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Report: Offers Were Made For Lionhead, But Microsoft Wouldn’t Sell Fable IP
On March 7, Microsoft announced it was entering a consultation period with Fable developer Lionhead to determine the studio’s fate. On April 29, the studio closed, ending its 20 year legacy. But it might have gone differently.
According to a report from Kotaku UK, Microsoft had a number of suitors for the Guildford studio. The hangup was that the Fable franchise wasn’t part of the deal.
Because these matters are confidential, we don’t know who was allegedly interested. We also don’t know exactly how much money was on the table, but given the report, it seems the interest hinged on the IP.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment, and we’ll update should we receive a response.
[Source: Kotaku UK]
Our Take
While this would have been a glimmer of hope, it may not have saved Lionhead or the jobs. If the IP was on the table, it’s safe to say that there is a possibility that a buyer would have nabbed the IP and shuttered the studio anyway.
Right now, we can only hope Microsoft is hanging onto Fable because it has plans. And with luck, any future endeavor will honor Lionhead’s legacy.
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