Peter Molyneux leaves Lionhead

[Thrik]

Wat.

I was really hoping to see a Black & White 3 eventually. Lionhead could make it themselves, but I do think Molyneux's vision and desire to push the boundaries of what's possible — even if it means landing himself in hot shit by not living up to his dreams — was a key ingredient in the magic of that series and Fable (the first two at least). And I can never dislike a man for trying to make something amazing.

If the new Fable game is an example of what Lionhead will be producing without Molyneux's involvement then, well...

Apparently he will be pursuing independent projects, but as we've seen with Will Wright that can mean completely dropping off the face of the gaming world. If however he decides to roll with a new studio to avoid what I assume is pressure by Microsoft to keep working on Fable that's something I'm cool with. I don't like it when visionaries feel trapped working on the same franchise year after year, because you always wonder what incredible new idea they could have come up with otherwise (looking at you UbiSoft).

[FrieChamp]

If the new Fable game is an example of what Lionhead will be producing without Molyneux's involvement then, well...

Don't forget that there is also "Fable: The Journey" in development. Watch this for some classic Molyneux goodness: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gamep ... the/727575

I wish him the best for his future endeavours, whatever that's going to be. I just hope he isn't about to found another mobile or social game studio...

[PogoP]

Wow that's unexpected! To be honest, I can't blame him. Lionhead have gone downhill in the past 6/7 years!

[Thrik]

I think Microsoft ownership has definitely been a bad thing for the creativity of the studio. I really enjoyed the first two Fable games and this new one Frie just posted looks splendid, but I imagine Microsoft is pushing Lionhead to focus primarily on that franchise because it brings in the money — Molyneux is capable of so much more, as are his team.

I'm guessing Fable will remain Lionhead's Halo for some time, so in a way I'm delighted Molyneux is taking his riches will hopefully set up a new studio that gets back to creating truly original stuff.

[PogoP]

Yeah that would be good.

It's weird how loads of British studios have gone the same way and just become Microsoft's bitches and just pump out Kinect games. I'm primarily speaking about Rare, and now Lionhead. I can't really talk though, as the company I work for does the exact same thing, and we're based in Britain

[marks]

Not sure how many people know about this, but Jon McCormack who was the Art Director at Lionhead for about the past 12 years left around a month ago too, to start his own independent studio.

I've also heard that several other key figures from LH have quietly bowed out ... I wonder if they heard the "You're working on Fable games for the next 5 years" line from MS...?

[Skjalg]

What is the name of this new studio and who else is working there?

On a related topic,

Also what happened to Zampella and those other guys who followed him from IW?

[Thrik]

Just checked Molyneux's LinkedIn and he's now listed himself as Creative Director at 22 Cans. Looks like we have the name of our new games company.

Looks like they're hiring too, albeit while giving no specifics. Who's in the UK and applying, then?

[marks]

What is the name of this new studio and who else is working there?

...Jon McCormack ... left around a month ago too, to start his own independent studio.

These are 2 separate studios as far as I'm aware, to clarify.

[Skjalg]

Molyneux revealed via Twitter that his next venture is a new games company called 22 Cans, which was recently established by former Lionhead chief technical officer Tim Rance. "Now for something really amazing, scary and brave, a new company called 22 Cans," he tweeted.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/1647 ... 2_Cans.php

edit; also he tweeted

Today is 7th day of 3rd month of 12th year. Add them all up and you get 22. 22cans

No idea if that is why they called it 22 cans tho

edit2;

This new company was founded by Lionhead’s former chief technical officer Tim Rance

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03 ... g-22-cans/

[Sentura]

what if... it's actually a suicide note

22 could be the .22 caliber gun, which also fits with cans. n in spanish is close to l in sound, which means that they could be exchanged. the result? .22 cal.

at least it's much more plausible than anonymous being directed by the illuminati or some other governmenta entity