By Wow, some very interesting gaming news out of left field today. Microsoft Game Studios has announced that they’ll be bringing a mini game to accompany Fable III to the Android market next week. The game will be called Fable III: Kingmaker and sees the player battling for land using geo-location tools. Think “Risk,” pretty much, except you actually go out with your phone and “flag” your location for conquering. By playing, you can accumulate gold to use in the full version of Fable III launching at the end of the month (October 29th if you aren’t keeping up.)
Microsoft did something similar with Fable II as they launched Pub Games for the Xbox 360. That was to be expected, but I don’t think anyone expected them to head to the Android market. For now, the site isn’t showing the full list of compatible devices, but over 60 smartphones will be supported (and we can’t imagine none of them won’t be Android.) Read on for full press details.
[Update]: To be clear, Microsoft hasn’t committed to Android per this press release, but considering they’ll be targeting “over 60 devices,” I can’t imagine Android smartphones don’t make up a majority of that list. Too soon to tell, I suppose, as the website they refer to doesn’t show the information it should be showing us. If or when Android availability is confirmed or denied, I’ll update this post accordingly.
[Update 2]: And there you have it: it’s coming for Android on October 4th, per the editor’s note that I didn’t see at my original source of the press release (GP’s database.) Thanks to EuroDroid for clearing this up!
FABLE III: KINGMAKER BRINGS THE BATTLE BETWEEN ROYALS AND REBELS TO THE STREETS OF LONDON
Microsoft announces a new geo-location mobile game for Fable III Fans, launching Monday 4th October
LONDON – 1 October 2010 – Microsoft today announced it will launch “Fable III: Kingmaker,” an innovative geo-location mobile gaming experience which will invite “Fable III” fans across Europe into a virtual land grab of epic proportions, all in the name of gold.
Whether you’re a Rebel looking to fight for the people of Albion against the tyranny of your wayward King, or a loyal Royal follower, then sign up to take part on www.Fable3Kingmaker.com and get started. Players can take ownership of land for their faction using “Fable III: Kingmaker” mobile application staking a claim to unclaimed or opposing team’s territory by tagging their location and planting a virtual flag using the GPS facility on their smart phone.
The faction with the greatest number of flags in any given territory at any given time will “conquer” that land – changing it in colour and following to either the Rebels or the Royals. Players will be rewarded for their allegiance and efforts in capturing territory with in-game “Gold” which may be transferred into the full game of “Fable III” on Xbox 360* when it launches across Europe on 29th October.
The “Gold” can be spent on player customisation and in-game products, from crystal swords to manor houses, giving fans of “Fable III” the chance to build up their bank account and get a head start on their friends before the game even hits the shelves later this month. And for those already plotting their road to rule, there will be the opportunity to claim chests full of additional in-game “Gold” from designated locations scattered across the map.
Peter Molyneux, Creative Director, Microsoft Games Studios Europe, comments, “To be able to earn gold you can use in your Fable III game, and to check-in and claim land for your side is brilliant for both Fable III and Xbox 360. We all love the innovation and feeling of being connected that Kingmaker brings to gamers.”
Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft EMEA, comments, “Fable III: Kingmaker brings gaming out of the home and turns your town or city into the setting for an epic online battle. We are always challenging ourselves to find new, exciting ways to deliver second-to-none gaming experiences and we can’t wait to see Fable fans take to the streets across Europe with Fable III: Kingmaker.”
Available in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden – “Fable III: Kingmaker” will be available on Windows Phone 7: the only phone that lets you play games with Xbox LIVE – when it’s released across Europe this holiday. From Monday 4th October it will roll out on a number of operating platforms as a free application download* on over 60 devices***. For more information on smart phone compatibility, please visit www.Fable3Kingmaker.com.
“Fable III” on Xbox 360 is available nationwide on 29th October, but if you can’t wait that long then pre-order now at www.xbox.com/fable3
I just don’t see any reference to Android in there, yet the story’s first sentence claims so.
It sounds like a very fun game, though. It is an interesting move for MS to use other platforms for mini games to try and hook people and sell more XBoxes and other MS products.
Clever & genius.
I wonder if such an app would be approved by Mr. Jobs for his new OS?
“rom Monday 4th October it will roll out on a number of operating platforms as a free application download* on over 60 devices***”
—-
I can’t imagine that excludes Android. I guess we’ll know for sure once the site is fully functional October 4th.
I hope there is an android version.
If not I think it would be a easy app to write but a game I would definitely shell out some bucks for none the less.
Think about it.. to basically play risk across the planet. A true MMORPG on a world wide scale.
Making it muli-platform to kick the crap out of iPhone and Win mobile phones would be an added bonus. (This could be an initial faction list hmmmmm)
Thoughts?
joystiq lists the launch date as today, and for ‘smartphones’, not android.
Joystiq refers to the date that CVG says was listed on the site, which – at the time – was October 1st. This press release came after CVG’s initial report. And I know there’s no mention of Android, but I’d be surprised to see that – out of over 60 devices – some of them won’t be Android-based. If they do end up excluding Android, I’ll update this post. But for now, this can be considered Android-bound until further confirmation.
Hey all,
The “Editors notes” at the end of the press release specifically mentioned Android:
***Mobile phone roll out will begin from October 4th
Android and Nokia Symbian will launch on October 4th
Apple iPhone will roll out from the 6th October
Windows Phone 7 will be released following the launch of the mobile device in Europe
Thanks for clarification!
Well done, Quentyn & EuroDroid.
Now it would be awesome if the game itself ended up cross-platform, rather than just Xbox.
Will this be compatible with the pc version once they release that as well? Or is it just gain points on android transfer to 360?
UPDATE – not coming to north america = http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/fable-3-kingmaker-app-video/