bp9801 Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 In a rather stunning turn of events, Microsoft has decided to cancel development on Fable Legends and is discussing the closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK. Microsoft is also closing Press Play Studios in Denmark and ceasing work on Project Knoxville. Lionhead Studios is best known for the Fable and Black & White series, but now after 20 years it faces closure. Press Play is relatively new and was only brought into the Microsoft family in 2012, and previously worked on Max & the Magic Marker, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, and Kalimba. Its Project Knoxville was meant to be a third-person survival game, while Lionhead's Fable Legends was the next step in the series, with players assuming the role of a Hero or Villain and experiencing the story in single player or multiplayer (including cross-play between Windows 10 and Xbox One). Fable Legends had been in closed beta for a while and received an update as recently as 10 days ago. Now both of these titles are canceled and the fate of Lionhead Studios does not look good (Press Play is already shuttered). Microsoft made the decision to cancel development not as a reflection on the studios, but rather to "focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play." That might be a little bit of a damning remark that fans don't want another Fable or survival game, but either way, these two titles are no more. Microsoft says it still remains committed to the UK and European game development market, despite the closure (or impending closure) of these studios. It still has Quantum Break, Rare's Sea of Thieves, and Halo Wars 2, among others still in development, with all three of these titles also coming to Windows 10 PCs. Microsoft plans to help the teams at both Lionhead and Press Play to either find jobs at other Microsoft studios or elsewhere in the industry. As for Fable Legends and its closed beta, it will still run until April 13, although no new players will be admitted and anyone who purchased gold will receive a full refund. Sources: Xbox Wire and Fable Legends Back to original news post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayMeow Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 This came as quite the shock when I read about it this morning. With the whole push for Win10 Gaming, I thought this and Quantum Break would be leading the charge, especially with its cross-platform play. Wow. My only guess is they were hemorrhaging money out the wazoo and MS just couldn't handle it anymore. But wow...2+ yrs of development down the drain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHKCommander959 Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Would of liked to see a newer B&W game... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waco Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 Dammit Microsoft. Please just...do NOTHING for PC gaming. You're better at doing nothing than trying at all! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayMeow Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 Dammit Microsoft. Please just...do NOTHING for PC gaming. You're better at doing nothing than trying at all! The only thing I can think of that Microsoft "did right" with PC gaming is the Age of Empires franchise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bp9801 Posted March 8, 2016 Posted March 8, 2016 Dammit Microsoft. Please just...do NOTHING for PC gaming. You're better at doing nothing than trying at all! The only thing I can think of that Microsoft "did right" with PC gaming is the Age of Empires franchise. Which the studio then churned out Halo Wars as its final act before being destroyed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waco Posted March 9, 2016 Posted March 9, 2016 Dammit Microsoft. Please just...do NOTHING for PC gaming. You're better at doing nothing than trying at all!The only thing I can think of that Microsoft "did right" with PC gaming is the Age of Empires franchise. Which the studio then churned out Halo Wars as its final act before being destroyed. Zing! AoE 3 was a shadow of the earlier games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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