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Fable 2 Development

   

Online co-op in Fable II

Published Monday, September 29, 2008 1:49 PM by Sam

It's true that most people on the development team are still working on Fable II even though the game has gone gold. The reason for this is the patch to enable people to play online co-op over Xbox LIVE.

Everyone here at Lionhead and Microsoft Game Studios are committed to having the long-awaited title on store shelves on October 21 and 24, so that everyone can start playing the rich single player story. You are also able to start playing the game with a friend on the couch; local co-op is in Fable II. Online co-op is also going to be in Fable II; we are doing everything we can to have this important feature in the game. We want you to be able to show off to your friends and play together, over LIVE. 

The team here in Guildford and over in Redmond are working hard to release the LIVE co-op update (patch) for download, within a week of launch. In an ideal world it's going to be available on the first day but right now we can't say for sure if we're able to do this. Some of us are really tired and rightly so. I hear people say they are busting their balls. How does it feel? (Like A Rolling Stone - 1966)

On day of release gamers are able to play the rich single player experience and start spending the gold they’ve earned via the hugely popular pub games. Plus gamers will still be able to see their friends online as "orbs" as they are moving through the world, as well as chat and trade items with them plus play with friends in local co-op.

How does it feel? It's a bummer, but not the end of the world, please don't troll.

   

Comments

 

Over50Squirrels said:

Fine by me I just can't wait to get the game
September 29, 2008 9:04 AM
 

joutei said:

Thats cool! Just wondering can you see the orbs without gold membership?
Thanks once again, cant wait for the game to come out! Big Smile [:D]
September 29, 2008 9:35 AM
 

tracer92 said:

can't wait for the game
September 29, 2008 9:39 AM
 

bannostookaylo said:

i think thats hot that you're keeping us updated ... even on info that you know is going to upset people... instead of just surprising us with the news
September 29, 2008 9:44 AM
 

mcpaddyb said:

At the beginnig i want to play single player anyway. I'll/we'll survive. Cant wait now, 25 days!
September 29, 2008 9:46 AM
 

Acta_Sanctorum said:

Its all ok, I think everyone has no problem play single player or couch co-op for a bit before they try online, just keep up the great work over there at LH. cant wait for the game!!
props, Ben
September 29, 2008 9:50 AM
 

NickB001 said:

Anyone know how many people you can co-op with
September 29, 2008 10:18 AM
 

Ikerus said:

Tbh am not all that bothered about the co-op, sure it would be an added bonus but the story is mainly all am buying the game for, i love stories, when i was a kid i was encaptivated with fairytales and myth's. So yea no worries bout the co-op from me sam, am sure you all will have it all sorted when yez can.
September 29, 2008 10:19 AM
 

Shisou said:

1.
September 29, 2008 10:22 AM
 

SatchBoogie said:

I'm not gonna buy XBL Gold again anyway, If ima play co-op I'll stick to couch co-op. Which is more fun anyway imo Big Smile [:D] single player being even better, that will be the way I'll finish the game first time round Smily [:)] and then.. I know it isnt supposed to be done, but I'll replay the game 2 million times Big Smile [:D] untill I get bored anyway. Nice to see this cleared up Big Smile [:D]
September 29, 2008 10:29 AM
 

MasterPre said:

Fable II Dev's,

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed by this news.  I was really looking forward to some online co-op with some friends over Live on the release day, and while it's hardly the end of the world I cant help but wonder why it took this long for the bad news to be given?  There wasn't even a whisper at E3 regarding any need for patches for the full game, and is it really a patch if you are adding a whole function to the game that was already supposed to be there?

I'm not trolling or flaming, I loved Fable 1 and I'm sure Fable 2 will be a home run!  It's just sad that the whole game couldn't be ready for launch, perhaps the internet era of gaming and the ability for devs to "patch" games easily has handicapped us all a bit, huh?  A double edged sword of sorts?!?

Anyway, best of luck on getting the full game out for launch and you can count me in as a first day customer either way! :-)
September 29, 2008 10:32 AM
 

mangamathias said:

Well can't say i care that much. i like playing co op with someone i can punch in the face Stick out tongue [:P] its retarded to get angry about this when it's gonna be out a week later(if you dev's finish it on time) but thanks for the update
September 29, 2008 10:41 AM
 

Sgt_George125 said:

Thanks for the info sam. ;-).  To be honest i want to play single for a while anyway, because if everybody goes straight to Online Co-op, everybody would look the same. lol
September 29, 2008 10:52 AM
 

SEiZURELION said:

I completely agree with and respect lionhead's decision.

I won't mind doing without online co-op for a while. There isn't even a guarantee I'll EVER use it.

I'm just excited I'll finally have the game next month, co-op in general can wait :]

I'll take like... a week off of college and never get out of my pajamas!
September 29, 2008 11:37 AM
 

toddquest said:

Thanks for the update Sam. Any info that you can give us on when the problem was found and why it was missed? I'm glad that the release date is holding steady Big Smile [:D]
September 29, 2008 11:41 AM
 

felo7 said:

that's ok  SAM any way even if you wanted to speed things up thats not going to happen but aside from this what happened to the Dev Diary #7?
thanks from Mexico
September 29, 2008 11:50 AM
 

alexisrose said:

Thanks for the update Sam. I'm not to concerned with not being able to play co op online right away anyways. I want to explore, get used to the controls and menus, and build up my character before playing co op anyways. I'm sure you'll have the download out shortly after release of game. You all are working hard and we all appreciate it.
September 29, 2008 12:12 PM
 

stu_fargher said:

Hey Sam,

No problems here. I think in a way, Microsoft itself has lessened the blow for most people by requiring us to have a gold membership on X-Box live in order to play.. which... is a bit of a kick in the nuts in general, but if the case is that we have to wait a few days before shelling out more cash, I'm actually fine with that.
September 29, 2008 12:13 PM
 

fablecrazy103 said:

thanks for the info sam.
at least its better than the games release date being changed because of this. im actualy ok with it because my friend isnt getting it until the week after release so i wasnt going on live so early anyway
September 29, 2008 12:24 PM
 

dontcountstars said:

better than delaying the entire game's release! I couldn't care less personally - the co-op is definitely secondary to the immense single player experience anyway, and I was only going to play online after obsessively experiencing every aspect of the game alone *manic grin*
September 29, 2008 1:34 PM
 

Dark_Futurecaster said:

No worries at all Lionhead. A patch is not a big deal. Big Smile [:D]

If it takes a week to go online - so be it. This isn't like Black and White 2 where multiplayer was said "yeah sorry it's not in. might happen one day..." and didn't.

We're talking a delay of a matter of days - besides I think most of us feel that couch  co op is going to be the main hub of multiplayer. Online will be a great touch for short bursts of co-op, but not as involving as couch-marathons. Also seeing as you can't import your actual hero online and the community is still unsure as to how alike the 'based on your appearance' hero will look, I think couch co-op will be more involving.

My thoughts to Lionhead: don't let this hurt your morale! You're an amazing and inventive team who have stunned the critics with your title so far. Imo, you are the only company in the gaming world who are actually produce interesting titles that push the medium. Lionhead is the biggest force in gaming avant garde. I see virtually no competitors.

This seems a minor setback, which as always Sam has handled well with the community.

Bring on Fable 2! Smily [:)]
September 29, 2008 1:49 PM
 

Mongrel11 said:

but there definetlly is going to be online co op right. i noticed u said we are trying hard for it to still be in the game. doesnt matter if its not right away but within a week would definetlly be nice...the patch for the pub games took along time too
September 29, 2008 1:59 PM
 

nasos_33333 said:

So, a patch is coming soon after ?

No problem, take your time, i will be playing the SP game until 2010 probably anyway Smily [:)]

Just have it ready by that time
September 29, 2008 2:08 PM
 

DONKIE737 said:

This is NOT the end of the world, seriously.... SP is more than enough for me. Now to actually get a Xbox 360!
September 29, 2008 2:18 PM
 

TerryWrist said:

relax guys, we appreciate there can be technical problems. Take your time.
Don't stress seriously its not healthy lol
Peace.
September 29, 2008 2:48 PM
 

Hempinbubbler said:

Its not the end of the world to me but it is the end of my hopes that Fable 2 is going to be everything it was talked up to be.  Once again MS gets its greedy hands into a AWSOME game development company and pushes them to talk about and  hype up a game that didnt need it in the first place.  I'm sorry Lionhead. But for me social gaming is a huge part of video games.  If a game cant let me play with my friends around the world then I dont want to play it. Guess I have been spoiled in the last six years from all the MMOs I have been playing. But out of all the MMO subs that are out there we are looking at 25 million plus people that agree with me, Social gaming is where its at, (thats not just WoW at 10.4 mil alone, include EQ, EQ2, Lineage 1 & 2, Guildwars, Maple story, Final Fantasy, Planetside, Tabula Rasha, Warhammer online, and many many others that never even see the shores of the US.) Big disapointment!  Still going to spend my money on the LE but if the patch isnt out with in the first month after launch I am selling it to the RPG freak down the hall.
September 29, 2008 2:48 PM
 

moonfever said:

Thanks Sam, stuff happens. Originally, I only wanted single player, so it won't bother my game. Thanks for posting, and telling us about it.  It's going to take me a week to figure everything out. I'm doing a lot of sight seeing in Fable 2. I'm just happy the game is being released.
September 29, 2008 2:54 PM
 

NailBombXB360 said:

WHEN WILL THE FULL "fABLE 2" WEBSITE BE ONLINE....????
September 29, 2008 3:00 PM
 

Sam said:

Hempinbubbler I hear your sentiments and I agree with them, online and social gaming is very important (just like story is) that's the whole point of spending all this time on bringing a game plus patch that has a single player MMO side to it. The orbs would be the prime key to that and they are in the version you'll find out in the shops. The patch will then allow you to start any game with one of those orbs.
September 29, 2008 3:05 PM
 

Hempinbubbler said:

Thank you Sam. I am sorry for being disapointed but I was really looking forward to the Online co-op to break my addiction to WoW....Then I got the Beta invite for Lich King while waiting on Fable 2 and have become the Dr. Jecky, Mr. Hyde that most of us MMO players become.  I dont blame you guys at all. I truely blame Microsoft for pushing you guys to release it this year.  I know all game devs would love a life time to build their games to perfection.  I will still buy it and will not sell it (just being hard to deal with) I own every lionhead game ever made you guys are in my top 5 best game development companies ever.  I am sorry for being so harsh.
September 29, 2008 3:21 PM
 

SirBobert117 said:

well that sucks not going to stop me from getting the game but as long as it does not take too long i will b happy to play on my own for a while  
September 29, 2008 3:48 PM
 

Sam said:

Hempinbubbler the guys at Microsoft are working just as hard on getting this patch done in time. Thanks for your support and glad to hear you like our games! Wink [;)]

And harshness is honesty, just stonger formulated.
September 29, 2008 4:11 PM
 

mangamathias said:

anyways. couch co op totaly rocks online.. Stick out tongue [:P]
September 29, 2008 4:22 PM
 

Raiyell said:

cool.  Doesn't bother me at all.

Any chance on getting an update on the video diary?  Has it at least gone to be checked by Microsoft yet?
September 29, 2008 4:23 PM
 

darkuser10 said:

it's all G o o d [Good]
what would they say if you had delayed the game instead
i cant wait ......
September 29, 2008 4:44 PM
 

joevsyou said:

if youthink about it this is G o o d [Good]  because u wont be geting 30 messages ffrom your firends saying hey ehye come to my world  come come even thought it be great it give us time to   play game with out be disturbed

i think you guys should email gamespot.com and tell them change the title of there atricle its so misleading so manypeople talking crap about peter because he said its going be in game and they saying he died like what they cant read more then the topic? to me everything peter said about the game he has proved it with a video the only thing chang was death system but he said why it not going to be in it later down the road
September 29, 2008 4:49 PM
 

joevsyou said:

plus if you delayed the game? the game wouldnt even maek it out by dec which would been bad

get the game in process and shiped to store all around world takes like 4-5 weeks or so right? vs shiping the game out and still work on the game knowing you cna just update it around the time it dose com i choose that one any day for a game
September 29, 2008 4:52 PM
 

joevsyou said:

TO NailBombXB360 said:

aitn this fable 2 webiste???? lol

type in fable 2.com and it takes you to xbox.com
September 29, 2008 4:56 PM
 

joevsyou said:

oo btw wheres the video diairys i know u been buisy but just wondering you said u hope to get 9 dairy's before release and only what? 22 freaken days.

buying this game 4sure on release just to helkp your record go higher for first week sells even  i wont be playing it just for the fact iam about to be busy as hell that week
September 29, 2008 4:59 PM
 

Hempinbubbler said:

holy posts joe! who cares about your red xbox! say it all in one or not at all! LOL jk but really dude thats to many!
September 29, 2008 5:13 PM
 

kingtiger287 said:

i dont really care. i wasn't planning on doing any co-op for a while anyway.

wo0t! only 22 days left!!!
September 29, 2008 5:39 PM
 

sonofabear said:

It's ok Sam I think most people are gonna start their character up before going online anyway. You know get something to show before you start showing off lol.
September 29, 2008 5:51 PM
 

joevsyou said:

YA I KNOW I WAS THINKING THAT IF THERE WAS A WAY TO EDIT I WOULD BUT EVERY TIME I LOOKED  THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE LOL

I NEED NEW PIC THATS OLD LOL
September 29, 2008 6:47 PM
 

joevsyou said:

MABY WHEN FABLE 2 COMES OUT LOL SIT IT BY MY XBOX BOOM THERE WE GO AGAIN COMING THAT TIME 2 POST
September 29, 2008 6:47 PM
 

Vistaer said:

Thanks for the hard work guys, I can't wait to play this, and know you guys have pulled off something amazing here! I think this time difference will cause a lot of people to create 2 characters games... one single player experience carefully designed... and when co-op comes one "the world be damned, lets have fun!" full of general hooligan antics. Big Smile [:D]
September 29, 2008 7:07 PM
 

clark1250 said:

Well thanks for the old news I learned the other day but I am grateful for this blog at least now it's official news and I can't wait for Fable 2 and finnishing the story line first will be better then co-op first hand. Smily [:)]
September 29, 2008 7:32 PM
 

TwilightBlade said:

I second moonfever and I'm sure more than a few others when I say that the Fable franchise has largely been a single-player work of art for me.  The Multiplayer was (no, not was, is).  The multiplayer IS a wonderful, fantastic bonus that you all have poured your blood sweat and tears into making for us, and I appreciate your work more than any other Development team for your steady raising of the bar for games.  Thank you for letting us know Sam, and please do try to get some rest at some point.  Fable 2 will be incredible, you have a huge crowd of fans that will love the game give or take immediate online coop, so don't beat yourselves up about it.

Thank you for making an incredible game, and continuing to be one of the best, if not the best, game development company in the world.

Deepest appreciation and gratitude,
TwilightBlade
September 29, 2008 8:39 PM
 

dawgz525 said:

that's G o o d [Good] to hear; the co-op doesn't bother me too much. I was planning to play several single player playthroughs before I even touched the co-op.
September 29, 2008 8:41 PM
 

Eponuts said:

Local Co-op > Online Co-op

You can actually smack your friend upside the head when he kills your family!
September 29, 2008 10:16 PM
 

kayera said:

You know what, it doesn't matter that we are not going to have the LIVE co-op on the release date, I'm just glad that we will be able to get such a great game!
I really liked Fable: The Lost Chapters, and I think that Fable 2 will be huge, and amazingly awesome!
Besides, I really don't care about playing co-op in the beginning of the game because I won't have much in my possession to boast, and I also doubt that anyone would like to go into somebody else's game instead of striving with their own game.
September 29, 2008 11:03 PM
 

greenghost5 said:

Well it's G o o d [Good] to hear word from Lionhead themselves on this matter.

Sam, I don't suppose you would be able to share with us all why this has occured?
If you're unable to do so, I would understand. But I am curious as to know why.

I would like to thank you for taking the time out to post this. I would also like to thank both Lionhead an Microsoft for addressing this problem and attempting to solve it as quickly as possible.

I will be more than happy to enjoy the single player aspect of Fable II, in fact I had planned to do just that irregardless of online being avalible from the beginning.
September 29, 2008 11:46 PM
 

Psyver said:

Thanks for the official update Sam. As many of the gamers who are be bothered by the fact that online co-op may not be up at launch, you have even more who appreciate the work all of you at Lionhead are doing to make sure our experience  is the best possible. Again, thank you.
September 30, 2008 1:22 AM
 

KillerGymSox said:

Considering you can use the same character for single player as in multi player I really dont care all that much.  Id rather play by myself for the first time through anyway.  I WANTS ALL THE GOLDS FER MYSELF!!11  There is one concern I have though...  This happened to my character in Too Human.  I was a level 50 Defender in Too Human with 3 Epic Items and since my character was shared on their servers my character randomly got deleted.  I lost all interest in the game and since there was no way to contact silicon knights i just traded it in for credit towards fable 2 (lol).  I really hope that my character does not get deleted by Lionhead servers or anything..  Im wondering if there are any precautions set up for this yet?  Any way of reimbursement if things go bad?  I know everyone is really busy but is there any time to send out that video for us?  If it stops production then to hell with the video but it doesn't hurt to ask i suppose.
September 30, 2008 2:49 AM
 

Dalle_Von_Dollme said:

U just have to <3 this guy Big Smile [:D]
September 30, 2008 8:11 AM
 

Bengo2105 said:

im sooo frikin excited!!!!!!!!!!
September 30, 2008 11:26 AM
 

EnragedTadpole said:

Yet another E v i l [Evil] plan to keep us waiting. We know you love to just see us tremble waiting for the game so you make us wait longer. God, I love you LionHead Up [:up:]

It will also give me a chance to get going in single player and make my hero uber strong. Cheers for making Fable II LionHead.
September 30, 2008 12:08 PM
 

tommate2k7 said:

thanks for the update, i think its better thats its coming out later, gives you chance to get a foot in so to speck, congats to everyone at lionhead, im sure it was hard and you dieserve alot of credit. i hope the game sells well and when its relased you can start to enjoy the furits of you labor! really cant wait for fable 2! been hooked and the developmwent since i first herd about it! its been a long wait but im full gonna rim the hell out of it when i buy it, im not even gonna play on it..  just rim it.. then play on it... no im joking ill just play on it... and rim it after..... Confused [8-)]
September 30, 2008 12:49 PM
 

Fable1175 said:

It's ok and thanks for the update. I am hoping though it will come out on time with game but within the week is just fine compared to the game bieng delayed. All things aside i am very excited for this amazing game!! From the time i post this there is 20 Days, 7 Hours, and 45 Minutes!!
September 30, 2008 4:15 PM
 

Fable1175 said:

One last think is that I read this and i am not sure if it is confirmes. Since there was nothing here about it I wasn't sure. It says Peter Molyneux says that Online Co-Op will be released on Fable 2 release date. Check it out and please tell me whats what

http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=2535
September 30, 2008 4:26 PM
 

locater16 said:

Well of course not. To cover the cultural gap you've got to realize (Like I do) that most of you drink far to much, you're just as rude as anyone else in the world but you do it more politely, and your government is run by a bunch of daft idiots reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's Brazil only less malicious and more incompetent. Besides it's us Americans who like Benny Hill and not you.
September 30, 2008 7:56 PM
 

xXWattsXx said:

Ok ? Didn't read this before so there is going to be local co-op on Fable II Smily [:)] can't wait my bud is gonna freak !!!
October 1, 2008 7:40 AM
 

Fabeistic said:

No big deal.
October 1, 2008 6:13 PM
 

brendythebhoy09 said:

take your time! no rush!
October 1, 2008 6:42 PM
 

SokSok said:

I'm going to have to transfer my reservation to another game. I'm just can't play single player. But that is just me. Not I may get the game after the patch is release and my friends confirm the update. Be if it takes too long the chances of me getting it are slim, since I rarely play 2 games at a time and there a another game that I'm really waiting for in November. I liked the first fable, but the single player got to me half way through the game and I stopped.
* Please refrain from bashing my comments, but if you feel the need to display it, I can't stop you. *
October 2, 2008 5:18 PM
 

Valkerye said:

I can imagine that this has to be slightly annoying for the developers.  They're getting everything together trying to make the Online Co-op perfect and they have to send in final copies for the printing of the eleventy billion discs for worldwide distribution.
October 3, 2008 7:09 AM
 

Sam said:

We are doing everything we can to get this patch finished.
October 3, 2008 4:22 PM
 

GavinGrowl said:

totally fine,

you can have a chance to get your guy
G o o d [Good] before you go live
October 7, 2008 9:19 PM
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About Sam

Well...a boy was born back in 1981 and it all went crazy from there...Joined the Lionhead Community in 1998 and am here to look after everyone. If you need help, feel free to give me a shout. I'm not "technical support"!

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