Molyneux's next "ridiculously ambitious"

By Robert Purchese Published 25 September, 2008

And Fable 2 will cement reputation, he says.

Peter Molyneux has claimed his next project will be "ridiculously ambitious", and not what we might expect from Lionhead.

"We've actually been working on another project now for a while, and obviously it's ridiculously ambitious, but it's ridiculously ambitious in a very simple way. It's a simple and pure idea, and very, very different to anything I've done before," Molyneux told GamesIndustry.biz.

"I haven't said anything about the game to anyone, and neither should I until next year, but I think it'll surprise people. It's certainly different to what you might think Lionhead would do. Or maybe not, actually, thinking about it, but I think we need look at this industry, and think about who our audience is, and that applies to this new game."

Molyneux has admitted talking projects up too much in the past. This, he said, has lead not only to "some very good excuses", but also to a self-imposed gag limiting the hyperbole surrounding Fable 2.

However, Molyneux is confident that Fable 2 - judging by play-test reactions - will finally be the game to deliver the goods. And he's happy to stake his reputation on it.

"At the end of the day you can stand up in front of people and wave your arms, but unless you actually create a product, you don't deserve that attention," he said.

"I still stand by that - I think [Fable 2] should define my position in the industry, and if it's not good, that says something about me. And if it is good, that also says something about me."

Fable 2 is due out exclusively for Xbox 360 on 24th October. Head over to our Fable 2 gamepage for lots more information.

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.

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

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Comments (54) Latest comment 3 years ago

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

  • Retroid #1 3 years ago

    Here's hoping!

    /Has it preordered

  • Garibaldi #2 3 years ago

    Um.....ALL your games have been ridiculously ambitious Peter, that's sort of the problem.

  • thisisatempaccount #3 3 years ago

    "Fable 2 will cement reputation, he says."

    Be careful what you wish for, Peter.

  • Thunderbolt #4 3 years ago

    All of Molyneus games are ridiculously ambitious but I've yet to find one the realises that potential.

  • space_ace #5 3 years ago

    join the other guy with the sequel to the unreleased hydrophobia...

  • agparrot #6 3 years ago

    I think Fable II looks promising - it has gone from nowhere to high on my want-o-meter, but I am not rushing out on day 1 to get it, and neither am I indulging in the ridiculous Pub Games. I like a bit of grind.

    His 'next' project sounds almost Portalesque in its ambition.

  • Eraysor #7 3 years ago

    At least this one looks like it won't be a failure. Why did they have to make Black & White 2 terrible >_
    Edited by 1 at 25/09/08 @ 13:51

  • Doctor_What #8 3 years ago

    "It's certainly different to what you might think Lionhead would do. Or maybe not, actually, thinking about it."

    Well, that's informative. In essence, didn't this article just say 'Lionhead will be making another game'? I'd figured that one out all by myself.

  • kangarootoo #9 3 years ago

    It strikes me that PM has recently really started to actually GET that he spouts nonsense a bit too much sometimes. Its like someone has had a really open talk with him and said "look dude, if you don't start matching the hype, we are closing Lionhead down". Just my take on the way he has presented himself recently.

  • mcwildcard #10 3 years ago

    Phew! I hadn't heard anything from Pete for at least 6hrs, I was beginning to think he might be dead.

  • sickpuppysoftware #11 3 years ago

    The bit at the top says "news." The content however doesn't.

  • SaintRasmus #12 3 years ago

    We need guys like Peter a guy with visions, he pushes games forward. I know that he not always deliver the goods, but ilke the guy and Fable 2 will be great.

  • Quint2020 #13 3 years ago

    "I think we need look at this industry, and think about who our audience is, and that applies to this new game."

    "Casual gamer" pap all but confirmed.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #14 3 years ago

    @ kangarootoo

    I dunno if anyone "sat him down" but I think he has realised that gushing about his games before they're released has had a negative effect on his (and Lionhead's) reputation - and I say that as a massive Molyneux fan, and someone eagerly awaiting Fable 2. I'd also like to add (with the caveat of not having played B&W2) that whilst his games may sometimes fail to reach lofty 10/10 heights, they're still generally very good.

    Have a feeling his next game might be a more "casual" affair.

  • Xerx3s #15 3 years ago

    "It strikes me that PM has recently really started to actually GET that he spouts nonsense a bit too much sometimes. Its like someone has had a really open talk with him and said "look dude, if you don't start matching the hype, we are closing Lionhead down". Just my take on the way he has presented himself recently."

    In one of the interviews he commented that he had 2 pr muppets guarding what he says when he is in contact with the press.

  • mazzl #16 3 years ago

    i liked mdk, i liked black and white, i liked fable.

    so besides the hype. they are all pretty cool games.

  • PearOfAnguish #17 3 years ago

    Help, help! Peter Molyneux's jaw is flapping again and I'm drowning in a flood of hyperbole!

  • Moonprince #18 3 years ago

    "I haven't said anything about the game to anyone,

    the fuck are you doing now then??

    twat!

  • kangarootoo #19 3 years ago

    @Britesparc

    This is true. I thought after I posted that it surely wasn't as literal as I suggested. He has clearly got a hold on this own flaws of late though, assisted or otherwise, which is a good thing I think.

    I also have a strong "mainstream social gaming" feel about all this next title business.

  • schnide #20 3 years ago

    Peter Molyneux - the George Lucas of gaming!

    Sorry Peter, I know that's harsh, but I just can't help myself in making overblown public statements on your ability!

  • JDT_JDT #21 3 years ago

    MDK was Dave Perry wasn't it?

  • BraveArse #22 3 years ago

    He doesn't say "cement" anywhere. That would imply that he thinks Fable 2 is going to fix his position at the heights of game development. what he actually says is ""I still stand by that - I think [Fable 2] should *define* my position in the industry, and if it's not good, that says something about me. And if it is good, that also says something about me.""

    Which is quite different... imo it says that good or bad it's going to affect his position either for better or worse- not consolidate it.

  • schachmatt #23 3 years ago

    Yes, JDT_JDT, it was Dave Perry's Shiny, who actually delivered always more than they hyped it up.
    But they never sold well - in contrast to Molyneux - so they just stopped, and made two average Matrix games, which probably sold more than all of Perry's other games.

    Last Molyneux game that was good, actually almost perfect, was Dungeon Keeper.

  • MuppetThumper #24 3 years ago

    me me me - the guy is spouting on as if he's single-handedly created Fable 2 on his own. arrogant prick.

    im still looking forward to the game though :p

  • Verwandlung #25 3 years ago

    Just make a new Syndicate or Dungeon Keeper Peter , you can do it!

  • sergeantdisco #26 3 years ago

    Peter is free to waffle at me about whatever he likes until my nervous system implodes if the announcement is Magic Carpet 3.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #27 3 years ago

    Fucking hell, cool down a bit guys.

    PM's not a bad bloke. He's very enthusiastic and candid about what he does. His attitude is welcomed as far as I'm concerned.

    He doesn't lie about features in his games unlike a lot of the corporate arseholes in the industry. Some of you make some pretty vitriolic comments about a guy who's basically saying "I've done some really cool things in this game, I can't wait for you to play it and see them.

    Take a look at SOME of his games:

    Populous
    Powermonger
    Syndicate
    Theme Park
    Dungeon Keeper
    Black & White
    Fable

    These games are either great games or very good games that have tried something relatively unique. On top of that you have games like Magic Carpet that was pretty mind blowing at the time.



  • groovychainsaw #28 3 years ago

    He is a guy with brilliant, visionary ideas wrapped in average games (in more recent times - his early stuff was gold). If he can pull one idea out thats strong enough to hang the whole game off, it could one of his best? I'm going to speculate that its some sort of life simulator (spore-esque with more AI), if its anything like his 'Dimitri' project which they were working on a long while back.
    Edited by 1 at 25/09/08 @ 15:48

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #29 3 years ago

    Remember Creation? Surely one of the greatest games never released. Even made the cover of PCG on at least one occassion, I believe.

    I'd like to see a spiritual (if not actual - grumble, EA, grumble) sequel to Syndicate or Populous.
    Edited by 1 at 25/09/08 @ 15:59

  • wewillselfdestruct #30 3 years ago

    "I think [Fable 2] should define my position in the industry."

    Wow, he is amazing, isn't he? The way every fibre of that game is going to be him and his ideas. The fact that nobody else had any input into it whatsoever. I imgaine he probably coded it and created all the assets himself as well. He's awesome.

    Or perhaps he could have said that it should define Lionhead's position in the industry.

    Arrogance, your name is Molyneux.

  • sneetch #31 3 years ago

    @kangarootoo
    "It strikes me that PM has recently really started to actually GET that he spouts nonsense a bit too much sometimes. Its like someone has had a really open talk with him and said "look dude, if you don't start matching the hype, we are closing Lionhead down". Just my take on the way he has presented himself recently."

    Who exactly would be in a position or disposed towards "sit[ting] him down" and threatening to close down his profitable studio that produced some of the best received games ever because of not "matching the hype"? The business fairy? The evil business... erm... witch? :)

    As for this "ridiculously ambitious" game side scrolling shooter with 8 colour graphics please! ;)

  • NewbieZilla #32 3 years ago

    "And he's happy to stake his reputation on it."

    You can not stake what you do not have.

  • ColdShoulder #33 3 years ago

    STFU PM

  • wewillselfdestruct #34 3 years ago

    Also, did I read somewhere the other day that they've patched the Pub Games thing to stop the exploit that was in there? Didn't Molyneux say that that was left in intentionally? If so, why then patch it?

  • sneetch #35 3 years ago

    @wewillselfdestruct ""I think [Fable 2] should define my position in the industry."

    Wow, he is amazing, isn't he? The way every fibre of that game is going to be him and his ideas. The fact that nobody else had any input into it whatsoever. I imgaine he probably coded it and created all the assets himself as well. He's awesome.

    Or perhaps he could have said that it should define Lionhead's position in the industry.

    Arrogance, your name is Molyneux."

    Meh. Nice partial quote, taken out of context, in order to reinforce a weak point about supposed arrogance. Let's look at the whole quote shall we?

    "At the end of the day you can stand up in front of people and wave your arms, but unless you actually create a product, you don't deserve that attention," he said. "I still stand by that - I think [Fable 2] should define my position in the industry, and if it's not good, that says something about me. And if it is good, that also says something about me."

    He's basically saying that his rep personally will 'live or die' based on Fable II's reception particularly in light of the hype he generated for Fable II (and I personally believe Fable). He does not say or imply "omg I did everything lol".

    Also, while we're on it; TBH I couldn't name another Lionhead employee working on Fable II, likewise I couldn't tell you anyone who worked on Pikmin apart from Shigeru Miyamoto or the name of the chief grip on Batman Begins.

  • schnide #36 3 years ago

    Sneetch, when was the last time you heard Miyamoto say "This game will define me, I think it's one of the best games ever made!" or words to that effect? Miyamoto is very respectful towards his teams. Molyneux doesn't even acknowledge them.

  • sneetch #37 3 years ago

    @schnide
    "Miyamoto is very respectful towards his teams. Molyneux doesn't even acknowledge them."

    Untrue, he's praised his people at length in interviews, you just don't see that in these bite size snippets on EG. For example, lets look at the full, full quote from the original interview then (especially the last paragraph):

    "Q: Something else you said last year is that Fable 2 was the game you wanted to ultimately be judged on. Is that still true, now that it's complete?

    Peter Molyneux    : Absolutely it is. At the end of the day you can stand up in front of people and wave your arms, but unless you actually create a product, you don't deserve that attention. I still stand by that - I think it should define my position in the industry, and if it's not good, that says something about me. And if it is good, that also says something about me.

    Obviously with any creation you always want a bit more time, to play around with it some more, but ultimately I'm incredibly proud of Fable and with what the team has managed to do with it.    "

    Now, I ain't in love with the man or anything, I just hate to see people being bashed because others have brought negative opinions of them to something like this article.

    Edit: making the quote clearer.
    Edited by 1 at 25/09/08 @ 16:39

  • PlugMonkey #38 3 years ago

    "And he's happy to stake his reputation on it."

    You can not stake what you do not have.

    Ha ha ha ha! That's actually really fucking funny. Molyneux may spout some slightly over-excited twaddle from time to time, but he still has some of the best games ever made to his credit. I wonder if the 'reputations' of the people bagging him on this thread stand up to the same scrutiny? Somehow, I kind of doubt it.

  • wewillselfdestruct #39 3 years ago

    He's not saying that because he thinks there's any chance the game isn't good. He's saying he believes the game is great (which is fair enough, and I hope for the sake of all who've worked on it that it is). But he thinks that means he's amazing, without stating the obvious. Which is that if the game is great then it's down to a bunch of very talented individuals, not just him.

    Hopefully he has finally learnt his lesson about blabbing his mouth to the press the whole time at least, so that the dev teams don't have to tune into the interviews to see what new features he's decided to make up on the spot. (His games have had to be recoded in the past for this very reason.)

    Also, I'm not totally sure I take your point about the key grip from Batman Begins. If I'm reading it right then you're saying that the key grip is relatively unimportant to the quality of the film because it's Christopher Nolan's vision. But that vision was also down to David S. Goyer and the graphic novels that inspired them. And should we discount the input of Wally Pfister (the DoP), or the art department? Or the actors for that matter? I've never seen Nolan say "this will define me".

  • sneetch #40 3 years ago

    "Also, I'm not totally sure I take your point about the key grip from Batman Begins. If I'm reading it right then you're saying that the key grip is relatively unimportant to the quality of the film because it's Christopher Nolan's vision. But that vision was also down to David S. Goyer and the graphic novels that inspired them. And should we discount the input of Wally Pfister (the DoP), or the art department? Or the actors for that matter? I've never seen Nolan say "this will define me"."

    No, that was a simple comment on the nature of these industries; that the only people we (the public) tend to hear about are the directors and producers, the big names. We don't tend to know the people who do most of the work (that's why I picked the key grip, who has a huge impact on the look of a movie), I'm not saying that those people and their contribution is in any way unimportant, far from it, it's just that they are unsung heroes. Very few people play a game and then feel compelled to write to commend the texture artist who did the hero's waistcoat, for example.

    PM originally said that he would stake his reputation on Fable II being excellent when faced with scepticism about it that stemmed from his over-hyping of previous games, especially Fable. He staked his personal reputation, he rightly left his team out of it as it was his mistake to over-hype the original he took responsibilty for that mistake, he didn't turn around and try to find a scape-goat, turn it into "everyone let me down", no, he manned the hell up and took it and I admire him for that; I'd never before or since seen anyone do that. This question revisited that point. To see if he was still willing to stake his reputation on it.

  • Frosty840 #41 3 years ago

    "not what we might expect from Lionhead"

    So it'll be worth playing, then?

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #42 3 years ago

    sneetch, don't waste your breath. There's some proper fucking retards in this place sometimes....

    wewillselfdestruct is just one of them.

    He's the lead designer of the game, and has the most to lose if it's crap; hype or not.

    Funny how when his old games are criticized we criticize HIM not the team. Likewise if a game is a success I'm going to give him more credit for the whole thing than the bloody musician.

    Most film directors talk about THEIR films and the emotional journey blah blah blah so he's no different.

    And I can guaran-fucking-tee you that if you ever get the opportunity to direct a film you came up with or are lead designer on a game YOU'LL thinks it's yours too.

    That's not to say he doesn't give credit where it's due, you just don't see it as you're too blinkered.....and stupid.

    Christ, talk about hate someone for being excited about THEIR game.

  • beastmaster #43 3 years ago

    Never been so underwhelmed by a big release.

  • captainrentboy #44 3 years ago

    Fuck me, a lot of bitchy bastards come out at the mere mention of Molyneux's name don't they?
    I'm really looking forward to this game, hope it lives up to the hype.
    Maybe they're resurrecting BC.

  • wewillselfdestruct #45 3 years ago

    @sneetch
    Yeah I take your point, although personally I tend to think more in terms of studios being responsible for games rather than the individuals that appear before the press all the time, even if they are the designer. If anything I think of games as being more collaborative than films, or rather I generally think of them as being less auteur driven. For example, I can subscribe to the idea that Reservoir Dogs is Quentin Tarantino's vision because he wrote the script and directed it (without ignoring the contribution of the actors, etc that helped to make it so memorable). However, in my experience, games aren't usually made this way and will ultimately end up being an amalgamation of ideas from a variety of people. The person who has the initial idea isn't usually the person who then writes the script who isn't the person who defines the look of the game. And I've seen nothing to suggest that Lionhead is any different, which is why I regarded PM as being arrogant based on the quote. However, you're right to say he could have meant it in a different way to how I took it and reading it again I agree with you. But my initial reaction was based on the way he's oversold his games in the past (and the effect that's had on the dev teams working on them), so I hope he does indeed give credit where it's due.

    Oh and Spacemidget75:
    Grow up. Our opinions don't have to be the same. It doesn't make either one of us right or wrong. That's why they're called opinions. I don't question the contribution the man has made to the games industry. That doesn't mean I have to like him or the way he carries himself. Much like I don't like the way you carry yourself. And if you don't think he's (I won't say lied because I think it's more a case of him getting carried away) exaggerated the contents of some of his previous games (Fable is the most public and obvious example), then it is you who are blinkered.

  • bonker #46 3 years ago

    "Here's hoping!

    /Has it preordered "

    Indeed.

    I haven't bought a 360 game all year but this is the only cast-iron cert for day-one release for me. I'm hopeful of a few others proving unmissable over the next couple of months too (SR2 in particular) but Fable II is the biggie for me ...

  • evilboo #47 3 years ago

    I like PM but this is not news. This is a total absence of information. This is anti-news. This is like Gordon Brown saying 'one day I will come up with a really good policy .. but I can't talk about that now' and the Times reporting it.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #48 3 years ago

    Haha the old 'get out of jail' Opinions response.


    ..and given your reply to sneetch, it appears that you do now share the same 'opinion' that sneetch and myself were pointing out.

    EDIT: Spelling
    Edited by 2 at 26/09/08 @ 10:03

  • schnide #49 3 years ago

    wewillselfdestruct: If what you're saying makes you a fucktard, according to others, then I'm quite happy to be a fucktard too.

    That's if being a fucktard makes me someone who notices when a particular individual has thrusted himself into the limelight for the past ten years saying that every game he makes is going to be revolutionary, then eventually having to tone down on his comments because it simply wasn't possible to implement those ideas. Molyneux had a wunderkind with him as well from Theme Park who ended up in exactly the same situation. PM is setting himself up for a fall - if his game is good enough to cement his legacy then it'll speak for itself without him having to. And if it isn't..

  • RedSparrows #50 3 years ago

    'Grow up. Our opinions don't have to be the same. It doesn't make either one of us right or wrong. That's why they're called opinions.'

    I'm sorry, but this one internet fallacy that just does my head in. Nothing against you or your argument in and of itself, but this little snippet sucks.

    It's effectively: 'God, stop being such an ass, I'm only stating my piece! (i.e READERS, LOOK HOW MUCH OF A DICK THEY ARE, LOOK HOW VICTIMISED I AM, but er, ignore the argument), they can't be wrong! (of course they can. 'I think that you are blue' is an opinion. It's also wrong. Opinions are subjective, and anything subjective, by its very nature, is a) utterly hopeless in ascertaining the full reality of things, b) unable to fully state, with our limited tools, the full picture and c) can be wholly misguided and driven by all manner of relatively unimportant and essentially unrelated factors that are pulled in, either consciously or subconsciously).

    And why are they called opinions? This is a quick definition: either

    1) The prevailing view (public opinion)
    2) A statement or claim made without proof or prior knowledge OR
    3) just as easily, a statement made by someone with knowledge

    They can still be very, very wrong, and it's lazy to argue that you are immune.

    conceited and pointless rants ftw

  • DrowJones #51 3 years ago

    People bashing Pete have all been born after June 5, 1989. Otherwise, they'd know better.

  • schnide #52 3 years ago

    Almost ten years before that DrowJones. If you're good at making games, shut up about it and let them speak for themselves.

    If you want to shout about how great you are, go to speaker's corner and see if anyone signs up for your manifesto.

  • the_mtfr #53 3 years ago

    I don't get when did this gaming business turn into a soap opera where we are dragged into the emotional ups and downs of Peter Molyneux on a daily basis? Can't he just start a blog if he needs to express himself so much...

    And I've played all his old games, one of the best there are but he's making me not want to see current-day remakes/sequels.

  • Daikon #54 3 years ago

    Take a look at SOME of his games:

    Populous
    Powermonger
    Syndicate
    Theme Park
    Dungeon Keeper
    Black & White
    Fable

    The fact that over half of those will run on my Amiga 500 says quite a bit...