Fable 2 Development : Back to Life

Back to Life

Published Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:09 PM by Sam

And so it's back to life and back to reality, with today being the first day in the office again for the Lionhead Community team. First things first...I spend last night in a cold house, the heating has broken down and since temperatures fell well below the freezing point the last few days, I was bitter cold. Hopefully the gas-man can fix it today otherwise I think I'll be living the next few days in the office...

There has been a wash list of "Best games of 2008" articles on so many sites! Impossible to keep up with but here's a selection of things I found on my internet-rounds (and also thanks to everyone mailing me links!).

Fable II won the X-Play (G4TV) Game of the Year award. Peter Molyneux gave an acceptance speech (which you can watch here) especially the last few minutes of the interview made me giggle. I can just imagine the PR-police trying to break down the door and storm the little room he was in...

The Guardian also lists their "best games" mentioning Fable II as their #1. "Yes it may have the most ineffective map in gaming history but Fable 2's sprawling fairy tale was the gaming highlight of the year for me. Straightforward questing was fun but relationship building, property development and exploration were all equally as enthralling. The morality stuff was handled well too but Fable 2 was simply hugely enjoyable to play and had a surprising amount of depth. Oh and having a canine companion is clearly the gaming trend of 2008."

American publication NYdailynews.com (which by my account is a newspaper) gives credit to Fable II in the Daily News' fanboy picks for the most memorable moments of 2008.

Fable II also came out on top in the Telegraph's Best game of 2008 feature, writing "The terrific combat – all longswords, blunderbusses and magic – was smartly tactical, yet accessible to all. Albion was full of charm and decidedly British humour. However, the real reasons for Fable II’s brilliance are the stories of our own making. Stories of love, money and adventure. And, brilliantly, every hero had their own tale to tell."

CNET also really liked the game.

And finally - Joystiq handed out the number one position to Fable II in their "Best of 2008" feature. "Fable 2 has not only refined Molyneux's original promise but, in doing so, has even surpassed many of our earlier, admittedly inflated, expectations for that game. Much like Molyneux, Fable 2 is the comeback kid, knocked down in the first round, but with too much ambition – too much heart, like they say in boxing – to stay down."

And with that (there might be more awards, sorry if I didn't link to yours in this blog entry) we start on 2009. What can you expect from the Fable universe this year? Well...we've got the first DLC coming with Knothole Island (yes it is really coming out this month) and of course the patch that we said we'd release so many moons ago. The patch is now done and will be rolled out together with the DLC. Did I mention the patch is coming? Ah, yes! Oh and the patch will be free, obviously.

Comments

	ShadowedIce said: Wow congradulations on all your awards. You guys truly deserve it! Can't wait for the DLC! January 6, 2009 8:26 AM
	JayLJohnston said: Congratulations! I can't wait for the patch to come out so that I can continue with the game. I'm assuming that we won't have to buy the DLC (I probably will anyways) to get the patch, correct? January 6, 2009 8:31 AM
	OTTAWAXBLADE said: Congrats on all of the awards!!! Can't wait for the DLC... couldn't wait for another round of pub codes to be released so decided to spend my Microsoft Points and buy Pub Games. Maybe a free code for Knothole Island? January 6, 2009 8:35 AM
	Neba said: Very awesome, I'm still waiting for a Pub Games code though... -Tyler tyler.debruler@gmail.com January 6, 2009 8:38 AM
	KeyOfDarkness said: Congratulations, can't wait for the DLC will be immense January 6, 2009 8:44 AM
	torino_elite said: congrats and I can't wait for the patch so I can play again. January 6, 2009 8:52 AM
	seb_smith said: Congrats on the awards even if i do disagree with them, maybe giving me my pub code would change my mind sebsmith71@hotmail.com January 6, 2009 9:04 AM
	TheVentulator said: Congrats on all the awards and welcome back Sam. January 6, 2009 9:08 AM
	Domphoenix said: Patch complete? Brilliant - so I'll be able to play the game again by the end of the month. I just hope you keep your promise Lionhead! I'm stuck in Bloodstone which isn't fun! January 6, 2009 9:09 AM
	Shisou said: Congraduation! Make sure that Video Diary comes soon, Sam. My nails can't take much more biting. January 6, 2009 9:27 AM
	KENZEDD said: Congratulations! I do think the game deserves the awards in it's entirety, even with the glitches and whatever else. The game is easily playable by pretty much everyone and has a tonne of replay value. Would you be able to post specific patch notes please though?, I know there were some earlier ones but I'd like to see the finished product. And I hate to be one of those badgering people but Pub Games codes would be appreciated. January 6, 2009 9:50 AM
	Donoravis said: sucks about the heat, my power was out for a day or so a few days back and i can tell you that sucked big Imp gal.(playing oblivion all night hehe, got from lvl 12 to 25 and full daedric AND 100 endurance, 100 blade and 99 armorer wahoo im agonna kick the stuffing outa mankar then have some real fun with a high lvl shivering isles. wahoo! P.S. finally found that eye and got the skeleton key!) sry kinda OT but hey im real tired and excited. whens this diary comin oot? January 6, 2009 10:01 AM
	Flyghboy said: Thanks for the update, Sam. The awards are very much deserved, and I am relieved to know that I will be able to enjoy the game properly very soon. Knowing that the patch is coming at the same time as the DLC is great. Probably as close as we've gotten to a definitive release date for either. Can't wait. January 6, 2009 10:09 AM
	davidtobin100 said: Thanks for the update. Thanks God the patch is finally coming! January 6, 2009 10:14 AM
	SonicTheHeadshot said: Congratulations! Now I'm waiting again for the DLC ^^ January 6, 2009 10:55 AM
	turdsmcpoop said: Yay, a patch that makes the game playable! Right as I've become bored with the game! January 6, 2009 11:01 AM
	toddquest said: Thanks for the update Sam! I hope you had a great holiday. Welcome back the world of the working January 6, 2009 11:22 AM
	ElKlinku said: Great news Sam!! but any news from the dev diary?? oh and i understand what you feel,last year, i lived a winter long sleeping outside at -20C (-4F). I hope you had great holiday! January 6, 2009 12:12 PM
	alexisrose said: Congrats on the awards!! Can't wait for the dlc, patch and hey....where is that diary???? Anways I'll have to go watch that interview with Peter. January 6, 2009 12:12 PM
	BlackVelvetopia said: Yayz! January 6, 2009 12:40 PM
	buttermore21 said: Ok, how's that patch going, so I can play this apparently great game without so many glitches and mistakes? January 6, 2009 12:50 PM
	Sam said: buttermore21 read the blog entry before making a comment please...I mention the patch ;-) January 6, 2009 1:02 PM
	ChaoticOrder75 said: Are there going to be any more pub game code give-aways? Because I would sure like one January 6, 2009 1:35 PM
	Handcannon44 said: do we have a date for the DLC or is it just the very end of the month and i dont get all these "glitch" problems ive played through all 6 of my save slots without any problems January 6, 2009 2:26 PM
	werewolf7171 said: Congratulations on all the awards Fable 2 definitely deserves them. And any update on the video diary? January 6, 2009 3:00 PM
	Servo42 said: Happy new year! Congrats on the many kudos, with more to surely come in 09! January 6, 2009 3:20 PM
	Sae_Matsumoto said: Grats Grats and more Grats Yey for DLC, boo i got so much uni work to do i wont be able to play it... (thats a lie >_< i'll find the time lol) January 6, 2009 3:42 PM
	EmagDrolBot said: Lionhead seems to have a habt of getting loads of awards for the Fable series. Grats there! Can't wait for the DLC either! I'm still trying to get a Pub Games Code. I'm asleep whenever they're sent out so if you could email me one that would be great! January 6, 2009 3:45 PM
	llamalizard said: Patcch is done z0mg job on the awards! January 6, 2009 3:50 PM
	twelthdoctor said: Would any numbers (between 6 and 31) get you in trouble at this point? If not, then I might be heading over to a store to buy a point card a day or two beforehand. January 6, 2009 4:00 PM
	HarveyDanger said: Sweet! Well done and well deserved. January 6, 2009 4:11 PM
	Shomu said: congrats on the awards Finally some news on the DLC! January 6, 2009 4:31 PM
	Seddrick said: is the patch out January 6, 2009 4:41 PM
	FYIAD said: I hate to be a drag but... can I has code plz? January 6, 2009 5:08 PM
	Miekkas said: Almost an entire blog praising Fable 2 with an offhand mention of the patch and DLC? I know I will sound rude for saying this, but Sam, did you or any of your read the comments made by a number of the players? Alot of them are disgruntled over the patch and DLC, and the last thing I think they want to be reading is Lionhead patting itself on the back after numerous public relations issues involving from the LEC to the patch to the DLC. Don't you think that at least a half-hearted official apology from Lionhead is in order instead of: "Look at all the awards we got! We did such a job! Aren't we great?" Microsoft has apologized on Lionhead's behalf already, but it means alot more when it is coming from the actual company. Even if the company does not mean it, a public apology goes a long way I think. After all, alot of companies make public apologies to save face in the public eye. It reflects worse on you as a company to not make an apology than make a half-hearted in this case. Make no mistake, I am not upset over the patch and DLC's delay as I am a rather laidback sort of guy, but I am merely voicing the thoughts of at least a fraction of the community who feels like Lionhead is just ignoring the disgruntlement of the players. Of course there will always be people who cannot be pleased, but I think in this case there is at least grounds for the players to be upset with Lionhead. January 6, 2009 5:13 PM
	Danman2327 said: So whats the release date for the DLC and patch? I know its supposed to be this month but there's no specific day yet? Its probably gonna come out when I have to take mid-terms -_- . January 6, 2009 6:56 PM
	oldDj said: Hope you get your house warm soon man. Bummer. You're always welcome to fly to N.Y. and stay over at mine! Thanks for the confirmation of patch and Knothole DLC that will definitely come out this month. January 6, 2009 7:24 PM
	SirDayne said: That's great news about Fable II receiving so many awards. I ran across this which says PETA gave an award to Fable II for being animal-friendly. (Mainly b/c of vegetarianism in the game) http://kotaku.com/5124306/peta-loves-fable-ii "Fable II might not have won many Game of the Year awards, but the PETA liked what they saw, handing the game one of their annual Proggy Awards for being the most animal-friendly video game. But it's not for what you think. Sure, the game makes your dog a character central to your emotional involvement, but what the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals really liked was the vegetarianism in the game. Created by Microsoft Game Studios, Fable 2 is a vegetarian's dream come true. Why? In this virtual fight between and , characters powered by tofu are just as powerful as their meat-eating counterparts—and are more fit and attractive to boot. Featuring a strong pro-vegetarian theme, eating a plant-based diet helps you rack up "purity" points, whereas eating meat makes your character fat and . A fun and innovative game, it's also an effective tool that teaches gamers the real-life benefits of a vegetarian diet." On another sorta-related-to-the-blog-post note, May I inquire what the title update I received for Fable II was for? There was a small title update that I was required to download, and I thought that would fix my Bowerstone Furniture bug problem. It appears though, that the "big bug fix patch" hasn't been released yet according to what I can surmise. What exactly did the small title update fix? Looking forward to DLC this month too. =) January 6, 2009 7:59 PM
	MWong12 said: Cool to hear that you guys won a lot of awards. I hope that patch comes out soon, tired of all the glitches. January 6, 2009 9:23 PM
	SecretMuse said: Can we have a hint at the patch date please? Even if you can't tell us the exact date, maybe you could hint mid-month or end-month? January 6, 2009 9:35 PM
	fablepirate said: i'll always be by your side, lionhead! lol. I've got all the patience in the world, as long as it's worth it. January 6, 2009 11:41 PM
	Shisou said: If Sam hinted at the date even a little, someone would call it a confirmation and then there would be 15 threads on the main page called "Lionhead's same old bullshit!" and "Pushed back AGAIN!!!!!!" and "DEATH TO PETER!" January 7, 2009 12:42 AM
	Bigolyt said: Congrats on all the awards. I honestly forgot what FableII was like to play since its been collecting dust on my TV ever since the ol glitches hit me. Maybe one of these days Santa will bring my late patch present? January 7, 2009 12:51 AM
	raudrin said: Hi, New here, and really enjoying Fable II so far - got it as a Christmas present so wasn't able to pre-order or catch the prior rounds of free pub games codes. If you guys are still giving out codes, I'd love one. Looking forward to the patch and right now I'm definitely planning to get the DLC. January 7, 2009 12:57 AM
	xxreaper666 said: Congrats on the awards bro cant wait for the siick dlc. January 7, 2009 1:07 AM
	BigSlipper said: Couldn't care less about the DLC right now - the patch has got to be Lionhead's number one priority. January 7, 2009 4:50 AM
	Citizen_known_as_nobhead said: Surely I can't be reading this correctly? The patch is done, but you're delaying releasing it until the DLC is finished later in the month? I'm sure those of us unable to play the game properly since release are really pleased about this decision, afterall we've only waited for near 3 months, what does a few more weeks matter before we can play what we paid for...... It must be a decision made with genius like levels of intellect beyond the comprehension of most mere mortals - well either that or it's another half-arsed, shoot themselves in the foot, PR balls up....... January 7, 2009 5:31 AM
	kingtiger287 said: wo0t January 7, 2009 7:36 AM
	WarDamnEagleAU said: Oh y I'll finally be able to finish the game! I can't believe you are delaying the patch release because of the DLC. That sucks ***. I haven't played F2 in over a month because I can't continue with the main questline. Maybe I should have sold it on eBay... January 7, 2009 7:53 AM
	Jacquestrap said: Can I haz code? Kthx January 7, 2009 7:56 AM
	AntiAimer said: Sad they have a patch ready but are with holding it, my only guess it's going to intervene with the DLC$. If your actually excited about DLC on this game, your truely blind. Yes I personally can only not get my items that I paid for(no use for them now), but it's all about principle. Some peeps can't even play the game or even finish the game, no one's loyal these days and idiots need to stop letting it strive. Looks like M$ has rubbed off on alot of companies nowadays, Bungie is a great example. Then they wonder why people buy modchips so they do not have to waste 64$ for games that are not only short but have very little gameplay and are not even GOLD at launch.(In this case, a unfinished game where they wanted you to waste a extra $10 for something that is already in the game(besides the "extra" items)) THERE ruining the industry, not the consumer. "Ah, yes! Oh and the patch will be free, obviously." That's a smack to the face, just shows what they think about the consumer. I guess the Xbox 720 LIVE will charge for those, right? January 7, 2009 8:08 AM
	LordSoupington said: "...And, brilliantly, every hero had their own tale to tell." Like my Hero's story: "Yes, my journey to take down Lucian was an epic tale (sort of), but my true efforts were spent tracking down the elusive silver keys and solving the requests of the mysterious demon doors. It took me years: I lost my family and all my gold, but finally managed to find the last key, and satisfy the final demon door's demands... "Only to find that neither of 'em were worth s**t." January 7, 2009 4:37 PM
	spinnernicholas said: I'm so glad awards are being given on features promised as apposed to features actually delivered. Maybe an empty box will win next year. Yippie!! January 7, 2009 11:54 PM
	jporter313 said: Thank you, finally feel like I can get excited about this game again. Just showed it to my friend last night and he seemed to really dig it. January 8, 2009 2:27 PM
	dgabourel said: I just hope it works so I can play again. Also, Still waiting for the codes I paid for that never came!! January 9, 2009 1:09 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"!