Fable
Peter Molyneux’s Fable series is one of Xbox’s most beloved exclusive IPs, best known for its captivating fantasy setting, brought to life by endearing characters and witty British humor. Its innovative open world setting played fantastically as an RPG, too. As a result, the series remained popular throughout its trilogy, even if the last of the games took a slight dip in form. Yet, even the most passionate of fans might well have raised an eyebrow when it was decided Fable would be used as a basis for a free-to-play multiplayer spin-off.
After a lengthy delay, it was to all end in disaster back in 2015 when Fable Legends was canceled and Microsoft closed down the studio developing the game, Lionhead Studios. An early access beta was also closed and players who had taken part were issued full refunds for in-game purchases.
Although reasons for the cancelation were not officially stipulated, in an interview with IGN, Peter Molyneux, former co-founder of Lionhead Studios, commented that Fable’s universe and lore were not suitable for a multiplayer adaption.
Certainly, Fable’s success was built on story, characters, and open world role-playing, but we still can’t help but bemoan such a sad end to an iconic IP and wonder what could have been for Fable Legends.
