What you need to know
- Playground Games is the studio behind the massively popular Forza Horizon franchise.
- Playground Games expanded by opening a second studio in 2017, before then being acquired by Microsoft in 2018.
- Playground Games is also working on a new Fable game, which is slated to arrive at some point in 2025.
- According to an update on Playground Games’ LinkedIn page, the team has expanded to three studios.
As a seasoned video game researcher with over two decades of industry experience, I have witnessed numerous shifts and transformations within the gaming landscape. The growth of Playground Games from a single studio to a triple-headed powerhouse is an impressive feat that underscores the company’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality gaming experiences.
The teams behind some of the biggest Xbox games are getting even bigger.
As a researcher delving into the gaming industry, I recently noticed an expansion in Playground Games’ creative realm. Their LinkedIn profile showcases the addition of a third studio to their family. This newcomer seems to be collaborating on the development of Fable, the much-anticipated reboot of the beloved light-hearted Xbox role-playing game series.
Today, Playground boasts three elite studios located in Leamington Spa. Our initial headquarters remains the hub for nurturing and expanding the colossal Horizon community. Meanwhile, our newly established studios across town are where we’re thrilled to be working on Fable, marking a fresh chapter for the illustrious franchise.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment.
Playground Games has grown into an Xbox powerhouse
2010 marked the beginning of Playground Games, a studio that collaborated with Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios to launch Forza Horizon, an open-world spinoff from the renowned Forza Motorsport series. This game, praised by critics and commercially successful, led to several sequels. In 2017, Playground Games added a second studio to their team, eventually getting acquired by Microsoft in 2018. The most recent addition to their portfolio, Forza Horizon 5, surpassed 40 million players earlier this year.
As Forza Horizon 5 receives ongoing support, Playground Games is predominantly dedicating their efforts towards the upcoming title, Fable – a revival of sorts set within the fabled, timeless realm of Albion. In collaboration with Eidos Montreal, known for their extensive work on Deus Ex, they are contributing to this project. A fresh trailer unveiled during the Xbox showcase earlier in the year offers a glimpse into the anticipated action and characters that players will likely encounter.
Fable is scheduled for release on both Xbox Series X|S consoles and Windows PCs in the year 2025. As with all Xbox first-party titles, subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will have access to it right from the start.
Analysis: Good to see additional investment
2021 has been particularly challenging for the gaming industry, and this tough period has not spared Xbox’s development teams. Regrettably, cost-cutting measures led to the shutdown of three Bethesda studios, as well as job losses at Activision Blizzard King.
1. Despite the circumstances, it’s heartening to observe teams thriving and expanding. Playground Games have truly excelled with Forza Horizon, scaling new peaks with each new installment, as the series gathers an increasing number of players and critical acclaim. Given that two studios are reportedly working on rebooting the iconic Xbox RPG franchise, I am confident that Playground will replicate their success with Fable. It’s one of the games I’m most eager to play next year alongside other highly anticipated titles like DOOM: The Dark Ages.
I’m here to share some insights. In case you missed the news, Forza Horizon 4 is set to retire later in the year. However, there’s still ample time for newcomers to join the community and own a permanent copy before it vanishes from digital shelves.
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2024-07-29 23:09