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Fable: The Journey Definitely Isn't On-Rails, Probably Still Features Magic Jazz Hands

Peter Molyneux goes to great lengths to dispel the notion that his latest Kinect title is a rails-based adventure.

Despite all appearances to the contrary at Microsoft's E3 2011 "Media Briefing," Peter Molyneux really wants you to know that Fable: The Journey is not on-rails. Like, not even a little bit.

Molyneux was having journalists sign this wall at E3, to signify that
Molyneux was having journalists sign this wall at E3, to signify that "It's not on rails."

In a video captured by OXM UK, Molyneux attributes the misconception to his own "horrendous mistake." Specifically, a decision made to remove the game's navigation components for the E3 demo, in order to simplify the demonstration of the title's gestural controls. So, yes, what you saw at E3 was on-rails, but the real game won't be.

What, exactly, those navigation components entail we still don't know, but one has to imagine they weren't exactly in an overly functional state if Lionhead felt it necessary to straight up strip them out and risk giving people the complete wrong idea about their title during a press conference streamed out to the entire world. Or maybe Peter Molyneux just really likes screwing with people. After all, it's not like he's proven himself averse to saying things that don't turn out to be entirely true.

As for the previously demonstrated magic energy ball rave dancing motions seen in the demo, those seem like they'll probably still be in the game. Unless, of course, Peter just up and decides those were a horrendous mistake too. I wouldn't put anything past him, at this point.

Alex Navarro on Google+

102 Comments

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senorfuzzeh

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Edited By senorfuzzeh

@Meowshi said:

@ashbash159 said:
No Caption Provided
clap clap clap

Made my night.

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arjybarjy

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Edited By arjybarjy

I just wish there was one sane British media-facing person in the US. 

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risseless

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Edited By risseless

Hey guys? I think this game might be on rails. Just FYI.

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TwilitEnd656

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Edited By TwilitEnd656

"It's not on-rails, guys, you can choose which rails to take at specific points while being unable to choose where you go outside of said points."
I get the feeling Peter doesn't quite understand the meaning of "on-rails." Or he's just running his mouth again. Or both.

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Junkion

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Edited By Junkion

The Steve Jobs of gaming?
\(^-^)/

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Mike76x

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Edited By Mike76x
@wsowen02 said:
It's a misguided experience
Fixed :)
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wsowen02

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Edited By wsowen02

It's a guided experience

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firecracker22

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Edited By firecracker22
@Nethlem: Well, Peter said that was Microsoft's call. Microsoft wanted to play it safe, and only show that stuff, because they were afraid of something going wrong live on stage. 
 
Which makes sense, I guess.
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McBEEF

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Edited By McBEEF

Black and White Kinect game please pete.  Or just Black and White 3.  This fable looks like ass.

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Nethlem

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Edited By Nethlem

If it's not on rails why not show a demo where the navigation system is working?

Instead he does this publicity stunt that doesn't convince anybody and makes him come across desperate....

Poor guy... If he wouldn't have such a history of pulling crap like this off I would pity him :/

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DJJoeJoe

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Edited By DJJoeJoe
@JamesKond said:
@DJJoeJoe: Well, they could do it like other action games like Assaisin's Creed. With one button/movement you can change from walk to combat 'stance' give you the ability to walk in an action game with kinect.. I suppose.
Kinect games aren't allowed to use the controller at all, it's something Microsoft has stressed. So what button are you going to be hitting to switch stances? Whatever it is I can't imagine something even half as good as an analog stick, there's going to be a big compromise in movement for sure.
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Levio

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Edited By Levio
rail(rl)
n.
Any of various marsh birds of the family Rallidae, characteristically having brownish plumage and short wings adapted only for short flights.

Ok he finally had a gold-mine idea and threw it out with the bathwater.

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JoeRosa

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Edited By JoeRosa

Oh god please lie and promise me more things.

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel

@Marokai said:

Just because you can choose separate paths on your predetermined-movement-adventure doesn't mean something isn't on rails. It just means that there are more rails.

You might even call it a system of rails. A grid of them, even.

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deactivated-6050ef4074a17

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Just because you can choose separate paths on your predetermined-movement-adventure doesn't mean something isn't on rails. It just means that there are more rails.

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pkhilson

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Edited By pkhilson

Still juggling them balls

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faunt

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Edited By faunt

Anyhow, how is that Milo coming up, Pete? 
 
woooops

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Mike76x

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Edited By Mike76x

Fable 3 had the "monorail" that was actually an upside down train track (2 rails) , so honestly I don't think he does know what rails are.

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deactivated-5865c6a5c9438

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So, you're trying to tell me that it's on rails?

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cornbredx

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Edited By cornbredx

Ya... and Fable 3 was actually fun but they stripped everything out of it that made it fun just to piss off players.

Right.

Sorry, did I mention before Lion Head has lost all credibility? Oh, sorry, I've said that a million times now =P

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Nintendude

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Edited By Nintendude

Hahah, I bet they just changed the game when people started to complain and noticed how unpopular rail shooters are. (Why in the heck would they even remove such a big gameplay element when showing the game off...)

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vortextk

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Edited By vortextk

I've listened to justin's stories about SH6, sherlock holmes 6 for those not in the know, and this fable title like 8 times on the video stream. Freaking hilarious. "I want to start off by saying, this is not on rails"
 
I love Pete for his visions at the very least(does mock hand gesture ryan was talking about), but seeing them come to fruition in a current game would be nice.

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cstrang

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Edited By cstrang

Uh huh, sure. Don't try to bullshit a bullshitter, Molyneux.

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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

well as long as it isnt on rails... maybe it is only on a single rail...

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Scrumdidlyumptious

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Not being on rails is not that big of an achievement.

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McGhee

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Edited By McGhee

@alex:

Oh SHIT! Alex has been hypnotized and possessed by Molyneux's dark powers. Is there an exorcist in the house?

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cheesebob

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Edited By cheesebob

ON FAILS MORE LIKE!!!!!

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pickassoreborn

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Edited By pickassoreborn

Anyone else notice that Molyneux's handwriting looks like that of a serial killer?

I REST MY CASE.

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Chubbaluphigous

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Edited By Chubbaluphigous

Instead of all this Fable stuff, I wish he would make new crazier Black and White.

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Edited By ajamafalous
No Caption Provided
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tourgen

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Edited By tourgen

Dude is lying to himslef and us. Rails confirmed.

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Branthog

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Edited By Branthog

This game is totally not on rails, even though everything we've shown is totally on rails.

Also, could not care less about Fable games. They have been a consistent disappointment. Peter needs to focus on doing something clever and unique, again. I don't care if it's revisiting an old series of his or doing something entirely new. Just do it and stop producing this shit-fest of fart jokes and calculated transparent "they love you and you're the hero!" or "they hate you and you're the villain" attempts at "emotion and variety" games.

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Absolute_Zero

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Edited By Absolute_Zero

I want to know who signed that wall. If The Journey really is on rails and those people STILL signed it... that seems pretty sleazy to me.

But maybe they signed it as a joke... hmm...

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nnotdead

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Edited By nnotdead

great Memento pic. haha i really dislike this guy, and will never take him serious.

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buzz_killington

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Edited By buzz_killington

The navigational parts is WHIPPING A FUCKING HORSE WHO IS MOVING IN A PRE-SET PATH (aka ON RAILS). Sometimes you can choose between one of two ways.

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Edited By Cirdain
@MysteriousBob said:
@CaptainFish said:

Even if the horse sections have different paths you can choose, aren't the combat sections completely linear? Even if there are a few places where the paths can split, it still can be considered on rails.

No Caption Provided
What are you talking about? The House of the Dead had branching rails and thats my favourite open world series ever.
@spartan1017 said:
@ashbash159 said:
No Caption Provided
epic
,Love
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Pop

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Edited By Pop

"My balls aren't on rails " 
-Peter Molyneux

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

I wonder what Peters definition of on-rails is.

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Sinful

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Edited By Sinful

inb4 Rails...damn too late.

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spankingaddict

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Edited By spankingaddict

Molynuex.... WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!   Nobody fall for his bullshit! He's starting to make really crappy games!

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lumberingjackal

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Edited By lumberingjackal

@ashbash159: That's f'ing funny!

Fable 4: You're supposed to aim the Kinect at the tv and dat shitplaysitselfBOOOOOOOOOM!

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HerbieBug

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Edited By HerbieBug

Fable 1 was supposed to be, like, Morrowind, but with better combat.  D:
 
I'll never forgive you for that, Molyneux.  Did not buy Fable 2.  Did not buy Fable 3.  Will not buy this. 

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MysteriousBob

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Edited By MysteriousBob
@CaptainFish said:

Even if the horse sections have different paths you can choose, aren't the combat sections completely linear? Even if there are a few places where the paths can split, it still can be considered on rails.

No Caption Provided
What are you talking about? The House of the Dead had branching rails and thats my favourite open world series ever.
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risseless

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Edited By risseless

I quit believing anything Molyneux says somewhere around Fable II. He's an epic bullshitter.

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spartan1017

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Edited By spartan1017
@ashbash159 said:
No Caption Provided
epic
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Krakn3Dfx

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Edited By Krakn3Dfx

Also, Fable: The Rails, the sequel to Fable: The Journey, is also not on rails.

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HadesTimes

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Edited By HadesTimes

OK, unless they plan on adding controller support as well, the game is ON RAILS. NOTHING that we have seen would lead ANYONE to believe otherwise. Oh and in the interviews Molyneaux gave he said the entire game was you on the wagon and then you off the wagon fighting. You know, on rails.

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JamesKond

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Edited By JamesKond
@DJJoeJoe: Well, they could do it like other action games like Assaisin's Creed. With one button/movement you can change from walk to combat 'stance' give you the ability to walk in an action game with kinect.. I suppose.
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ImperiousRix

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Edited By ImperiousRix

Can somebody just kill Molyneux already? 
Like... please?  He's BAD for video games.  He is HURTING the industry.

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Soap

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Edited By Soap

Games on rails, Molyneux is lying, end of story.