Fable II Knothole Island DLC Announced

Microsoft and Lionhead Studios sent out a press release today announcing plans to release a DLC package for Fable II in December that will add an entirely new location called Knothole Island. The “big” announcement we’ve been waiting for:

Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios Announce First Fable II Premium Downloadable Content
Fable II adventures continue with downloadable content and free pack to release mid-December 2008
The epic journey begun in Fable II, the fastest selling RPG on Xbox 360, is not over. Starting mid-December 2008, fans will be summoned back into Albion’s service with the release of the Knothole Island downloadable content pack. The remote island of Knothole is dying: its golden sands and lush vegetation are covered with snow, its people freezing, its treasures buried. Only a hero can face the trials of the three shrines to bring back the sunshine.
Following its release on Xbox 360 on Oct. 21, more than 1.5 million units of Fable II flew off store shelves worldwide in the first two weeks, making it the most popular game, across all platforms, in the U.S. in October. With the release of the first Fable II downloadable content, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points, gamers will be invited to set sail for Knothole Island, where new quests, wondrous items and bizarre characters await.
Also in mid-December, fans everywhere will be able to enhance their Fable II experience with the release of a free Fable II downloadable pack exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. To engage in co-op gameplay with a player who has already downloaded the Knothole Island content, gamers will need to download the free pack. Both co-op players must download the Knothole Island (Premium) pack in order to play new quests and enjoy the complete Knothole Island co-op experience.
Free and premium downloaders will receive a show of gifts, including Knight’s Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, collectible silver book and more. Players will also be able to check their standing in over 50 new Leaderboards on Lionhead.com.
As an additional treat for Fable II fans, Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios have created an all-new Albion dashboard theme in celebration of the launch of the New Xbox Experience. Fans who want to show off their Fable II pride can head over to Xbox LIVE Marketplace to download the Albion theme, available now for 250 Microsoft points.
Fable II is exclusively available on Xbox 360 and is rated (M) for Mature by the ESRB. Please visit: www.xbox.com/fable2 or www.lionhead.com/fable2 for more information.

A half dozen screenshots from the new area can be found at Voodoo Extreme, as well.