Microsoft cancels Fable Legends, and is ‘in discussions’ to shut down Lionhead Studios

Also closing down Danish developer Press Play

Microsoft has announced that it is ‘in discussions’ with Lionhead Studios, Peter Molyneux’s former studio and developer of Black & White and Fable, to shut the studio down.

In a statement made on the Xbox site, it was confirmed that the upcoming Fable Legends has also been cancelled:

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 Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade.

The news comes alongside an announcement that Danish developer Press Play, the team behind Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, is also to be shuttered:

These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly, 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.

It’s worth nothing that Lionhead hasn’t been officially shut down yet, but the language used in the rest of the announcement makes it pretty much inevitable now.

I used to love Black & White when I was a kid, so seeing Lionhead finally bow out will be a sad day indeed.