Lionhead Studios occurs as United Kingdom-based computer game development company led by industry veteran Peter Molyneux.

Began as a break out of a creator Bullfrog, which was also founded by Molyneux, Lionhead's number one game was Black & White, a god game with elements of artificial life, strategy, and beat 'em up games. Black & White was published by Electronic Arts in 2001. Lionhead Studios is known as fallowing a dead hamster of one of the original members. When it were discussing a title two or three transactions prior to the rep from either Electronic Arts arrived, the member attend prevent in his hamster, Lionhead, world health organization was discovered dead. [G4 Interview with Molyneux]

Black & White was followed higher by using a release of an expansion case known as "Black and White: Creature Isle." Lionhead then freed a popular (& controversial) Fable, from satellite creator Big Blue Box. Around 2005, Lionhead has announced a release of The Movies and Black & White 2.

Corporate Structure

Lionhead has install the network of "satellite" developers, including Heavy Blue Pack Studios (developers of Fable), Intrepid Games (developers of B.C., since off due to the massive overproduction) & Black & White Studios (who have taken responsibility for the continuation of the Black & White series). Lionhead proper is working in ii games, A Motion-picture show (a sims-prefer game depending upon the premiss of running off your computers have Moving-picture show Studio) & Dimitri, the simulation game of a few sort (astir which Lionhead is existence unco pinching-secretive). Still, in the period of an locate by having Computer and Video Games, on April 6th, 2005, Peter Molyneux revealed that ''"[Dimitri is] a game about (pause for dramatic drum roll) ...you. It allows anyone who plays the game to relive their life, their entire individual life. That's a pretty ambitious concept." When my [C&VG's] jaw dropped to the floor, Lionhead PR in haste intervened sustaining the consequence of a virtual gagging choose.

A degree of control that Lionhead has above its satellites is nin clear, however Lionhead software engineer were seconded to act on Fable'' when it became apparent that Large Blue Pack experienced been making little progress. It would likewise seem that it was a hand of Molyneux behind a supposed cancellation of BC inside October 2004 - although there are suggestions that these are however inside development within a select few form.

Lionhead was a privately held company until October 2004 (shortly prior to the cancellation of BC) while the pool of investors, including Ingenious Ventures, IDG VE & technology house Add Partners, processed a important investment into the creator.

Overpromising Controversy

Lionhead, & Molyneux particularly, is ill-famed for "hyping" their games to an rare degree, typically sequent within disappointment from either people world health organization develop followed a bet on's development. This was a lot a pack fallowing a release of Black & White, however potentially sir thomas more therefore when a launch of Fable. When the official forums were flooded sustaining complaints, Molyneux manufactured the uncommon appearance on the forums, in which he mass produced a "mea culpa" speech of dubious sincerity. Therein post he claimed to will have there are no idea that claims just about the content of Fable early in the development period were unrealistic, & committed himself to revealing games lone lot in the future in the development period. Such a commitment missed a point by using stunning grace, however a acknowledgement of mistakes was nonetheless appreciated by victims world health organization got raised an brow at the gulf between what experienced been claimed & that which got been delivered.

Games

Released
Black & White (2001) Fable (2004) Fable: The Lost Chapters (2005) Black & White 2 (2005)

In development
The Movies Dimitri Rag Doll Kung Fu (actually developed independently by Lionhead artist Mark Healey) The Room (prototype)

Cancelled
B.C. Unity