According to Peter Molyneux, creator of Fable, the recent exploit left in the Fortune’s Tower challenge in Fable 2: Pub Games was put there intentionally, and cheaters will have to face the music when the full game is released in October. According to an IGN preview, Molyneux is promising retribution for anyone who used less than ethical means to get ahead, one which will make them wish they had never tried to cheat in the first place.

The glitch in question allows players to place a minimum bet in the Fortune’s Tower game, and then quickly press a button which will show a max bet, while only taking the minimum off your stack. For example, if you’re playing at a table where the minimum bet is 5 gold and the maximum is 500, using the exploit you only stand to lose 5 gold, but your payout will be based off a bet of 500 if you win. Many players have used this trick to amass an in-game fortune, which can then be carried over into Fable 2 and used to purchase new weapons, armor, items and houses.

When Lionhead found out about the glitch they promised a patch, but now it seems like they may have something more damaging in mind. Indeed, it seems like now Molyneux and company will continue to allow you to pile up the coin, but something "unfortunate" might happen when you try and access your riches in the final build. We’ll have to wait and see just what sort of punishment awaits, but it looks like Fable 2 will once again prove that cheaters never prosper.