Report suggests Playground Games are gearing up for a new Fable

---

According to Eurogamer, the Forza Horizon developer has been tasked with creating the next instalment in Microsoft's flagship RPG series.

---

by Chris Brand

@pass_controller

---

Their unnamed sources claim that the next Fable will be "a story and character-focussed open-world action RPG" and that significant investment in its development is planned, with 200 people set to work on the title at Playground's second office in Leamington Spa.

Apparently it's very early days and Playground are still in the process of hiring, so it could be a long way off.

In 2016, Microsoft canned Fable Legends, a free-to-play asymmetric multiplayer title, and closed Fable developer Lionhead Studios. Since then, the series has been on hiatus and its future was unclear.

Eurogamer suggest that the series' revival could have been partly inspired by the success of the PS4 exclusive, Horizon Zero Dawn, showing there's still a large market for single-player, open-world RPGs.

Former Lionhead employees are said to be excited by the news, albeit saddened by the fact that they didn't get the chance to bring Fable 4 to life themselves.

Fable co-creator, Simon Carter, told Eurogamer:

"I have slightly mixed feelings. 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. Fable is a weird game, and a tough one to deconstruct for a new team. That said, the team in question is very talented, and I'm sure they'll do a fantastic job."

How do you feel about the report? Do you think Playground Games can do Fable justice? Let us know below or over in the forums.

COMMENT ON THE FORUMS