Obsidian Entertainment has long been a respected powerhouse within the video game development industry, originally being founded in 2003. Over the years, Obsidian has been directly involved in the development of popular titles such as Fallout: New Vegas and South Park: The Stick of Truth, and the company is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018, Obsidian Entertainment has grown even further in its ambition, with a spate of high-profile projects confirmed to be currently in development. Despite the excitement surrounding these upcoming releases, many fans are worried over reports of a brand-new RPG being in the works at Obsidian, with many feeling that already-confirmed projects should take precedence in development and fan interaction.
Obsidian Entertainment: Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2
Without a doubt, the two most high-profile projects that are currently in development at Obsidian Entertainment are Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. Avowed is an extremely ambitious first-person RPG title, set within the fantastical world of Eora that is shared with Oblivion Entertainment's Pillars of Eternity franchise.
Reportedly being set to utilize the power of Unreal Engine 5, Avowed will also boast real-time combat that can concern traditional melee weapons as well as intriguing and powerful magic. The fantastical setting and rigorous combat system have led many to liken Avowed to the massively popular Elder Scrolls franchise, only increasing the hype and discourse surrounding the upcoming title. Avowed was originally announced in 2021, with many assuming that the tile will be aiming for a 2023 release window.
The Outer Worlds 2 is another Obsidian title, being an upcoming sequel to the well-received The Outer Worlds which released in 2019. Like its predecessor, Outer Worlds 2 is expected to carry forward the same space-faring first-person RPG formula, while of course building upon it to establish its own identity by providing new settings and characters. The Outer Worlds franchise has proven to be quite successful, with its stylized RPG gameplay earning it warranted comparisons to Bethesda's Fallout series of games. Like Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2 was revealed in 2021 and is expected to aim for a 2023 release.
Obsidian Entertainment's New RPG
Recent job listings suggest that Obsidian Entertainment is aiming to develop another RPG title of similar ambition and scale as the aforementioned Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. While the scope of development that the company is displaying can be regarded as a positive, many fans are rightfully concerned that Obsidian may stretch itself too thin given the amount of resources that are needed for the already announced other major projects at the company.
As well as the company potentially overextending itself, there is a worry that discourse surrounding a brand-new Obsidian title could dampen the hype and audience expectations of Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, with attention instead turning away to this rumored new title. When considering how this new title is set to be an RPG as well, all three upcoming games share the same genre, which may only further create a sense of tedium among fans.
Given the relative lack of post-reveal information regarding Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, the reveal of a brand-new title could very well annoy many expecting fans, with it being imperative that Obsidian focuses on the former two games above all else. While this rumored new title could be very far off from any form of official reveal, it highlights a clear desire among fans for information regarding already revealed Obsidian Entertainment projects, so any new company titles should hold off on drawing fan attention until they are ready.