A screenshot allegedly from Obsidian Entertainment's first-person fantasy RPG Avowed is being shared across social media. Fans of Obsidian and open-world RPGs have been anxiously awaiting news regarding Avowed's development, but Obsidian has remained tight-lipped since the game's reveal in 2020. Unsurprisingly, when a screenshot said to be leaked from Avowed suddenly appears, it's going to go viral among fans hungry for any news on the game's development.The trailer for Avowed shared in 2020 did not feature gameplay. The cinematic did offer a glimpse of what gameplay would look like in Avowed, though. The player is shown pulling a one-handed sword from their scabbard, runes glowing along its blade. The other hand draws a magical rune in the air which they grasp, limning their palm in purple flames. Duel-wielding a sword in one hand and sorcery in the other was understandably intriguing, so it's fitting that the leaked screenshot offers another look at it.In the Avowed screenshot, which is unfortunately low resolution, the player is show utilizing magic in both of their hands. If the original Avowed trailer is any reference, the screenshot shows the player activating spells in each hand. The blue glyphs could imply an ice or water magic being used. In addition to the dual-wielding magic, the screenshot also offers a great glimpse at Avowed's open world. There's a stone road in front of the player, a crumbling castle ruin in a lake, trees all around, and mountains in the distance.
It's unclear who shared the Avowed screenshot recently, but what's more important is that it isn't actually new. According to leaker Jez Corden, the screenshot stems from a Discord post made over the summer. That initial leak had relatively little reach, however, so this is the first time many people have seen it. Corden explains that it is a leak from Avowed, taken from an old build from years ago.
The fact that it has been more than two years past Avowed's last and only showing and yet a leaked screenshot managed to go viral should make Obsidian very happy. Anticipation for Avowed remains very high. When Obsidian decides to share more information about its RPG, which will hopefully be in 2023, the hype could be unreal.
For better or worse, Microsoft decided to showcase Avowed very early in its development. The launch of the Xbox Series X/S platform was nearing and Microsoft needed to persuade people to buy it, even though its release schedule for exclusives was very thin in 2020. Its strategy worked, but it's been a long two years waiting for more information on Avowed, as well as other projects like Fable and Everwild. Hopefully, Obsidian will share more than a screenshot soon.
Avowed is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.