Less than a month after the announcement of its acquisition by Microsoft, Obsidian Entertainment is ready to reveal its next major release. Wednesday afternoon the company teased plans of a "Special Message" to be shown "Live December 6th at The Game Awards." The as-yet-unnamed title will be an RPG from a brand new intellectual property, published by 2K's sister publisher for independent studios Private Division (a deal made prior to Microsoft's acquisition).

Two special message teasers and two in-world advertisements make up the announcement, which can be found on Obsidian's official website. The teasers are both countdowns to The Game Awards 2018, featuring logos for what appear to be in-lore companies from within the game. The first is named Auntie Cleo's and the second is Spacer's Choice, and each respectively has its own advertisement. And both already help establish the sort of personality Obsidian's new game is embracing.

The two advertisements both will likely feel familiar to veteran game players. The first, Auntie Cleo's, touts a "Better Than Nature!" slogan for its selection of bread, skin-creme, ointment, and medicinal products. The second, for a Spacer's Choice handgun, shops "It's not the best choice, it's Spacer's Choice!" Both advertisements channel a retro, western style. Comparisons to Fallout, or even BioShock, are inevitable.

obsidian auntie cleo's

Comparisons between Obsidian's new game and Fallout are inevitable for more reasons than one. Two of the creators behind the original Fallout, Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, are both currently working at Obsidian on an as-yet-unannounced project. Given what's being teased so far, that project and this one are likely the same, referred to as Project Indiana at the studio.

Here's what Boyarsky said about the project and why he joined Obsidian to work with Tim Cain again:

"I missed working on single-player, in-depth RPGs with a lot of choice, consequence, and reactivity. I like making other types of games, but there is something special about the kind of games we started with Fallout that really appeals to us and speaks to us creatively."

The two have said their new project will be reminiscent of the original Fallout, particularly with regards to their unique sense of dark humor.

While little is known about Obsidian's new game, speculation points towards it being a CRPG not unlike the original Fallout and sharing similarities with Obsidian's recent projects including Pillars of Eternity and Tyranny. That may not be what Obsidian fans hoping for a Fallout: New Vegas spiritual successor were looking for, but even Fallout had to start somewhere. And with Microsoft now owning Obsidian, including this new IP, who knows what will come next.

Stay tuned for Obsidian's announcement during The Game Awards 2018 on December 6 at 9:00pm ET.