Quantcast


Fable 2 to deepen, yet somehow streamline combat to suit a wider audience photo

Speaking at the Develop Conference in Brighton, UK, Peter Molyneux acknowledged that he is not only aware of a need to simplify complex game controls in order to reach a wider audience, but he and the team at Lionhead Studios are hard at work making it a reality for Fable 2. How he is going to go about offering a deep, sophisticated combat model that relies on a single button to accomplish is going to be interesting, to say the least.

Citing his disdain for "button-mashing" games, Molyneax wants gamers to know that they will be rewarded for their desire to master the controls by unlocking greater power-ups and other in-game skills than their counterparts. So what is the reasoning behind his angst?

“I hate that we spend millions of dollars designing our games and only 1 percent of people finish them. If they don’t finish the game, it’s like leaving the movie halfway through, so it’s a rubbish movie to some extent, and that responsibility is on our shoulders. We often make casual gamers feel dumb, stupid and intimidated. We want to make those people feel as good as hardcore gamers."

Even if you happen to be one of those undesirables that just mash buttons in a futile effort just to get by, all is not lost. Fable 2 is designed to be very forgivable -- even to the point of offering reminders to ease you back into gameplay if you happened to set the game down for a few weeks and come back to it. As Peter said, he wants "Granny Mojo" (whoever that is) to be able to pick up and play the game immediately. As for me, I just want it to be a great game that justifies a $60 purchase.

[Via NextGeneration






Contests Official Rules



No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: Destructoid.com contests are usually provided by sponsors who, due to customs and shipping costs (yay budgets), often limit participation to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (unless otherwise stated) and are 12 years of age. We encourage our overseas friends to be super sneaky and make a friend in the United States who can receive your prize, and then you two figure out the customs/logistics. Be cautious about who you trust, obviously. Employees of destructoid.com, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contests, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Contests (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are *not* eligible and will be fired and publicly beaten if are caught participating. All U.S., federal, state and local and regulations apply.

2. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Contest (the “Entry Period”) will be posted on the applicable Contest site.

4. Entry: To enter a Contest, follow the instructions on the Contest site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, we will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, we may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Contest.

6. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Winners will be notified by the e-mail address associated with their account on destructoid.com.com and/or receive a Private Message on destructoid.com.com or through a Twitter Direct Message/Facebook message. Winners have five (5) days from the original message alerting them of their winnings to respond and claim their prize. If no winner comes forward within five business days, the prize will be forfeited and raffled again where Destructoid's hardcore fans are most active (forums/community blogs/facebook group).

7. Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize’s approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Contest will be posted on the Contest site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize. Prizes will be mailed between 1 to 45 business days after winners have replied with their required info.

8. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

9.Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Contest Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Contest Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

10. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

11. Contest Results: To enter the contest without needing to buy/sell anything or request a written copy of the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Contest you are requesting the winners for) to destructoid.com Contest Winners 260 King Street Suite 883, San Francisco California 94107. We run many contests, so please be specific in what you are requesting. Winner requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable contest (they're always posted on our site though). Winners are usually posted the day following the contest on our contest section.

Lastly, Destructoid has the right to kick your ass and take away your prize if you are a total dickhead, so be cool and don't kick any puppies on your way to victory. Have fun with our contests and be a good sport when you win or lose. Remember: First you get the power, then you get the money, then get the baby.

 




More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

23 comments | showing # 1 to 23
prev next

Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:30
Jim Sterling
I don't quite get this. Is he saying he wants to make Fable so easy a retard could play it?
SLiFE's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:30
SLiFE
I was unimpressed by the E3 combat demo.
It looks to be slightly deeper than the combat in the 1st game, which was as shallow as a kiddie pool. That had been peed in.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:33
Gameboi
I think he's trying to say that Fable 2 will offer something for everyone, while not bogging you down with complexities.

In other words, fun, fun, fun.
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:42
RICHARD BLOCKER
YEah, I heard/read somewhere that you could pull Erol Flynn moves with just analog stick and one button. The game chooses the best move for you. Hell, I'll give it a try.
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:44
Rockvillian
Why doesn't he just make a fucking movie then?
Spilt Milk's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:45
Spilt Milk
My god...it's full of suck!
-Bowman
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:54
BlindsideDork
One button do it all! fight jump, heal everything is done by one button.
bluemeep's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 14:54
bluemeep
Try to get your combat multiplier even higher, grandma.
fatmanjoe's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:01
fatmanjoe
alright, molyneux, cant wait to play your next ultra hyped sleep-fest. used to be a pioneer, and now hes retarding gaming for the masses. seriously this "casual gamer" bullshit has to stop. nintendo with their Wii Fit, and now games that dont require any effort. great
crila's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:22
crila
lets alienate our biggest fans!!!! fuck hardcore gamers. all they do is play video games anyway.

wait what?!?
mcallstar's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:27
mcallstar
I don't see the big problem; just means I can play the game during my drunker moments.
Corncobtacular's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:28
Corncobtacular
lol @ crila
Hipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:30
Hipple
I understand that people don't have a lot of faith in Molyneux after Fable (and others), but I enjoyed it and Fable 2 is one of my most anticipated games in the foreseeable future. Will I ultimately be disappointed? Maybe, but it's nice to think that he could deliver.

And crila, I'm not sure what you're pointing out, but you might want to work on your reading comprehension.
drunkenshaolin's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 15:37
drunkenshaolin
all i know its gonna be alot better than the 1st fable
Grapefruit Juice's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 16:09
Grapefruit Juice
"We often make casual gamers feel dumb, stupid and intimidated. We want to make those people feel as good as hardcore gamers."
What kind of commie/liberal crap is that. hey Molyneux, fuck you and your 1 button.
Pangloss's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 18:20
Pangloss
@Im OK:
Careful, now. I don't anticipate that much of the promised Fable 1 to be delivered until at least the fifth entry in the series.
Gameboi's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 19:07
Gameboi
Despite all the hype surrounding Fable, I still felt it was well worth a purchase. I believe Fable 2 will be even better, and I look forward to its release.

Maybe Peter Molyneux will be an awesome lad, and send me an autographed copy. Or not...
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 20:11
Sharpless
LOL @ the two trolls in the middle of this comment thread. I love how people shit themselves over the slightest suggestion. Play the game first, whiners. THEN judge it.
Anthony Burch's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 21:43
Anthony Burch
I actually dug the first Fable quite a bit and I will doubtlessly enjoy the sequel, but it still has to be said that the video Molyneux showed was more or less a joke. He talked about somehow making combat deeper, but the only "changes" made were timed instakills, environmental attacks (eg, pinning someone against a wall), and flourish moves, which Molyneux evidently forgot were in the first damn game.

I'll get and enjoy Fable 2, but sometimes I can't believe that Molyneux still continues to say the things he says.
SourGr8pes's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 21:45
SourGr8pes
If you were oblivious to all the ungodly hype surrounding Fable 1, it was actually a really awesome game (albeit, really short). Fable 2 is probably going to be just as fun... As long as you ignore any boasts from Molyneux.
Although, I don't quite see how a one button system isn't going to be a buttonmasher...
kittridge's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 22:04Image Hosted by ImageShack.us</a><br/>
kittridge
It looks decent.
Lowtax's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/26/2007 23:01
Lowtax
Perhaps they're broadening their demographic market. Maybe a somewhat younger audience can enjoy the game via a simplified gameplay. Obviously this means they would have to take out a considerable amount of content as shown in the first installation but that was only a pipedream.

Anyways I'm stoked, looking foward to the yumsnax.
entropyman's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/27/2007 10:09
entropyman
I loved the first fable- it was really fun if you played it nonlinear- and it did the whole good/evil path really well- I loved getting my character really evil so he had the horns and flaming eyeballs and then dressing him in drag and running around slaughtering peasants- it made for a good vent after a hard day at work.... I just hope that fable II is as non-linear-
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!