Fable 4 senior producer addresses claims of downscaling and technical difficulties

One of Fable 4's senior producers has clarified a facet of the game's ongoing development following a claim that Fable 4 has been "scaled down" due to technical difficulties.

Earlier this week, a host on the XNC Podcast claimed they had received information about Fable 4's development, alleging that the upcoming game had to be scaled down as the team was having trouble with the engine, and that, while they tried to build the game on ForzaTech, "the gameplay mechanics were alluding them" as "they couldn’t fit them in the engine".

Now, a senior producer on Fable 4 has taken to Twitter to "clear up" that scoping "is a normal, necessary, and healthy part of game development," which they guarantee is something any AAA game goes through as part of natural development.

It's intention is to make sure the team are focused under one clear vision and can get it made in the time they have without killing themselves. Games that haven't been scoped correctly often have delays and crunch, both we should be aiming to avoid whenever possible. 2/2June 1, 2022

Crunch and delays occur when games haven't been scoped correctly, Amie Loake goes on to add via a follow-up tweet. As developers managing an ongoing project want to avoid this wherever possible, scoping is intended to bring focus to the game and streamline the entire project, so developers aren't working on a ballooning project.

GamesRadar+ has contacted Xbox and Playground Games for added comment, and will update this piece with any new information.

Loake has an extensive history with the Fable series at large. Although the producer is now working at Playground Games on the new adventure, Loake spent over two years working on various Fable projects at original developer Lionhead, working on both Fable Legends and Fable Anniversary in different roles. After a break at Sumo Digital working on Crackdown 3 and other projects, the industry veteran has returned to the much-beloved series.

As for Fable 4 though, we'll have to wait and see for more from Playground Games's reboot. The new game first surfaced back in July 2020 with a brief cinematic teaser trailer, and we've seen nought from the project since then. With Xbox due to hold their traditional E3 showcase later this month on July 12, Fable 4 could resurface with new details.

Check out our upcoming Xbox Series X games guide for a complete look over all the other projects coming to the new-gen console in the near future.

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.