Obsidian's Strategy: Focusing on Original RPGs Amidst Fan Demand for Sequels

Obsidian Entertainment has embarked on a strategic journey, opting to dedicate its creative energies to developing original intellectual properties rather than revisiting past successes. This decision, driven by a desire among its developers for fresh challenges and artistic freedom, marks a significant pivot for the studio. Despite persistent fan enthusiasm for follow-ups to iconic titles like "Fallout: New Vegas 2" and "Alpha Protocol 2," Obsidian’s leadership has affirmed its commitment to forging new paths in the RPG landscape. This focus on proprietary content is a deliberate move to establish a distinct identity in the gaming world, distinguishing its unique approach to role-playing games from other industry giants, a vision further empowered by its partnership with Microsoft.

Embracing Originality in Game Development

Obsidian Entertainment is charting a new course, focusing on developing original intellectual properties (IPs) rather than succumbing to the strong fan demand for sequels to its acclaimed past works. This strategic direction sees the studio prioritizing creative freedom and the development of unique gaming experiences. Despite the popularity of titles like “Alpha Protocol 2” and “Fallout: New Vegas 2,” the studio’s leadership acknowledges that their developers are more inclined to create new worlds and narratives. This shift is a direct reflection of a long-standing desire within Obsidian to move beyond projects based on external IPs and cultivate its own distinct gaming legacy.

The studio's rich history, which includes successful contributions to established franchises such as "KOTOR 2," "Neverwinter Nights 2," and "South Park: The Stick of Truth," has provided a robust foundation for its current endeavors. However, a desire for greater creative autonomy has propelled Obsidian towards developing its own universe. This has culminated in recent releases like "Avowed" and "The Outer Worlds 2," alongside the early access success of "Grounded 2." These titles represent a significant milestone for Obsidian, showcasing its capability to conceive and deliver engaging games built entirely on original concepts. The acquisition by Microsoft in 2018 further bolstered this independence, providing the financial stability necessary to pursue ambitious original projects without the previous reliance on crowdfunding or external publishers for every title. This newfound freedom allows Obsidian to define its unique style within the competitive RPG genre, moving away from being perceived as merely an imitator of existing game styles.

The Vision for Obsidian's Future in RPGs

Obsidian's leadership has articulated a clear vision for the studio's future, centered on defining its unique identity within the diverse RPG landscape. This involves a conscious effort to differentiate its approach from other renowned developers such as Larian, Bethesda, and CD Projekt. The goal is not to chase after the success of others, but to create a distinctive “Obsidian style” of RPG, characterized by specific narrative depths, player choices, and gameplay mechanics that resonate with their core design philosophies. This focus on originality is not just about new IPs but about infusing every new title with the studio's inherent creative ethos, ensuring that each game offers a fresh yet recognizably Obsidian experience.

This distinct approach to RPG development is evident in their current projects, including "Avowed" and "The Outer Worlds 2." These games are designed to showcase Obsidian's capabilities as a standalone creator of compelling worlds and stories, rather than merely iterating on existing formulas. While some might observe thematic similarities to titles like "Fallout" in "The Outer Worlds," the studio strives for innovation within its established genres. The success of "Pentiment," an objectively acclaimed title since "Pillars of Eternity 2," further underscores Obsidian’s capacity for innovative storytelling and unique artistic direction. Despite the current focus on new IPs, there remains a lingering hope among fans, and potentially within the studio itself, for a return to the "Fallout" universe, as expressed by CEO Feargus Urquhart. This suggests that while Obsidian is committed to its original vision, the possibility of revisiting cherished franchises is not entirely off the table for the distant future, particularly once its current slate of original projects is complete.