Mike Ducker was given a plaque to commemorate his work on Fable, the Lionhead RPG launched in 2004 for the unique Xbox. In 2010, it went lacking beneath mysterious circumstances—and now, 12 years later, a spot of fine luck has put it again in his palms.
Ducker, whose Mobygames (opens in new tab) profile lists him as a programmer on each Fable recreation from the unique to Fable: Anniversary in 2014, shared the story concerning the loss and restoration of the plaque on Twitter. “The plaque I used to be given for making Fable has been lacking [and] presumed stolen since 2010,” he wrote. “It ended up in a recycling centre public sale in Northampton round 2014, then sat in a group till it went on sale on eBay not too long ago, the place a recreation dev I might by no means met noticed it and instructed me.
“The vendor returned it for the worth they paid for it (lower than 10% of what they’d listed it for and far lower than I used to be keen to pay). By no means thought I might see it once more and so unlikely that I ever did. I’m, in fact, paying them greater than they requested (and throwing in a Fable 1 standee I discovered in my tiny assortment of memorabilia)”
Ducker additionally known as for “many blessings” upon Ichi Sumeragi, who informed him of the auction (opens in new tab) final week. The public sale has since been cancelled, however you possibly can nonetheless see the web page by means of the magic of the Wayback Machine (opens in new tab). The vendor was asking £995 ($1,112) for the plaque, which they mentioned is in “like new” situation—and which Ducker mentioned he was not able to pay with the intention to get it again.
The vendor returned it for the worth they paid for it (lower than 10% of what they’d listed it for and far lower than I used to be keen to pay). By no means thought I might see it once more and so unlikely that I ever did 🥲October 12, 2022
How precisely the plaque went lacking within the first place is not sure, however Ducker mentioned that “a bunch of stuff” was stolen from his home in 2010, and he would not recall seeing it after that, though he added that it might need disappeared previous to that. As for the way the plaque ended up in an public sale when his title is actually printed proper on the entrance of it, Ducker mentioned he would not consider eBay or the vendor have an obligation to acquire his permission or approval.
“I suppose simply because it was clearly as soon as mine does not imply they must chase me up to ensure I bought it / gave it away,” he tweeted. “Not more than the purchaser did. I am certain some individuals would (to get data as soon as bought) however loads of individuals would not consider it.”
Happily for Ducker, one individual did give it some thought, and a contented ending resulted. Apparently, he is not the one former Fable developer who’s lacking the plaque: Neil Grevitt, who labored on Fable: The Misplaced Chapters, mentioned he hasn’t seen his in years and requested if the vendor had any others. Alas, the reply was no (opens in new tab).
A brand new Fable recreation (opens in new tab) is at the moment in growth at Playground Video games, the studio greatest recognized for the Forza racing video games. Little is thought about it at this level past the truth that it is taking place, however Anna Megill, previously the lead author on the challenge, took over as narrative lead (opens in new tab) in July.
