Molyneux hints at Natal in Fable III

By Ellie Gibson Published 5 October, 2009

"Do you really think I wouldn't?"

Peter Molyneux has hinted that Fable III may be playable with Project Natal technology - as well as a regular controller.

"I am going to say it's going to use a controller, but I've never said it's not going to use Natal," he told Game Kings.

"Obviously, what would probably happen if I started talking about this is you would see a little red dot appear moving on my forehead. And then as I would start to speak the words then there would be a shot, gunfire, and I would be assassinated. Quite clearly it is that sensitive."

That's not going to put Molyneux off though: "Let me give this to you absolutely straight. I have not said that we're not going to have Natal in Fable III. All I have really said is it is a controller experience. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be Natal." Straight indeed.

Logic would suggest some sort of Project Natal nonsense in Fable III is inevitable, especially when you consider Lionhead is also working on standalone PN title Milo and Kate. Plus of course there's the fact Molyneux is a crazy old mad scientist who loves mucking about with new and potentially stupid ideas, as he's the first to admit.

"Do you really think, knowing me, I wouldn't want to use something like Natal?" he said. "I mean that's just mad, man."

Fable III is down for a release in 2010. To catch up with what we know so far, visit the gamepage.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (35) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • NorUraeus #1 2 years ago

    What I really think Molyneux wouldn't is miss a chance for promoting himself, just surprised he remembered to mention a game while at it.....

  • wizlon #2 2 years ago

    And while Molyneux could not confirm the presence of Natal tech in Fable III, he did say that the game will definitely, with a 100% certainty, be able to pull childhood memories straight from your mind and recreate them in game.

  • Xerx3s #3 2 years ago

    "Do you really think I wouldn't?"

    Well, kinda hoped you wouldn't but no. :/

  • Doctor_What #4 2 years ago

    An extra £100 (probably) to get the full game experience? Nah, I'd rather you didn't put Natal in there, Pete.

  • Pirotic #5 2 years ago

    Used in moderation it could be pretty cool, especially for NPC interactions. Being able to punch people in the face when they follow me around asking for a wedding ring would be a welcome addition to the series.

  • weblaus #6 2 years ago

    During gamescom he was rather adamant that Natal and Fable III didn't fit together when I talked to him.. ah well...

  • stevetuck #7 2 years ago

    He invented the dog you know :)

  • Xerx3s #8 2 years ago

    Fable used gestures to communicate with the characters... Gestures like the fart... Oh, this will be nasty.

  • waynenot #9 2 years ago

    I'd make sure the game wasn't a buggy, stuttering mess first, Pete.

  • Vanmunt #10 2 years ago

    So, you won't even need to press the green button to finish the final boss on 3 then..

  • davisorle #11 2 years ago

    Well Natal will be just added to it for those that MIGHT have Natal so I dont see why everyone is against for those that will put to your their hardware. I mean wont deny it, probably in especially a Fable title will be kinda lame to use Natal but what's wrong about it and even more, whats weird? we all expected him to be using Natal in almost all his project from now on and as long as he doesnt screw up the gameplay and just adds it as an extra feature in the title I find it a good thing. But don't get me wrong, I dont think I'll use Natal in Fable 3 unless he finds smething so interesting to add in the game that can be used with it which I find too hard to do. Nothing THAT good comes in mind indeed :S Hope he does somethign impressive at least with Milo or wtf he will also develop exclusivly for it to make Natal more tempting and worth buying.

    @Xerxes
    let the old man experiment. You never know. Probably you will whistle now to the dog and tell him off or even fart live instead of the ingame one.. If he doesnt screw with Natal who would hmm? lol

    " stupid ideas"
    Ellie, since when was Natal a stupid idea? Just too curious :)

    ill go back to slipknot now...

    @Xerxes
    lol.... We aint any better you know. We did think of the same shit if you think about it lol
    Edited by 1 at 05/10/09 @ 09:13

  • kangarootoo #12 2 years ago

    My immediate gut reaction was "I'm really not interested in what you have to say until you have something remotely tangible to show".

    This is just history repeating itself, and PM should learn that too much hype is a bad thing. Fable 1 and 2 were both good games, but not as world changing as PM always suggested. If he had just let things run their course, there would have been far less people feeling cynical about the quality of the results.

    To summarise, I am very interested in Fable 3, but I am not at all interested in the PM waffle that precedes it.

  • tachometer #13 2 years ago

    Fable II was hard enough to control with the pad, heaven knows what kind of mess Fable III is going to be!!

    It's a shame because I really liked Fable I and thought the combat was a highlight.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #14 2 years ago

    Maybe I'm on my own here, but I adore almost every single thing about Fable II, and I'm incredibly excited about Natal. Marrying the two seems obvious to me, so I'm not the least bit surprised that PM is dodging bullets by confirming it in a roundabout way.

    Adding some kind of gesture control (presumably as an option to people who have Natal already) in addition to the pad interface seems the way to go for all "conventional" games in the future, and I'm baffled by people that have an issue with it.

  • metalangel #15 2 years ago

    "Do you really think I wouldn't?"

    I never doubted it. Your games have been more about stupid gimmicks and less about being genuinely good, solid, enjoyable experiences for a very long time.

  • davisorle #16 2 years ago

    @tachometer

    Erm... You seriously found hard the controls in F2? o.O I loved Fable1 too but F2 controls were way too simple and easy..

    @Britesparc

    Couldn't agree more yet some just have issues with it cause are plain weird or cant think clear since its nothing that will affect them if they dont wanna use the damn thing. Might have a clue but I wont say it :p

    @squarejawhero
    lol dude.. :p

  • Doctor_What #17 2 years ago

    @ Britesparc : I loved F2 too, but Lionhead has a history of building detail when they should be building gameplay. PM doesn't need any more distractions. F2 was so good because of its focus (even compared to F1) and I don't want them to lose that.

  • TheBoyChris #18 2 years ago

    @metalangel - Not played Fable or Fable 2 then?

  • curtlikesmeat #19 2 years ago

    I hope not, I'm not interested in gimmicky stuff like that and it's one of the reasons I never got round to playing Twighlight Princess.

  • curtlikesmeat #20 2 years ago

    "Being able to punch people in the face when they follow me around asking for a wedding ring would be a welcome addition to the series."

    Wait. I changed my mind :p

  • rhubarbandcustard #21 2 years ago

    Finished Fable 2 last month and absolutely loved it.

    If Natal will let me chat up the transvestite sailor hookers then Fable 3 will be like having a weekend sojourn down Portsmouth way.

  • dloob #22 2 years ago

    Come on Pete you know what we want, Populous with natal control.

  • The-Bodybuilder #23 2 years ago

    I wonder how the sex in fable will now work with natal? hmmmmm.....

  • DrDamn #24 2 years ago

    @Farticus
    Yep I have a feeling Molyneux will not be able to restrain himself.

  • hiddenranbir #25 2 years ago

    lol

    God bless Peter. Industry always needs kooky ambitious nut jobs.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #26 2 years ago

    Isn't the real news that Microsoft are willing to kill to protect their technology?

    Well, only that they're willing to kill Peter Molyneux. Reputedly J Allard already tried to do that via the medium of Vodka.

    Edit: tried to find the source for that rumour, and lo! here is is on Eurogamer TV
    Edited by 1 at 05/10/09 @ 14:09

  • MeBrains #27 2 years ago

    it's a miracle!

    I actually agreed with donnie this time! O_O

  • Machiavellian #28 2 years ago

    I am thinking if you can emulate a multitouch display with gesture controls, then I am all for Natal in any game especially RPGs. I see interfaces like the Witcher and think to myself how wonderful it would be if I can bring up my inventory, drag and drop items, move then around etc if I played this game on a console.

  • Murton #29 2 years ago

    If it really is so sensitive that it would get you killed then please speak up, the games industry would indeed be a better place without another producer playing PR and making promises they can't keep (Molyneux is notorious for bigging up features that aren't even in his games, such as hair growth in the first Fable)

    Natal is an interesting piece of technology for sure, but I doubt it will have half the appeal that these industry figures are expecting it to. The regular controller is second nature to most gamers, especially those on the Xbox so why waste time and money on this "alternative controller" nonsense?

  • EmiliasHorse #30 2 years ago

    Always enjoy hearing from PM, great man.

    I see no downside to having some Natal in Fable 3. Agree with Donnie

  • metalangel #31 2 years ago

    @TheBoyChris: Yup, and my point still stands. Fable 2 was nothing but a collection of stupid gimmicks and silly novelties with a crappy fantasy game trying to hold them all together. Compared to the sheer playability of old Bullfrog games like Syndicate, Theme Hospital or Dungeon Keeper, it's a joke.

  • Negotiator #32 2 years ago

    No Pete we did not, the great man working his magic with the innovative Natal, what more could you want? nothing thats what. This time next year we will be gearing up for the biggest XBOX 360 year yet, and with Pete leading the way you can bet your sweet ass Natal will redefine gaming.

  • Nephirion #33 2 years ago

    Which is gayer Fable 3 or Natal

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #34 2 years ago

    Given that Fable 2 has gay characters, and allows the player to form same-sex relationships with them, and Fable 3 is reputed to be more of the same, with extras, then one can say with reasonable confidence that Fable 3 is gayer than Natal.

  • ronuds #35 2 years ago

    I can't wait for Fable III - Natal or no!