2025 marked a pivotal year for Obsidian Entertainment, the renowned video game developer known for its narrative-driven RPGs. The studio, a first-party Xbox entity, released an impressive trio of games: Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2. Despite this prolific output, two of these titles fell short of commercial expectations. While Obsidian is committed to expanding the Avowed series, the future of its Sci-Fi counterpart, The Outer Worlds, remains uncertain.
A recent in-depth analysis by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier sheds light on Obsidian’s challenging yet successful year and offers a glimpse into its strategic direction. According to the report, both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 were hampered by ‘inflated’ production costs, a consequence of their extensive six-year development cycles. This escalation in costs inevitably led to heightened sales expectations, which the games struggled to meet.
The Challenges of 2025 Releases
Despite the initial sales hurdles, there is room for optimism. The Outer Worlds 2, released just months ago, is still in its early lifecycle with additional expansions planned that could boost its performance. Meanwhile, Avowed has been an Xbox console exclusive since its launch, but its upcoming release on the PS5 is anticipated to enhance its market reach and sales figures.
Obsidian’s leadership, including CEO Feargus Urquhart, has openly discussed potential areas for improvement in their 2025 titles. Feedback suggests that The Outer Worlds 2 could benefit from more compelling companion characters, while Avowed might enhance player engagement by incorporating elements like theft and interaction with city guards, a hallmark of many fantasy RPGs.
Looking Ahead: Avowed and Pillars of Eternity
Moving forward, Obsidian has expressed a clear intention to continue developing within the Avowed and Pillars of Eternity universes. The company sees these franchises as pivotal to its future, reflecting a strategic focus on high-fantasy settings that resonate with its core audience.
However, the same cannot be said for The Outer Worlds series. Currently, there are no concrete plans for a third installment. This decision could be revisited once the second game’s DLCs are fully released and their impact assessed, but for now, the Sci-Fi series appears to be on hold.
Community and Critical Reception
The gaming community has been vocal about their experiences with Obsidian’s latest releases. Many players, while enjoying both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, have noted areas for improvement. A common critique of the latter is the lack of memorable companions compared to the original game, alongside limited options for non-combat playstyles, such as speech checks and stealth.
“I really enjoyed both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, but I was definitely let down by the latest Outer Worlds in a few ways. The companions weren’t as memorable as the original game and ultimately, I think the game lacked playstyle variety.” — KitGuru
Implications for Obsidian’s Strategy
The current trajectory for Obsidian suggests a strategic pivot towards refining and expanding its high-fantasy offerings, potentially at the expense of its Sci-Fi projects. This realignment could allow the studio to consolidate its resources and expertise, ensuring that future releases meet both creative and commercial benchmarks.
As Obsidian navigates these challenges, the gaming industry will be watching closely. The studio’s ability to adapt and respond to feedback will be crucial in maintaining its reputation as a leader in narrative-driven RPGs. For fans, the hope is that future titles will deliver the immersive experiences and innovative gameplay that have become synonymous with the Obsidian brand.
While the immediate future may not hold new adventures in The Outer Worlds, the potential for revisiting the series remains. As the industry evolves, so too might the opportunities for Obsidian to reignite its Sci-Fi saga, ensuring that both new and returning players have much to look forward to.
