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Molyneux: Milo will boast collective object recognition, accept half-eaten fruit

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 28th 2009 at 7:20PM }

From a four-by-four pixel face, to a loyal pooch, to an inquisitive youth -- that's the path Peter Molyneux has taken in his quest to find life within technology. "Right, can we dare to create a character which anybody interacting with that character would truly believe was alive?" the renowned designer recently asked attendees of the annual BAFTA Video Game Lecture (transcribed by The Guardian).

Harnessing the motion-sensitive camera in Microsoft's Project Natal, Molyneux hopes to breathe that life into a young boy -- or girl! -- named Milo (or Millie!). While he admits that much of it is "smoke and mirrors and tricks," he provided some interesting insight into the technology put to use behind the scenes. It seems Milo won't just recognize you (his imaginary, otherworldly friend), but everyday objects as well. "Firstly the process of scanning is really lovely, you just reach your arm up, you can also scan in three dimensional objects, for example if you are eating an apple you can give that apple to Milo and he will carry on eating the apple," the Lionhead lead explained. But will Milo scan candy held aloft by strangers?

"Or the other thing that is amazing about this technology and this is the online portion of inspiration, we are collecting continuing to collect and improve his object recognition skills." If his plans come to fruition, Molyneux envisions "all the Milos that will be released" feeding their observations into a centralized recognition of "everything in the world."

To Skynet alarmists: Have you seen this boy?

In-game 'shop' will bring microtransactions to Fable 3

by Randy Nelson { Oct 21st 2009 at 9:25PM }

Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux isn't just pushing the curve on Xbox 360 with now-confirmed Project Natal support in Fable 3; during his speech at the annual BAFTA gathering, the legendary designer revealed his intent to integrate an "in-game shop" within the game world, enabling players to purchase DLC without disrupting the game experience (i.e. exiting to the Xbox Live Marketplace). In a report on the presentation, That VideoGame Blog noted that Molyneux had suggested special weapons, for example, could be sold for about £1 ($1.70).

Also mentioned were plans to offer "travel" to new areas of the game world (think Fable 2's DLC destinations) for a fee. Molyneux thankfully didn't suggest that such things as tattoos, hair dye and the like -- which were purchased using the in-game currency of Fable 2 -- would be for-pay in its sequel. We imagine that getting the town crier to announce you as "Supreme Ruler of the Universe Who's Better Than Anyone Else at Fable 3 Ever" will carry a modest fee.

[Thanks, Rain!]

Microsoft details October's Xbox Live Deal of the Week specials [update]

by David Hinkle { Oct 9th 2009 at 10:15AM }

Update: Houston, we have prices!

As you already know, this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is none other than Prince of Persia's 'Epilogue' DLC. We're not here to talk about that, though -- instead, we're here to give you the heads up on what the rest of this month has in store for penny-pinching purchasers looking for goodies on Xbox Live. So let's get to it:

October 12

Hasbro Family Game Night (Battleship, Connect 4, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Boggle and Sorry! Sliders discounted to 400)

October 19

Resident Evil 5's Versus mode (discounted to 240)

October 26

Fable II Pub Games (discounted to 400)

Pub Games is the only title with its planned discount listed, so you'll have to wait until the appropriate time to know how much the others are discounted for. We're sorry we boggled your mind with savings, only to battle your ship -- ah, forget it, that joke could never work.

PSA: Fable 2 Episodes now available, first hit's free

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 29th 2009 at 10:20AM }

The first installment of Fable II Episodes is available now on Xbox Live -- for free. Think of it as an extended demo for the magical adventure that became the Joystiq Game of the Year for 2008. We have no idea where exactly the first episode ends and, more importantly, we have no idea how much the next servings will cost (we're waiting for confirmation).

Depending on the total price, it may be better to pick up a physical copy of the game or wait for the "game of the year" edition. Don't let the first-hit-is-free drug dealer tactic reel you in while alternatives exist, friend.

TGS 2009: Microsoft's Phil Spencer easily envisions Fable, Natal crossover

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 24th 2009 at 5:30AM }

Microsoft Game Studios' corporate vice president, Phil Spencer, doesn't seem like the easily startled type. In fact, on the list of things that wouldn't catch him off guard, the incorporation of Project Natal into a high-profile, Xbox 360-exclusive franchise probably doesn't sit very high. Perhaps a few spots below lots of people buying a new Halo game.

During a Tokyo Game Show interview (look for the full transcript soon), Spencer told Joystiq that the innovation fostered inside Lionhead Studios made it a good match for Microsoft's forthcoming motion control system. "You know, Lionhead's been a real innovation studio for us," he said. "We have the release of Fable 2 episodic this week, where they're taking Fable 2 and breaking it up into chunks, allowing people to buy the content at their pace. Fable 2, I thought, was a great release, with the orbs they added with Live, adding new functionality to the franchise. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Natal found its way into future iterations of Fable."

Whether or not motion functionality will show up in 2010's Fable 3 is a matter of speculation, though your role as king in that game would certainly lend itself to some interesting ... regal maneuvers. Waving your hand to permanently dispense with an annoying peasant? That's our kind of role playing.

Fable 2: Game of the Year Edition confirmed

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 28th 2009 at 12:20PM }

Eurogamer reports that Fable II: Game of the Year Edition has been confirmed by Microsoft. Furthermore, the site notes that the title will release in Europe on September 18 for €64.99/£39.99. Doing a little digging of our own, we uncovered the box art for the game (pictured above), which gives us some idea of what to expect in the package. According to the box, purchasers will receive: "More Quests! More Locations! More Choices!"

If previous retail listings for the title are to be believed, all that "more" will be comprised of both the Knothole Island and See the Future DLC packs. So far, the Game of the Year Edition has only been confirmed for Europe, but we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation and details regarding a North American release.

Fable II 'Episodic' revealed, pay-as-you-play starts Sept. 29 [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 19th 2009 at 4:35AM }

Peter Molyneux announced, during the Lionhead press conference at GamesCom, that Fable II episodic adventures are on the way. The first chapter is free. Once players get to the ending they can opt to buy the next chapter or buy the rest of the game. The purchase takes place in-game and there are five episodes.

The first episode will release on September 29 and no prices have been revealed. The game is fully compatible with Knothole Island and See the Future. We'll keep working on getting more information.

Update: Microsoft has clarified that this is not an extension of Fable II, but rather the retail game broken up into serialized chapters formally titled Fable II: Game Episodes. Xbox Live users will be able to download the initial episode, which serves as a "shell" for the rest of the game, on September 29.

The original game disc is not required to play, and those who grab part one will have the option to purchase subsequent pieces or the entirety of Fable II (think of it like an XBLA trial). If you've downloaded any of the game episodes and decide to spring for the retail disc, your saves will carry over. No per-episode pricing has been announced but we're chasing more details.

Molyneux announces Fable III at GamesCom, coming 2010 [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 19th 2009 at 4:20AM }

Peter Molyneux has just announced Fable III is coming later in 2010. You'll play as the son or daughter of your Fable II hero and start a revolution to become the ruler of Albion. We'll update with more details soon. He's just dropping so much info right now. Be back soon!

Update: Added details after the break.

Gallery: Fable 3 (GamesCom 2009)

Continued →

Fable II Game of the Year Edition spotted

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 17th 2009 at 5:45PM }

Console Monster reports that a listing for a Game of the Year Edition of Fable II has popped up on a pair of UK websites. The listing appears on both Play.com and ShopTo.net, and mentions exactly the kind of goodies you'd expect in a GOTY package. With a suggested retail price of £39.99 (~$65), the package includes both the Knothole Island and See the Future DLC, which normally cost 800

($10) and 560

($7), respectively. So, essentially, the package offers the original game and both pieces of DLC for standard retail price. Not a bad deal for those that have yet to set a next-gen foot in the world of Albion.

This might be what the "revolutionary" countdown on Lionhead.com is all about -- though that seems unlikely. Either way, as the countdown isn't set to expire for another two days, we've asked both Microsoft and Lionhead to confirm if the listing is real, and also to clarify any plans for a North American release. We'll update this post with any new information.

Source - Play.com -- Fable II: Game Of The Year Edition
Source - ShopTo.net -- Fable II (2) (Game Of The Year)

Lionhead Studios website overthrown by Che Guevara [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Aug 13th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Update: It would appear as though Lionhead Studios' website has been overthrown by not one revolutionary but a series of them, as the site has updated today with a numeral five (countdown!) and an image of Maximilien Robespierre. Oh, you don't know who he is? He's one of those copycat French revolutionaries. A famous one, we promise. Now we're just hoping that at the end of the countdown, Lionhead doesn't overthrow the Internet.

Don't you just hate it when your website gets overthrown by a long-dead South American revolutionary? Happens all the time! Well, okay, we're embellishing a bit, but it seems as though that's happened to Fable 2 developer Lionhead Studios' website. As you can see in the image above, Che Guevara's questioning gaze posits, "At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love," accompanied by a massive six.

Sure, that could be six years or six celestial bodies orbiting around Lionhead prez Peter Molyneux's head at any given time, but we're thinking it pertains to a "special announcement" at next week's Euro convention, Gamescom, by the (in)famous developer. The email from Microsoft says, "Peter Molyneux, visionary developer and Creative Director of MGS Europe, will make a special announcement, so be sure to join us for this reveal." In the meantime, we'll be busily clicking between the thumbs up or down choice below Che's silhouette, watching as the sidebars change.

It's called moral choice, folks. It's kind of popular.

The origin of Fable II's soundtrack

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 7th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Develop has posted an interesting feature about the creation of the soundtrack to Fable II. The article tells the story behind the score through the words of its composer, Russell Shaw. Shaw says that he wanted the music "to convey the world of Albion but also enhance the story," noting that each region has its own particular sound. The music of Bowerstone, according to Shaw, is based on the keywords "Celtic, Scottish, folk and gentle," for example. Shaw also discusses the combat music, which flows and changes based on the size of the fight and on the actions taken by the player.

On the state of music in the game industry, Shaw says, "This is a brilliant time to be in game music," noting that the barriers between game and movie composers have "pretty much eroded completely." If you've ever found yourself humming a Fable II tune -- if you've played the game, you probably have -- you should definitely give the article a read.

Fable 3 designer gets married and ... wait a minute!

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 30th 2009 at 9:45AM }

Last Friday's New York Times "Wedding/Celebrations" section announced the nuptials of Ms. Amy Gilbert (who is studying for her Ph.D. in molecular medicine in London) and Joshua Atkins, the "lead game designer for Fable III." Would this be be first tandem wedding and game announcement? Although Fable III doesn't officially exist, Atkins has been with Lionhead since Fable and is listed as a part of the design team at Microsoft Game Studios in the Fable II manual.

This isn't the first time Fable III has been unofficially mentioned: British talk show host Jonathan Ross tweeted in March that he was approached to do voice work for the game. Of course, we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation of Fable III's development. We absolutely can't wait until the company pulls "we don't comment on rumor and speculation" on this one.

PS: From all of us at Joystiq: Congratulations to the happy couple!

Update: Microsoft's official statement: "We have nothing to announce regarding future Lionhead Studios projects."

[Via Kotaku]

Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Fable 2's Knothole Island [update]

by David Hinkle { Jun 29th 2009 at 11:50AM }

Update: Okay folks, it seems to be showing up at the discounted price now (make sure you're signed in to Xbox.com). The deal is for Gold members only.

For all of you wannabe Meteorologists out there, the problematic weather of Fable 2's Knothole Island awaits you and all of your cunning. The Lionhead community blog reveals the DLC will be discounted up until July 5. Normally 800

, the DLC will receive a price cut of 30%, knocking it down to a more manageable 560

.

You already know our thoughts on the add-on, so we suggest you stock up on mainland items and head to Knothole Island for some rare goodies in the Box of Secrets. And, you know, tackle a dungeon or three.

Add Knothole Island to your download queue

Gallery: Fable 2: Knothole Island (DLC)

Peter Molyneux shows 'Milo' for Project Natal

by Randy Nelson { Jun 1st 2009 at 3:27PM }

Lionhead founder and famed game designer Peter Molyneux took the stage at Microsoft's E3 press conference to demonstrate "Milo," a virtual boy who interacts with players via the Project Natal motion camera. After introducing the project, Molyneux presented a video of a Lionhead staffer speaking with Milo, who reacted to what she said -- and even wrote on a piece of paper held up to the screen ... like a real person.

Following the video, Molyneux addressed what was likely a considerable amount of doubt as to the simulation's validity saying that it will be demo'd in real time behind closed doors during E3. He said that Lionhead has been tinkering with Project Natal for several months, and that he feels "what developers do with Natal will change the landscape of games." We'll ask Milo what he thinks of that later in the week.

Lionhead might unveil something big at Microsoft presser

by Majed Athab { May 29th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Lionhead Studios posted an interesting tweet today, hinting at a potentially huge reveal to appear at Microsoft's press conference on Monday. The studio is claiming it will host a "big presentation" at the conference, urging all its Twitter followers to "watch this space!" for more (hyperbolic punctuation included!).

The studio could be gearing up to reveal some mysterious new IP that it had been working on for quite some time. Then again, maybe Lionhead's idea of a "big presentation" is Peter Molyneux playing beer pong on stage. The possibilities are endless, really, but we do know one thing: all will be known come Monday at 10:30 a.m. PST.

[Via Eurogamer]