Playground Games, the developer behind the popular Forza Horizon series, has been on a hiring spree lately. In the past few weeks, the studio has brought on board 18 new employees, many of whom will be working on the upcoming Fable game showcased last year.
The new hires include character artists, lighting artists, environment artists, a game design assistant, a senior-level designer, and more. This influx of talent suggests that Playground Games is serious about making the new Fable game successful.
Why it matters: Fans have been eagerly anticipating a new Fable game since 2010. With fresh additions to the development team, the studio is actively working on the highly anticipated Albion adventure.
(Hiring) 18 New hires have joined Playground Games
Valeria Davoli (Character Artist Grade I)https://t.co/EDi8NAvN3t
Dave Devone (Cinematic Lighting Artist)https://t.co/lssEFXbYzG
Russell (J) Howell (Lighting Artist Grade I)https://t.co/MDPMQNw4TU
Lex Roovers (Tools… pic.twitter.com/SvLAnGfW9R
— Idle Sloth💙💛 (@IdleSloth84_) January 13, 2024
The new Fable was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, but there haven’t been many updates on the game since. Now, with the recent hiring spree, it appears that development is picking up momentum.
These recent hires provide insights into what to anticipate from Fable. Bringing on board multiple character artists implies a significant emphasis on the game’s characters, while the addition of lighting and environment artists signals a commitment to delivering stunning visuals.
Naturally, it’s too soon to predict precisely how the new Fable will turn out. However, the recent additions to the Playground Games team are a reassuring indication that the game is in capable hands.
One more positive thing about the development is that Playground Games hired a Baldur’s Gate 3 producer. Considering Baldur’s Gate 3 success, the producer’s experience will play a crucial role in Fable’s development.
These fresh hirings hint that Playground Games has entered a new phase of development. Assuming the game’s 2020 reveal, it’s likely in its final stages of development, meaning fans won’t have to wait much longer.
Although details about Fable’s game mechanics remain unknown, the latest trailer offers interesting glimpses. Sword combat steals the spotlight, featuring a warrior in a fierce battle with a bandit, concluding with a dramatic finishing move.
Another scene reveals the protagonist throwing a fire bomb at a group of enemies, hinting at the return of explosives. While exact gameplay details are limited, Aaron Greenberg, the general manager of Xbox Games Marketing, assures that the new Fable will be an immersive RPG, focusing on storytelling, character customization, and player freedom.
Speaking of the official trailer, there were concerns among the community that it looked too good to be true. However, a Fable developer reassured fans that the game would look as good as the trailer.
There are still no hints about the game’s exact release date. However, speculations suggest that Fable will launch sometime around 2025.
The new Fable game is a fantastic opportunity for Playground Games to bring the series back to life. With a skilled team of developers on board, there’s every reason to believe it can be a success.
