Fable Legends Cancelled, Lionhead Studios Likely Shut Down

The Microsoft website brings us a statement with nothing but bad news today. The free-to-play co-op/PvP title Fable Legends, which was currently in development at Lionhead Studios, has been unceremoniously cancelled. Microsoft is also currently discussing the studio’s “proposed closure” with its employees.

The wording is ambiguous enough that I can’t categorically state that they’re closing the studio, but to be perfectly honest, I do that more as a formality than anything. What was happening is pretty obvious, especially considering Microsoft states that they are already offering help with the employees relocation. Denmark first-party studio Press Play Studios is also being shut down:

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.

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We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.

We certainly hope everyone involved will be able to quickly land on their feet. While I never was a big fan of the Fable IP, I certainly would have liked to see what the studio was capable of doing in its post-Molyneux era.

Thanks, Rock, Paper, Shotgun.