How Fable Was Made and Why the Creators Hate it

This Fable documentary goes in depth about what brothers Dene and Simon Carter went through to bring their childhood goal of creating "the worlds best RPG" to life. Learn about how they branched off of Peter Molyneux's BullFrog Productions to create their own studio, Big Blue Box Studios but ran into many problems, which in turn lead them to ask for Peter Molyneux's help. The brothers believed the had solved all their problems with their plan but, sadly, nothing is ever easy. This documentary will cover all the issues the brothers and their studio went through with creating Fable with Microsoft and Lionhead Studios.
SOURCES:
• Making of - Fable (200...
• Fable - Peter Molyneux...
www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/...
kotaku.com/the-man-who-promis... interviews leading up to,None of those things happened
fable.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dev...
www.timeextension.com/feature...
• The Fable Prototype Yo...
• Fable & Lionhead Studi...
www.thegamer.com/the-making-o...
• The Fable Prototype Yo...
www.thegamer.com/the-making-o...
YT channels:
TheFableHistorian
Avarice
Beelz
RTGame
Honest Game Trailers
Skyrionn
Lacry
YourFavoriteSon
The Salt Factory

[@GameStudioLore]

Make sure to check out this documentary of why the devs who created Tomb Raider hated it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTMZYefqM5lmKc

[@NOFRILLS_GAMING]

Brilliant! totally loved this, well done! subbed, and I'll be watching more! Good stuff!

[@J.Devitt]

When I originally played Fable, I didn't even know about the hype and promises made by Peter before its release. So I had zero expectations, and playing it completely unbiasedly, was probably one of my favorite games ever back then (and still has a very special memory for me to this day) ☺

[@strawberrylotlizard]

Same same I picked it up randomly.... Then I heard of Peter and his bs

[@BrandanLee]

Same here. I picked it up and it straight up blew my mind. Never heard about it or saw it anywhere before that. Magic Carpet too! And Black and White! If I never knew, I'd think these games were made by the best devs on Earth. Fable 3 was my fav and until I looked it up, I have no idea anyone hated it.

[@strawberrylotlizard]

@@BrandanLee loved black and white but he definitely dropped the ball on them too sadly

[@Fazquel]

Same here, a friend loaded it up one day near the end of middle school for me. I was instantly hooked, the transforming good/evil character, the (at the time) gorgeous world and funny characters and cool stories. I would love to see Fable be made the way it was intended in some form some day but what we ended up with was iconic in its own right.

[@tsiefhtes]

I heard the BS but I had been listening to the same over ambitious BS for every game that came out in the mid to late 90s so I discarded the BS and tried out the game with clear eyes. Fable is still one of my favorite game of all time.

[@Krytern]

I didn't know it wasn't Lionhead that made the game. Peter Molyneux really took all that credit.

[@GameStudioLore]

yup. shady dude

[@yokai1235]

he always does this he make big "promises" and the devs need to crunch to make those "promises" to be feasible thing and then Peter just throw then down the bus

[@JaeLee83]

Sounds like Elon

[@Pixie1001.]

To be fair, it makes a certain kind of sense - making random crazy promises about a game he wasn't even working on or all that involved with was pretty scummy, but the game probably did sell much better with the narrative that it was being developed by a proven studio. Like, for all he knew, the game might've been a massive flop, so he was putting his reputation on the line as well.

[@heart_of_a_daedra3649]

Barely started watching, But - my dad worked on the same industrial estate as Lionhead in 2016 (in Guildford). Sent me photos of the place & everyone seemed to be always outside smoking and drinking coffee - a week later, Lionhead was closed down. Madness

[@GameStudioLore]

Its crazy how fast it happens. Thanks for sharing! And watching!

[@ChillCityBeats]

crazy story

[@raiden72]

Video game programming seems kind of like a very cutthroat industry where you are now held to specific standards by rich people instead of figuring out new concepts and putting them into code. Video game programming has changed over time I imagine.

[@JoyZoneYT]

​​@@raiden72 it is also a consumerist industry, where the end users define how soon they want things, leading to investors pushing deadlines up, unfinished content, and day 0/1 patches to fix the issues that they did not have the time to send to QA. Furthermore, QA and alpha/beta testing were important sides of the development process. Less and less alpha/beta builds are created and most devs playtest things themselves. The thing is, QA and alpha/beta testing give unknown parameters that the devs most likely omit in their playtesting rounds, which in turn help them correct oversights. Tbh, the entirety of the videogame industry is screwed, now that AI is there. People think it is the future, but it only toss "finished, but flawed" works that still need to be fixed. What was good about concept art was that midway through that phase, they went through multiple changes and versions. Now, to even generate the same type of artwork requires hours, when before, you only hired the artist whose artstyle meshed the best with your vision of the work, and they could make changes on the fly during a meeting. It sucks.

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

110% ​@@raiden72

[@KarlRock]

What a story. Alongside Halo, it's a game that defined the original Xbox console. I loved that console. Thanks for the video.

[@GameStudioLore]

Appreciate it! Yes Fable and Halo made that console. I'll never forget the bootup into those crazy green aesthetics it had

[@jack25956]

So true. I got the original Xbox for 2 games. FABLE and Star Wars KOTOR

[@JChaosMaster]

I really hope the new fable releases so it and halo infanity can redefined that Xbox legacy.

[@darthkek1953]

Halo, Project Gotham Racing, Modern Warfare, Knights of the Old Republic & 2. Jade Empire. San Andreas. Rainbow Six. We shall not see their like again.

[@DamianSzajnowski]

​@@jack25956Didn't Republic Commando also come out on og Xbox?

[@ultimatesquatchington]

It's kind of a shame how Peter gave Big Blue Box literally no credit. I've been playing this game since I was a kid seen many interviews and discussions around it but never once have I heard of big blue box. I don't even really remember seeing their logo in the credits (Not saying it wasn't there, just not memorably enough for me to recall it) but I sure remember the opening where the guy in assassin armor stabs the ground and a burning lionhead emblem spews forth.

[@GameStudioLore]

I just looked it up on youtube to check and their logo does appear right after the Lionhead guy lolol. I thought it wasnt there as well

[@reffa2858]

​@@GameStudioLoreMandela effect.

[@itchin4scratches]

@@reffa2858bad memory?

[@jabroniandcheese9194]

That lionhead intro hit hard AF tho 😂

[@ultimatesquatchington]

@@itchin4scratches Too much weed

[@Zoroasterisk]

Fable was incredibly well-realized given the technical limitations of the era and the circumstances of its development. Its atmosphere was one of the most charming I'd ever played at the time. It handled the power fantasy aspect of the RPG genre incredibly well, too. I have fond memories of my secretly OP frying pan with its 5x mana augmentations, spending literally 100% of combat with time stop and shield going, spamming multi hit and multi arrow attacks all day long. Although, whichever dev that had the idea to make that annoying high-pitched sound whenever magic shield was on should have chosen something else

[@Dominosmusic]

magic shield go crazy

[@GameStudioLore]

Lolol yeah I dont have the info on that dev. The atmosphere for me was potentially the best part, Im a sucker for great immersion and overall tone in games and at the time Fable stood out so much. Thanks for watching!

[@jacobesterson]

To this day I firmly believe Fable to have one of the best "realized" atmospheres of any game, period. The music is masterful and the graphics hold up to this day, not because the graphics are _good,_ but because they fit the story book fairytale aesthetic so perfectly. Kinda like how Runescape's graphics are simultaniously terrible and yet genre defining.

[@pointfrogg]

@@jacobesterson Agreed, everything blended extremely well together to make a compact but MEATY experience. The story, the chocies(WHICH ACTUALLY INFLUENCED THE GAME) the way your morality affected your looks, the different personalities of the towns folk based on the region. That much attention to detail and game systems really is hard to come by in modern games.

[@ZombieKitty321]

@@jacobesterson 100% agree, fable 1's atmopshere cannot be topped, the menus the art the voice acting the music. Its all just so good. Fable 2 honestly hit it almost dead center as well.

[@Nix-Man]

Fable is such a special game. Hard to name another game that I played as a young adult that made me feel like a kid again

[@GameStudioLore]

Same here! It was fantastic.

[@sneedmando186]

*”Well if it isn’t the ol’ Chicken Chayser”* 👨‍🍳

[@vlastelinprislic286]

"You chase chickens!"

[@GameStudioLore]

Classic Fable line. Better be in the new game!

[@claytonfrancy]

CHAYSERRRR

[@lennywright5655]

That name followed me throughout my entire play through 😂

[@BrandanLee]

Same, haha! It wasn't until anniversary edition I learned you could change it.

[@cactrot83]

Me early in the video: Blue Box who? I followed Fable prerelease and played it through at launch. For me to have thought it was made by Lionhead all these years is wild. Peter Molyneux really did make himself and Lionhead synonymous with Fable in an excessive way.

[@GameStudioLore]

He did. I believed it as well. That dude stabbing the earth and their logo coming up is all I remember. I recently went on youtube to rewatch the intro and sure enough, a quick little blue box animation comes up right after that

[@MyUsualComment]

But the logo is in the opening credits and the developer names and faces are in the end credits. Since you have watch the entirety of the credits to get to the post-game (at least in the base game), you should be familiar with Big Blue Box and the Carters.

[@justanotherwitposter1875]

​@@MyUsualCommentdont tell me you actually think a normal person is going to sit through like 20 minutes of credits beginning to end and actually pay attention to the mountain of names and logos

[@MyUsualComment]

@@justanotherwitposter1875 I do. Especially when I really appreciate the game. People worked hard on something I enjoyed; the least I can do sit through the credits. Does that make me abnormal? Maybe. I honestly don't care.

[@hamzaj1127]

@@MyUsualCommentabnormal and I don’t got the patience but based

[@brombombadil]

It doesn't surprise me at all that Peter Molyneux took undue credit for the game. The guy is a snake oil salesman. I never knew that Big Blue was the original developer of the game, which is a testament to how wholly Molyneux claimed ownership. While the level of crunch they ended up doing is bad, they did spend a long time developing this game, and as much as we want devs to be able to do everything they want to ultimately do in a game, there is a point where they do need to deliver. It sounds like they just wanted to keep building the game with no planned end date.

[@Torgomasta]

I first read this comment thinking you were talking about Stefan Molyneux lmao

[@brombombadil]

​@@TorgomastaLol I did the same when typing it out. I had to double check I had the right Molyneux.

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeah, they were definitely over ambitious. But from what I gathered, they weren't expecting the microsoft deadline at all, which ultimately I think is the reason they couldn't polish it or get it really to where they wanted. One of the quotes at the end of the vid, was one of the brothers saying that basically wasted years trying to implement things that were ultimately not needed or couldn't even get to work as well, so they knew.

[@efuntron]

I just beat Fable for the first time the other day. You can tell they were extremely passionate and they really did make a genre defining game, especially for the time. It was a game I always intended to get around to and I’m glad I did. I think a lot of people don’t even know about Big Blue Box and just assume it was a lionhead game.

[@GameStudioLore]

Exactly that. I didn't even know the full story until I started digging into the development of the game. It's pretty sad.

[@j0nnyism]

Yea it’s really quite a good game. Considering the difficulties they had during development with too much feature creep they really pulled it out the box (forgive the pun)

[@D3sdinova]

I always thought they were running support for Lionhead, not the other way around.

[@DerrickBarrows]

No other game had a soundratck that gave me goosebumps everytime i fired up the game. Highly underrated score.

[@GameStudioLore]

yup. It has a really great feel to it. they did a great job

[@allenbarbero8046]

The first time I played fable it was hands down the most innovative, amazing game I'd ever played. I've beaten fable one probably 3 or 4 maybe 5 times. I haven't played it in quite some time, but after watching this I'm definitely doing another fable run in honor of all the hard work and sacrifice that was put into making this gem.

[@GameStudioLore]

Thats awesome! I need to do the same. I don't think I've played it since it launched >

[@glynkatkin]

Fable: The Lost Chapters on PC, was my favourite of the entire series, and imo, the best of the series as well.

[@GameStudioLore]

I wish Fable launched with everything in the lost chapters, definitely would have helped it

[@EnoYaka]

my only issue with it on the PC is that there isn't controller support and you can't slow walk for rp purposes.. There is a mod that replaces the sneak animation with walking, but that's the closest you can get without playing fable anniversary. I hate anniversary though as it makes many characters more ugly, has sound glitches or changes that I don't like, and loses the overall charm TLC has imo.

[@GhostManZero]

@@EnoYaka If it helps, you can use steam input to map keys to gamepad buttons and play that way! It's how I played it on the steam deck!

[@VencentCross]

so this is why the sequels never turned out right. because Lion Head didnt even make the thing, they were just imitating Big Blue Box when they made the others.

[@GameStudioLore]

I haven't done my research yet into the sequels, but I know dene did stay and work fully on Fable 2, but not 3. I will eventually do those videos as well to finish out the franchise. Thanks for watching!

[@VencentCross]

@@GameStudioLore ah thank you for the clarification! i'm curious what percentage of Big Blue worked on each game and how that lines up with the heavy shifts in design as the games went on.

[@GameStudioLore]

@@VencentCross well if you don't mind waiting a bit I will probably do Fable 2 after this next video 🫡

[@VencentCross]

@@GameStudioLore yea sure, i'll subscribe and catch it when that vid comes out

[@VITAS874]

​@@GameStudioLore but lion head created part 3, Peter even dont care about game.

[@ltrigga219]

Man I miss Fable 1 and 2. Thank you for this in-depth look!

[@GameStudioLore]

appreciate it!

[@ElliotKeaton]

The joys of executive meddling. Thanks for the in depth coverage.

[@GameStudioLore]

Executive meddling is the best huh? Thanks for watching!

[@mercster]

Yeah gosh, how awful, "getting the game out."

[@ElliotKeaton]

@@mercster Rushing development because marketing wanted it out a year earlier than it would have released otherwise.

[@LucasStraub]

Fable is by far one of the games that made the best memories for me, even tho I had a feel gameplay problems with it. As a Brazilian kid, I didn't know English and, for a long time, I got stuck at the beginning of the game because I didn't know how to get quests in the guild. But I still loved to play it around it anyway, the game just felt good to play. After scattering every playable area I could I finally understood how to get quests I was just amazed at how much more content was there. After a while I managed to beat the game, but man... I beat the game without running, yes, running, I didn't know how to run, I thought the "feet" button was supposed to kick and that it was not working, haha.

[@GameStudioLore]

dang thats wild! great determination! thanks for sharing!

[@billsny9243]

I had no idea Peter Molyneux didn't create fable. Great video

[@GameStudioLore]

Thanks for watching! I mean he kinda helped, like 1% of ideas tho lolol

[@petereames3041]

This game was my entire childhood. I was obsessed with this game as a child.

[@GameStudioLore]

It was great! Decent combat and funny!

[@glitchyrhythm6749]

Bro was holding on to that hair lol This is in my top. 15 games of all time for sure. Top 5 for OST. Good video

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeah fable is a core memory for me lol. And yeah Dene had wild hair, lol

[@adrianmartinez-lq5he]

Fable as its name, feeled like a fairy tale The soundtrack The artstyle The ambient Its memomarable

[@GameStudioLore]

It really is. The ambiance is what I remember most

[@Eastonfection]

Fables aren’t fairy tales and this game is not a fable

[@Psycorde]

First OST I ever downloaded, I spent countless hours drawing while listening to it, completely immersed

[@leathernluv]

I bought Fable in the first week. I still play and love it.

[@GameStudioLore]

I haven't played it in so long. I really need to grab it and replay the game. Thanks for watching

[@NR-hh3ez]

here i was all these years just assuming fable was molyneux's brainchild lol

[@GameStudioLore]

I did too. But as I did the research I was like, I gotta tell this story. Thanks for watching!

[@alexanderjohnson8800]

Fable is the game that made me fall in love with RPGs. The ability to customize your character but also having every decision affect not only your character but the world around you was something I hadn’t seen before. I have such good memories from Fable and it’s following sequels. I don’t think any other game has ever left such an impact on me until Arkham City.

[@GameStudioLore]

Fable just had that..I dont even know the word. It somehow captured an emotion and memory ill never forget. It was literally magic

[@Ichthyodactyl]

Is this why the sequels didn't feel like Fable anymore?

[@GameStudioLore]

I know dene still helped with the second one, but he did not on the third. I will cover Fable 2 after my next vid then do 3 soon after

[@asyme9717]

Very different environment. I was an employee at BBB and then Lionhead from around 2001 to 2012ish. My... vague... memories were a bunch of things happening that moved the franchise in a different direction. Lionhead was kind of screwed after Fable came out. The other projects, Movies and Black and White 2, failed to sell well leaving the company in real trouble. Lionhead was burning cash and (from what I heard) was a month or two away from going bankrupt. The company was sold to MS (fairly cheaply but with all our debts being paid off). Once MS owned Lionhead things changed pretty quickly. MS wanted more Fable and pushed for everyone to focus on it. Lots more people got involved, lots more corporate speak, etc. The more steampunk tone was internal (I know John McCormack was instrumental in that and possibly Dene - I'm sure others but I forget who) and there was more a focus on named actors and so on. Peter seemed to want it to be more of a God game and REALLY wanted a dog (mutter) - because he likes pets and AI in games, believing players maintain an attachment to them. The setting changed to be more industrial but in an odd way. If the first game was a bunch of disparate people coming together and sort of jamming? And somehow creating a great sound? The sequels felt more like people fighting to get their own ideas in. Some fantastic stuff happened, but also a lot of frustration and people pulling and pushing against each other. Weird times (and great vid btw!)

[@Psycorde]

​@@asyme9717Thank you for your contribution to the game that shaped my childhood and inspired me so much. I'm playing Fable 2 on PC through Xenia emulator, only had PC as a kid and getting a modern console in my country at the time was practically impossible, especially with our income. It still retains the wonderful atmosphere I fell in love with. The dog I found to be an odd addition, ever since I played Fable 3 when it came out. Exploring magical world all by yourself gave the experience this wonderful feeling of cozy solitude. I'm getting used to the dog gradually, but it's different experience.

[@Assimandeli]

@@asyme9717 I still find it hard to believe that Movies didn't sell well. That could've been the next Sims

[@easttowest7839]

I miss Fable 2. A steam port would have been amazing

[@GameStudioLore]

Maybe one day!

[@Miasma707]

i still have it on my 360. preserve your copies man its just a matter of time before that game costs 300 dollars. old game prices are out of control and im taking about your mom and pop shops not gamestop 0.0

[@itchin4scratches]

@@Miasma707you can dl on xbox series noob

[@D3sdinova]

​@@Miasma707retail stores are less and less likely to have such games. See if you can still get psychonauts, only 50k were ever made across all consoles(barring PS4) i think.

[@Psycorde]

Look up Fable 2 on Xenia emulator. I'm playing through it on PC currently (which is wild) Make sure you patch it to 2x resolution or it will look like £ss There's a video on KZbin to set it up, you'll need to torrent game's ISO

[@moonmessiah9368]

Fable was such an instrumental game in my childhood its still one of the gold standards for what a game should be to me to this day.

[@GameStudioLore]

Fable is great! i miss the era of fun and great games

[@brianbeard7278]

This is quality content. I think you're gonna be a big channel one day!

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! Thank you for watching! Was stressed making this one lol. I love Fable

[@claytonfrancy]

agreed

[@LethalBubbles]

where's my FRICKEN Acorn, Peter? I remember before the game actually came out, it was hard to imagine some of these concepts because they sounded so out there. I thought the game was fair enough in the end but I can understand why some people felt let down by it. Anyway, this documentary is fascinating. Thanks. The original original concept with the elements sounds better than "project ego" imo. I kinda think that title kinda messed with their perceptions. Like I remember them bragging about "yeah the choices in the game determine your character that you get to customize isn't that revolutionary" and I'm just like "no that's what every RPG is trying to do." I guess it's a case of "reinventing the wheel". I think it's right on the first principles on what makes an amazing RPG system, and great inspiration for any would be dev.

[@VITAS874]

He talent, but lying to much...

[@GameStudioLore]

Yes, Wishworld sounded amazing. I wonder if it's something they could pull off today? If Microsoft gave them an extra year, Fable would've been 10x better =( Also nobody forgets about the acorn lololol Thanks for watching!

[@gabecloud3493]

I've only played so far into the game, but, even as a casual fan, I found this doc very engaging and informative. Pro job, thanks for putting all this together.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! I tried to make the story as engaging as possible without it just been info after info. Thanks for watching!

[@gostreiver8036]

Really love this story behind the scenes of the actual unsung hero’s who made this game. I think Fable has really stood the test of time. There is a certain charm to the world, the graphics. And the ambient orange glow over Evegthing that helps it even 20 years later to not only not look Dated. But also it’s very uniquely recognizable. All of the other fable games as well followed suit in this consistency

[@GameStudioLore]

Indeed! For the time, the game really stood out. The atmosphere and the general feel of the game was very nice. Thanks for watching!

[@Eener1000]

The biggest thing Fable had going for it was the incredible atmosphere. The world felt bigger and more mysterious then it actually was. All the other stuff that gets advertised as selling points, even at the time as a teenager, I found somewhat underwhelming. It was the sense of exploration that kept me going.

[@GameStudioLore]

1000% It something I dont get from a lot of games now sadly. 90% of the reason I play games personally is for the world and. the ambiance. I just like chillin in a world that isn't RL lolol.

[@Nevouti.x]

Honestly Fable 2 was what I started with and probably still my favorite but fable 1 is incredibly close, for the atmosphere, tone and setting it was such an amazing escape (both games) as a kid, I still have some love for fable 3, but the first two are still some of my favorite games of all time, and the intro to fable 2 gives me a warm nostalgic feeling everytjme

[@GameStudioLore]

Love it! Ill never forget Fable 1. I hope the new game coming out can caption even half that feeling of the OG

[@DigitaIJustice]

I picked this up for $20 from Walmart randomly because the cover was enticing to a 7 year old me. I was a little too young but both of my older brothers and I ended up being life long fable fans from that random purchase. This is so interesting to learn Fable’s history

[@GameStudioLore]

Dang. The cover is really cool tho lol. It just had a pull to it for some reason, try playing it again

[@dizzynarutofan100]

I'm loving the music choices you've got going. I do find myself being confused on if it's you, or a quote. Maybe something to let us know it's a quote before the very end of it. You also have a very nice voice for this.

[@GameStudioLore]

You're right about the quotes. I didn't want to repeatedly keep saying, "Dene said to IGN" or something every single time lol. So I experimented, and I don't think it worked super well lol. I appreciate the feedback! I might try adding the quote as an image while reading it in the future for clarity. I'm glad you liked the music! It took me about 5 hours, finding the perfect sound I wanted and adding all of it for this video lol. Thanks for watching!

[@hobbilis6460]

Fable TLC was my favourite childhood game. Everything about it was perfect. Graphics, sounds, gameplay… haven’t seen a game like it ever since. Hopefully playground developers understand what players wish for and new fable lives up to expectations. I am so eager to see what they have in store for us.

[@GameStudioLore]

me too! I am also afraid they are gonna modernize it with microtransactions and an unfinished game

[@Psycorde]

I have no hope for Playground's Fable. It's going to be modernized in all the ways you don't want, if what you're seeking is escaping into a fantasy world from daily matters.

[@GameStudioLore]

@@Psycorde well Fable 2 already had, female and male characters, gay marriages, cross dressing, and sex with multiple partners, so which modernize ways are you suggesting will be bad? Skin color?

[@letso1000]

Really enjoyable and high quality video, subscribed. Would it be possible for you to put the sources you've used in the description for future videos? Would help for those interested in doing further research themselves.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that very much! Also I still had the list I used, so I added them in the description. Thank you!

[@markgee5951]

Thank you, sir! I love fable but there’s not a lot of videos on KZbin of it. I’ve been waiting for something like this for a while. 😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@eye1dry138]

Fable is a fantastic game, I still play it on occasion. The soundtrack, funny british humor, combat system, and overall feel of the game was something truly unique. I never paid attention to what developers were promising about the game so I had no preconceptions about what it should be, I simply picked up the controller and had a blast. To this day I still enjoy the way combat and magic works in this game, the controls are literally awesome, I love being able to cycle through my spells and use what i need for any given situation, I've yet to find a game that has such a natural / streamlined feel to the combat system while simultaneously allowing you access to a wide variety of attacks at any given moment.

[@GameStudioLore]

indeed. The music is sooo good. COmbat was effective, not the most difficult but it was implanted very well

[@Grubman141]

Excellent stuff pal. You’re gonna go far if you keep up this quality. Much respect

[@GameStudioLore]

Thank you so much! That means a lot. Thank you for watching!

[@erikmcswain]

Great video! I’ve been working on a Fable video that focuses mainly on analyizing the game but I briefly cover some of the development cycle for context as I’m covering all of lionheads game but it’s so cool how deep you went. Keep it up!

[@GameStudioLore]

Appreciate it! Have fun playing Fable!

[@erikmcswain]

@@GameStudioLore It was a mixed bag but always cool to explore childhood games.

[@jaycollins2036]

Great job researching and making this. I love this kind of content.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! Im glad you enjoyed it!

[@einheit02]

I loved Fable 1. I hate that they removed the extensive magic system and meaningful armor in favor of paper doll dress up, color matching puzzels, and lackluster boss fights. This series only got worse over time.

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeahhhh. The microsoft deadline really screwed them over

[@TPNYC]

Really solid. Obviously a ton of effort went into this. There's a persistent issue you have to address for future efforts so you don't undermine the high quality and immense work: textboxes. You quote a ton of people, and only context makes clear that you're quoting someone. You already have it written down, so it's only a bit more effort to have a textbox slide/fade in with the text you're quoting and an attribution. It doesn't have to dominate the screen like the poster for a Matt Damon movie; subtitles are a design start. But with as many quotes as you have, it's kind of a necessity for clarity. Outstanding effort. Can't wait to see what else you produce. Well done.

[@GameStudioLore]

You're absolutely right and it is something I will add to future videos. Thank you for watching

[@Dominosmusic]

this is a smart idea @@GameStudioLore

[@AvariceOverlord]

Amazing video! It's great to see an actual documentary that goes into details that a lot of other videos haven't before, such as the evolution of WishWorld and the even their name "thingy" which I believe comes directly from the Lionhead Dev Diaries for the game. I have been wanting to make something like this for a while, where it goes more in-depth about how their wishworld ideas tied into Fable and Fable: TLC, but I don't think I could have ever made something this well made and thoroughly researched.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that Avarice! It was a lot yeah, a ton of info to sift through. Honestly, ive been taken back by the reception. Also, I cant believe how much Fable stuff is on your channel, I dunno how or where you even get half of that lolol It's a really good vault of info and fun!

[@AvariceOverlord]

@@GameStudioLore Honestly dude, I would hate to think the effort you put into this. If you aren't proud of it, then you really should be!

[@lordofgraphite]

Fable genuinely changed my life. Incredible game ❤

[@GameStudioLore]

Same! im still searching for that same feeling from playing it the first time

[@herogibson]

I dont remember how i heard of fable back in the day, but i don’t remember anyone talking about it. I had no idea what to expect, and it blew my mind.

[@derekmoore1387]

Great overview of the game's creation. It was a foundational game for me. I really like what you're doing here with the game dev history.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! Fable is one of those games that always be remembered! Thanks for watching!

[@reffa2858]

I was like 10 years old when fable came out and I remember Peter Molyneaux being a bit of a running gag the way he over promised and under delivered often. Remember the fable 2 cinematic had freaking dinosaurs in it....

[@GameStudioLore]

I had no idea about him, and i was 15 lolol.

[@thebag1981]

Dinosaurs? I worked on the game & have no memory of this.

[@chrisdickson1289]

amazing quality, im shocked you dont have more subs

[@GameStudioLore]

Thank you so much! The subs will eventually come =)

[@nickbebop7688]

What an amazing content, would love to see some more.

[@GameStudioLore]

Its coming! and thank you

[@khaz2671]

Hehe some of the bits like the demo in a week had me chuckling. Nicely done video, good stuff :)

[@GameStudioLore]

Thank you so much!

[@Dominosmusic]

you killed the quality! amazing

[@GameStudioLore]

aye thankkkss

[@zwei3179]

Its a real shame as the fable games went on they last a bit of the soul that made it good. Now we got the fable reboot and just fable in name only

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeah the franchise could have been so much more. As for the reboot, It might not be terrible, not much to go on right now except for the....interesting announcement trailer

[@zwei3179]

@@GameStudioLorefrom what i can tell the creators really don't understand the game the announcement trailer alone didn't gibe me a single vibe of the old fable Like yes fable had some britsh humor, but that was for a very small part of the side quest The main story was a tragic hero like storyline for all three. So to kinda go this the hero is a dude bro type of storyline is just agh Granted it could change for a story trailer, but if their story trailer is the same, as their announcement one then i got zero hopes for it

[@puffnisse]

We don't know anything about the new one except a 2 minute trailer. You can't really gather anything from that.

[@johnsmith-xw7hv]

​@@puffnisseWOW TAKE MY MONEY

[@VITAS874]

Peter is like Todd Howard unfortunately. Peter always want make new and new... and this causes to closing a studio.

[@Miasma707]

Good job getting all this footage! thanks man goodluck

[@GameStudioLore]

Thank you! youre welcome!

[@claytonfrancy]

STILL LOVING THIS VIDEO. NEED MORE.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! New vid dropping tomorrow and then the next one will be on fable 2 🙃

[@grapexxjelly]

I love Fable but I wish we could have seen what Big Blue Box could have made given more time.

[@GameStudioLore]

Same! Def would've been amazing to see

[@mangodango1733]

Man it's crazy how all the games that made 5 year old me a gamer were under such insane amount of pressure to even be finished

[@GameStudioLore]

yeah! the game industry suckksssss in that regard, I dont think its any better tho lolol

[@MA-qu3hi]

Great video, never really knew any of this and loved Fable. I’m surprised how much public info there is on the games development available, especially it all contradicting that Fable is a Peter Molyneux game

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeah Fable was documented pretty well. Some games arent, so its really hit and miss. Luckily Fables does, so molyneux can't be a thief :P

[@acadiano10]

Some of the characters were so good. Just enough to be impactful and memorable.

[@GameStudioLore]

Yup! Good AI out there

[@fullmetal1119]

Never played this game. (I had a PS2), but I distinctly remember that cover art! Great vid!

[@GameStudioLore]

aye i appreciate that! If you get a chance, should check it out on pc

[@Coreisus]

The thing i really like about Fable, and sorta Fable 2, is that it feels like it could be a Legend of Zelda spin-off.

[@trabay86]

I loved Fable and when my son was old enough for RPGs, Fable became one of his favorite as well. Sad that the creators hate it because it is much beloved.

[@ZombieKitty321]

14:00 - 14:45 This is why fable was so special too me, it honestly felt exactly like that, i was always forced to be whatever the story wanted of me, and fable let me have my cake and eat it too with character creation

[@GameStudioLore]

Yesss, it was a dope concept that I wish more games would use

[@amampathak]

Great work mate

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching =)

[@Coreisus]

Now i want to play TLC! (Nice menu aesthetic, and the "normal" hairstyle isnt glitched)

[@johnnybensonitis7853]

I absolutely love the way Dean and co. do interviews. It's pretty damn funny, you just have no clue what they might say next sometimes lol. What a great story behind the development! I remember back then when Fable was getting hype in all the magazines and Molyneux making some big claims for the game that I was excited to see. When it came out a buddy of mine got it and after watching him play for a few I felt happy as hell that I'd decided to buy Morrowind a few weeks earlier. I was 22 years old at the time and definitely didn't give the game a chance, but I'm certainly glad we live in a world where those games exist. That game was an astounding achievement! As is this video as well! I had no idea about the guys behind the game, I just remembered the rock star Molyneau so this was very educational as well as entertaining!

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate the compliment! and yeah the brothers were wild in their interviews lol, very funny! Morrowind was def the better RPG choice, but Fable just had this feeling about it. I'm glad it was finished, although lacking in... a lot lol. THanks for watching!

[@johnnybensonitis7853]

@@GameStudioLore I agree, Morrowind even still has a pretty dedicated community behind it to this day which is crazy. It was my pleasure, and thanks again for the awesome vid!

[@zark169]

Fable was one of the first games I worked on as a game tester back in the day. This provided some context for some of the things and ways we were asked to test, and also how and why certain things in the game came to be. The year and a half of crunch really explains a lot on its own, but it's interesting to see some of the more specific aspects of how the game was developed.

[@magnomliman8114]

Love this type of content.

[@GameStudioLore]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrInternetMan]

Much needed video.

[@dainess2919]

"We are going to outspend everybody and win." - We still waiting boys

[@GameStudioLore]

haha I laughed when I read that as well.

[@corimyers4985]

I was a new game journalist/dev when this came out and got a review copy. I was so excited! I had been watching the ads on a little network called G4TV. The tag line was Be Whoever You Want To Be…I played 45 min and quit. My review title (no KZbin yet). Be Whoever You Want to Be…except female. I got to meet Peter a few months later, and we chatted for about 3 min, lol. (New mom too, my husband was calling me about the baby). Next Fable..I could play as a woman. It’s now one of my top 5 all time fav games! The ‘baby’ is all grown up and this game or rather fable 2 is a happy childhood memory for her. I’m not saying I’m the reason for the addition of women (a lot of women were with me and griping about this, including women who worked at Microsoft) but Peter at least listens..and flirts a lot lol.

[@ArtofWEZ]

Great Documentry, following!

[@claytonfrancy]

SAME

[@GameStudioLore]

Appreciate it! Thank you!

[@yorik9845]

Always love to see XSI Softimage running somewhere in the background.

[@ryanwinchy]

Not too sure on the validity of this. Simon & Dene Carter, molyneux, mark Healy among others were good friends and colleagues who worked together making games from the 80s. They had long discussed 'the perfect RPG' and what was wrong with so many at the time throughout dev of other games like dungeon keeper. The idea for fable from the Carter's was wish world which they pitched to molyneux, a totally different RTS style game about launching spells at each other. As it morphed into fable, they were acquired by lionhead to bring it to life, and lionhead grew to a 100 person + studio to bring it out. Molyneux got on board with the idea quickly, and contributed hugely over the course of development, including actually getting the game over the line. But the Carter's were always credited as creative directors, he didn't try to take credit. Ultimately, it the game was made by lionhead.

[@Devininity]

I never knew the full story until now. I'm glad that I now know the full story behind this game that I have so many great memories of. Despite the rocky development and release I hope everyone who actually worked on the game is doing well despite it all

[@GameStudioLore]

Its a pretty interesting story really. They still pulled it off, for the most part.

[@RabidNemo]

28:51 those toon length figurines in the background are so cool

[@binipped]

The premise for Wishworld is very similar to the Traveller's Gate trilogy by Will Wight it seems. Person gets powers, the powers are tied to a realm where the magic they leverage "resides", they can travel the realms using gates. When traveling their realm they unlock new powers and skill by completing challenges or finding artifacts. Some example of realms in the book are a giant snow tower that reaches forever, a city of light, and one is just straight up an large mansion with each new room being a test to progress your skills further, while the house trains you by constantly trying to kill you, even while sleeping.

[@the_markoman]

Time to put on the Fable OST all day again.

[@Chef_Alpo]

I remember so much hype surrounding the release of this game followed by much criticism from the masses for not delivering on the promises. It was the butt-end of many jokes and there was no shortage of people plainly stating it sucked without giving any depth to their assertion. In 2006 I picked up a second job at a Gamestop an old friend and former boss managed. The original Xbox and games were on sale for the Christmas season so I picked up a used one and splurged on a few games, Fable GOTY edition being one. Being a long time player of rpgs, I found it to be all too easy and rather watered down in terms of character development and difficulty, but was thoroughly captivated by the overall experience. Between the lower difficulty and the enjoyment factor it was quite accessible for many, so my younger brothers were able to spend many hours with it as well. Classic game, it really left an impression and a warm afterglow that is all its own.

[@Detective_Bonghits]

Lionhead studios made one of mt childhood favorite pc games. Black and white 2 which i had so much fun plsying and still enjoy conceptually

[@GameStudioLore]

I might do a few Black and White vids in the future! I never played them myself, but would love to learn about them

[@Detective_Bonghits]

@@GameStudioLore it was a really cool attempt at a grandiose idea that in today's age could be done times 100. Like an Rts/civ/god sim where you have a pet that's almost as strong as you as you. It did nothing except the god stuff exceptionally well but made enough of an effort that it was really fun especially back when those limitations were in place and it was a completely unique original idea for a game I haven't seen before

[@jawbone78]

"Let's make sure the player doesn't get frustrated with the enemies!" "Let's make Balverines and Hobbes the most annoying enemies to fight in the history of gaming!"

[@GameStudioLore]

lol. Fable is all about being contradicting

[@twotamatos]

Finding immensely talentented enthusiastic people who get along with everyone was the toughest part can’t be understated how tough even in a school envoirment is it going to be to find people who’d be a part of your team there r always people looking for work but weaning out others n finding people who above all are gonna be passionate about what they are working on vs seeing it as a pay check is another real challenge it’s so easy to see someone else’s game as work but creating something for everyone that all ur workers/devs can be passionate about that is a different story

[@twotamatos]

On the DL I want fables god rays and light blooms in my 3D animations

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeahits a very hard thing to do. I feel like the indie devs have that way more than these huge studios, or these big studios arent allowing freedom, which is prolly true

[@DomyTheMad420]

I was about 7-8 years old when i found a gaming magazine with an in depth behind the scenes interview about the original visions and stuff they "had planned" for the game. We're talking... like😆Tod Howard levels of hype that they could never live up to. I was a BIT let down when i realized (like them) they had to accept many compromises but i'll never forget their dream. Their vision for albion may have never seen the light of day, but it'll never leave my childhood dreams.

[@zen-sean]

I recently replayed this game as an adult and it is still a beautiful experience, I’ll get my kids to play it as well

[@johnnyallenshaneprater4870]

Your channel is incredibly incredible, but at 3:43 😂 that man, and his hair.. Why does it fit so perfectly that he is a game developer on top of it... So funny.. My brothers are both losing their hair and they hate that I didnt get the "bald gene" I thank the lord every day for my hair hahahah

[@GameStudioLore]

He looks like a classic game dev lolol. Prolly from his love of DnD. Sadly i got the receding hair =((((

[@Lawkify]

I played Fable as a 10 year-old who basically only ever played the Sims before this, it came with our Xbox and was rated 16+ (super exiting ofc). It was and still is one of my favourite games ever. It set my expectations for any rpg game sooo high :'D.

[@onlyadamrosa]

I still vividly remember playing Fable for the first time and breaking a random pot or box and the game telling me I'd been evil for doing it... Considering I had already played hours of Morrowind by this point, I couldn't help but be disappointed by what I got with Fable. A silly morality system, fart jokes, wild promises that weren't delivered...

[@joewatts2940]

Exactly this. I commented saying something similar, but you articulated it perfectly

[@AnMComm]

The worst part is that all of these promises were made by the guy who didn't even see the thing.

[@GameStudioLore]

Yeah Morrowind was a different level. If microsoft gave the team another year or 2 I think it would have realized more of its potential

[@skratchforce9785]

This is an amazing video thank you so much.

[@GameStudioLore]

I appreciate that! thank you!

[@DeimosPC]

Fable was one of the first RPG games I ever played as a kid and it truly blew my mind.. then the second one was even more incredible. I’d do anything for it to come back and be on PC.

[@Dominosmusic]

re release would be crazy

[@GameStudioLore]

Hoping we get some remastersx in the future

[@SaicomantisJ]

Great video. Just a note though: the format [narration] [quote] "said [person]" works only in books and not in video form. I was confused most of the time onn what you were talking about.

[@RequiemWraith]

Well this was quite an eye opener. I first discovered the series when I picked up The Lost Chapters randomly in a game shop, I'd missed all the hype and promises that didn't materialise. I can also recall Lionhead being the only studio on the game, no mention of Blue Box anywhere, this video was the first time I've heard of them being linked to the game. Seems they got done really dirty!

[@GameStudioLore]

The sad thing is that blue box had a little intro animation in the opening. It was just after the lionhead guy stabbing the ground, which was so cool nobody remembers blue boxes lolol. But yeah that's the only mention of them at all. I think there are some pictures in the credits at the end? But I'm not 100%

[@claytonfrancy]

this video made my toes tickle in a good way

[@GameStudioLore]

First time I got a comment like this and I guess ill say youre welcome lolol. Thanks for watching =)

[@MrAlElmes]

Man, how have I never heard this story before!?

[@GameStudioLore]

Its been pretty hidden, I didn't know it either until I decided to make a video on Fable lolol

[@vasyavasilich7659]

Thank you for this video

[@GameStudioLore]

Anytime! Thanks for watching !

[@RabidNemo]

I really wish when they did Fable anniversary they would have gone back and re-implemented a lot of the stuff that was cut. My friend and I started a Facebook page called Fable cut content and we were actually able to get some notes from one of the original developers. In addition to lots of other quests and subsystems like each town having a sheriff character there was going to be crafting elements and different types of materials dropped by enemies.

[@importasmr7362]

This is amazing good job

[@GameStudioLore]

Thank you! I appreciate that! Put in a ton of research for this one, so im glad it turned out well

[@peoalofp]

fable, a distant memory

[@GameStudioLore]

Really is. I miss it

[@sixten8493]

Also missing it very much, but for me because of ... something ... the Steam version of Fable Anniversary has been unplayable for YEARS. I've tried on three PC:s, crashes before I see the start menu. Every time. No mods. Tried everything. Last thing I remember playing was the bandit camp hassle.