Fable III Releasing Episodically In Lieu Of Demo
Fable 3 is already looking like a treat with its touch-enhanced adventures and regal choices. To catch up on the game itself, check out the E3 hands-on by our lovely and talented Fruit Brute.
As to how Lionhead is going to get the game into your hot little hands, Peter Molyneux had a few details about that today. Following the success of an episodic release for Fable 2, they've decided to go ahead and work the same magic for the sequel. It won't be day-one, but hopefully we shouldn't have to wait long for our taste of Albion.
In following with the "pilot episode" concept of this type of release, Peter says they play to "give away the first chapter entirely free; the first hour." As for pricing, he makes a stab: "When you reach a certain point in the game it says 'thank you for playing the pilot of Fable 3, do you want to spend an extra 2-5 or whatever dollars to buy the next episode, or buy the whole lot?"
Mr. Molyneux also had some things to say about why he's doing it this way: he's not a fan of demos as they stand, because they give away a portion of the game that's usually later on, and also take away time from the design and development team that is better used on the game itself.
Whether it ends up costing more to buy in small bites is up to Lionhead, but as someone who ends up starting more games than I finish, I'm all for the concept of pay-as-you-go. Even with judicious use of cliffhangers in the story, it still means I'll only be shelling out as long as the story keeps me hooked. Even better, it might lead to developers spending more time working on their plot twists and mid-game components rather than front-loading all the really cool levels and story.
Whether you'll get it piecemeal or in one big box, you can look forward to playing Fable 3 this October.
Fable 3 Will Also Be Released Episodically [1UP]
faePuck
Posted to Video Games on 30 June 2010
Other stuff like this: demos, episodic content, fable 3, lionhead studios, peter molyneux, xbox 360
