Having previously revealed plans to re-release Fable II in episodic form, developer Lionhead and publisher Microsoft today put the first episode on Xbox Live.

The episodic approach sees the action-RPG split into five parts, with the first episode available for free. The downloadable and disc-based editions offer identical functionality, including saved game compatibility, multiplayer and downloadable content support.

No word yet as to when the other four episodes will hit, or how much they'll run. Update: Destructoid reports that players who reach the end of an episode will be prompted in-game to purchase and download the next at 800 Microsoft Points ($10) a pop.

Lionhead leader Peter Molyneux today announced both Fable III (360) and an episodic version of Fable II during the Microsoft press conference at GamesCom.

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Fable III will be set in a Napoleonic-styled period of Albion, and will allow players to take on a King-like role in influencing the world, according to Eurogamer.

"I think there's something fundamentally wrong with RPGs like Fable," said Molyneux. "It's a mechanic that's been there since the eighties. I'm going to take that foundation stone and throw it away... Read more

Fable II takes a step into tomorrow today with the new downloadable content pack See the Future, available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 560 Microsoft Points ($7).

See the Future brings a shedload of shiny newness to Fable 2--quests, enemies, areas, dog breeds, hairstyles, clothing and other items--and a vision of Albion's future.

Accompanying the revelation that the next batch of Fable II downloadable content, "See the Future," is due May 12, Lionhead has released a new developer diary that explores the new features found in the 560 MS Points ($7) add-on for the Xbox 360 action-RPG.

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Lionhead Studios prophets forsee a May 12 release for the next Fable II downloadable content release 'See the Future', on the Xbox Live Marketplace at 560 MS Points ($7).

Along with new quests, items and ways to spruce up your pooch--not to mention the titular vision--'See the Future' adds thirteen appropriately voyeuristic new achievements.

As a pre-launch bonus, Xbox Live Silver members can adventure online during a free multiplayer unlocked weekend from 12:01pm EST on May 8 till 11:59am EST May 11.

Lionhead has revealed the full list of achievements for the upcoming "See the Future" DLC for Fable II.

See the Future will be available in May for 560 MS Points ($7), and brings new quests and other additions to the acclaimed action-RPG.

Click through to check out the full list of achievements:... Read more

A limited edition Xbox 360 "Game of the Year" hardware bundle will hit North American store shelves in May, Microsoft announced today.

Priced at $399, the bundle packs an Xbox 360 Elite--itself normally sold at $399--along with copies of Bungie's shooter Halo 3 and Lionhead's action-RPG Fable II.

The Elite differs from other versions of the hardware as it comes with a 120GB hard drive, instead of a 60GB HDD (Xbox 360 Pro) or 512MB of storage (Xbox 360 Arcade).

The promotion continues Microsoft's recent trend of pairing the Xbox 360 Elite with software at no extra cost, last seen with the Resident Evil 5 bundle in March.

Fresh information from Lionhead Studios today gives an outline of what to expect from See the Future, the next batch of Fable II downloadable content.

See the Future once again charges players with saving Albion or leading it to ruin, whichever tickles your fancy. Emerge victorious and you'll receive a vision of Albion's future and the mixed blessings which no doubt await the heroic bloodline.

See the Future will see you lifting curses from items your old chum Margo has got his hands on and solving a smattering of new quests, including... Read more

"Mommy, I'm never going to not use a condom again," concluded Fable II designer Peter Molyneux's tale on the real-world implications of responsibility and ethics in games.

The Game Developers Conference panel, moderated by Rusel deMaria, was chock full of such insights. Molyneux was joined onstage by Sims creator Will Wright, ex-Microsoft VP Ed Fries, ex-EA COO Bing Gordon, and Oddword creator Lorne Lanning.

Answering questions from deMaria and the audience, the luminaries offered numerous comments, including a comparison to Twinkies--"if the wrapper is attractive enough, we could just slip pure garbage in there," said Lanning--Wright's suggestion that "10% of development should be on the first-person shooter, and 90% should be on the rest of your life in prison," and Molyneux wondering about "the worst thing... Read more

Following up on the dry confirmation that more content is coming, Lionhead head Peter Molyneux has dropped a few new details as to what's in store for Fable II (X360).

The next downloadable add-on, "See the Future," should hit in the coming weeks, he told Kotaku. "It's a little bit more story driven [than the first DLC]," Molyneux explained. "It answers some of the questions, if you're a real fan of Fable...it starts to tease and hint at what it starting to happen in the world of Albion and what is happening... Read more

Lionhead Studios has confirmed that more downloadable content for its open-world Xbox 360 action-RPG Fable II is on the way, and, well, that's the extent of what we know.

From the studio's development blog:

"Will there be any more DLC for Fable II?"

The answer is quite simple;

"Yes".

Thus far, one bit of game-expanding downloadable content has been released, the $10 Knothole Island add-on. Rumors of Fable 3 emerged earlier this week when British talk show host Jonathan Ross said he and Charlie Brooker been asked to voice characters, but it's possible that Ross confused new content with a new game.

Fable II developer Lionhead has denied that it's working on a PC port of its Xbox 360 open-world action RPG, despite a fresh batch of rumors to the contrary.

"We're not working on a PC version of Fable II," Lionhead employee "Woody" wrote on the developer's forums. "If this changes we'll make sure you know about it."

While a PC release of Fable II has been rumored for some time, the latest batch of rumors came from sporadically updated entertainment blog WhatIfGaming, which claimed that Lionhead told it that "a Fable II for PC users would be likely imminent."

Though a PC port of Fable II would come as no major surprise--the first Fable hit PC after its Xbox release--the blog is relatively unknown in the news arena, gaining attention through a report that Dead Space PC had the "2nd to the worst controls we've seen."

Thanks to terylene and lgy for the tip.

To provide a better idea of the new stuff in today's Fable 2 DLC, Lionhead has issued some new...hey, is that a yellow submarine? I wonder if we can we all live in it. Known as Knothole Island, the first batch of downloadable content for Fable 2 is now available for $10. It adds new areas, quests and items to the Xbox 360 action-RPG.

Roughly two and a half months after the game initially debuted, developer Lionhead has released the promised patch for its open-world action-RPG Fable 2, resolving several game-stopping bugs that have been afflicting some since its mid-October debut.

The update comes just one day before the first batch of Fable II downloadable content, which will add a new island, new quests, new items and characters for $10.

Xbox 360 owners will be automatically prompted to download the update when they attempt to play the game while signed in to Xbox Live. Fixed problems include:

• The Ritual/Monk's Quest
  Fixed the issue with the Abbott becoming unresponsive if you leave Oakfield before he finishes talking. This will fix the problem if you've already hit it, too.
• Rescuing Charlie/Rescue My Baby
  After rescuing Charlie, you can now able to interact with objects... Read more

In this behind-the-scenes trailer, a very happy Fable II (X360) team, fresh off its many accolades, takes us through the creation of the Knothole Island DLC.

Knothole Island will be released on Tuesday, January 13 for the price of 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

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The first downloadable content for Fable 2 will be released on Tuesday, January 13, developer Lionhead has confirmed on its development blog. The company also issued two new screenshots of the content, in which the hero is wearing fancy armor.

Priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), the add-on for the open-world Xbox 360 action-RPG packs an entirely new landmass--Knothole Island--along with three new dungeons, various new items, new weapons, and multiple new characters to interact with.

The pack, originally expected in December, will be accompanied by a free update that adds several other items to the game--"including Knight's Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, collectible silver book and more"--and permits those that haven't bought the DLC to still engage in online co-op play with those that have.

Apparently overlooking the "Chicken Kicker" achievement in Lionhead's Fable II, animal rights group PETA has recognized the title as its game of the year.

"Fable II is a vegetarian's dream come true," writes PETA in its GOTY. "In this virtual fight between good and evil, characters powered by tofu are just as powerful as their meat-eating counterparts--and are more fit and attractive to boot."

"Featuring a strong pro-vegetarian theme, eating a plant-based diet helps you rack up 'purity' points, whereas eating meat makes your character fat and evil. A fun and innovative game, it's also an effective tool that teaches gamers the real-life benefits of a vegetarian diet."

PETA is no stranger to the gaming industry of late. The organization recently forced Sega to pull Samba de Amigo ads that featured trained chimps, and in November produced a Flash-based version of Cooking Mama subtitled "Mama Kills Animals."

Microsoft has confirmed that the winter-themed Knothole Island downloadable content for Fable II has been delayed. "Due to unexpected technical difficulties, the Fable II: Knothole Island expansion will not be available until late January 2009," wrote Microsoft on its calendar of events.

The DLC is set to add new quests, characters and items, for a price of 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

The first bit of downloadable content for Lionhead's open-world action-RPG Fable II (360) will arrive on December 22, the developer has confirmed with Eurogamer.

Dubbed Knothole Island, the $10 add-on brings an entirely new landmass to the game, where players will have to "undergo the trials of the three shrines to bring the dying island back to life." New items, weapons and characters will also be added.

Publisher Microsoft originally specified a December 12th release for the DLC, but soon clarified that the date was incorrect, though the content would arrive in "mid-December."

Fable creator Peter Molyneux has hinted that his team at Lionhead Studios might be working on a full digital Xbox 360 release of its hit RPG Fable II (360).

"I think it would be a great thing for this studio to work on," said Molyneux to GamesIndustry.biz.

Molyneux quickly followed with, "I can't say anything else on it--I would be killed to death."

While Microsoft offers full downloadable Xbox titles on the Xbox 360 under its Xbox Originals program, the release of a complete, downloadable Xbox 360 title would be unprecedented.

Molyneux also revealed that the Xbox Original release of the first Fable sold "really, really well."

"It was one of the highest selling, if not the highest selling, [Xbox Originals title]," he said. "I didn't track that exactly, but I know a lot of people got very excited about it when it came out."