Fable (Playground Games)

Note: This article is about an upcoming or planned gaming title. Please be aware that anything written here is subject to change upon the game's release.

Fable (Playground Games)
Information
Type	Action Role Playing Game
Developer	Playground Games
Publisher	Microsoft Game Studios
Platform	Xbox Series X/S Windows 10
Release Date	TBA

Fable is an upcoming installment in the Fable series. It is being developed by Playground Games.

Development

In early 2018, rumors existed that Fable IV was currently in development by Playground Games, with numerous Linkedin job postings published. An Xbox Live API leak confirmed that a Fable related project codenamed Wisdom was being developed by a UK based studio. Allegedly the success of the PS4 title, Horizon: Zero Dawn inspired Microsoft to produce a suitable, competing, single player RPG title.

A former Lionhead Lead Engine Programmer, Don Williamson, who worked on both Fable I and II, posted on Twitter that he’d worked out which studio was "currently working on Fable IV", stating that he believed it to be an "interesting choice". This tweet has since been deleted.

Playground Games then recruited a senior game designer for the purpose of producing an "AAA open-world RPG" which would strongly suggest they were entering the development process. This was later confirmed at E3 2018, however, "for a "brand new game."

The game was formally announced with a cinematic trailer in July, 2020.

Speculation & Comparison

Logical theories, with facts taken into consideration, if Fable takes place in the same continuity as previous releases;

• Based on the 2023 trailer, the Age of Heroes is over, and the new game's setting is in the "Age of Innovation" - but this could be the tale the giant was falsely looming to.
  • Considering this, the game may occur during the "Fall of the Guild" between Fable and Fable II.
    • Five hundred years take place between Fable & Fable II. It seems a logical prediction that the setting would take place where very little lore is known.
• Notably, there are no signs of industrialization or guns, and the hero did not use gauntlets to cast magic - It's safe to say the game will take place before the events of Fable III.
• Both trailers show a guild symbol on the hilt of the sword. This suggests that the Guild of Heroes exists in this timeline.
• Bowerstone Castle was seen in the 2020 trailer but only existed after the events of Fable 1 - as it was Bowerstone Manor previously.
  • The castle was built roughly 140-150+ years before the events of Fable II.
• There is no Spire in the far distance, suggesting that; it still needs to be constructed by the Archon or reconstructed by Lucien Fairfax.

Although little is known about Fable, confirming some things from the trailer(s) is possible.

• Strength and Will may return as the "hero" was seen using a sword and magic.
  • No ranged weapons have been seen as of yet.
• Giants may finally debut in this new Fable, as we see a large character ("Dave") able to pick the hero up in his hand.
• Pubs can be assumed to be making a return as we see the hero stealing a drink from someone.
• Bandits are presumed to be in the new Fable, as they were both seen and mentioned.
• Balverines are assumed to return.
• Food may still be necessary as we observe the hero eating a sandwich.
• Kicking Chickens may still be allowed in this game, as we see one kicked through the air.
• The protagonist is assumed to speak and have dialogue.

If the Guild of Heroes follows the existing timeline, the following things would also exist:

• Nostro (The founder of the Guild)
• William Black/Scythe and the bloodline of the Archons. Nostro's mentor.
• The Court
• The Sword of Aeons
• The Old Kingdom and its destruction.
• The Chamber of Fate (The oldest part of the guild.)
• The Witchwood Arena - Founded by Nostro

If Bowerstone Castle exists and the game follows the existing timeline, the following things would also exist:

• Leo Head - the constructor of Bowerstone Castle.
• Magdalena - the wife of Nostro, one of Bowerstone's earliest mayors, is deceased.
• Lady Elvira Grey - one of Magdalena's descendants who killed her sister for Bowerstone's mayoralty. She was convicted of being a witch and sentenced to death by dismemberment after the events of Fable: The Lost Chapters.

Team

Note: Most team members do not appear in any particular order. Current positions and members may vary, and only members aware of by the wiki editors will be credited here. If you know of more confirmed team members or if you're a developer, please do us the honour of adding to the list of credits.

Ralph Fulton - Game Director

• Ian Mitchell - Associate Production Director
• Amie Spuddles - Senior Producer
• Anna Megill - Narrative Lead
• David Springate - Chief Engineer
• Hervé Gengler - Principal Game Designer
• Grant Orban - Principal Game Designer
• Toby Hynes - Lead Character Artist
• Brian Merrill - Lead VFX Artist
• Lukas Koelz - Lead Lighting Artist
• Kostas Anagnostou - Lead Rendering Engineer
• David Pumpa - Lead Cinematics Animator
• Nareice Jade Wint - Producer
• Amie Loake - Senior Art Producer
• Rebecca Haigh - Scriptwriter
• Wojciech Chalinski - Graphic Designer
• Simon Bean - Lead Gameplay Animator
• Chris Goodall - Principal Animator
• Taylor Buck - Associate Lead UI Artist
• Barni Sparkes - Senior Audio Designer
• Francesca Porritt - AI Engineer
• Nils Mlynarek - Senior Game Designer
• Samir Pookhan - Associate Lead Environment Artist

Controversy

During the development of Playground Game's reboot of Fable, the game would find itself in a bit of controversy when people claimed in articles that the game could be going through development hell. However, Amie Spuddles did her best to squash these rumors by explaining to people how these types of struggles are all a normal part of video game development, and every team goes through these types of growing pains.

After the 2023 trailer, gamers critiqued the female hero's looks. This also raised the question if players can choose their hero's appearance or if the main character is stationary. Another common complaint was how the trailer "didn't look like a Fable game" and didn't show gameplay. Lead Lighting Artist, Lukas Koelz, stated, "People not believing this is 'real' or that the game will look like this is one of the best compliments." The trailer also had the caption "in-game footage."

Trivia

• The character "Dave" is both voiced and illustrated after British comedian Richard Ayoade.
• The female hero from the 2023 trailer is illustrated and modeled after Lily Nichol.
• The title is often still referred to by fans as "Fable 4" despite there never being a number ever shown in any legitimately confirmed rumours or artwork.

Gallery

Transparent logo; with a shadow.

The new logo for Fable.

Forest; with the town in the background.

Original artwork; by Nick Hiatt.

Dave - Vegetable Enthusiast.

Appears to be Dave, the hero, and another character, by massive vegetables.

A hero eating a sandwich.

The hero blocking a bandit.

A hero using Fire against Bandits

Successfully using magic (or Will)

A hero and assuming to be a Balverine.

"Dave" and a tiny hero.

Gameplay footage of the battle of the giant.

The hero sitting on huge spectacles.

Teaser Trailer

Fable - Official Announce Trailer (4K) Series X

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External Links

Fable Official Xbox Page