The player-determined character progression in the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive Fable II may still be fluid, but its release date is not. Microsoft today nailed down an October 21 North American launch date for Lionhead's anticipated action role-playing game. The UK release will follow on October 24.

The basic concept of Fable II should be familiar to those who played its 2004 predecessor on the original Xbox. Gamers will role-play as a young hero in a fantasy world and make choices to turn that character into a heroic champion, loathsome villain, or something in between. However, Lionhead has added in a number of new wrinkles, including a faithful canine companion, the ability to play as either gender, and an array of ancillary concerns not involving swords and sorcery (marriage, children, real estate, and so on).