Xbox Addict

Next Fable Should ’Amaze’ Gamers

Lionhead boss (and BAFTA Fellow) Peter Molyneux has admitted that Fable 3 couldn’t compete with the industry’s best on a technological level - but pledged that the franchise’s next instalment should "amaze" its audience.

Speaking in an interview looking back over his 27 years in games, Molyneux said he personally took review scores of Fable 3 to heart.

The game has accrued a very healthy average Metacritic of 80 - but it’s a score which is nine points behind its predecessor.

"I totally blame myself, not anyone upstairs, who all did a wonderful job," he said. "[After Fable 2’s reception] my expectations were sky high. The planning was the problem. We had to look at the process."

He added: "I think we took Fable 3 and realised it wasn’t quite up-to-date with [the best modern games] and that we need to go forward. But the great thing about Fable is there’s nothing quite like it out there. There’s nothing wrong with FPS games, but they are what they are - their currency is what they blow up. Our currency is this beautiful charming dramatic world that has different things in it every day."

When asked what he wanted to achieve with his next Fable game, he added: "I have a very clear idea where Fable will go in the future. Trying to be diplomatic, I think that whatever we do next with Fable, we should just amaze people with the quality.

"If we go on, we’re not just going to make another Fable, we’re going to make something that stands head and shoulders up with anybody else out there - the best of the best - in terms of its technology, its drama and its storytelling."

Molyneux was inaugurated into the BAFTA Fellowship on Wednesday evening. In an emotional speech, he thanked his colleagues, publishing partners, family and the press.