Peter Molyneux leaves Lionhead and Microsoft

[metallicorphan]

Eurogamer

"It is with mixed emotions that I made the decision to leave Microsoft and Lionhead Studios, the company that I co-founded in 1997, at the conclusion of development of Fable: The Journey," Molyneux said in a statement issued to Eurogamer by Microsoft.

"I remain extremely passionate and proud of the people, products and experiences that we created, from Black & White to Fable to our pioneering work with Milo and Kate for the Kinect platform.

"However, I felt the time was right to pursue a new independent venture. I'd like to thank the team at Lionhead, as well as our partners at Microsoft Studios for their support, dedication and incredible work over the years."

Molyneux has joined a new Guildford-based company called 22 Cans, a venture he described on Twitter as "something really amazing, scary and brave".

22 Cans was founded by former Lionhead chief technical officer Tim Rance, who left the studio in January.

This is probably good news overall,because Lionhead were slowly becoming like RARE under Microsoft..it will be interesting the direction Lionhead now take,with them having a few key people leaving now,probably even more like RARE

It is still a strange decision to announce this just a day or two after the announcement of Fable Heroes,was Pete not happy with having to make another Fable game?

peter molyneux ‏ @pmolyneux
Today is 7th day of 3rd month of 12th year. Add them all up and you get 22. 22cans

[Bullwinkle]

He was never someone who should have been a corporate shill.  He talks a little too much, which is bad for the company, and he's passionate about what he's working on, which makes having to talk about things he doesn't care about hard.

[Maggot]

He was never someone who should have been a corporate shill. 

Pretty much. I am not really surprised by the news, most of all the creative forces behind the older LH games (and bullfrog) has jumped the ship a long time ago (wonder what Media Molecule are up to) and Molyneux was clearly not thriving under MS and wasn't under EA either. He might seem crazy at times but I like his crazy ideas, sometimes brilliant games comes out of it and he should be out there experimenting with new ideas, not milking fable of every last drop of milk.

Hopefully he can start a new independent developer yet again and this time be smart enough not to let himself be bought by any big corporation.

[Purge]

Last time this happened, I was sad  (as Bullfrog croaked). This time, I don't mind.

I'd like to see where Pete takes us next, when he's forced to step away from any existing IP. Too bad we're looking at more than 2 years before we get any PM games.

[Maggot]

https://twitter.com/#!/pmolyneux/status/177406047613493248  

[PR_GMR]

He was never someone who should have been a corporate shill.  He talks a little too much, which is bad for the company, and he's passionate about what he's working on, which makes having to talk about things he doesn't care about hard.

This. He must've gotten tired of being a corporate whore for Microsoft and of developing yet another 'Fable' sequel. Microsoft doesn't practice innovation, and he's always struck me as an innovator.

[kronovan]

Yup, no suprise there - I'm actually surprised it too him this long. I never thought there was much gain in the role for Molyneux and thought MS was the real benefactor in the deal, despite his habit of saying too much - uh hmm, way too much.   MS got a spokesperson who's well respected and known for creativity and pushing the envelope, While Molyneux got the equivalent of a corporate straight jacket with gold and 'warm and fuzzy' lining.  

[CeeKay]

Fable 4 should be interesting.

[EngineNo9]

Fable 4 should be interesting.

Especially considering the original Big Blue Box guys that started Fable also left to form their own company a while back.