Last Friday's New York Times "Wedding/Celebrations" section announced the nuptials of Ms. Amy Gilbert (who is studying for her Ph.D. in molecular medicine in London) and Joshua Atkins, the "lead game designer for Fable III." Would this be be first tandem wedding and game announcement? Although Fable III doesn't officially exist, Atkins has been with Lionhead since Fable and is listed as a part of the design team at Microsoft Game Studios in the Fable II manual.

This isn't the first time Fable III has been unofficially mentioned: British talk show host Jonathan Ross tweeted in March that he was approached to do voice work for the game. Of course, we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation of Fable III's development. We absolutely can't wait until the company pulls "we don't comment on rumor and speculation" on this one.

PS: From all of us at Joystiq: Congratulations to the happy couple!

Update: Microsoft's official statement: "We have nothing to announce regarding future Lionhead Studios projects."

[Via Kotaku]

Update: Okay folks, it seems to be showing up at the discounted price now (make sure you're signed in to Xbox.com). The deal is for Gold members only.

For all of you wannabe Meteorologists out there, the problematic weather of Fable 2's Knothole Island awaits you and all of your cunning. The Lionhead community blog reveals the DLC will be discounted up until July 5. Normally 800, the DLC will receive a price cut of 30%, knocking it down to a more manageable 560.

You already know our thoughts on the add-on, so we suggest you stock up on mainland items and head to Knothole Island for some rare goodies in the Box of Secrets. And, you know, tackle a dungeon or three.

Add Knothole Island to your download queue

Lionhead founder and famed game designer Peter Molyneux took the stage at Microsoft's E3 press conference to demonstrate "Milo," a virtual boy who interacts with players via the Project Natal motion camera. After introducing the project, Molyneux presented a video of a Lionhead staffer speaking with Milo, who reacted to what she said -- and even wrote on a piece of paper held up to the screen ... like a real person.

Following the video, Molyneux addressed what was likely a considerable amount of doubt as to the simulation's validity saying that it will be demo'd in real time behind closed doors during E3. He said that Lionhead has been tinkering with Project Natal for several months, and that he feels "what developers do with Natal will change the landscape of games." We'll ask Milo what he thinks of that later in the week.

The studio could be gearing up to reveal some mysterious new IP that it had been working on for quite some time. Then again, maybe Lionhead's idea of a "big presentation" is Peter Molyneux playing beer pong on stage. The possibilities are endless, really, but we do know one thing: all will be known come Monday at 10:30 a.m. PST.

[Via Eurogamer]

"We've never seen anything like it," Bowerstone physician Bloodlettin' Sam said. "It defies the small amount of science we've been able to discern."

Everyone, it seems, is at a loss for words over the unprecedentedly fruitful loins of Albionian hero "Evan1357," who, together with beloved wife Sadie the Farmer, has sired 537 children. Child Protection Services officials have been hesitant to investigate the hero ("he's just so handsome, all we want to do is marry him," they said in their defense), while Mrs. the Farmer's spirits were remarkably high, all things considered.

"People ask me how I manage to push so many human beings out of my body. The secret is to simply OOOHHHH NOOOO IIIIT'S HAPPENINIIIING AGAAAAIIN," said Mrs. the Farmer, proud mother of 537 538 children.

OK, so, as you'd know if you read our review, there's not a whole lot of future seeing to be done here. But, nomenclature issues aside, there are some beefy new Fable 2 missions in the "See the Future" DLC which, just a reminder, is now available on Xbox Live.

If you're unwilling to part with the 560 MS Points ($7), there's still a chance you could win a free copy. But, as we're talking about Joystiq's 2008 Game of the Year, we think you owe it to Lionhead to pony up the cash. Heck, you owe it to us.

You can't really trust that Murgo guy. A trader by profession and a swindler by nature, Murgo returns to Bowerstone Market in Fable 2's "See the Future" add-on to sell you some odds, some ends and a few more plot devices. Seemingly unaware of the true nature of his own wares, the smooth-talking salesman offers several cursed items to you, each with a very low cost of entry. It's getting out that's tricky.

Oh Lionhead, we're going to miss these little chats. For nearly two years, Lionhead developer diaries have been our link to the company, and, in our darker moments, the only thing keeping us going. Now, we're getting our last sneak peek at Fable 2 in the final developer diary, this time centered on the upcoming "See the Future" DLC.

We haven't watched it yet, but we're going to preemptively say "Oh God, it looks so good, we want to play it so bad. Oh please, oh please, just come out already." We'll be sure to edit the post if we're wrong ... which we're not.

Information continues to trickle in from the trusty crystal ball regarding Fable 2's upcoming "See the Future" DLC, which Lionhead now reveals will be available on May 12. The content will cost 560 ($7) Microsoft Points, a currency that thankfully still holds value in the distant future.

In addition to adding in new items, quests and fluffy companions, Lionhead also promises that all Xbox Live Silver account holders will be able to adventure alongside their Gold cousins for free from May 8 through May 11. So grab your dog and your favorite sword -- the future's waiting.

Beyond Achievements for love making and nut shots (and many other items and quests), Lionhead's upcoming DLC for Fable 2, "See the Future," will also offer up more dog breeds. IGN has images of a hound, husky and dalmation. Lionhead's Mark Hill says the breed changes are mostly aesthetic, but some "may become slightly better fighters."

"See the Future" should be available sometime next month for 560 ($7). Now, if we could only see the future enough to provide an exact release date.

Bringing the game's grand total up to 1350 points, the full list of Achievements for Fable 2's upcoming DLC, "See the Future," has been unveiled by the Lionhead Community blog. Since it includes such classy Achievements as "The Paramour: Make love 25 times" and "The Nutcracker: Score 25 groin shots," we're quite certain those venturing back into Albion will find no shortage of buffoonery to engage in.

We're still not quite certain what day in the next month the second add-on will arrive, but we do know it's fetching 560 ($7). Considering we're rounding the end of April any minute now, though, we imagine Fable 2 developer Lionhead Studios will see fit to announce a release date soon. Now that's seeing the future.

[Thanks, Aaron!]

The Fable 2 community site has posted a vertically enhanced collage of the many forms the RPG's (anti-)hero can take. It's quite impressive and, after looking through the list, we realize our once-generic avatar can take on more traits than we ever expected. Check out the full image here.

The queer sexual discrimination case of Jamie Durrant against Microsoft has ended in an "amicable resolution." PinkNews reports a settlement has been reached by the two parties, with no financial figures revealed and Durrant no longer continuing his employment at Lionhead Studios as part of the agreement. Durrant had been "sick" and on half-pay since last August from the Molyneux studio due to "anxiety and depression."

When contacted for comment about the conclusion of the case, Durrant responded, "I really can't comment on it apart to say that it was resolved amicably."

Despite the Durrant issue and an alleged incident involving a lesbian being banned from Xbox Live, Microsoft appears to still have the support of GLBT political organizations. The Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index gave the company the highest score possible in its latest review. So far, these discrimination incidents appear to be tempests in a teapot.

[Via GamePolitics]

It's a morning just like any other, save for one joyous difference. You stumble out of bed, groggy and mildly alarmed by the monstrous shape your hair assumed during the night. A sip of coffee does little to bring your brain out of its fatigue nebula, with a glance at the calendar reminding you that ... wait a minute. It's May! The new Fable II downloadable add-on, "See the Future," is supposed to be out this month!

You quickly don your Bananas in Pajamas dressing gown and rush into the living room, shouting, "Wake up! Wake up you piece of slumbering silicon!" at the Xbox 360. Oh, you simply can't wait to download the new content, which marks the return of Murgo the Trader and the beginning of a new quest to lift a trio of curses placed on mysterious items. What wondrous new wares await you? What new breed will you choose for your post-potion pet? What good (or evil?) will you get up to with new costumes (including a Hobbe outfit!), hairstyles and "psycho Jester make-up?"

Oh, but you're getting carried away. There's still the 560 ($7) charge to pay before you can chase after the "Ghosts of the Snowglobe," save "The Cursed Knight" from his fate or bludgeon everything to a pulp in "The Colosseum." Of course, there are some free items offered to Fable II players (like "Welley's soldier helmet"), but only the premium pack offers ... oh. It's not online today.

You suddenly remember that Joystiq failed to mention what day in May the DLC would arrive. Those incompetent, unreliable bastards.

While Games for Windows Live, Rare and other Microsoft-owned studios were all hit with job cuts back in January, Lionhead remained mostly untouched. The studio's alpha lion, Peter Molyneux, spoke to GamesIndustry.biz, attributing this immunity status to the studios' courteousness and professional attitude among all else: "We tried to be welcoming. So being professional, being nice to do business with, being super-passionate -- when people come to look at saving money and where to direct their resources, it makes their decisions easier to take."

Microsoft probably also appreciates the fact that Lionhead is transparent in its work, opening communication channels with its parent company. This was apparent when Molyneux told Eurogamer that "Microsoft has to see the sense" in what he's doing before unveiling the new project. Speaking of which, Molyneux further revealed that it's something that has been in development for a very long time and will probably be perceived as "insanely simple." He doesn't plan on being any more specific until there's something "tangible" to show.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz
Source: Eurogamer