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Fable II - No Online Co-Op At Launch

Online co-op for Lionhead's latest will be patched in shortly after launch.

If you stand here long enough, you'll eventually be able to download a patch and play with a friend.
If you stand here long enough, you'll eventually be able to download a patch and play with a friend.
Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog updated today with information that even though the game has gone gold, Fable II is still being developed, and the ability for online co-operative play won't be in the game at launch.

This seems like an extremely temporary setback, as Microsoft's Sara "DirtyDiva" Nicholson is quick to mention that the update should be available within the first week of the game's launch. The glowing orbs that represent your friends in-game will still show, however, and you'll be able to trade with those players right away.

Still... considering this game seems to have gone gold like 19 times already, isn't it completely insane that the game is shipping in an unfinished state? Or is that just me?

Either way, Fable II will be in stores on October 21.
Lieson Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:14 p.m.
Oooh. Bad sign. I thought they had this all worked out and had demoed it already? Or were thos more of Molyneux's lies?
rohanspear345on Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.
awww
Cronoon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.
Wonder if it says it has Co-op on the box though....
TheGTAvaccineon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
Whaaat?!

Oh well, still going to be a great game.
Tokyo_Jesuson Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
"Fable 2 is finished."  - Peter Molyneux July 2008
pirate_republicon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:18 p.m.
Meh, it'll be a week before I'll want to try out co-op anyways, so no biggie.
But it's not acceptable to release an un-finished game.
SilverArrowson Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:21 p.m.
Well, i think when this was demoed at E3, it was probably working, but they couldn't get it to production quality before launch.
So they will spend time to get that up to par from now till it launches, when it'll have online co-op.
Sucks though, as i think most websites will review the game based on lack of online co-op (and thats fair), but i think with the Co-op element added it will be an even better game.
Metamorphicon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:23 p.m.
Fable 2 Gone Gold! Guess not. What is this all about? You can not sell this game as having co-op anymore.

Though I'm still excited for this game. Hope is fun to play :) and that the most important things (like combat, etc.) work well.
AndrewBon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.
This is a huge, HUGE hit to Fable 2. Last I checked, one of the biggest things they were touting about the game was online co-op, jump-in, jump-out style gameplay. Finish the game before you release it,, developers. That is the most basic piece to launching a game.
MKHavocon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.
I won't be getting this game in the first week so this probably won't affect me.
Claudeon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.
Patcharama for the game that's never finished and lives on forever.
jangofett88on Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.
This game probably won't be gold until Fable 3 is on shelves.
Kazonaon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.
How can a game possibly have gone gold when it's not even finshed yet? And if it'll take only a week to patch it in, why not postpone it for that one week? This just doesn't make any sense to me.
Kazonaon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
Actually I just thought of something. Perhaps online co-op is being left out of the game on purpose to semi-force people to play the single-player game first. That is really the only reason I can think of for them to release the game without it and patch it in within a week.
SolidKnighton Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:34 p.m.
that sucks
jlaudio7on Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:41 p.m.
sucks, but at least they're gonna patch it in.
vinsanity09on Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:41 p.m.
why don't they just delay the game for 1 week then? i'm sure it's going to take longer then that, if not then expect a lot of bugs
PLWolfon Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:46 p.m.
Kinda messed up to ship it this way but, as long as it's being patched in for free, I have no major problems with it.
Tanukion Sept. 26, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.

I don't want to sound like I'm nit-picking or something, I mean, it's "only" a week or so delay... but I'm getting pretty annoyed that it's becoming the norm that games are being shipped out when they're not even finished.  In fact, I don't think this bodes well for the game in general... especially after that Fable II pub games thing.  It's a bug, no it's not, yes it is, no it's not, patched!  I mean... if they're gonna lie, choose one and stick with it.

thehamburgleron Sept. 26, 2008 at 5:03 p.m.
..or is this all part of Peter Molyneux('s?) sick and twisted vision, just as the xbla glitch?

Dig Deeper into Fable II

An action-oriented role-playing game set 500 years after the original Fable, this sequel starts players out in the role of a street urchin destined for greatness. Choose to become a brave knight, treacherous rogue, or talented wizard each decision affecting your ultimate outcome.

US Release Date: Oct. 21, 2008

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