Kotaku: pub games

Shit. Pub Games is Patched ... Or is It?

Owen Good — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:00:00 MDT

The parade of bloviation about the Fable II Pub Games exploit just will not die down. Of course, first Peter Molyneux said that cheaters would be "in for a surprise" if they tried to transfer their ill-gotten wealth to Fable II, once it releases. Then a couple sites spotted something curious in IGN's Fable II preview, in which Molyneux implied the glitch was actually a deliberate inclusion. Now Lionhead Studios has put out a patch, although someone (above) is claiming that drive maintenance will reactivate the exploit.

First, Molyneux and the "deliberate glitch" idea. The original phrasing of IGN's sentence about it: "Just be warned. Molyneux has said that the cheat was no accident and that those who used it to earn their money will be in for a surprise." was rewritten to "Just be warned. Molyneux has said that they are well aware of the cheat and that those who used it to earn their money will be in for a surprise."

That sounds about right. The idea that this particular glitch would be included is kind of laughable, even if you want to think of it in the choose good/choose evil context of the Fable franchise. Isn't that a little subtle, anyway? Well, the whole thing's was patched as of Thursday evening, resetting the leaderboards, so it's all moot — or is it?

See the annotation in the video above? Someone's now saying you can continue to use the gold exploit by entering the "perform maintenance on storage devices" code (at the storage device tab in System, highlight a drive, enter Y X X LB RB X X). But it doesn't really matter for me because I never got above the minimum bet limit in Fortune's Tower, the game where the gold exploit works.

Disclaimer: Although performing storage device maintenance sounds like an innocent-enough thing to do, I have no idea if this procedure, in combination with whatever's in the patch, actually does nasty shit to Fable II Pub Games, renders it inoperable, or anything else you don't want done. In the end, you're getting cheat tips off a YouTube video, be warned. However, if someone does get it to work, let me know in the comments.

Gold Exploit in Fable II Pub Games [YouTube, via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Fable II Pub Game Glitch 'Intentional' [BritishGaming.co.uk]
IGN: Fable II Preview [IGN]

Earn Gold Unlock Fable 2 Items with Web Games

Brian Crecente — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:30:00 MDT

Fable 2's pub games was the first cross-over Xbox Live title that let you earn something for a retail game by playing. Sure it was glitched, but they're fixing it, and it's a very neat idea.

Speaking with Lionhead Studio's Sam Van Tilburgh earlier today I discovered that Pub Games won't be the only way you can earn cash for Fable 2.

When the game's official website relaunches it will include a web game or two that allows you to earn Fable 2 gold and unlock goodies like dye pots and a chicken suit for the game. All told, gamers will be able to unlock six to seven special items through the website, Van Tilburgh said. You can also earn coin through the games.

What about mobile games? Or iPhone games that will earn you Fable 2 cash. Van Tilburgh was cagey about the possibility, but said he'd mention he idea to Peter Molyneux.

Lionhead Patches Fable Pub Games Glitch, Community Offers Advice For Earning Big.

Stuart Houghton — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:20:00 MDT

Well, if you were hoping to fill your pockets and give your first Fable II character a healthy bank balance by exploiting the Fable II Pub Games bug you had better get in quick — Lionhead is hard at work on a patch that will put paid to your ill gotten gains.

It's not all bad news (or good news, assuming you would rather play a game without the possibility of cheating) as Lionhead's community blog has a page full of tips designed to maximize your Pub Games earning potential while staying within the rules. Their advice? "If you are wondering about a 'much talked about' exploit, just ignore it (and know that a patch is on the way)."

But as Lionhead taketh with one hand, they giveth with the other - a rather natty set of Fable II wallpapers has turned up on the official Fable II site and an update to the Fable backstory Tales Of Albion entitled The fall of the Heroes” is now live (requires Microsoft Silverlight to play).

Fable II Pub Games News Flash, Tips and Tricks! [Lionhead Community Blogs]

Fable II Wallpaper [Lionhead]

Tales of Albion [Lionhead]

Earn $$$ With Fable II Pub Games Bug

Stuart Houghton — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:40:00 MDT

Uh-oh. If Lionhead don't sort this out sharpish then Albion could end up suffering through its own version of the kind of economic meltdown that has lead to Zimbabwe printing a run of billion dollar notes.

The novel idea of letting players earn gold in the Fable II Pub Games on XBLA — gold that can be brought into the game to give your character a good start in life — might turn out to be a problem, now that someone has realized there is a way to game the system into paying big.

The Fortune's Tower card game can be tricked into big payouts, it seems. Find out how after the jump and get saving for extra dog biscuits now before this gets patched.

From Wired:

The game in question is the Fortune's Tower card game, and all you need to do is bet the lowest amount before you deal cards (15 chips), and then immediately hit the left bumper after you select "Deal." This will max out the bet, but the only amount taken out of your pot is the initial 15.

I've been able to replicate this in all of the Fortune's Tower games I've played — you eventually unlock new tables that allow higher bets — as well as in the tournament mode. And yes, I'm racking up quite a bit of gold, thank you.

Get Rich Quick With Pub Games Glitch [Wired Game|Life]

Fable II Pub Game Pre-Order Codes Broken [UPDATE]

Brian Crecente — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:20:00 MDT

It appears something is up with the codes GameStop and Amazon were giving out for Fable II pre-orders. The code was supposed to allow people to download a free copy of the stand alone Fable II Pub Games, but we've received numerous reports that the codes don't work. Reports of the code not working have also cropped up over on Xbox Live Director Larry Hryb's Major Nelson site. There's also a forum posting on Xbox.Com that lists more than 100 people not being able to use their code to download the game.

We've contacted Microsoft for comment and will update once they get back to us or find a solution to the problem

Update: Just heard back from Hryb: "If you received a download code from a pre-order for Fable II, I am being told that they codes should be working later today. Apologies for the delays."

How To Make Money With Fable II Pub Games

Mike Fahey — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:20:00 MDT

The Fable II Pub Games are dropping this week on Xbox Live, a series of gambling games that will allow you to make money for your Fable II character before the game's October release. Definitely a nifty idea, but how does it work? According to Eurogamer, who got the down-low from developer Lionhead. Basically you choose a persona to gamble with using the Pub Games. Create one or create several, it really doesn't matter. Play the games, make your gold, and then - and this is important - buy Fable II when it comes out. The whole process falters if you skip this step.

Once you are safely playing Fable II, initiate a gaming session with a Gamemaster at your local tavern, or one of the conveniently wandering types found throughout the game. Start up a game, and you'll be asked if you wish to merge your in-game persona with your gambling persona. Once you agree, your Pub Games horde will be at your fingertips, and you'll be able to outfit your dog in the latest doggy gear at your leisure. Simple!

Lionhead explains Fable 2 money transfers News [Eurogamer]