Microsoft Studios has announced that it is closing Lionhead Studios, developer of the Fable series, and Denmark’s Press Play Studios, which was in the process of making Project Knoxville. The closure of Lionhead means that Fable Legends is now effectively dead.
“After much consideration we have decided to cease development on Fable Legends, and are in discussions with employees about the proposed closure of Lionhead Studios in the UK,” the official announcement reads. “Additionally, we will close Press Play Studios in Denmark, and sunset development on Project Knoxville.”
The twenty-year-old Lionhead Studios was formed by Peter Molyneux in 1996, and was responsible for classic RTS God game Black & White. Molyneux sold the studio to Microsoft in 2006, later forming his increasingly precarious 22Cans studio.
“These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly,” the announcement continues, “nor are they a reflection on these development teams – we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent, creativity and commitment of the people at these studios. The Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade.”
“Press Play imbued the industry with a unique creative spirit behind games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, which both captured passionate fans. These changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.”
Microsoft has not yet revealed when the two studios will officially close their doors.
