At E3 last year, Microsoft showed us a very promising game in their trailer of Fable Legends for the Xbox. However, earlier today Microsoft came out and said that
We aren’t sharing additional details today beyond that we have ceased development on Fable Legends, and are in discussions with employees at Lionhead about our proposed closure of the studio as well.
However, Microsoft will leave the beta open until April 13th, and will reimburse anyone who spent money on in-game purchases.
Today, Microsoft also closed down Press Play Studios. Press Play Studios in Denmark started to develop a game for PC called Project: Knoxville, which would have been a game similar to the Hunger Games in that you would be put into a game show type environment where your goal is to be the sole survivor of a group of candidates.
Microsoft Studios Europe’s General Manager, Hanno Lemke, came out and said that
these changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.
And that these changes had nothing to do with the development of the teams. He also expressed his thanks to the teams and expressed that if those affected would still want to work for Microsoft they will be accommodated.