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Microsoft has announced that famous UK Fable developer Lionhead Studios is likely to close.
The platform holder announced this in a post on Xbox Wire, which also stated that development of Fable Legends has been terminated.
Furthermore, Xbox has revealed that Denmark-based Press Play Studios is also set to close, with its title Project Knoxville shutting, too.
Fable Legends was originally announced in 2013. Last year, the Xbox One and PC free-to-play title was delayed until 2016.
Lionhead was founded in 1996 by Peter Molyneux. It made classic games franchises such as the Fable and Black and White.
MCV wishes all staff involved the best of luck.
”After much consideration we have decided to cease development on Fable Legends, and are in discussions with employees about the proposed closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK,” Microsoft Studios Europe GM Hanno Lemke said.
Additionally, we will close Press Play Studios in Denmark, and sunset development on Project Knoxville.
These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly, nor are they a reflection on these development teams – we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent, creativity and commitment of the people at these studios. The Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade. Press Play imbued the industry with a unique creative spirit behind games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, which both captured passionate fans. These changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.
I speak for all of Xbox when I say that despite this news, we remain committed to the development communities in the UK and Europe, and Xbox will continue to support new IP and originality in the games we offer on our platforms, whether they’re triple-A blockbusters like Quantum Break from Remedy, adventurous new IPs like Sea of Thieves from Rare, or unique new creations from independent developers like Moon Studios with Ori.
We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.”
