Rumour: Fable is making a comeback with Forza Horizon dev at the helm

Microsoft is resurrecting the Fable franchise with Forza Horizon developer Playground Games taking over the production reins, Eurogamer reports. According to sources close to the project, the new Fable game will be a ‘big-budget’ affair, although unsurprisingly Microsoft is presently saying nowt on the subject. 

Apparently, Fable 4 (or whatever it ends up being called) is receiving a large investment and will be a story-focused, open-world RPG affair. The project will be staffed by some 200 individuals based at Playground’s second office in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. 

The bad news is we won’t be getting our mitts on the new Fable for some time yet; Eurogamer notes that the project is in the very early stages of development, with Playground currently looking to triple its work force for the title.

Former Fable developer Lionhead Studios was shuttered less than two years ago by Microsoft, cancelling their spin-off title Fable Legends in the process. Former employees have now said they’re excited by the series’ comeback, but at the same time are a little bummed they never got to make Fable 4.

‘I have slightly mixed feelings,’ said Simon Carter, co-creator of the Fable series. ‘On the one hand it’s great for the UK games industry, and very pleasing that Fable isn’t dead; indeed, it will be lovely to play one as a punter, without coming out in hives.’ 

‘On the other hand it is a little curious to get rid of the team that is uniquely expert in making Fable, and then try and make Fable,’ he added. 

Apparently, we have Guerrilla Games’ success with Horizon Zero Dawn to thank for Microsoft’s renewed interest in Fable. After all, the PS4-exclusive title is a single-player effort that has managed to flog millions of copies around the globe in a market that is being increasingly dominated by multiplayer games. 

No further details are currently known about Playground’s ambitious title, although it is believed they are starting from scratch despite previous Fable assets being backed up by Lionhead prior to shutting its doors. 

Obviously there’s no official word on a new Fable game yet, with Microsoft issuing a statement to EG saying that it does not comment on rumour or speculation, so digest this with a healthy dose of salt for the time being just to be safe.