Molyneux: Fable II digital release would be "a great thing"

Lionhead Studios' Fable is already available on Xbox LIVE along with numerous other Xbox originals.  So far, the full downlads are restricted to such titles, though industry experts have been suggesting that Microsoft could open up the digital downloads to Xbox 360 titles as well.

It's all speculation, but Peter Molyneux, head honcho at Lionhead and resident Fable expert, really likes the idea of making Fable II available for a full download, presumably through LIVE.

"I think it would be a great thing for this studio to work on," he said, though it's far from a sure thing.

"Any way that more people can play it, the better," Molyneux added.  "Normally I'd feel quite emotional about that, but at the moment I just think it's a reflection of where we are when people will struggle to spend any money at Christmas at the moment."

He has good reason to support the digital revolution.  Following its digital release on Xbox LIVE, Fable -- that is, the first one -- became one of the highest selling Xbox Originals on LIVE.  Fable II was also well received by the gaming community following its October launch, but UK retailer Gamestation was already slashing prices by more than half in order to accomodate the floundering global economy.

Regarding the unexpected price cut, Molyneux lamented, "It's hard to see any products that aren't being discounted and it seems like retailers in [the UK] are focusing on different products every week. If this hadn't been this time last year, I don't think it would have happened."