Microsoft Game Studios has re-released Fable II in episodic format on Xbox Live through its Games on Demand service today. The game is split into five consecutive instalments, with the first episode being offered for free.

In this initial episode, players are introduced to the vibrant world of Albion where every choice has a consequence, and are able to experience childhood and the trials of being a young adult. Players can then choose to purchase additional episodes on Xbox LIVE at their own pace.

Saved progress, characters and items will work across all the episodes as well as the original full game on disc. The previously released DLC add-ons, 'Knothole Island' and 'See the Future', are also fully compatible with the episodes.

 

Variously described as "astounding", "revolutionary", and - most commonly - "creepy", the tech demo that Peter Molyneux presented at E3 to show off Microsoft's Project Natal ended up being one of the main talking points of the show.

My reaction was "bullshi-".

Peter Molyneux built up a grand reputation as a visionary game designer some 20 years ago, in his years at Bullfrog Productions designing and developing games like Populous I & II, Syndicate, Theme Park, Magic Carpet and Dungeon Keeper - games which, if you're old enough to remember them, you most likely have fond memories of the many hours spent with them.

 

Microsoft has released six new screenshots for the Fable II DLC Knothole Island, which is now available for download on the Xbox 360.

This update will grant players a handful of gifts from the people of Knothole Island, and will enable those who haven’t purchased Knothole Island downloadable content to continue the co-op action with their friends.

Some of the items include: Knight’s Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, a collectible silver book and more.

In a posting on Xbox.com, Lionhead Studios have confirmed that the much anticipated "Knothole Island" DLC 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. As a result, the Fable II, Knothole Island Download and Win, originally scheduled to take place December 22 – 23, 2008, has been temporarily suspended. Please check back for updates.

The epic journey begun in Fable II, the fastest selling RPG on Xbox 360, is not over. Starting mid-December 2008, fans will be summoned back into Albion’s service with the release of the Knothole Island downloadable content pack.

[quote]
The remote island of Knothole is dying: its golden sands and lush vegetation are covered with snow, its people freezing, its treasures buried. Only a hero can face the trials of the three shrines to bring back the sunshine.
Following its release on Xbox 360 on October 21, more than 1.5 million units of “Fable II” flew off store shelves worldwide in the first two weeks. With the release of the first “Fable II” downloadable content, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points, gamers will be invited to set sail for Knothole Island, where new quests, wondrous items and bizarre characters await.

Microsoft New Zealand have confirmed with Gameplanet this afternoon that Fable 2 will be released on October 23rd.

They've also provided us with the following information about the Collectors Edition;

Gameplanet has learned this morning that Fable 2, the highly anticipated action RPG from Lionhead Studios, will no longer release October 2nd as scheduled.

The title has now been pushed back to at least late October, with no confirmed date forthcoming from the New Zealand supplier.

 

Like a good book, a great movie, a meaningful song, or that Mexican meal from last night, Peter Molyneaux wanted the player to take something away from Fable 2 long after the game is complete.

When they were creating the sequel to Fable, Peter told us that the good folk at Lionhead Studios began with a shopping list. They then proceeded to boil it down, over and over, until they had only three things on the list - three things which they believed would make the sequel stand out in a crowd of good video games.

The first of these is drama. Peter told us how he recalled spending the afternoon on the driving storyline behind a game - they spent as long on the storyline for Fable as they did actually making it.

 

Microsoft Game Studios have sent us the following press release coupled with three new screenshots for the upcoming Fable II;

Fable II is the highly anticipated sequel to the wildly successful original that sold more than 3 million copies, offering even more choices and building on the core gameplay theme of Fable, where a player's every decision continually defines who they become.

This action role-playing game allows players to live the life they choose in the newly expanded open world of Albion. Set 500 years after the original, Fable II offers gamers an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs, and taverns in the world of Albion.