Dog or no dog?

[Lady Dragonfly]

I am not sure. I've seen it done in the other games and I am not impressed. Logically, the dog should be killed by the monsters right away, unless you want it to be designed as "impossible to kill" (sort of knocked out temporarily), which is cheesy.
The "spying dog" would eliminate any sense of surprise and challenge (not that Fable has ever had any).

[RPG Guy (sorta)]

If they're going to incorporate a companion like a dog, then they better give you some kind of uber-reward heading into the final chapter of the game...for keeping the thing alive.

Undoubtedly, it will take some substantial effort to keep a 'dog' alive for the entire game without some lame (i.e. cheese) ressurection strategy.

The developers need to strike a careful balance between the dog's utility (actual usefulness in the game) and it's obvious exposure (growling and charging into battle prematurely only to get slaughtered).

There better be 3 LARGE button on the UI:

1. Heel (stay behind me and bark your @ss off )
2. Sick (attack)
3. Go lay down (run and hide into some bushes)

Realistically, the dog would serve only a few useful purposes:

Scouting...

Guarding you while you rest at night (a security alarm)

Sensing evil or insincere NPC's

Limited attack capability

Carring messages

Generally speaking, I like the idea but they better do it right.

[leigh]

I think having the dog is a good idea. It means that you have abit extra help when fighting. Sort of like the Summon or ghost sword spells in TLC...expect it won't disappear with in two hits.
From what I have saw the dog is sort of like a hunter's companion which means that it will always fight the foes with you.
I think the fact that the dog will change it's appearance depending on the Hero's alignment will be a pretty neat feature.

[ni.ck]

Oh, okay. I get it. Yeah, it would be logical if the dog sense a more dangerous enemy and hide behind you as a warning. Now, what I would like to know is whether it will be possible to customise your dog (in terms of stats, that is).

I think your dogs stats improving would be very good, but only if it is done properly - Your dog standing in some light to get stronger is rather silly (As was the Hero doing it!) It should be that the dog and yourself gain XP when killing stuff, but insted when your XP reachings a certain point.

[Bob Dole176]

I think I found the video. I don't know why, but it makes you specify your age. Probably because Fable's a rated M game and you have to be 17 or 18 to buy it, I think.

GameVideos.com - GDC: Fable 2 'Dog Demo' gameplay HD

[Assassin Reaper]

I like the idea of the dog. And you can let the dog rest somewhere. I am assuming only at your house or your shop. But i don't much like the idea of the fighting differently in different environments you should just be able 2 pick up anything like the chair or beer glass normally. But do think of the advancements in the dog and even the new fighting way. But i'd prefer it like the old not saying it wouldn't be fun it'd probably be fun also. Possibly more fun on the count of how cool the new way of fighting looks, possibly even more fun or exciting i mean it does look cool but it might get confusing.

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole176

I think I found the video. I don't know why, but it makes you specify your age. Probably because Fable's a rated M game and you have to be 17 or 18 to buy it, I think.

GameVideos.com - GDC: Fable 2 'Dog Demo' gameplay HD

It's not only because of that. Sometimes, I see the age specification in certain game videos that contain unsuitable content. It's more to the content of the video than the actual game itself.

[Adahn]

I know this is kinda necro-posting since it's pretty old, but it's still on the first page and... well I just saw the video so hell, I'm gonna add my two copper pieces.

I don't like the idea at all, the creator in the video keeps saying 'it's about emotion, a bond' yeah you know what I don't like emotion - I play a rotten evil bastard and I really don't want to have a cute fluffy dog following me around -.-

I mean can't you at least choose the animal? I'd much rather have a cat.

<--- Cat Lover / Dog Hater

It may be harsh but it's true, I mean all my life I was raised with cats - one of my cats got mauled by a dog once. I really hope you can choose not to have the dog at the very least. Cause if you can't, you can damn well bet I'm gonna send it off to get mobbed.

More than functionality, usefulness, power-playing or whatnot, I like my Fable to be about my character being whoever I want him to be, and I don't want him to have a dog. So yeah...

</rant>

[Assassin Reaper]

I agree on some terms I do like dogs also I have a cat and dog but it is illogical. Cats can not fight. You might be able to get both but the dogs fight and follow. What help would be a cat?

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by Adahn

I don't like the idea at all, the creator in the video keeps saying 'it's about emotion, a bond' yeah you know what I don't like emotion - I play a rotten evil bastard and I really don't want to have a cute fluffy dog following me around -.-

I mean can't you at least choose the animal? I'd much rather have a cat.

I don't mind it at all. Since I have a growing discontent for main characters in RPGs due to the fact that they lack emotion and personality, something like this is a welcome change (to me, at least).

As for choosing a pet, this isn't the Sims 2: Pets. If Mr. Molyneux wanted to give the player the ability to choose a pet, he should have mentioned that a while back when he was demonstrating Fable 2 at GDC '07. But since he only mentioned a dog, looks like we'll have to live with it. And Assassin Reaper made a good point here. What good will a cat be in battle? Doesn't make sense as a companion if you ask me.

[Adahn]

What good would a cat do in battle? What kind of ignorant question is that? Have you ever tried asking that to a Wizard with a Cat for a Familiar? Or a Druid with a Cat for a Companion?

Cats are naturally sealthy, they can hunt and prey on the enemy. Besides who says it needs to be a small house-cat, it can be a young tiger, or a bob-cat. Why not a boar? Maybe even a spider for heaven's sake.

What I'm saying isn't complicated - if you're going to put in a pet. Put in atleast a choice of two. I mean for heaven's sake Lionhead, you did it with Black & White you can't do it here?

Not everyone's a dog lover DesR85 - I mean if you want a virtual pet why not get one of those pocket pets or whatnot. I'm not going to spend my time tossing a ball at some co-dependent animal, while felines by definition are much more detached and independent. Their relationship works like a buisness deal 'I do for you, you do for me.' And that's what I'd like to see.

Yes, perhaps 'a little' bonding wouldn't be bad. But that's why you get a wife, and kids. I saw that sales rep in the video say 'you can go away but then you see the dog limping, and he loves you and you'd be a real bastard for leaving him' - Oh yeah Mr. Sales-Guy? Well go fry yourself an omlet, I'm ditching the mut if that's all you give me. *nods*

Hell give me a horse anyday

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by Adahn

What good would a cat do in battle? What kind of ignorant question is that? Have you ever tried asking that to a Wizard with a Cat for a Familiar? Or a Druid with a Cat for a Companion?

Cats are naturally sealthy, they can hunt and prey on the enemy. Besides who says it needs to be a small house-cat, it can be a young tiger, or a bob-cat. Why not a boar? Maybe even a spider for heaven's sake.

For your information, I did not ask that question out of ignorance. I ask out of common sense. Who ever heard of a cat obeying a master's command to attack someone or even a cat who will defend the master in case of trouble? Not that I know of in real life or even in a video/computer game.

Originally Posted by Adahn

What I'm saying isn't complicated - if you're going to put in a pet. Put in atleast a choice of two. I mean for heaven's sake Lionhead, you did it with Black & White you can't do it here?

Fair enough. I won't argue with this point but as I stated before, if it has been confirmed to be a dog only, then let it be. There's nothing anybody can do to change it. That's the reality.

Originally Posted by Adahn

Not everyone's a dog lover DesR85 - I mean if you want a virtual pet why not get one of those pocket pets or whatnot. I'm not going to spend my time tossing a ball at some co-dependent animal, while felines by definition are much more detached and independent. Their relationship works like a buisness deal 'I do for you, you do for me.' And that's what I'd like to see.

I know that. I'm not a pet person myself, to be honest but do I let this perception get in the way of how I view a game? No. It's just a game. Why would I want to get worked up over something like this?

Originally Posted by Adahn

Yes, perhaps 'a little' bonding wouldn't be bad. But that's why you get a wife, and kids. I saw that sales rep in the video say 'you can go away but then you see the dog limping, and he loves you and you'd be a real bastard for leaving him' - Oh yeah Mr. Sales-Guy? Well go fry yourself an omlet, I'm ditching the mut if that's all you give me. *nods*

Hell give me a horse anyday

At least that "Mr. Sales Guy" is more honest than the other sales guys I ever come across in the RPG genre. He is willing to admit the mistakes he made in over-hyping Fable: The Lost Chapters and he apologised for that. Now who else is brave enough to do that? Nobody. Not even the famed Peter Hines who did the PR for the Elder Scrolls series.

[mr_sir]

Originally Posted by DesR85

Who ever heard of a cat obeying a master's command to attack someone or even a cat who will defend the master in case of trouble? Not that I know of in real life or even in a video/computer game.

There are a few games where cats obey a master's command and defend the master in case of trouble - in many AD&D computer games you have the option to choose familiars or pet companions and even summon cats to come to your rescue. Granted that in most cases these aren't typical house cats, but wild cats such as panthers etc., but they are still cats. One such game is NWN, where a wizard can have a panther familiar, various classes can summon cats, and I think druids and rangers even have cats as one of the choices for their animal companions.


@everyone contributing to this thread:

The developers have only ever mentioned a dog as a companion in Fable 2 and no other animals so we just have to live with this. Some people like this aspect, others do not, but it is pointless getting in a heated exchange over it. Everyone is entitled to their opinions so lets keep this thread friendly

By all means, discuss other pets you would prefer, or possible choice systems you would prefer (such as being able to choose the type of animal), but respect each others' opinions in the process

[Adahn]

I might have gotten heated back there and I apologise... but my point is just *sighs* if Lionhead prizes itself on the whole 'make your own choices' stuff - then why, oh why did they have to stick you with just a dog? That's all I'm saying. Ain't it a fair question?

Had it been a wolf then hey even I would have said 'alright' but a golden retriever?

[DesR85]

Originally Posted by Adahn

I might have gotten heated back there and I apologise... but my point is just *sighs* if Lionhead prizes itself on the whole 'make your own choices' stuff - then why, oh why did they have to stick you with just a dog? That's all I'm saying. Ain't it a fair question?

Had it been a wolf then hey even I would have said 'alright' but a golden retriever?

I also apologise for my conduct just now. To be on topic, maybe the dog have a role in Fable 2's story? I can't think of any other reason why Lionhead (or Peter Molyneux himself) wanted to pair the dog with the main character.

P.S. Speaking of which, I think I'll start a new thread about what type of animal do you want as a pet since this thread is all about dogs.