MS doing more Fable, Halo, Gears, Forza

By Robert Purchese Published 22 March, 2011

Has other "surprises" for E3.

Panic ye not, for Microsoft shall make more Fable and more Halo and more Forza and more Gears of War.

Forza 4 and Gears of War 3 arrive this autumn - we know that. But we've not had confirmation of a new Fable or Halo game. The last we heard about Fable was Lionhead surveying fans about which of the series' features they're fondest of. Suspicious.

Halo, meanwhile, could make a comeback via a Halo 1 remake at the hands of TimeShift developer Sabre Interactive. That's one of two projects rumoured to be under way at MS internal studio 343 Industries.

"We've got such strong IP in our stable – with Forza, with Fable, with Halo, with Gears – that we're going to continue to build on and innovate on those," Kevin Unangst, senior director of PC and mobile gaming at Microsoft, told Gamasutra.

"You're going to see us do more with Forza, with Halo, with Fable; all the franchises," he reiterated. "But we're also, of course, looking to bring in new IP, looking to bring new things. As a first-party studio, our job is also to experiment, also to lead the way, set the example... things like the integration between Kinect and the phone."

"Where it makes sense we'll bring in new IP. And there's things we're talking about so far and there's things that we haven't talked about."

Unangst said that Microsoft's revealed autumn line-up is not "the sum total" of what Xbox 360 will offer in 2011.

He name-dropped Forza 4 and Kinect Star Wars as games that exist that "we're not yet talking about". "That and some other surprises I'm sure you'll see and hear from us at E3 about," said Unangst.

Kinect Star Wars: Obi still my beating heart.

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 (66) Latest comment 1 year ago

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

  • chris_ace #1 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • Skooch #2 1 year ago

    More Kinect titles please!

  • bdc #3 1 year ago

    GoW IS a Microsoft IP actually.

    It's made by Epic, but the franchise is Microsoft-ran.

  • Stomp224 #4 1 year ago

    Yeah, go Microsoft! Beat those no risk, dead horses!

  • Wilester #5 1 year ago

    @bdc

    The Gears of War IP isn't owned by Microsoft.

  • jtourettes #6 1 year ago

    Would love some new IP for my 360. The lineup is looking kind of sparse on the exclusive front this year.

  • StolenGlory #7 1 year ago

    "gears of war isn't a microsoft IP"

    Yes it is.

  • midnight_walker #8 1 year ago

    Is it just me that thinks those franchises are a bit long in the tooth now? Fable III was significantly worse than the first 2, Gears 2 was alright, but no different to Gears 1. Halo's been done to death and was never all that in the first place (IMO), and Forza... eh.

    New IP please Microsoft, Sony is currently giving you an absolute smashing on the exclusives front.

  • SergeantMajorFury #9 1 year ago

    OH NO IT ISN'T!

    /He's behind you
    Edited by SergeantMajorFury at 22/03/11 @ 16:21

  • matrim83 #10 1 year ago

    " to lead the way, set the example... things like the integration between Kinect and the phone."

    Wrong dipshit! No one cares about that.

  • altitude2k #11 1 year ago

    Big fan of the 360 and Gears, and I can tell you that the Gears of War IP is wholly owned by Epic.

  • LetsGo #12 1 year ago

    Haha. The guy doesn't even know his own IPs.

    Gears is NOT owned by MS, they just have an excluive agreement for a certain number of Gears games.

  • dpb135 #13 1 year ago

    Its owned by Epic

    http://www.vg247.com/2010/03/15/rein-epi...

  • Spydy #14 1 year ago

    Gears Trilogy on PS3 please, Epic.

  • J0rdan_KZ #15 1 year ago

    Hey Microsoft, you know... I love you guys but seriously, can we PLEASE have something new? Please? You know, a new IP. It doesn't need to sell gang busters, even though you seem to think it does. Just please, something fresh! :D

  • homerramone #16 1 year ago

    bring out forza 3 with the tippexed out and a 4 drawn in over tjhe top adding an inappropriate control method (kinect) does not constitute 'doing more with' !

  • chris_ace #17 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • LazyNinjaUk #18 1 year ago

    Bring back Jade Empire maybe?

  • CaptainQuint #19 1 year ago

    More Halo?!

    Does a grunt shit in the woods?

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #20 1 year ago

    I AM SURPRISED.

  • sarcasmoidosis #21 1 year ago

    "senior director of PC and mobile gaming at Microsoft"

    Why's he talking about Gears, Halo and Forza? Why is he talking actually? Why do they have a PC department?...

    So many questions.

  • frunk #22 1 year ago

    I agree with matrim83... the phrase "also to lead the way, set the example... things like the integration between Kinect and the phone."

    Fills me with dread... so to enjoy this game you need a 360, Kinect and a Microsoft Phone to "get the experience".

    Sigh... get yer finger out MS... we need some good new IP to satisfy the "core gamer" and some fecking FUN Kinect titles to make use of that dust magnet you sold me!

  • Peew971 #23 1 year ago

    Don't get too excited, he meant new Kinect IP. Bastard.

  • Fleisch #24 1 year ago

    Microsoft need to buy the rights to Mirrors Edge 2 as EA turned them down...come on do it for the good of the universe! Also, make a proper banjo-kazooie game!

  • StriderRex #25 1 year ago

    ' our job is also to experiment, also to lead the way, set the example' : MS only a few years back

    'things like the integration between Kinect and the phone' : MS now

    The thing that bug me most isnt the fact that there will undoubtedly be loads of new Kinect titles at E3, its a great little device, dont have one of my own but played my friend and actually had a good laugh on it with Kinect Sports/Adventures, but the fact that there will probably be sod all announced for the core gamers except yet more sequels.
    Dont get me wrong, Im as guilty as the next person for wanting sequels to games I like but this is really annoying me now, it seems MS are content to keep gamers like me happy with endless sequels to safe proven franchises while all the exciting new stuff is going on Kinect.

    Note to MS, remember when Xbox 360 first launched waaaay back in Dec 2005?
    How it sold pretty damn well and became quite a bit successful?
    Yeah well I and all the other gamers who bought it are still here and would like some new, exclusive non-Kinect games!!
    I mean you have a great developer like Peter Molyneux at Lionhead and it seems all he is allowed to do is create sequels to a game that came out in 2004?
    Where is the sense in that, I bought Fable III yesterday, really enjoying it, have the other two, loved them, but I want to see what else he can do, it still bugs me knowing they cancelled BC on the Xbox and seemingly abandoned it, looked very cool and even now very different to any other game out there.

    Still, Im keeping my hopes up there are going to be some big suprises at E3, cmon MS!!!

  • GamesConnoisseur #26 1 year ago

    Jade Empire would be great but thats BioWare innit? MS needs more exclusives to keep up with the Jonesys, Nintendo and Sony got bunches and bunches.

    MS did good the first four years but wearing thins and relying on the multi platform route aint gonna do the trick in the long run, it may seem a safe bet in short term.... Financially.

  • evild_edd #27 1 year ago

    This guy should really think of changing his surname to Calm. Much easier on the tongue.....

  • MadCaddy13 #28 1 year ago

    I would like to see a Mario game on the 360, I'm shocked that he hasn't made an appearance.

  • evild_edd #29 1 year ago

    I do notice that Alan wake wasn't listed, which doesn't bode well. Shame as I personally enjoyed the title and think there's a good sequel in there somewhere.....

    Though I'm not totally against seeing more of these series, agree 100% that we need some new IP in there to mix things up a little. Gears 2 left me cold, so 3 will need to really be sh*t hot to get a day 1 purchase. Forza has never been my bag (prefer arcade racers).

    That really leaves Halo and Fable as 360 exclusive franchises I'm keen on. halo does keep delivering the goods (Reach is truly excellent - love it to bits), and I have Fable 3 waiting for me once I have clocked a couple of others in the back catalogue.

    Would like to see some more new, original, exclusive IPs please MS (in addition to the excellent publishing work you've been doing on XBLA, of course).

  • kinky_mong #30 1 year ago

    The only series out of those lot I care about is Halo and I've had my fill of that for the time being with two games in the last two years.

    Some new IP's please Microsoft, and that does not mean Kinect only stuff.

  • Peter_LIAR_Molyneux #31 1 year ago

    How about a REAL Crackdown sequel? One that isn't limited to 9 months of total development time and still being charged full price for. Put out a fully fleshed out sequel to Crackdown and it will sell. No more of this full priced reskin rush jobs though.

  • Ror1984 #32 1 year ago

    "Does a grunt shit in the woods?"

    I don't know, but he takes nourishment from a food nipple.

  • BillyBrush #33 1 year ago

    Your MC - We'll have some 'surprises' in store for you in June!

    Audience - How come they've not announced anything new...oi

    Your MC - I am telling you explicitly there are surprises in store, in June!

    Audience - There's nothing new

    Your MC - Yes, but it's up my sleeve see!

    Audience - I don't understand what you mean by sleeves, like a t shirt?

    Your MC - Look,for now you just assume that there's nothing and we'll surprise you in June mmmmkayy?

    Audience - They just announced that they have nothing new

    Your MC - Well technically we just didn't announce anything, but Ok, you assume that, and i'll surprise ya...OK?

    Audience - This guy's a joker

    Your MC....Ok, that went well.




    Edited by BillyBrush at 22/03/11 @ 17:49

  • beastmaster #34 1 year ago

    /deep sigh

    Well, at least the multi-platform games this year have got some absolute corkers and I expect XBLA to contain some real gems.

  • metallicorphan #35 1 year ago

    i am happy about these games carrying on,but would still like more and more new IPs/exclusives for the 360 please

  • Distributor #36 1 year ago

    Microsoft will be "100% third party titles only" in one years time.

  • TRUTH #37 1 year ago

    Fable 2 & 3 were absolute crap! (If you want a decent rpg/adventure I suggest checking Divinity II:Dragon King Saga and Two Worlds II - both out class Fable in all areas). Halo is getting to predictable and looks the same and even feels recycled (Even Halo Reach was no major leap from 2 & 3).

    Fable and Halo have done nothing new, just recycled most elements and then released as full price games. Both either need to be put to rest or a total rebuild - I not even bothered about Fable any-more. PM advertising will not work or be trusted any more!

  • evild_edd #38 1 year ago

    @TRUTH

    Oh the irony of your name. You speak lies.

    Two Worlds II outclassing Fable in all areas!?!? Really? Do fuck off. The fact that "I not even bothered about Fable any-more"....hmmmm, so you're comparing TWII with what? The original Fable? Even if you were, your comment would still be false.

    As for Halo, it's a series and you can't expect every title to reinvent the genre. But here's a summary for you:

    Halo - pretty much changed FPS genre for ever. 2 weapon system, AI set-up for emergent play (series is still the best at this), FPS on consoles work!!!, health regeneration, production quality, etc.....

    Halo 2 - online MP on consoles taken to a new level. Bench mark raised and never bettered until....

    Halo 3 - Introduced the file sharing aspect to the series, Forge mode, and brought the series in to HD. Again raised the MP console bar impossibly high

    Halo 3ODST - showed a different take on the story telling. Introduced Firefight mode.

    Reach - This was a love letter to the series. Bungie's farewell to the franchise and the fans. Perfection of everything that's come before and, again raising the bar for console FPS titles on all fronts.

    I don't really think you could ask for much more from Halo IMHO. Short of it becomming a completely different game.

    That said: I'd still like more original IPs please :0)

  • Noble6 #39 1 year ago

    Gears of war is published by Microsoft, idiots. They own it.
    Edited by Noble6 at 22/03/11 @ 19:01

  • Lord-Nicon #40 1 year ago

    Microsoft should start thinking on new IP's, they cant depend only on games that their developers went multi, except for lionhead and turn 10, and im pretty sure that the "surprises" when it comes to fable and gears of war are 5 DLC's for each.

    WE WANT NEW GAMES PEOPLE!!!! LEAVE KINECT FOR WHILE AND START FOCUSING ON THE CONSOLE!!

  • mossychops001 #41 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 11:49:27 04-05-2012

  • wattsn26 #42 1 year ago

    They've kept doing the same three IPs for the past decade while Sony has been either reinvigorating their previous franchises or creating new ones (Resistance, Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet, Demon Souls, Heavy Rain, etc.) I'll believe it when I see it Microsoft...

  • matpsp #43 1 year ago

    Oh drear Microsoft, oh dear.

  • metalangel #44 1 year ago

    Fable can fuck off. I hope the next iteration is some sappy, downright appalling Kinect-only shitfest where you have easy fights with comedy bandits in between striking poses to fart in front of townsfolk and dig holes as indicated by your fucking dog. It'd be a fitting successor to the series and just what the fans deserve.

    Halo 1 and 2 redone in the Reach engine would be great.

    Another Forza... not sure. Forza 3 didn't resonate with me quite as much as 2 did. Some of the new tracks were terrible.

    @mossychops: They are working on bringing the franchise back, in the form of 'Flight'... http://www.microsoftflight.com/

  • coldfoot #45 1 year ago

    What it means:

    MS working on Halo: Kinect, Fable Mobile for WP7, Gears Kinect and Forza Mobile for WP7.

  • Apaar #46 1 year ago

    With their current lineup I would avoid trying to make any further IPs for the mainstream. They should pinpoint more of their stuff for different types of fandom. Hardcore RPG fans, hardcore strategy fans, hardcore shooter-sim fans, point and click fans, etc. This would be doubly important if they indeed intend to reclaim their share of the PC market.

    Yes, you won't make the same money from each of those games as you would from a new Halo title, but it would be a sign of real artistic ambition and passion for gaming in general. That is what an 'example-setter' does. On the Sony side of things there are inspired/odd/quirky/artful/exciting exclusives like Heavy Rain, Last Guardian, Ni no Kuni, Afrika, Disgaea 3, Folklore, Yakuza-series, Valkyria Chronicles and Demon's Souls, etc. Mostly Japanese stuff, I should note.

  • TRUTH #47 1 year ago

    evild_edd
    Two Worlds 2 is actually a surprise esp 8hrs inn - the game really opens up. Yes it has glitchs and a rough edges - but if you read the many and varied (some unfair) mixed reviews it is a Rpg - and a bit more hardcore, most rpg/adv gamers enjoy it. Much better then Fable simplistic gameplay and unlike Fable with it's follow simple game play and leads you by the hand at every samey quests. PM himself said Fable 2 & 3 were overhyped in all areas!

    Halo is just recycled - MP is cool but not bothered with it. SP Looks the same, plays the same, feels the same from 1 to ODST to Reach - you are playing the SAME game!...it's so boring now as with Fable (waaaaaaaaaaaaay to bland and minimal adv/rpg)
    Edited by TRUTH at 22/03/11 @ 20:53

  • Spekingur #48 1 year ago

    E3 has generally been Microsoft's venue for "surprises" and generating excitement. Sony always seem to be rather quick this generation in saying what exciting games will be coming out but do not mention dates - the most memorable one in that area is GT5.

  • Triggerhappytel #49 1 year ago

    Jesus Christ people; Gears is not a Microsoft franchise, and if you don't believe me then go to the official website and see the small print at the bottom of the home page (it says Gears of War, Marcus Fenix and the Crimson Omen all belong to Epic Games).

    I don't know why chris ace's comment has been marked down.

  • The-Bodybuilder #50 1 year ago

    >""Where it makes sense we'll bring in new IP."

    Anyone care to explain what this means?

  • The-Bodybuilder #51 1 year ago

    BRUTE FORCE 2 PLEASE.

  • RedSparrows #52 1 year ago

    waaaa MS plan on releasing excellent games waaaa waaaaa I hate this series it'll never change waaaa waaaa OH WAIT A TITLE IN A FAR-LONGER RUNNING SERIES I LOVE IS DUE FOR RELEASE! WAAAAA

  • thesnowman #53 1 year ago

    I would really like to see some more new IP's that are not Kinect related. As much as I love Gears, Halo and Fable I would like something a bit different. I even have Kinect and that is great for me and the kids to play together, but I would like something new that I can get my teeth into when the kids are away to bed.

    However I think MS are lucky that at least for this year some of the 3rd party games coming out are awesome. Still playing DA2 (actually liking it), going to get Crysis 2, Portal 2, Gears 3, new Batman, Skyrim, L.A Noire and probably a few others so I think it will be a good year to be a gamer. What will happen at E3 is that MS will hint at a new Halo, show of Kinect star wars, sequel to kinect sports, (plus sequels to other Kinect launch games), plus a few other Kinect related bits and possibly a timed exclusive for some established franchise.

  • CaptainKid #54 1 year ago

    "But we're also, of course, looking to bring in new IP, looking to bring new things. As a first-party studio, our job is also to experiment, also to lead the way, set the example... things like the integration between Kinect and the phone."

    I'm aware of the power of sequels (name recognition and such) but this suggests they wont make an original game but on the casual crappy dance dance kinect.
    Perhaps they are aiming to keep the normal gamers happy while trying to sell the consoles (plus kinect) to the Wiitards?

  • MJHaylett #55 1 year ago

    MS making more Halo's and Forza's and Fable's and Gears well shit a brick I never saw that coming.

  • davisorle #56 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • TRUTH #57 1 year ago

    Dark Souls is the only game that interests me this year - and that's multiformat!

  • Xboxfanuk #58 1 year ago

    I would love to see Lionhead pump out sizable (like nearly Shivering Isles) DLC for Fable 3 and not even worry about a fable 4. I mean the engine is fine, the combat is fine, the online is working. Add in the fabled player trading/auction house thing that was supposed to come. Add in some multiplayer PVP. Make more places to go post king/queen.

    A couple of tiny bits of DLC and then 3 years until another game would suck.

  • Mentat_Idaho #59 1 year ago

    I would be surprised if anything new they announce at E3 (apart from possible Kinect titles) will see the light of day this year anyway. It's funny how things have changed - when I bought my first 360 there were tons more 1st party games available than on the PS3, now it's gone even further in the other direction. Since I bought my 360 slim over 6 months ago the only games I've picked up on it (apart from a few XBLA titles) are Dead Rising 2 (multiplat), Halo: Reach, and Left for Dead 2 (which was already fairly old). I thought Gears 3 was on the horizon, but then that was delayed. In the meantime, there have been absolutely loads of PS3 exclusives and my newer 360 slim is now gathering dust. What makes it worse for MS is that most multi-platform titles are now as good, or in some cases better, on the PS3. Microsoft really need to start catering to their core market again.

  • RealityCheque #60 1 year ago

    Please, no more Fable. Unless you're going to force Peter to delay the game until all the features he raves about are included.

  • SeesThroughAll #61 1 year ago

    "more surprises" = Contract with Squeenix for an exclusive FF VII remake on the 360.

    Probably.

  • deadmonkeyuk #62 1 year ago

    I have seen the future a Kinetic Gears of War dance game!


    Fable 2 got 10/10, still find that funny
    Edited by deadmonkeyuk at 23/03/11 @ 09:22

  • Inmediasress #63 1 year ago

    Well gears may not be a Microsoft owned title but Microsoft pays for Epics Gears titles so thats enough to say they do what they want with gears.

  • gandhimaster #64 1 year ago

    i love my 360 but the ip's he listed were ALL of them.

    that is quite sad and a sign that MS are very much focusing on kinect and 3rd party exclusives.

    oposite to Sony of course, so its interesting what will end up being the smarter strategy.

  • TRUTH #65 1 year ago

    Infamous 2 (though not personally interested in this), Uncharted 3, Motorstorm are looking pretty AA+ titles, but, The Last Guardian, is the most exciting exclusive to PS3 this year. This game alone is more interesting compared to most (well few!) MS exclusives. The only game that interest me on XB360 as a exclusive is Xcom.

    A majority of games are mainly multiformat that interest me more then many exclusives (esp MS exclusives)...Dark Souls, Batman AA 2, Oblivione:Skyrim (people who enjoy not lead by the hand Rpg/adventure should check Divinity II:Dragon King Saga, on XB360), Dirt 3 (less Americanism and more rally this time), Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Dungeon Siege III...all multi, all more appealing in most cases.

    Admittedly I am a bit bored with the barrage of action games on 360 and want more rpg/adventure thinking games on 360 which on both on short supply on PS3 and esp the 360. Thankfully there has been a some quality releases like: Majin - The Forsaken Kingdom (PS3/360), Divinity II:Dragon King Sage(360), Castlevania: Lord Of Shadows (PS3/360); all worth checking on both consoles, but, personally this is where Sony's console does exceed in games with more variety and can appeal to the more maturer gamer with games like: Demon's Souls, Valkyrie Chronicles, Disegia, Uncharted, LBP...with many more from Japan that are unique and different that are missing from 360.
    Edited by TRUTH at 23/03/11 @ 20:44

  • Triggerhappytel #66 1 year ago

    Inmediasress - "Well gears may not be a Microsoft owned title but Microsoft pays for Epics Gears titles so thats enough to say they do what they want with gears."

    I expect Microsoft have funded all three Gears games, but it's widely thought that only had exclusivity for three titles which would obviously end with the release at the end of the year (although a Kinect Gears game is obviously rumoured too). In terms of ownership and decision-making, the franchise wholly belongs to and is operated by Epic.