 2008 either.
Still, I respect Lionhead / Molyneax. The guy is a bit outspoken at times, but he seems like he genuinely believes in the work his team does, and that conviction / confidence shows in their projects.
Still, I respect Lionhead / Molyneax. The guy is a bit outspoken at times, but he seems like he genuinely believes in the work his team does, and that conviction / confidence shows in their projects.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 11:59AM (Unverified) said
Looking forward to this one.
Peter Molyneux usually delivers, provided you don't look too deeply into his promises.
Peter Molyneux usually delivers, provided you don't look too deeply into his promises.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:01PM Duke said
Confirmed: 'Super Duper Pong' coming from Lionhead!
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:10PM Burritoclock said
It's funny how this clashes with the lawsuit from the guy suing them for getting gay bashed everyday at work...
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:38PM technoKyle said
I'd say it's more of a direct consequence that he came out and said this.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:13PM tsoulx said
Molyneux saying "it's all good" just makes me think of the same rhetoric as the CEOs and such of the banking industry. Makes me think that next week some Lionhead staff will get the ol' pink hammer. Just sayin'.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:20PM jumpshot said
If they keep churning out gems like Fable II and support the community that follows it (a la Burnout Paradise), then I don't see why they'd need to worry. It's always good news when companies thrive in such times as these!
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:48PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I guess when he talks about "professionalism" he is excluding the gay employee who was harassed and is no longer employed. With that said it's great to see a studio that hasn't had restructuring or massive layoffs.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 1:34PM (Unverified) said
I not saying this is the case, but sometime "gay" people bring it on theirselves thinking they are special because of their sexual orientation. You do see people who love the other sex blurting out "I'm straight!!!! Don't Hate!!!"
That might not have been the case, just one of the likely possibilities.
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That might not have been the case, just one of the likely possibilities.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:01PM FredFredrickson said
Well I don't think gay people bring harassment on themselves, but I don't really see how a few employees harassing one of their coworkers has anything to do with the financial viability of a company, either.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:04PM Burritoclock said
Zach,
I don't think that is the case here, however I just wanted to say that I know what you are trying to say and I mostly agree with you. I just wanted to support you before the likely downvote/pitchfork attacking that is probably soon to be unleashed upon you.
I have a gay friend that would pretty much agree with you. We were watching some reality show and he pointed out how much he hates it when other gay people go out of their way to announce just how gay they are. It is a desperate cry for attention that's no different then a stupid emo or some frat guy talking about how much "poone" he gets.
But again, I don't think that was the case here, at least from the initial story.
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I don't think that is the case here, however I just wanted to say that I know what you are trying to say and I mostly agree with you. I just wanted to support you before the likely downvote/pitchfork attacking that is probably soon to be unleashed upon you.
I have a gay friend that would pretty much agree with you. We were watching some reality show and he pointed out how much he hates it when other gay people go out of their way to announce just how gay they are. It is a desperate cry for attention that's no different then a stupid emo or some frat guy talking about how much "poone" he gets.
But again, I don't think that was the case here, at least from the initial story.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:04PM SpartacusMagnus said
Zach,
Yeah, that's one of the consequences of our current politically correct philosophy- it empowers the minority (which isn't bad) and makes them feel victimized and that society owes them something (which is bad). Suddenly the minority gets to capitalize on their minority status and lord it over the majority and get special treatment. This of course flies directly in the face of democracy.
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Yeah, that's one of the consequences of our current politically correct philosophy- it empowers the minority (which isn't bad) and makes them feel victimized and that society owes them something (which is bad). Suddenly the minority gets to capitalize on their minority status and lord it over the majority and get special treatment. This of course flies directly in the face of democracy.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:07PM SpartacusMagnus said
PS: I'm not condoning any type of harassment, nor am I implying that minorities should not be heard.
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Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 12:55PM anexanhume said
Yeah, I'm sure millionaires are dying to date frequenters of a gaming blog.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 1:10PM Mognet T said
So, do you think Molynuex will ramble on about the "simplicity" of his "simple" game? Maybe he'll devote a five hour movie on the DVD to its "simple one-button combat".
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 1:15PM Dirty said
I guess "smear the queer" is a pretty simple game
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 1:21PM (Unverified) said
"...never thinks he does no wrong..."
So they think he's always doing wrong things?
So they think he's always doing wrong things?
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 1:23PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Wow dude you have some *serious* issues. Someone needs to alert Kojima that he has a stalker who always obsesses about him on Joystiq. Let it go dude. Funny thing is when I saw your name and avatar (before reading your comment) I thought "thats the kojima hater guy" and I was right.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:35PM Rather Dashing said
Molyneux waiting for something substantial before opening his mouth?
...Guys April Fool's was YESTERDAY. You're late.
...Guys April Fool's was YESTERDAY. You're late.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:36PM cuteSAVAGE said
No doubt Lionhead is "Passionate" about their products, but damn... Rare is still going at it, making consumer flop after consumer flop. If that isn't passion, I don't know what is. I heart Rare, Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts = Most underrated games ever!
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 2:57PM Haggard said
If Molyneux is nationalistic, then here's an apology from the UK. But I'd never noticed any jingoistic overtones in his games.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 3:00PM leobebes said
You guys can't laugh at self deprecating humor I guess.
Posted: Apr 2nd 2009 4:19PM (Unverified) said
I can imagine Molyneux is talking about Fable III. There was that one voice actor that said he was recording sound for Fable III. Wouldn't be suprised if they announce it at E3 this year. Plus it would be a good idea for Microsoft to pull a one-two combo with both Fable II in 2008 and Fable III (I'm guessing here) 2010.
If it's not Fable III, runner up guess is it's an XBLA title where you have to let Molyneux's ego vent before he blows up and makes a homophobic remark.
Plus, has anyone else played Fable II and think the whole issue of homosexuality is played almost like it's a joke? Just an observation
If it's not Fable III, runner up guess is it's an XBLA title where you have to let Molyneux's ego vent before he blows up and makes a homophobic remark.
Plus, has anyone else played Fable II and think the whole issue of homosexuality is played almost like it's a joke? Just an observation






