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Molyneux Talks Experimentation and Business
Over at Gamasutra, they have details on commentary by Peter Molyneux during the London Games Summit. Speaking in the grandiose, pie-in-the-sky manner he's become known for, Mr. Molyneux described some experimental gameplay ideas they're hoping might someday make it into Fable 2. From the article: "Elements of design that are changing from Fable's development to Fable 2's are what the players can purchase and own (wealth is likely to play a large part in Fable 2's characters); the responsiveness of and fantastical quality of combat (Fable 2 hopes to keep the combat more dramatic than realistic, but more responsive to objects and locations around the player); and the range of experience the player can have (Fable 2 is aiming to allow the main character to become pregnant, give birth, and raise a child)." The leader of Lionhead Studios also spoke on the business side of indie game development, warning developers not to enter the 'spiral of doom': using payment from a contract for a new game to finish development of one already in production. From that article: "Another key point: 'Every game says something about your company', as it was noted: 'You're only as good as your last game' - the industry has a relatively short memory, and signing subsequent titles is vital to indie developers' livelihoods." Update: 10/05 21:43 GMT by Z : Whether or not it contains any of these experimental ideas, at least Microsoft now has its hands on some playable areas of Fable 2.
How many games does this guy have to completely under deliver on for people to stop giving him so much credit? B&W2 was trash, Fable was a super linear hack and slash that failed on pretty much every promise, Black & White had some neat ideas but was fundamentally hampered by dull gameplay. What glorious feat of game design is this guy still coasting on? Populous?
For one thing, instead of an old wizard continually saying "Have you checked for more quests at the Guild" while you're on a quest, it's now a young albino princess who says "Are you sure you want to open that booby-trapped door?" ...
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
More than 8 hours of gameplay.
"I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability."-Oscar Wilde