Fable III has "huge decision" at start

By Robert Purchese Published 1 October, 2010

Equal to one at end of Fable II.

Peter Molyneux has revealed that there will be a "huge decision" to make at the beginning of Fable III.

How big? As big as the one you made at the end of Fable II.

"Within the first 10 minutes we give you what we thing is an equally big decision at the start of Fable III," Molyneux told a Eurogamer Expo 2010 audience this morning.

"We're doing that because we want to establish your character. If we make you care about something we can also make you hate something that you care about."

Molyneux said the decision comes early on because in Fable II fans were outraged at making a tough choice at the end. Incidentally, if you didn't finish that second instalment in the series, Molyneux probably doesn't like you.

"It's like stabbing me in the heart," he bled. "It's the worst thing you could do. I'm going to commit suicide up here on the stage."

Still, Fable II fans' fury couldn't match that of Fable 1 fans, who were crushed by Molyneux's unfulfilled promise of planting an acorn in the game and watching it grow into a tree. "I still don't understand why people were so excited about that," he said.

Lionhead's third instalment in the series should finally answer some lingering questions. "Did Theresa cause the spire to be built?" teased Molyneux. "We had lots of conversations about if maybe Teresa had killed [Lucien].

"Had Teresa killed the wife and daughter to motivate him to build the spire? That's an interesting question that we haven't completely answered yet."

He's also nestled "a huge plot twist in when you become King".

Peter Molyneux went on to talk about the various influences to the Fable series over the years. Among them were tales like Robin Hood and Oliver Twist, as well as films Perfume, Mad Max 2 (the dog) and Kill Bill.

There was even a live swordfight on stage at one point.

Looking back, Molyneux said he'd learned not to deliver passionate statements about games because they build hype to a level he can never fulfil.

"'Fable is going to be the greatest role-playing game of all time.' Probably the worst thing I've said in my entire life," rued Molyneux. "I got into an awful lot of trouble."

Nevertheless, he's confident about Fable III, which will be "undoubtedly the best Fable there has ever been. You're going to be totally blown away by the pace, the story, the surprises, the new levelling up system, the new cast," Molyneux promised, passionately.

Fable III will be released on 29th October on Xbox 360, and a bit later on PC. We interviewed Peter Molyneux ahead of his talk today to find out about his son Lucas' internet video sensation and much more.

Look at the talent in that.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (70) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • MysteryLamb #1 2 years ago

    Daddy or chips?

  • Waffleaber #2 2 years ago

    Are you a boy or a girl?

  • karooo #3 2 years ago

    Is it necessary to spoil this?

  • Toothball #4 2 years ago

    I've not finished Fable 2 yet. Still working on it though.

  • kinky_mong #5 2 years ago

    Is this so people are actually forced to play the game all the way through multiple times for achievements rather than just switching the console off and reloading the save near the end of the game?

  • Diogo_Ribeiro #6 2 years ago

    Let me guess: it asks you if you want to fart or slaughter? Then for the next 5 hours you're either in a goody goody or baddy baddy path, then the end boss is preceded by a guy saying "LOL J/K", who will prompt you for a way to undo the initial choice, then followed by another "Yes/No" end fight.

  • RealityCheque #7 2 years ago

    I am getting seriously sick of this guy. Just fuck off and make games that live up to your hype, not more of the same please.

  • darkmorgado #8 2 years ago

    Would you like to plant this acorn?

  • Toothball #9 2 years ago

    Hmm, the Fable 3 phone game seems to feature something to do with some Rebels and some Royals. That's probably your decision there.

  • beckyh #10 2 years ago

    I have heard these ducks fart before. Is this going to be a good versus evil thing?

  • coolbritannia #11 2 years ago

    Sniper, you're a bit militant, but overall, I agree. How Molyneux can think he's breaking new ground with this average adventure game is beyond me. The decision at the end of Fable II was rubbish, because the game suffered from a fundamentally flawed narrative. I didn't care what happened to any of the characters.

  • andywilkie35 #12 2 years ago

    Spit or Swallow?

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #13 2 years ago

    I thought the decision at the end of fable 3 was rubbish and a cop out, what was the point in being evil or good through out the entire game when it bore no relevance to what you decided to do at the very end. on the whole i loved fable 2 but how the game ended was one of the biggest disappointments ive ever felt when finishing a game.
    Edited by GamesProgrammer at 01/10/10 @ 15:15

  • Gromit #14 2 years ago

    Where to trade it in?

  • tachometer #15 2 years ago

    The biggest decision for me in an RPG is choosing a name for my character, I think I spent an hour on the naming screen for KOTOR and I always seem to regret what I've come up with afterwards.

  • NimbusTLD #16 2 years ago

    To buy or not to buy?

  • SClaw #17 2 years ago

    Making a big choice in the first ten minutes when I have 0 connection to my character, the world or anything else? Hell, it's only been ten minutes... I'll just restart a few times to try the others out before I pick one I like. Not to be a negative nelly but that's not exactly exciting. Plus in II the only real choice was the one that got your dog back - you certainly didn't need the money one by that point.

    "I'm going to commit suicide up here on the stage." Go ahead. Please.

    "Did Theresa cause the spire to be built?" Been so long I'd actually forgotten who that was. Emotional impact 0.

    But hey, at least he's talking about his own game for a change. Finally.

  • Moonprince #18 2 years ago

    With no emotional investment that early on, its won't really make that much impact on the player will it...

  • Scimarad #19 2 years ago

    I do like Fable 2 but the choice at the end was the biggest load of crap going - Why not just say "I wish everyone that was killed because of Lucien's evil plans was resurrected"? That would cover two of the supposed moral choices...

    And how come the daft hero never once questions Theresa despite how blatantly manipulative she is? You seem to have a lot of choice about inconsequential things but bugger all about the big stuff.

  • Darren #20 2 years ago

    "Do you want to play this game on the Xbox 360 or PC?"

    Is that the choice you have to make? ;)

  • jonsaan #21 2 years ago

    SHUT UP WITH YOUR TITBIT SPOILERS!

  • Darren #22 2 years ago

    Molyneux said the decision comes early on because in Fable II fans were outraged at making a tough choice at the end. Incidentally, if you didn't finish that second instalment in the series, Molyneux probably doesn't like you.

    "It's like stabbing me in the heart," he bled. "It's the worst thing you could do. I'm going to commit suicide up here on the stage."

    Well if you'd made Fable 2 interesting from start to finish like Fallout 3 or Mass Effect 2 were for example then maybe I might have completed it. :p

  • sneetch #23 2 years ago

    @Darren
    Well if you'd made Fable 2 interesting from start to finish like Fallout 3 or Mass Effect 2 were for example then maybe I might have completed it. :p

    Odd, I finished and loved Fable 2 but couldn't be arsed with Fallout 3: I only just about got out of the vault and through the first town before I completely lost interest, one of those games I said I'd get back to but never did (like GTA IV)... guess different people just find different things interesting. :)

  • Vanmunt #24 2 years ago

    umm big decision at the end of fable2, I thought you didn't get a choice which button to press to finish the last boss.

  • man.the.king #25 2 years ago

    What shoes to wear?

  • man.the.king #26 2 years ago

    @GamesProgrammer

    "I thought the decision at the end of fable 3 was rubbish and a cop out"

    Have you played it already? What is the "huge decision" at the start? ;)

  • Bigglesworth #27 2 years ago

    "Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
    Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
    But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, oh
    I'm gonna keep my baby, mmm..."

  • miiiguel #28 2 years ago

    So let me try to understand the outraged comments about PM being too vocal.
    Hmmm, he was invited to Developer Session on *Eurogamer* Expo and talked about his work.

    I have to give it to you guys, realy, how dare thee... outrageous indeed!

  • SClaw #29 2 years ago

    Hang on... there was a big choice at the start of II. You could either turn that one part of town into hookerville or more-of-the-same... er... ville. The choice at the end of II wasn't much more significant than that.

  • geeza2020 #30 2 years ago

    I'm always surprised at just how much hate comes pouring from peoples fingertips whenever Molyneux starts talking about his games. It's coming up to release date, and there's a certain Expo on this weekend, of course he is going to be hyping his game. It's what he does.

    I understand that he overhypes sometimes, but so do most designers. You always have the choice to just not play them. Molyneux won't come round your house and punch you in the face if you don't buy fable 3. Personally, I am still interested to know how Fable 3 turns out, but I will be waiting for reviews before i buy it.

    But I guess my point (if i have one) is if you don't like his games, that's fine, just stop going on about it.

  • scottycam #31 2 years ago

    I can't even remember what the final decision was in Fable 2. Its that memorable.

    I'm sure Mass Effect is quaking in its boots as the decision wars continue.

  • TopKatt #32 2 years ago

    "Right, I'm turning this shit off. So, Gears of War3 of Mass Effect 3?"

  • Trinod #33 2 years ago

    Another day, another bunch of Peter fluffers

  • Empedocles #34 2 years ago

    Well I like good, but I like evil, hmmmm but which is better, there only one way to find out.... FIGHT!

  • Darren #35 2 years ago

    @sneetch - I have Fable III pre-ordered for the PC but I was honestly disappointed with both the original Fable and the 360 sequel as neither delivered what was promised all those years ago when it was known as Project Ego. I'm willing to give the series another try though... third time lucky and all that.

  • LazyNinjaUk #36 2 years ago

    I thought I'd play the honourable hero and choose to resurrect all the fallen people of Albion, except my dog and sister at the end of Fable 2. Imagine my disappointment when I found out this wasn't very rewarding, so I say sod the people of Albion I won't my fucking dog back.

  • man.the.king #37 2 years ago

    @geeza2020

    "But I guess my point (if i have one) is if you don't like his games, that's fine, just stop going on about it. "

    I think you are wrong.

    Just as people have the right to express their enthusiasm about something in these threads, they have an equal right to express their disdain. Both enthusiasm and disdain do imply a genuine interest in the topic.

    Now lack of interest - that's another thing. If someone is genuinely not interested, then they wouldn't feel the need to post at all.

  • ronuds #38 2 years ago

    @man.the.king

    That's the thing - these people have no interest yet think we want to hear their opinion anyway.

    Comments like, "I'm sick of Molyneux."

    Who cares what you're sick of.

    Or, "Fable II was crap, even though I never played it."

    Who cares again.

    What these people should really be saying is: "I'm a pathetic waste of everybody's time."

    That seems to be more fitting. :D

  • Daryoon #39 2 years ago

    I've not played past the first game... So the "groundbreaking moral choice system" is still "good option"/"evil option"? The original Megami Tensei *ON THE NES* had more depth than that!!

  • darkmorgado #40 2 years ago

    So the "groundbreaking moral choice system" is still "good option"/"evil option"?

    The best morality system in any game, ever, was the Witcher, imho.

  • TopKatt #41 2 years ago

    If the only posts allowed on EG were positive ones, the site would get very boring, very quickly.

  • onyx_elite #42 2 years ago

    I just want to fill a whole town's worth of houses with increasingly nice furniture again.

  • onyx_elite #43 2 years ago

    Which way do you want to go? Up or Down? Well I guess as it's the way I'm headed I'll choose down. She chose down? She chose down! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!
    Edited by onyx_elite at 01/10/10 @ 20:05

  • miiiguel #44 2 years ago

    Both enthusiasm and disdain do imply a genuine interest in the topic.

    English is not my native language but I realy thought disdain meant not worthy of atention/notice. Maybe hate would be more apropriate ?

  • hiddenranbir #45 2 years ago

    "Fable II fans were outraged at making a tough choice at the end."

    Why?!

    Normally in stories, the toughest choice for a hero usually DOES come at the end. Tsk.
    Edited by hiddenranbir at 01/10/10 @ 18:14

  • mowgli #46 2 years ago

    I'll be choosing the path that leads to forgetting about this over hyped shite until it comes down in price.

  • ronuds #47 2 years ago

    @hiddenranbir

    I think he's talking about the whole dog thing! That ticked people off.

  • smelly #48 2 years ago

    FIVE Molyneux updates on the front page?!?!

    WOWZERS!!

    Why not just rename the site "molyneux gamer"?

  • evilrobot #49 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 22:12:53 08-05-2012

  • StooMonster #50 2 years ago

    I had the final decision up on the screen and Mrs StooMonster walked in ... she insisted that I select her choice, otherwise she would think I was horrible.

    Meep! Wish I could go back and change it when she wasn't looking. :)

  • smelly #51 2 years ago

    "Fable II fans were outraged at making a tough choice at the end."

    No, i was outraged that it autosaved after that choice so i couldnt change it, and was therefor unable to get all the acheivements without restarting.

    And i wasnt about ot do that, as it was shit.

  • Xardan #52 2 years ago

    If you are British and have not already pre-ordered this game then you should have your citenzenship revoked.

  • ronuds #53 2 years ago

    If you thought the game was shit, why were you outraged because of how it ended? I'm surprised someone who thought a game was shit would even play it to the end.

  • man.the.king #54 2 years ago

    @miiiguel

    "English is not my native language but I realy thought disdain meant not worthy of atention/notice. Maybe hate would be more apropriate ? "

    Disdain also means contempt (although I admit, indifference is one possible synonym as well). Contempt born of actual experience is, in my opinion, a valid reason to post your opinion.

    If someone does not have any actual experience of playing the game, or does not have any interest in it, and they are still posting critical stuff about it, then that's just trolling.

  • coolbritannia #55 2 years ago

    Xardan, what? We're meant to buy shite as long as it's British? Rare will be pleased.....

  • man.the.king #56 2 years ago

    @ronuds

    "That's the thing - these people have no interest yet think we want to hear their opinion anyway. "

    True - but sometimes it's hard to verify whether a person's critical outlook towards a game comes from actual experience (and thus disdain) or whether that person is just trolling.

    Take me, for instance. I did not much like Fable 2, and felt disillusioned after all the hype. Especially as, in my eagerness, I had shelled out good money for the Collector's Ed, complete with the Master Chief armor. My experience with 2 has led me to be wary of PM's games, but not to the point where I have completely lost interest.

    I'm still interested, just cautious.

  • ShiroBen #57 2 years ago

    'Still, Fable II fans' fury couldn't match that of Fable 1 fans, who were crushed by Molyneux's unfulfilled promise of planting an acorn in the game and watching it grow into a tree. "I still don't understand why people were so excited about that," he said. '

    That is why you fail.

    Say it with me, people: DON'T MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN'T KEEP.

  • Pirotic #58 2 years ago

    Knowing Molyneux this "huge decision" is probably picking between a red hat with a feather, or a blue hat with a ribbon.

  • ronuds #59 2 years ago

    @man.the.king

    Yeah, but you seem to be equating your liking for a game with whether or not a game is actually any good. I don't like Fallout 3 very much, but I'd be foolish to say it wasn't a good game.

    Should I be upset with Bethesda that it isn't exactly what I thought it would be? That's my own fault. Even Fable II wasn't "exactly what I thought it would be," but I loved it all the same. It's my favourite of this generation - and I've heard a lot of people say the same. Shirley it can't be all that bad then - there aren't many games people talk about like that!

  • Lord_Gremlin #60 2 years ago

    Right... To save the hen or to abandon it? You know, the hen from the intro.

  • Sevens #61 2 years ago

    Fable's - the series - "complex moral decisions" or "character interaction/development" really shouldn't be used to advertise it.

  • Moribundman #62 2 years ago

    peter molyneux is a fairly theatrical gentleman.

    he lures me to the park with his sweets.

    and then some of them are sour. those make me proper hurl peter.

    (I am available as a script advisor if you ever get Milo off his knees again.

    His knees which are on the ground.)

  • kaya08 #63 2 years ago

    "Fable II fans were outraged at making a tough choice at the end."

    It wasn't a tough choice - Money was worthless, no one could possibly want more idiotic nonentities, which left a useful gameplay mechanic. Anyone who picked anything other than the dog seems to have regreted their choice (except those who didn't give a rats ass about the dog making 3 worthless, pointless inconsequential choices).

    Fable II fans were outraged at the patethic excuse for an ending. Patethic excuse for a story and generally patethic excuse for a game. Was the most dissapointing game of this generation for me by a mile.

  • man.the.king #64 2 years ago

    @ronuds

    "Yeah, but you seem to be equating your liking for a game with whether or not a game is actually any good."

    Maybe, but tell me - what independent authority is it that marks a game "good"?

    What's good for the goose is not always good for the gander - one person may love a game, another may hate it and a third may simply think of it as average or below-average.

    You are thinking as if a game's quality is some sort of objectively-reached judgment, when that simply isn't the case. So a revered game may be "no good" in another's eyes.

    Here's an exercise for you: Say you go see a critically acclaimed movie, don't like it much, and after you leave the Cinema and get together with your mates, do you say "Yes the movie was good but I didn't like it" or do you say "it sucked".

    Be honest.

    What I'm trying to say is, it's all about perspective.

  • smelly #65 2 years ago

    So I take from all the negatives that im getting that most of you have bought into the hype of the many many updates a week, and 6 or 7 updates in a single day then?

    I guess that shows it works!

    Good show peter/microsoft!! Turns out people are actually blind to your blatent marketing! I applaud you!! Wish i could sell my stuff to dumb consumers even half as well!

    I look forwards to the inevitable 10/10 EG review - aftterall you HAD to get your moneys worth didnt you?

  • QPRHOOPS81 #66 2 years ago

    so this is coming out on pc, get in. Liked the look of it at the expo but only have a ps3 and a pc. I thought it was meant to be an exclusive?

  • yoomazir #67 2 years ago

    wow, watched the video, holy crap, they've got fucking Ben "ghandi" Kingsley as a voice actor, now that's epic!

  • hiddenranbir #68 2 years ago

    "I think he's talking about the whole dog thing! That ticked people off."

    But that was an amazing choice. Since when has a game that boasts "choices" really given options which require real sacrifice, over some mundane +/- factor to a morality bar?

    More choices like this should be in games. And if it pisses off achievement junkies that go just reload and do every branch for the sake of it, the better!

  • metalangel #69 2 years ago

    @cool_britannia: Alas, have you seen the comments on this site? Unless you tongue the cock of Lionhead, Rare, Codemasters and anyone else BECAUSE THEY'RE BRITISH (as that is just about all they have going for them, if that even counts as an advantage) you're flamed and negged into next week.

    Revoke my citizenship then. If you genuinely believe they are the pinnacle of gaming still then I'd like to leave before you sink these islands under a mass of stupidity and chavs.

  • man.the.king #70 2 years ago

    @yoomazir

    "wow, watched the video, holy crap, they've got fucking Ben "ghandi" Kingsley as a voice actor, now that's epic! "

    BTW, it's Gandhi, not Ghandi :)