Obsidian didn’t expect the backlash to Avowed’s crafting system
Obsidian says it didn’t anticipate the broad backlash to Avowed’s crafting system, expressing surprise at player criticism while standing by the RPG’s core design for Xbox.”
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Obsidian to speed up future titles after two big releases miss sales goals
Obsidian says Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 did not meet the sales targets set by Microsoft, and its leadership plans to shorten development times and use smaller budgets with 3–4 year cycles. Grounded 2 remains a smaller project, and there’s intent for more Avowed in the future while PS5 release timing could help. Microsoft/Xbox reportedly holds a ~30% profit target per Bloomberg reporting, but Obsidian emphasizes continuing to take creative risks even if profitability targets aren’t always met.
Obsidian shifts to shorter development cadences after mixed RPG results
Obsidian is recalibrating its production cadence after Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 underperformed, while Grounded 2 thrived; leadership says they will curb scope, budgets, and development time to enable more frequent, sustainable releases under Microsoft’s oversight.
Avellone: Bethesda Misreads Fallout Roots, Prefers a Theme-Park Take
Chris Avellone argues Bethesda doesn’t fully grasp Fallout’s origins and opts for a colorful, shallow 'theme park' approach, despite praising their open‑world work; he critiques linear storytelling and the use of Speech, as Fallout: New Vegas and potential remakes keep the series in the spotlight with anniversary bundles on the way.
New Vegas veteran: Bethesda doesn’t hate Fallout, just misreads its roots
Fallout: New Vegas designer Chris Avellone says Bethesda doesn’t hate Fallout but doesn’t fully understand or care about its roots, arguing the publisher’s take is more spin than faithful homage. The interview traces Fallout’s history from Interplay to Bethesda, touches on the IP bidding saga, and weighs Bethesda’s open‑world strengths against perceived tonal and storytelling missteps in the series.
Avowed lands on PS5 with a $20 price cut at launch
Microsoft’s Obsidian RPG Avowed is coming to PS5 on February 17, 2026, priced at $49.99—$20 cheaper than its $69.99 Xbox/PC launch price—with prices aligned across platforms as of January 9. A Premium Edition is $59.99 (with a later $10 upgrade), and the move is aimed at expanding the game’s audience beyond Game Pass.
Outer Worlds 2 Insights: Character Builds, Traits, and RPG Philosophy
The article highlights five of Obsidian's favorite character builds for The Outer Worlds 2, showcasing diverse playstyles from stealthy snipers to melee fighters, and emphasizes the game's extensive customization options and available editions, including the Premium Edition with additional content. It also provides an overview of the game's setting, story, and gameplay features, encouraging players to explore and shape their own adventure in the new colony of Arcadia.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance Creators Criticize The Outer Worlds 2 and Obsidian's Direction
Daniel Vavra gave The Outer Worlds 2 a 7/10, criticizing it for lacking innovative game mechanics and a living, non-linear world, despite acknowledging some interesting features like the Flaw system and enhanced dialogue options. He argues that the game largely rehashes old formulas from classic RPGs, and suggests that the game's scope and development approach reflect Obsidian's focus on manageable, quality releases rather than groundbreaking innovation. The review sparks a debate about expectations for modern RPGs and Obsidian's creative direction.
Pillars of Eternity Launches Turn-Based Mode in Anniversary Update
Obsidian Entertainment is launching a public beta for a new turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity on November 5, allowing players to switch between real-time and turn-based combat, with plans for future updates and potential permanent inclusion.
Pillars of Eternity Celebrates 10 Years with New Turn-Based Mode
Obsidian Entertainment is releasing a beta for a new turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity to celebrate its 10th anniversary, allowing players to experience the game with updated combat mechanics on Steam and Xbox PC, with feedback being gathered before a full rollout.
Outer Worlds 2 Launches with Fixes, Fun Villainy, and Notable Flaws
Obsidian Entertainment released a new patch for The Outer Worlds 2 that addresses major bugs, including quest-breaking issues and visual glitches, improving stability and gameplay experience across multiple platforms.
The Outer Worlds 2: Premium Edition Punishments and Praise
The Outer Worlds 2 offers a unique flaw for Premium Edition buyers called the Consumerism flaw, which benefits players with discounts from vendors but also criticizes their consumerist tendencies, adding an interesting twist to gameplay and character development.
Fallout: New Vegas Celebrates 15 Years with Announcements and Merchandise
Bethesda announced a pricey Fallout: New Vegas 15th Anniversary Bundle with no new content, only merchandise, leading to fan outrage over the high cost and lack of a remaster or additional game features, with the bundle only available on PC and pre-orders opening for release in June 2026.
The Outer Worlds 2: A Sequel That Balances Humor and Capitalist Critique
The Outer Worlds 2, developed by Obsidian and published by Xbox, continues its critique of capitalism and authoritarianism through a darker, more dialogue-driven narrative, but its humor often falls flat amid grim themes, with gameplay mechanics remaining solid but unoriginal, ultimately offering a less whimsical experience than its predecessor.
The Outer Worlds 2 Release Date, Early Access, and Review Highlights
The Outer Worlds 2 is set to launch on October 29, with early access starting October 24 for preorders, offering a highly anticipated sci-fi RPG experience with expanded gameplay and narrative depth, available on multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S and PC, and included in Xbox Game Pass.