Fable 3 will be crowned on Steam as well as Games for Windows

by Christopher Grant on Apr 21st 2011 11:32AM

Despite what you learn in Fable 3, not everyone gets to be king. When it comes to PC gaming digital distribution platforms, there's only one king and its name is Steam ("Your Highness" will suffice). Microsoft, also known as the lowly Duke of Games for Windows, has finally seen fit to recognize Steam's monarchy and, as a form of tribute, will be offering its own Fable 3 on the reigning platform as well as its own.

But nothing is ever that simple in court politics! While both digital releases, as well as the retail version, will be simultaneous, only Games for Windows Marketplace shoppers will be treated to a free copy of Fable: Lost Chapters, the expanded update of the original Fable. Steam shoppers will get the far less desirable Rebel's Weapon & Tattoo Pack, featuring some, uh ... weapons and tattoos for your hero. Retail shoppers get the security of a box and a disc, so that's something.

Fable 3 is due on PCs on May 17 in North America and shortly thereafter elsewhere.

Show full PR text

Fable III for Windows to be available via Steam at Launch

Choice has always played an important role in the world of "Fable," and PC fans will have even more choices than ever, without the consequence. Microsoft Game Studios and Lionhead are happy to announce that "Fable III" for Windows will be available through Valve Corporation's Steam distribution platform, in addition to Games for Windows Marketplace and in retail stores simultaneously.

"Fable III" will be available for pre-order on both Steam and Games for Windows Marketplace starting 21 April. Fans who pre-order through Games for Windows Marketplace will receive "Fable: Lost Chapters" – the start of the Fable saga - for free! And those who purchase on Steam will receive the Rebel's Weapon & Tattoo Pack, a collection of four exclusive weapons and five exclusive tattoo sets to customize their rebel hero.

Fans can also purchase the game in all three locations at launch on 20 May for £34.99 (ERP).

No matter how players decide to purchase "Fable III," they will have access to the same exciting content as Xbox 360 players, including riveting Game Add-ons like Traitor's Keep, in addition to new features like a more challenging "Hardcore" mode and 3-D functionality.

Happy ruling!

Tags: Fable-3, Fable-3-PC, Games-for-Windows, GFW, Lionhead, Lionhead-Studios, microsoft, pc, Steam, xbox

Reader Comments (86)

After seeing how mutilated most of my CD's became after a rumble with the "Slanted Disc drive" I'll stick to the Steam version.

@Heck Guy
Games for Windows Live is a similar digital distribution to Steam. You can buy games online from them the same as you can on Steam.

@twocows The GFWL client is much clunkier, and the storefront isn't nearly as well designed.

@Faceless Troll

I used GFWL once...will never use it again. I got Civ4 on a deal, downloaded it, but the client would never "finish" the download nor recognize the game. After messing with it all day, then spending a few hours the next day dealing with customer service I got it working. I ended up having to unzip the game files myself, and putting them into my program files myself, then run the .exe to install (which I had to do several times because it kept failing.) To run the game I can't even use the GFWL client as it still doesn't recognize the game as being downloaded completely.

Steam downloads and installs and updates all by itself, SO much better.

@Heck Guy

Finally microsoft accepts the facts, steam rules that´s the fact. I´m glad this one is coming for the best, good work microsoft!!!!! count me in.

@Hunter141072

The game will probably require GFWL to run even if you buy it through steam

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

that´d be a shame, i hate GFW, i don´t see the point in using it.... oh well, guess i can allow it for this one.....

@acefondu
I've used it for AoE3 and Bioshock and had problems with neither. Then again, this was the deal that came just after the GFWL overhaul; I hadn't used it before then. I'm considering buying the game on GFWL, to be honest.

@Faceless Troll
GFWL has achievements, integrated with your XBox live account. Nothing on Steam can compensate for that. No one gives a crap about Steam achievements.

@acefondu This will still require GFWL even if you buy it on Steam....

@twocows Saying Games for Windows Live is just like Steam cause you can buy games on-line on each, is like saying a $5 footlong from Subway is just like an handmade artisan deli sandwich. Cause they both have bread and meat.

You must be one of the kids who got Mega Blocks for Christmas

@kurian2z5 I'm good with that. I enjoy sharing my achievements with my Xbox live gamertag.

@twocows

You're taking a risk for no reason. Never had a problem with Steam, But GFWL, First time i use it it messes up.

@kurian2z5
True, steam achievements do nothing for me, and sometimes they glitch out and I wouldn't get them (fallout new vegas anyone?).

Windows LIVE achievements are a little more gratifying but relatively pointless all the same. But for most, the choice is clear. However what isn't clear is that you'll probably need both, like you did with every other LIVE enabled game sold through steam.

@kurian2z5

By that you mean I have to log into MS Live right? I do that for a lot of games, but the GFWL Client is what I want to avoid. Steam actually works and though it takes way too long to log into MS Live for some stupid reason, once it does that works too (mostly).

@kurian2z5
Unfortunately, for people like me, achivements on Xbox live (or GFWL) also dont mean crap.

In general, I think achievements are overrated anyway. However, in this case I might just stick with the GFWL version since i will get a free game...

Depending on how good is the game, I might just pass it altogether. Maybe anyone can comment?

@kurian2z5

I don't have an Xbox or a GFW account, so XBL Achievements mean about as much to me as Steam achievements mean to you. Since I have Steam though, Steam achievements matter for me. I love achievements in all games, gives my OCD some goals to attain. The only differences between XBL and Steam achievements are that the Steam ones don't assign you a useless numerical value based on each achievement's "value", and Steam achievements don't reward you gamer pics(which Steam doesn't need since you can browse your computer for any Steam avatar you want). Yet you still dismiss Steam's achievements so easily.

@kurian2z5 No one gives a crap about achievements, well at least not those of us that have to rely on bs arbitrary numbers that mean nothing to make us feel good.

I'll have to buy this.

And on May 17th I will be playing The Witcher 2.

@Wag

Word!

@Wag

...which I'll buy using the king's liitle brother, prince GOG.

Based on my little experience with it through the forced installs, I will never buy a game from that intrusive shoddy service. I don't understand why I can't save games in Fallout without logging into Microsoft's network, and I bought that on Steam.

Also my laptop doesn't have a home key, dummies. Let us change the keybinding at least.

@Colin

Talking about GFWL, obvs.

@Colin

Can't save games? I suppose only if you're in the DLC stuff...

In standard Fallout 3 you don't have to log in to GFWL, only if you want to access the DLC.

And even then there's a mod that totally removes the GFWL wrapper, and takes the packs out of the GFWL folder so you can use them no-hassle.

@Colin

As it is a GFWL game (even if you can buy it through steam) it'll still install and require GFWL anyway most likely.

@Colin

Fallout 3 on steam USED to be just steam only, i think when it first came out. I know because i played through the entire thing twice without ever being asked to log in. Also at the time there were 0 achievements, steam or otherwise.

However, since its been on the Games Marketplace, this has changed. I re downloaded fallout 3 earlier this month THROUGH STEAM, because its been years and I wanted to add all the spiffy mods and it requires GFWL, but I don't mind because now there's achievements to be had!

@MasterYogurt

I have to check that mod out. I despise using my Gamertag on my PC. But yes, I had the GOTY edition. If I bought the DLC separately I would understand, but it should have just all been in the package by default. And I literally could not save without logging in. Pushing new game just brought up the sign in screen. I'm sure there was a way around it that I was missing., but I just got frustrated and logged in with a frown. :(

And I suppose GFWL is great if you like achievements. Me? I don't care.

@Colin

I believe it atleast needs an offline account which is what it uses to keep your saved games together.

Means that you can have multiple offline accounts for multiple profiles.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

multiple playthroughs*

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Well, as far as I can tell you can't make an offline GFWL account. Believe me, I've tried for at least twenty minutes on each game that shoved GFWL down my throat.

If I am wrong please please please tell me how to make the offline profile.

@Colin

To create an offline profile, open up the Guide (the home key does this by default) and choose create new profile, then choose offline profile. It will allow you to save, but you won't get achievements or gamerscore.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Actually might be easier to go into a bit more explanation then that lol.

It used to look like this
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5752/fallout3202009081020160.png

However I believe on the newest version it has been changed around and now there's just a generic create profile option. After selecting that it should put you on a page which has a whole lot of text or so, scroll down to the bottom of it and there will be a check box or such that says something along the lines of "create offline profile"

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

A whole lot is like 3 or so paragraphs so it's not that much xD.

The option is there though.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

To make things easier I took these screen shots. They should just about explain what to do.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/113234249-4.jpg
http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/113234252-4.jpg
http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/113234254-4.jpg

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

(can only do 3 urls in a post so here's the last 2 screen shots)

http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/113234259-4.jpg
http://screenshot.xfire.com/s/113234262-4.jpg

(I'll stop posting now I swear)

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Hrmmm. I'll have to give if another go. Thanks for the extensive tutorial!

I'm still pretty adamant that Microsoft should let you reset the keybinding. No home key on my keyboard means LIVE is a super pain to open.

Amazon was offering $35 in trade credit the other day for the 360 version. I bit. Now if I want to play it again I can just buy it again on Steam for $7.50 in November.

@louiedog

Of course you sold back the 360 version, why would anyone want that?

Also, I'm glad you're dead, you monster.

It's, your Royal Highness first and then Sir after that.

Awes-
"Games for Windows Live" Nope.

Guess I'll stop procrastination and just buy the 360 version then.

There have been a couple games I want, but they use Games for Windows. I want BioShock 2, but it uses Games for Windows Live.

I am not going to install that piece of shit program, and deal with all that shit, to play a game. When they put out a game that requires it, they are just limited their sales from people who refuse to use it.

A document was leaked out that described how they were planning on making Games for Windows Live more like XBox Live, with avatars, and purchasable accessories, and a focus more on casual games. I hope they scrapped that plan like they were supposed to.

@Drakkenfyre Is PC gaming full of crybabies or what? I've used GFWL for at least 5 games, and never had a problem with any of them. I'm not going to restrict myself and while because I dislike a piece of software that comes with the game.

hmmm Fable 3 or Witcher 2....is it even a toss up for pc gamers?

@Tradio Fable 3 will take you all of a weekend to beat. It's practically guaranteed the Witcher 2 will be superior in every way.

@Faceless Troll
if you just storyline it...... otherwise its a dungeon crawler if you wanna find the good stuff wihtout guides and ect. it can take quite a good chunk of time :)

well there goes my hopes for a Mac port

@PR0F3TA

Microsoft Game Studios was pretty unlikely to publish a Mac port to begin with.

@Colin

FERAL ported over the Lost Chapters. I know MS wont hand this one over though with the "games for windows" label

@Colin
Also Halo.
And Microsoft Office for Mac.

It's not unheard of for Microsoft to maximise their market.

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

Fable 3

Fable 3 will be crowned on Steam as well as Games for Windows

Reader Comments (86)

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:36AM Heck Guy said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:40AM twocows said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:47AM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:58AM acefondu said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:07PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:15PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:20PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:34PM twocows said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:38PM kurian2z5 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:39PM kurian2z5 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 1:00PM RyogaVee said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 1:10PM lordnerdstorm said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 1:51PM LEONLEONLEON said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 2:21PM HighFiveJesus said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 2:33PM acefondu said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 3:17PM P34nk said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 4:02PM RogueJedi86 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 4:55PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:38AM VeeDeeVee said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:45AM Wag said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 6:05PM berval said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 8:57PM fco said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:45AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:46AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:04PM MasterYogurt said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:13PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 2:18PM HighFiveJesus said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 4:23PM Colin said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 8:57PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 8:57PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 12:42AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:44AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:47AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:49AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 3:00AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 3:01AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:02AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:46AM louiedog said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:00PM Assmar said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:47AM Mmmmz said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:47AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 10:07PM Drakkenfyre said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 4:41AM Wongfeihong said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:47AM Tradio said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:53AM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 3:56PM Protege420 said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 11:49AM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:06PM Colin said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 12:48PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Apr 21st 2011 1:04PM VeeDeeVee said

Fable 3 Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW