Fable Reboot Developers Aim for Fresh Identity, Retain Classic Elements Like Chicken Kicking

New gameplay footage for the upcoming Fable reboot was unveiled during the recent Xbox Developer Direct presentation. Fans of the franchise have eagerly anticipated this release, especially after a lengthy hiatus of 16 years. Remarkably, the presentation captured the essence of the series, despite the closure of Lionhead Studios in 2016.

The development of this new installment is being handled by Playground Games, the studio renowned for the Forza Horizon series. Although Playground shares a British heritage with Lionhead, its creative approach is distinct and separate from its predecessor.

In a recent interview with Xbox, Ralph Fulton, the game director for Fable, elaborated on the studio’s strategy when taking on this cherished franchise. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing their work from Lionhead’s legacy, stating, ‘We’re not Lionhead—we can’t attempt to create a Lionhead game.’ Fulton expressed a strong belief that the team’s personality should be reflected in the games they produce.

Fulton continued to highlight the significance of the reboot, asserting that it was crucial for Playground Games to establish its own identity within the Fable universe. He remarked, ‘This is a Playground game, and it felt imperative to me that we are starting anew with Playground’s Fable.’

Maintaining Core Elements of Fable’s Identity

One fundamental aspect of Fable’s charm is its fairytale-like ambiance. Fulton underscored that the series is not merely a fantasy narrative, a distinction that has shaped Lionhead’s world-building from the inception of the franchise.

He shared that upon commencing this project, the team uncovered a wealth of documents from Lionhead’s archives. Among these, one particularly resonated with him: a succinct note stating, ‘Fable is Fairytale, not Fantasy,’ which he found to be a compelling reminder of the series’ essence.

Another iconic feature of Fable is the ability to kick chickens, a detail that was showcased in the gameplay teaser. This seemingly trivial action serves as a significant example of how Playground Games is rethinking the morality system within the game.

‘Our version of morality isn’t a sliding scale,’ Fulton explained. ‘We’ve chosen to anchor this around the actions you do, particularly those witnessed by others in Albion.’

Fulton elaborated that if an individual witnesses you kicking a chicken, your reputation will begin to shift. ‘You will start to earn a reputation as a ‘Chicken Chaser,’ and if enough people observe your actions, that moniker will become part of your identity within that community,’ he noted.

This approach aligns with traditional RPG morality systems but introduces a unique twist. Fulton posed an intriguing scenario: what if the NPC who saw you kick the chicken believes that such behavior is warranted?

‘Different people will interpret that reputation in various ways,’ he said. ‘Kicking chickens isn’t inherently good or bad; it ultimately depends on the individual perspectives of the NPCs and their views on your actions.’

For further insights into the morality system, including its implications for themes like bigamy, readers may refer to the complete interview with Fulton. The Fable reboot is set to launch in the fall, promising an exciting revival of a beloved franchise.