Playground Games has detailed the extensive freedom players will have in the upcoming Fable RPG, including the ability to kill every non-player character (NPC) in the world. Game director Ralph Fulton stated that while it would be "extremely difficult" to depopulate a major town like Bowerstone entirely, smaller villages could theoretically be purged of all inhabitants. The game is designed to allow players to "revel" in such extreme actions, rather than penalizing them with game-over screens or making characters immune.
When players begin to eliminate NPCs, the immediate reactions involve characters fleeing and guards actively hunting the aggressor. These guards will continuously respawn, acting as a defense mechanism against "psychopathic" behavior. However, Fulton indicated that there's technically nothing stopping a player from eliminating everyone if they can overcome the persistent guard presence.
Localized Consequences and Morality
The game simulates consequences for such actions, with the most direct being the loss of services. If a shop owner is killed, that particular shop will become unusable. This extends to the broader economy; if players disrupt local businesses like tailors, pubs, or bakeries by eliminating their staff, the responsibility for that disruption falls on the player.
A key feature discussed is Fable's reputation system, which is now localized to individual settlements. Actions that earn a negative reputation in one town will not necessarily affect how residents in another town perceive the player. This allows for a dynamic where a player can be seen as a hero in one area and a villain in another, with news of their deeds not traveling far across the world of Albion.
Fable's signature morality system has also seen changes. Previously, actions were universally judged as good or evil. In the new iteration, some NPCs may admire certain actions while others despise them, reflecting a more subjective interpretation of morality. This is visually represented by a "word cloud" of adjectives that floats near the player's head upon entering new areas, showcasing descriptors ranging from "charismatic" and "friendly" to "violent."
Fulton explained this shift by referencing the real world, stating that there is no single objective good or evil, and individuals can interpret the same event differently. This subjective morality allows for complex character builds, such as a "charismatic thief," where morally grey or even opposing traits can be combined.
Economic Simulation and Player Ambition
Beyond direct violence, players can also impact the world through economic actions. Fulton described playtesters buying properties and raising rents, forcing NPCs into homelessness. The game accounts for this possibility by allocating a "fixed slot on the street for each individual NPC" in case their housing is compromised, ensuring that every settlement is designed to accommodate its entire population sleeping rough.
The ultimate goals for players might include acquiring expensive weapons, stylish armor, or prestige properties. Several mansions are available in-game, costing millions of gold, with the most desirable located in the affluent Manner Fields district. Acquiring these high-end properties represents a "long play horizon."
Alternatively, players can invest in improving deprived areas. The game simulates economic transformation; by investing in businesses and adjusting rents, players can foster wealthier communities. However, these changes are largely simulated and not physically represented in the environment. Fulton noted that Fable models only up to "second-degree ripple effects" in its economy, as anything beyond that becomes too difficult for players to observe and understand.
This intricate simulation, including the capacity for extreme actions like mass murder and the subsequent economic repercussions, underscores the ambitious scope of Fable's open-world design. Playground Games has built systems that anticipate and react to even the most depraved player choices, demonstrating a commitment to player freedom and consequence within its fantasy setting.