Initially developed by Lionhead Studios and helmed by famous game creator Peter Molyneux, theFableseries is a collection of RPGs set in a fantasy world. TheFablefranchise proved to be popular with fans of RPGs and fantasy settings, though it seemed like there wouldn’t be any new entries in the series after 2016 saw the close of Lionhead Studios and the cancellation ofFable Legends. However, in 2020Fablefans were given a teaser for a new entry in the franchise, known to many asFable 4.
The new game is being developed by Playground Games, a studio mostly known for theForza Horizongames. Despite many calling the gameFable 4,too, it seems that the newest entry will be a reboot more than a direct sequel. Since Microsoft’s announcement that a newFableis coming, though, there haven’t been any new updates for the upcoming RPG. Some believe that Playground Games does not want to repeat themistakes of games likeScaleboundand show off a trailer forFablelong before the game will be ready for release. One former designer at Playground may have a different explanation for the lack of news onFable 4,though.
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According to a recent interview with former combat designer Juan Fernandez,Fable’sdevelopment is taking its time due to Playground’s inexperience with RPGs.“PlayGround is a series company, very organized and production driven,” Fernandez began. “Every two years they release aForza Horizonwith incredible quality,” though he then went on to say that the company “wanted to expand with something different” and that it lacked the people with knowledge of open-world RPG systems and what made them work.
Fernandez was one of the people brought on to help Playground better understand open-world action RPGs and what made them attractive to gamers. He describes the attitudes at Playground as “doing more with less” and “ambitious.” According to Fernandez, the technical foundations have been laid out forFable 4, though there’s no indication on a possible release window or time when fans can see some gameplay.
This news may not be great for fans hoping to seeFable 4sooner rather than later, though this does indicate that Playground Games is taking its time to ensure that the nextFabletitle is done right. With plenty of fans speaking on the changes they want to see or returningelements from earlyFablegames like the Heroes' Guild, Playground Games seems to be rightly taking its time to ensure fan disappointment is as unlikely as possible.
