6 January 2011

By: Andrei Dumitrescu, Games Editor
Lionhead and Microsoft Send Mixed Messages on PC Fable III
Developer Lionhead has again sparked hopes for those who are still waiting to see Fable III, the mix between adventure and role-playing game, released on the PC, with a message that suggests that a positive message could be delivered soon.
No Christmas present Microsoft
A Twitter message coming from the official account of Lionhead reads, "It's painful to admit we can't yet answer any questions on the PC version of Fable III. Hopefully soon we can spill the beans!"
Microsoft has reacted saying that as a publisher it does not "comment on rumour and speculation" despite the fact that the initial statement it was asked to respond to was put out by a development studio which it owns outright.
The history of the PC version of Fable III is a long and tortuous one and shows that statements and actions linked to the video game rarely line up.
Back in May of 2010, Lionhead and Microsoft initially stated that they had plans to deliver the Xbox 360 version of the game and the PC one at the same time, in late October of the year.
In August, the two companies stated that the PC version of Fable III no longer had a launch date but that it was still in development.
In November, Lionhead assured gamers that the PC version was still being worked on and that details would be released when it was closer to launch date.
Microsoft, when it relaunched its Games for Windows Live service, said that it planned to make Fable III one of the games that would show that it was still interested in the PC and had long term plans for the platform.
Fable III was pretty well received on launch but failed to generate the same level of
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excitement as the second game in the series, which has not received a PC port.
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22 April 2011

By: Andrei Dumitrescu, Games Editor
PC-Based Fable III Will Be Sold Through Steam
Lionhead, as the developer, and Microsoft Game Studios, as the publisher, have announced that the upcoming PC version of the action and role-playing game Fable III will be sold through the Steam digital distribution platform from Valve in addition to the Games for Windows Marketplace.

Steam bound Lionhead

The game will be launched on the same date, May 17 in North America and May 20 in Europe, on both digital distribution service and also at retail locations.
The game can already be pre-ordered on both Steam and on Games for Windows Marketplace.
Those who pick up Fable III on Steam will get the Rebel Weapon and Tattoo Pack, which comes with four weapons and five exclusive body options that can be used to create a more personalized hero.
Pre-ordering on Games for Windows Live will get a gamer access to Fable - The Lost Chapters, the first installment in the franchise that was launched on the PC with some extra content.
Fable II has not been launched on the PC and can only be played on the Xbox 360.
The PC version of the third game in the series comes complete with support for three-dimensional gaming and adds a new Hardcore mode, which makes the game significantly more challenging for those who have experience with Fable and with its action-oriented combat system.
When Fable III was initially announced by Microsoft and Lionhead, the two companies said that the PC version would be launched at the same time as the Xbox 360 one, as a sign of the commitment they have to the PC as a gaming medium.
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This has not happened and at times it seems that the PC version of Fable III would never see the light of day.
The Steam-based launch can be seen as a quiet admission that Games for Windows Live has not had the impact that Microsoft had been hoping for.
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