Even the biggest Xbox fans have to admit Microsoft’s first-party gaming offerings have been slow to release this generation. While PS4 players have Uncharted 4 and its stand-alone DLC, Horizon Zero Dawn and upcoming high-profile games with Spider-Man and The Last of Us Part 2, Xbox One gamers have a lackluster Gears 4 and some Forza games. However, it looks like one notable franchise is poised for a return on Microsoft’s console: Fable.
We had previously heard of a new Fable game thanks to a post found on gaming forum ResetEra. The user that posted this rumor, Klobrille, has a history of correct Microsoft leaks, so this isn’t some throwaway “leak” from a random poster. And he hinted that a new Fable game might come from a UK-based studio.
We know Lionhead, the original developer on Fable, can’t develop this new game because Lionhead doesn’t exist anymore. However, Microsoft has a relationship with UK developer Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series.
Playground Games is currently hiring a number of positions, including a senior game designer, a creative director and many others. All of these positions mention the job will be to work on “an entirely new AAA open-world action/RPG project.” Know what game was an action/RPG? Fable! There are also job openings for environment artists, character artists and others to work on this AAA open-world game.
Deleted previous tweet because people seem to think I have some knowledge of something that may or may not be happening whereas all I have is speculation.
— Don Williamson (@Donzanoid) January 6, 2018
On Twitter, the former Lead Engine Programmer at Lionhead, Don Williamson, tweeted he had no inside information, but “totally know[s] who’s building Fable 4 now. Interesting choice…” Williamson deleted the tweet and said all he had was speculation. Another tweet mentioned there wasn’t a team in Brighton capable of making the game, which might put an end to the rumors of a Microsoft game coming from Electric Square, but Playground Games isn’t located in Brighton.
there's nobody here in Brighton that could take on a task of that magnitude.
— Don Williamson (@Donzanoid) January 6, 2018
All we know for sure is Playground Games is hiring a new team to work on a AAA open-world action/RPG game. If this project doesn’t turn out to be Fable, it’s still a new IP, which is almost as exciting. Our best chance to learn more will probably come at this year’s E3, but if the hiring process is still underway, we might not know more for another year or two.
So what do you think? Would you like to see a return of the Fable series? Do you think Playground Games is the right team to develop it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
