Underpowered Xbox Series S

Releasing a more economical variant of its current current-gen console line-up seemed like a shrewd consumer-first move by Microsoft in 2020. After all, for a significant price drop you could still enjoy some of the Xbox Series X’s marquee features on Series S, such as Xbox Velocity Architecture, DirectX Raytracing, and Quick Resume. It’s those downgrades that are starting to stifle the Series S’s place in market now we’re in 2024 – less processing power and lower max resolution the principal features that’re starting to become a headache for developers and players alike.

Talking about how easy it often is for the scope of a game during development to accidentally start spiralling out of control, Carter talks about how playing through Devil May Cry helped the studio recontextualise the scope for Fable.

“I’m sure everyone knows this hack already, but I’m going to talk about it anyway, on the off-chance that it saves someone from going completely off-the-rails during their dev,” says Carter at the beginning of the tweet thread. “It’s a hint about scope, when you’re feeling lost: steal it. 100% rip it off from another game.”

According to Carter, Devil May Cry‘s use of a relatively small number of zones, and how the hack-and-slash action game often re-used its zones with new context helped the development of Fable.

Other games that helped influence Fable are Silent Hill and Way of the Samurai.

“Literally copying the scope of DMC, the interaction density of Silent Hill, and the encounter style of the first Way of the Samurai changed Fable from a floppy, undefined, never-ending deathmarch to something we could actually complete *without* ever having worked on a 3D game,” said Carter.

I'm sure everyone knows this hack already, but I'm going to talk about it anyway, on the off-chance that it saves someone from going completely off-the-rails during their dev. It's a hint about scope, when you're feeling lost: steal it. 100% rip it off from another game.

— fluttermind.bsky.social (@Fluttermind) November 14, 2022

After Xbox Live Gold subscribers discovered that certain titles were free in April, Microsoft has officially announced its free Games With Gold lineup for April 2020. And yes, it indeed includes Slightly Mad Studios’ Project CARS 2 and Lionhead Studios’ Fable Anniversary. Available for Xbox One and Xbox 360 respectively, each title will be available throughout the month.

Other games include the Knights of Pen and Paper Bundle for Xbox One. Developed by Seaven Studio, it includes the first and second games in the RPG/board game/strategy series. You can claim it from April 16th to May 15th.

For Xbox 360 players, there’s also Toybox Turbos, a tabletop racing title from Codemasters. This will be available from April 16th to 30th. Thanks to backwards compatibility, Xbox One owners can access all four titles when they go live. For those looking for something more high-profile, it might be worth checking out Xbox Game Pass for console which adds NieR: Automata Become as Gods Edition on April 2nd.

Microsoft has yet to reveal what next month’s free Games With Gold will be for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. However, it seems that two of April’s offerings have already been confirmed. As per Wario 64 on Twitter, if you head to the store listings for Project CARS 2 and Fable Anniversary, they can be downloaded for free by those with Xbox Live Gold memberships.

Project CARS 2 is only the standard edition for Xbox One and not the Deluxe Edition which includes all of the paid DLC. As one of the better realistic racing sims out there, it might still be worth checking out. Fable Anniversary is for the Xbox 360 and returns to Lionhead Studios’ first game with graphical improvements, revamps and other changes.

Though an announcement has yet to be made, it wouldn’t be strange for Microsoft to release a trailer later today. Games With Gold usually offers four games each month so we’ll likely learn about the other titles later today. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Project Cars 2 is available on Xbox GWG https://t.co/FNs9eqUKNj pic.twitter.com/0FkeyL8MwX

— Wario64 (@Wario64) March 31, 2020

Fable Anniversary is free on Xbox GWG https://t.co/ZuUaEKbHIV

*make sure it's free on checkout

still don't know what the rest of the April GWG titles are. MS never made an announcement. pic.twitter.com/lpWJVXm9Jz

— Wario64 (@Wario64) March 31, 2020

One of Microsoft’s tentpole franchises used to be Fable, a charming action adventure RPG series that always overpromised, but managed to win folks over due to its sheer whimsy and charm. However, multiple experiments with the franchise gone awry – including Fable 3, a spate of increasingly ill advised spin offs, and culminating with the cancellation of Fable Legends, and the closure of studio Lionhead – led to the franchise’s future being uncertain.

Xbox head Phil Spencer, however, believes there may yet be room for the franchise to do something in the future. Responding to a fan’s query on Twitter, Spencer noted that he has nothing to announce at the time – obviously – but that he feels there are still places the franchise can go to.

Having a game like Fable would help Microsoft take on titans like Zelda and Horizon by having something equivalent in their own lineup. It would also add some substance to Spencer’s assurances that the company will still be doing single player games. Here’s hoping a new Fable is announced some time soon.

Peter Molyneux may have had on-again, off-again success with his crowd-funded title Godus but he’s still kicking. In fact, while speaking to OXM, Molyneux talked about wanting to create Fable 4 though the original development team would be needed to make it work.

“It’s crazy that Fable 4 isn’t being made. I would love to do Fable 4, and the studio tried to do it. You’d have to get the original team back together though.”

Given how the last few games fared and the cancellation of Fable Legends, it’s not weird that Microsoft ultimately decided to pull the plug. That being said, it wouldn’t be all that odd to see another studio take up the Fable mantle somewhere down the line.

Molyneux also discussed how his team members would upset Microsoft with their sense of humour. “I think it was the sense of humour. You know the British, slightly politically incorrect sense of humour, especially with Fable, where we had prostitutes and same-sex marriage. Microsoft were appalled, you know.”

You can hit up the link above to learn more about how Lionhead made Microsoft blush. What are your thoughts on another Fable game though? Let us know in the comments below.

While most of the video game world was disappointed to see that Fable Legends was getting its plug pulled, that same world was downright shocked to see Lionhead Studios getting its own plug pulled alongside its game. Microsoft announced earlier this week it was calling it quits on both the game and the studio and the backlash to those announcements has been widespread and loud. At one point this week, the reaction was enough that Xbox One chief Phil Spencer felt like he had to comment.

When Spencer had a Twitter user comment on the shutdown, he responded “I really wish every game we started ended successfully. Regretfully doesn’t always happen. I’m sad as well, I love Fable.” That didn’t seem to put many fans of the series at ease and the Microsoft exec then had to fight off a number of rumors that Microsoft’s move to shutter Lionhead was just the latest in a long line of signs the company isn’t committed to the Xbox One or gaming in general.

Spencer did everything he could to make sure people don’t continue to believe that. He first replied that Xbox One is critical to the company’s future. He then made it clear that his entire reason for being with Microsoft is to oversee the Xbox One and its continued growth. He added that he certainly feels as though he is getting support from Microsoft when it comes to making the Xbox One as good as it can be. For now, we’ll have to take Mr. Spencer’s word for it.

Following the cancellation of Fable Legends and the shuttering of Lionhead Studios, it’s been announced that the beta will conclude at 3 PM GMT, April 13th. New players will not be added in the meantime and once April 13th has passed, beta servers will be offline.

Current players will not have the ability to purchase any more Gold and those who have purchased Gold without spending it will be refunded for the same. Beta testers should watch out for an email next week on how to obtain refunds.

Fable Legends has been in development for a long time, first being announced in 2014 for Xbox One and facing numerous delays. It underwent a transformation into a free to play title and was even slated to release on Windows 10. Along with Lionhead shutting down, it was revealed that Press Play, developer of Max & The Curse of Brotherhood, was also being disbanded. Fortunately, many in the industry has reached out to the ex-staff to offer jobs so it’s not all gloomy.

The closure of Lionhead Studios and cancellation of Fable Legends is a fairly sad occurrence, especially when you consider how long the studio has been around and the game in development.

Thankfully, the industry is reacting quickly and wanting to help. Volume creator Mike Bithell stated that, “My thoughts are with the folks affected by Lionhead closure. Any coders from there who wanna join us, contact [at] bithellgames [dot] com”

Former Sony exec Shahid Kamal also offered his condolences, stating that he was “Sad to hear about the closure of Lionhead, may its people go from strength to strength.”

Unravel creator Martin Sahlin also said the studio was hiring. “It feels sort of weird to post this on the day of studio closures… But we’re actually hiring 😛 http://www.coldwood.com/?page_id=646”

Former Fable engine lead and Celtoys owner Don Williamson expressed his sadness, especially given his time spent at Lionhead. “Got my first job offer from Lionhead out of school @ 18, in ’98 for B&W. My best years were working on Fable. Amazing people. Great times”

Williamson further stated that with regards to the studio’s chances, “So many, many bad decisions made that forced a lot of people to resign. I had big hope for new blood but the dice was loaded.”

Ubisoft level designer Anthony Panecasio also offered help, stating that, “Sad to hear about Lionhead and Press Play. We are hiring @UbisoftToronto. Get in touch w/ me if you need help. #gamejobs #LionheadStudios”

Former Lionhead employee Rachel Noy who is now an environment artist with Playsport Games and said that, “Really sorry to hear about Lionhead and Fable Legends. I enjoyed every minute working on it.”

Hector Mateo-Pino from Creative Assembly also announced plenty of positions open. “Sad to hear about Lionhead, lots of positions open at CA https://app.jobvite.com/Jobvite/jobvite.aspx?b=nWfkyuw2 … Get in touch! #jobs #gamejobs #videogames”

An ex-Rockstar dev also commented on the studio’s dissolution, stating that, “So sad to hear about #lionhead – they had a charm like no other :(”

Finally, co-creator of Fable and Dungeon Keeper Simon Carter reacted to the news, stating that, “…and, on a personal level, I’m incredibly sad it’s apparently the end of Fable. Fable has been part of my life for nearly 20 years…”

What are your thoughts on Lionhead breaking up? Let us know in the comments.

https://twitter.com/mikeBithell/status/706885743109607425

https://twitter.com/shahidkamal/status/706862429171544065

It feels sort of weird to post this on the day of studio closures… But we're actually hiring 😛 https://t.co/An1G9b9thp

— Martin Sahlin (@monkeybeach) March 7, 2016

Got my first job offer from Lionhead out of school @ 18, in '98 for B&W. My best years were working on Fable. Amazing people. Great times 🙁

— Don Williamson (@Donzanoid) March 7, 2016

@jonnyhopper so many, many bad decisions made that forced a lot of people to resign. I had big hope for new blood but the dice was loaded.

— Don Williamson (@Donzanoid) March 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/panecasio/status/706867127983214592

https://twitter.com/AbKi/status/706863264127438848

https://twitter.com/HectorMateoPino/status/706872208501641216

So sad to hear about #lionhead – they had a charm like no other 🙁

— No Code (@_NoCode) March 7, 2016

…and, on a personal level, I'm incredibly sad it's apparently the end of Fable. Fable has been part of my life for nearly 20 years…

— Simon Carter (@bbbscarter) March 7, 2016

Lionhead Studios’ free to play co-op action RPG Fable Legends has been cancelled after frequent delays. Microsoft has also announced that the developer was shut down and the decision to cancel the game after “much consideration”. Along with Lionhead, it seems that Press Play, developer of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, has also been closed down.

Fable Legends was supposed to release this year for Windows 10 and Xbox One but it wasn’t meant to be. Microsoft stated that, ““I speak for all of Xbox when I say that despite this news, we remain committed to the development communities in the UK and Europe, and Xbox will continue to support new IP and originality in the games we offer on our platforms, whether they’re AAA blockbusters like Quantum Break from Remedy, adventurous new IPs like Sea of Thieves from Rare, or unique new creations from independent developers like Moon Studios with Ori.

“We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.”

What are your thoughts on Fable Legends being cancelled? Let us know in the comments.