Gamers the world over will be able to pick up The Outer Worlds on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on October 25, with those wanting it on Switch also able to do so at a later date. Obsidian Entertainment is behind the helm, a developer many may know for its work on South Park: The Stick of Truth, the Pillars of Eternity franchise, and perhaps most notably, Fallout: New Vegas. In many ways, The Outer Worlds is set to inherit the Fallout franchise legacy, as it is one of the most anticipated games of fall 2019, but for those to enjoy its sequels, they may need an Xbox.
This came to light during a recent Game Informer interview with Head of Microsoft Studios, Matt Booty. According to Booty, The Outer Worlds could be an "enduring franchise for Microsoft," and unlike the multiplatform, open IP Minecraft, it makes more sense for this game to benefit from Xbox exclusivity.
Many may recall the announcement that Microsoft had purchased Obsidian Entertainment in 2018, but because The Outer Worlds has to honor its agreements, it is currently being published by Private Division, an indie-focused publisher under Take-Two. Microsoft will more than likely handle publishing for future entries, likely meaning that the franchise will turn into an exclusive. Booty is clearly excited for the future of the franchise, as he also had this to say:
“I think that it's a great universe they’ve created, and I think about what are the things that you need for a franchise to kind of bear weight? Like what can it withstand? Is it a narrative, is it a set of characters, is it a universe that's big enough that you could start to add onto it?”
Of course, some may think that Booty is getting ahead of himself, as the first game isn't out yet, and can't rightly call itself a franchise as a result. But it has the shapings thus far to be something great. Since The Outer Worlds was announced, Obsidian has revealed key components such as the Supernova difficulty, how players can kill anyone, stat-restrained dialogue options, and ultimately, how it is an RPG designed for Fallout fans.
It even goes so far as to have a Fallout VATS-like combat system, but whether of all these design choices and mechanics help The Outer Worlds live up to its inherited legacy remains to be seen.
The Outer Worlds releases on October 25 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and at a later date for the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Game Informer (via Gamespot)