"Coming soon: the sequel to the enchanting, engrossing and award-winning action role-playing Fable developed by Peter Molyneux and Lionhead.

Fable II's Limited Collector's Edition

Pre-order a copy of "Fable II," and earn or gamble away in-game gold via Xbox LIVE Arcade Fable II Pub Games in preparation for the game's full retail launch later this year.

Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios today announced that consumers who pre-order a copy of the Xbox 360 exclusive, "Fable II," at participating retailers worldwide, will be given free access to download the "Fable II" Pub Games when they are released this August.

Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, fans can transfer the gold earned in these casino-style mini-games to the world of "Fable II," when the game is available later this year. The final names of the Xbox LIVE Arcade "Fable II" Pub Games (which will be available as one download) are: "Keystone," which is a combination of Craps and Roulette, "Spinnerbox," which is an updated take on slot machines, and "Fortune's Tower," which is a press your luck style of game. The download will also include a Shell, which is a tutorial of all three games.

Now and for the first time ever, "Fable II" fans can get a head start on their virtual experience, starting their long awaited quest through this sequel with gold in the bank and the ability to purchase items right off the bat, such as weapons, clothing, houses, dog tricks and more - an experience that can only be found on Xbox LIVE Arcade. The "Fable II" Pub Games will also be available for purchase over Xbox LIVE in August for those that do not pre-order "Fable II" for 800MS points.

Lionhead and Microsoft Game Studios also announced details of a limited collector's edition of "Fable II" available for pre-order at retailers worldwide, for a suggested price of $79.99 USD. The limited collector's edition includes: a bonus disc with a new behind-the-scenes making of video, collectible Hobbe figure, a LIVE trial card and additional in-game content (an Xbox LIVE account is required to access the limited collector's edition bonus in-game content). The "Fable II" standard addition is also available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $59.99. "Keystone," "Spinnerbox" and "Fortune's Tower" will also be embedded as part of the full retail copy of "Fable II" (limited collector's and standard editions)."

FROM: http://lionhead.com/?newsid=28

Not surprised....have you noticed that unlike previous gens, many 3rd party titles now have a Collectors Edition?

Devil May Cry 4 had it
GTA 4 had it
Metal Gear Solid 4 had it
Soul Calibur 4 will have it
Fallout 3 will have it

And many others

Not complaining, but I´m curious as to why this generation is seeing this huge increase in Limited Collectors Editions.....because of development costs?

I always found Collector's Editions to be under "cool, but a waste of money" category. Games already cost 50$/60$ and Collector's just pushes that up even more without really enhancing my enjoyment of the game. If Collector's Editions came with extra content and not just some Concept Art or a cool box then I might splurge but otherwise all of the money I save can be spent later on other awesome games.

Either way I am looking forward to Fable 2, hopefully the game will deliver because I want more Co-op RPGs and just good RPGs in general.

I have never been one to waste money on collectors editions, but 1 month of LIVE which I always refuse to pay for, so this is nice... plus 3 arcade games I wanted anyways so I can stash up some gold early, plus a Hobbe figurine!!!

This has a good chance at being the first "Limited Edition" version I buy.

When is this coming out? Anyone have a release date?

@Chemical
Its funny at a game store in my town the CoD4 Collectors edition (PC) is 15 dollars cheaper then the regular edition :D

Rumors state Oct. 1st, 2008.

No official date though.

 The problem with giving extra content with a collectors edition might not be so great, This would stop me buying the normal version totally if the extra content was usefull, Also I generally like my games cheap so likely I wouldnt bother with the collectors editon either. Just keep it to useless junk that I dont care about and im happy.

Thanks. I won't be buying collectors edition but im starving for an adventure RPG.

i never bought these and never will