‘Multiple buyers’ reportedly wanted to purchase Lionhead – but Microsoft wouldn’t let Fable go

A number of companies attempted to purchase Lionhead Studios before the iconic British developer was closed by Microsoft last month, it has been claimed.

Several sources told Kotaku that there were ‘multiple’ companies who registered their interest in buying the Fable, Black & White and The Movies developer during its consultation period.

Among these anonymous bidders were allegedly “some of the biggest names in video game publishing”, with discussions progressing to the point where letters of intent were filed.

Alas, it wasn’t to be; a source ‘close to Xbox’ said that “90 per cent of the people interested” walked away once Microsoft made it clear that it didn’t want to relinquish control of the Fable IP.

As Kotaku points out, any potential new owner of Lionhead would’ve had to license the Fable IP to make a new game in the series if the franchise wasn’t included as part of the deal – at a potentially significant cost.