#ces
We already knew that Fable III is coming to the computer, but Microsoft wanted to put worrying minds to rest but showing the game off in action at the Consumer Electronics Show today. More »
To celebrate the holidays, we're having twelve straight days of giveaways up through Christmas day. And while we say it's to celebrate, really ... we're simply getting rid of some of the larger packages around the ol' office.
For day seven, we're giving away what can only be described as a rucksack full of Fable 3 swag. You'll find the Limited Collector's Edition of the game, a novel titled The Balverine Code, and that fancy Fable-edition wireless gamepad. Not shown here: the hefty 5MB patch released earlier this month.
So, you're unhappy with the current breed of your Fable 3 murderhound? That's totally understandable -- the three options currently made available to settlers of Albion are Border Collie, Boxer and Red Setter, none of which are considered the classic warrior breeds. Luckily, the "Dog Breed Pack" (out today for 240 Microsoft Points) makes three far more combat-ready types of pups available for adoption: German Shepherd, Doberman and Poodle.
What? Have you ever seen a poodle when it's really, really angry? Those things are vicious, man.
If you're content with your dog's current genetic makeup, perhaps you'll be interested in another piece of DLC released by Lionhead today: The "Free Yule Hat," which, true to its name, is totally free. Seems like a nice way to add a little festivity to Albion's bleaker regions -- just make sure you take it off before you decide to conduct some horrible, unspeakable act. We'd hate for you to tarnish the image of Santa, you know.
#xbox360
And the German Shepard and the Doberman. But be honest, all you really care about is adding a poodle to your Fable III adventuring, right? More »
#review
You've staged a revolution, you've saved the day. Now journey below Fable III's Bowerstone to discover the source of an enigmatic voice. Shame there isn't much to solve, other than why this Fable add-on is so half-baked. More »
With a 5MB title update released this morning on Xbox Live, Lionhead Studios has corrected some major Fable 3 issues. Primary among the fixes: quest progression issues (enemies not appearing, player getting physically stuck in certain parts of the world, etc.) and total game crashes.
Additionally, various online multiplayer issues have been resolved, as has Jasper's curious case of sudden laryngitis. And hey, if you played in Japanese and really missed Reaver's voiceover in that one quest, you're all set now! The complete, embarrassing list of fixes can be found after the break.
Fledgling heroes in the treacherous world of Albion have enough to worry about without fretting over the ever-present possibility of encountering Fable 3's technical hiccups. Luckily, Lionhead has revealed its plans to reduce the number of bugs -- as discovered and reported by the game's fans -- with an upcoming patch. This update will remedy issues such as corrupted save files, problems with the Sanctuary room, and some general performance issues like framerate drops and audio glitches.
Lionhead also announced that it will release a "voice over pack" for certain unnamed regions -- but did not explain exactly what would be included in said pack. Our theory? All of the in-game characters' voices will be replaced by Stephen Fry's voice. "Even the ladies," you might ask? Absolutely.
#dlc
The world of Avalon expands on November 23 with the Understone Quest Pack, adding an entire new town for you to explore, while the Exclusive Hair Pack adds afros, corn rows, asymmetrical bobs, and a dog buff. More »
If you've already managed to exhaust Fable 3's on-disc offerings and are looking for some way to download more content for the RPG sequel, Microsoft Game Studios isn't about to let that impulse go unrewarded. About one month following the retail launch of Fable 3 comes the "Understone Quest Pack," in which your hero "will discover a mysterious town built beneath the streets of Bowerstone, crafted by eccentric inventor Montague Hummes." This is an all-new town with places to shop (and purchase outright) and "novel creatures to battle." That's got a sort-of Fahrenheit 451 vibe to it, no? In its main quest, "The Voice," you'll explore Understone and "discover the origin of the voice that controls the people of Understone."
Also included in the Understone Quest Pack is the "Shooting Range" - the Mercenary Camp is now a tourist attraction! - and the "Wheel of Misfortune," in which Reaver's arena has been recycled into a standalone feature. All that for 400 Microsoft Points ($5) seems like a pretty reasonable deal to us. Now the Exclusive Hair Pack - featuring corn rows, afro and asymmetrical bob styles for 160 Microsoft Points ($2), and the 5 Star Dog Potion for 80 Microsoft Points ($1), seem like notably lesser deals.
All three downloads will be available on November 23, so mark your (now a collector's item) Milo 2010 calendar accordingly.
One expects to come up against all manner of opposition when attempting a violent overthrow of a monarchy, but game-crashing technical issues shouldn't be one of them. An update on Lionhead's official blog has revealed that the developer is currently working on a patch for a few known Fable 3 issues, and is also seeking bug submissions from the game's most attentive players. You might take umbrage over having to do QA for a game you spent 60 American dollars on, but, think of it this way: You can pretend like you just won Season 3 of The Tester.
The blog post also contains a workaround for folks who are having trouble transferring their hard-earned gold over from the Fable 3 Kingmaker App over to the game itself. No, throwing your smartphone at your Xbox 360 as hard as you possibly can, hoping the gold will transfer over in the ensuing collision, is not the solution.
#roundup
If there's one thing compiling the Fable III Frankenreview has taught me, it's that even the most powerful monarch is subject to the court of popular opinion. More »
#clips
Maybe you've already read our Fable III review and seen an unboxing of the nifty secret-compartment Fable III. But have you seen the Fable III bag and controller up close? More »
Quick! Snap judgment: When you hear the term "dog outfit" with regard to Fable 3 -- a game widely known for its canine companion -- what do you think of? Perhaps an adorable little garment for your adorable best friend? Something gaudy and ostentatious -- you know, like horse armor?
That's a pretty logical guess, but keep in mind that we're talking about a series where lovers gravitate to the hero who farts the best. Logic isn't really Fable 3's strong suit -- as evidenced by the fact that the game's first premium DLC, the "Dog Outfit," is actually a costume worn by the player.
The getup will run you 160 Microsoft Points ($2), but that price should be justified by the strange looks your pet will give you when he sees you dressed as a giant version of himself. Not to mention the strange looks we will give you, because, hey dude, you just bought a dog costume.
#screengrab
Uh. Well. That's me on the right in the crown. Standing next to my virtual wife. On the other side of the bed, that's MTV Multiplayer writer Russ Frushtick. We're testing ... co-op, yes, co-op in Fable III. The affair ended poorly (scroll to the italicized part). More »
Just two years after the triumphant return of the Fable franchise in Fable 2, Lionhead's exceptional realization of the original game's promise, comes Fable 3. For Peter Molyneux and team, much of their mandate was streamlining the experience so more players would experience more of what Albion had to offer. That means bringing the comedy to the surface instead of just beneath it, clearing up the menu system, fixing co-op play, and dozens of other targets. Think evolution and not, despite its narrative predisposition, revolution. Unfortunately, Fable 2's technical shortcomings weren't targeted and reappear - with a vengeance - in Fable 3, distracting from a mostly exceptional, albeit simplified, experience.
The story itself has been streamlined. How many of you can remember what happened in Fable 2? Despite the dozens of hours I spent playing the game, I couldn't recall what the Tattered Spire was built for when I spotted it from the shores of Fable 3's Driftwood. In comparison, Fable 3's structure provides a basic narrative arc - you go from revolutionary to ruler. Simple.
You play as a male or female hero, the child of Fable 2's Hero King or Queen (yes, it checks your save file). Your brother, Logan, has taken the throne and rules as a tyrant while the world of Albion is buzzing with revolutionary fervor. But who can lead them? After one particularly nasty turn by your brother, your character sets off with his or her mentor, Sir Walter, to do just that. The game's foil - which I won't spoil here - has even been simplified. Gone is Lord Lucien and his struggle for power (yeah, I looked it up on Wikipedia) and in his place is, well ... Evil. I'm glossing over the specifics because the writing is one area where Fable 3 really excels. Its story and, more importantly, its structure will help you keep the narrative thread, and not lose it amidst the bounty of distractions that Albion offers.
#review
We want to be king, do we not? We want, at least, to try it, to reign wise and strong, loved, perhaps, or feared. Fable III is the video game that could let you learn which kind of ruler you might be. At least, that was the plan. More »
Listen, you guys need to start getting okay with the fact that, pretty soon, you're going to have to proposition your Xbox Live friends if you want to get all the 'Cheevos tucked away in Fable 3. We suggest watching this dev diary to learn the proper etiquette when making said awkward proposal.
Microsoft has released free DLC for Fable 3 on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The content includes two weapons: a war hammer (the "Bloodstone Bludgeon") and a rifle ("Gusket's Musket"). Neither will be immediately available; they're added to your "gift queue" and be unlocked as the game progresses.
#xbox360
Two of the guys behind Fable III celebrate the eve of Fable III's North American release by showing us how players can marry each other through the game's online co-op. But they censor the sex. Voila! A a baby appears. More »
Microsoft is trumpeting the fact that its UK-only mobile phone game, Fable 3: Kingmaker, has amassed some 60,000 loyal subjects users. The app uses geolocation to let players fight over virtual territory in real-world London in exchange for gold in Fable 3 on Xbox 360, which launches in the territory on October 29th. Players "plant flags" at specific locations, and Microsoft says that one million have been planted since Kingmaker's release on October 1st.
Not surprisingly, a Windows Phone 7 version of the game has been confirmed as hitting "later this holiday" -- again, in the UK only.
