Microsoft Cancel the Development of Fable Legends
Microsoft Cancel the Development of Fable Legends
Microsoft have officially announced that they have cancelled the Development of Fable Legends, an upcoming PC and Xbox One title by Lionhead Studios, a UK based developer, and that they are closing down Press Play Studios in Denmark, the developer that is currently working on Project Knoxville, a multiplayer action survival game.
This decision will hit Microsoft’s presence in Europe massively, closing Press Play Studios in Denmark outright and proposing the closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK, leaving many game developers out of a job and leaving Fable fans without their much awaited sequel.
Below is Microsoft’s full statement on the matter, where they say that they will do whatever they can to help those affected find them job opportunities in Xbox or elsewhere in the development community.
Today, I have some difficult changes to announce that affect some of our Microsoft Studios teams and projects in the UK and Denmark.
After much consideration we have decided to cease development on Fable Legends, and are in discussions with employees about the proposed closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK. Additionally, we will close Press Play Studios in Denmark, and sunset development on Project Knoxville.
These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly, nor are they a reflection on these development teams – we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent, creativity and commitment of the people at these studios. The Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade. Press Play imbued the industry with a unique creative spirit behind games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, which both captured passionate fans. These changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.
I speak for all of Xbox when I say that despite this news, we remain committed to the development communities in the UK and Europe, and Xbox will continue to support new IP and originality in the games we offer on our platforms, whether they’re AAA blockbusters like Quantum Break from Remedy, adventurous new IPs like Sea of Thieves from Rare, or unique new creations from independent developers like Moon Studios with Ori.
We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.
It makes us sad to see gaming studios close down, especially when it leaves talented individuals without a job. Hopefully those affected by this decision will be able to quickly find work elsewhere with another developer or elsewhere within Microsoft.
You can join the discussion on Microsoft Canceling Fable Legends and closing down Press Play Studios on the OC3D Forums.
Special thanks to SPS on the OC3D Forums for bringing this news to my attention.
Microsoft have canceled the Development of Fable Legends and will close Press Play Studioshttps://t.co/02aovhpYc2 pic.twitter.com/2M6T5N7Arp
— OC3D (@OC3D) March 7, 2016