Google’s SketchUp used by Lionhead to assist making the world of Fable 2

Sure the game is far, far away from a release, but Lionhead Studios has been hard at work on Fable 2. The designers are using Google’s 3D design tool SketchUp to make 3D place holder assets until the final models are created. This technique known as “white boxing” has allowed the designers to focus on creating the world of Albion instead of dividing their attention between making buildings and props. Charlton Edwards, the level designer of Fable 2, hopes to keep the organic style introduced in Fable and add in more exploration in the 360 sequel. One of the early areas that the team is working on is a forest (concept art below), which is larger than all of the Greatwood regions added together.