Molyneux: Microsoft was a 'creative padded cell;' 22 Cans will see his 'best' game ever

by Jessica Conditt on Apr 11th 2012 6:30PM

Peter Molyneux, creator of Fable and famously parodied developer, left Microsoft and Lionhead Studios last month to establish 22 Cans, a brand new development house. 22 Cans marks Molyneux's fifth studio founding, but there's something different about this one, he told Develop:

"I believe it has all led me to this point. I believe the greatest game I've ever made is still ahead of me."

Molyneux is adamant that he is building something special with 22 Cans, in both the structure of the company and the games it will produce. So far he has co-founder and former Lionhead programmer Dimitri Mavrikakis, data miner Paul Knight and IT director Tim Rance on board, but Molyneux is looking to have 22 people total from various industries, including architects, veterans, fresh faces and people who know nothing about the video game world.

These people will help Molyneux make his "best" game ever; a game he couldn't create while at Microsoft. "I was in a creative padded cell," Molyneux said. "Microsoft was so safe. Microsoft was so nice. You're so supported. Everything I did couldn't hurt me, both creatively and physically. The danger was long gone. I had this huge desire to make something truly special, and I felt like I was being suffocated creatively a little bit."

22 Cans' title will be an inherent, accessible and challenging multiplayer that doesn't lose its appeal after a few months -- he uses Draw Something as an example of a game that does. Molyneux's masterpiece will be more of a hobby than a game, he said, citing Minecraft as a direct inspiration.

22 Cans is currently seed funded, but will be seeking a venture-captial partner "in a matter of months," Monlyneux said, and he is currently on the hunt for employees. Monlyneux recognizes he only has a few chances to make the "greatest" game he's ever created, but he's ready.

"Well I'm 52 years old," he said. "I have a strange attitude to life. I consider it a marathon that you've got to keep pushing yourself through. I just hope I'm coming near the end of it. I couldn't do another 26 miles. I'd like to think I'm coming into the stadium now. Just a couple of laps around the track, and I'll be done."

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[X360] Peter Molyneux leaving Lionhead and Microsoft to start fresh

[X360] Peter Molyneux leaving Lionhead and Microsoft to start fresh

The legendary game designer, who gave us Black & White, Fable and Syndicate, has announced via Twitter that he is leaving Lionhead and Microsoft. However, he confirmed in an interview with Kotaku that he'll be staying with them to see out development of Fable: The Journey for Microsoft Kinect serving as a creative consultant.

On Twitter Molyneux mentioned that he is taking part in a new company called '22 cans'.

"It is with mixed emotions that I made the decision to leave Microsoft and Lionhead Studios, the company that I co-founded in 1997," Peter Molyneux said to Kotaku.

"I remain extremely passionate and proud of the people, products and experiences that we created, from Black & White to Fable to our pioneering work with Milo and Kate for the Kinect platform. However, I felt the time was right to pursue a new independent venture. I'd like to thank the team at Lionhead, as well as our partners at Microsoft Studios for their support, dedication and incredible work over the years."

Microsoft added of Molyneux's departure: "As co-founder of Lionhead and an integral part of Microsoft Studios, Peter was the creative visionary behind the blockbuster Fable franchise, and one of our most passionate and influential developers for the Xbox 360 platform. He has made an indelible mark on the games industry and we wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavors."

It may be true that more often that not Peter Molyneux's ambitious projects didn't really live up to the hype he generated for him, but I'm sure he'll be missed at Lionhead. We look forward to seeing what comes from his independent venture, what are your thoughts on this situation? How do you think it will affect Lionhead and Microsoft?

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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RE: [X360] Peter Molyneux leaving Lionhead and Microsoft to start fresh
Ive met him.

Just sayin

Yeah it know seems like they want to s*** all over the Fable name

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