Obsidian Eyes New Fallout Game, Cancels Avowed Sequel and Other Projects

The landscape of game development is always in flux, and a new report suggests a dramatic reshuffling of priorities at Obsidian Entertainment. According to sources speaking with Bloomberg, the studio has reportedly canceled several unannounced projects, most notably a sequel to its 2024 fantasy RPG, Avowed. This move is said to be in service of focusing resources on a new title within the beloved Fallout universe.

This isn't the first time Obsidian has been instrumental in the Fallout saga. The studio was at the helm for Fallout: New Vegas, a title widely celebrated for its deep role-playing mechanics, player choice, and engaging narrative. The report indicates that Josh Sawyer, the director behind New Vegas, will be leading this new Fallout endeavor. This news comes as Obsidian, a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios, has also recently undergone layoffs, making this strategic refocus a significant part of its broader turnaround plan aimed at developing games that achieve stronger commercial success.

A New Direction for Obsidian

The cancellation of Avowed 2 and other internal projects, while undoubtedly difficult for the teams involved, points to a calculated decision by Xbox and Obsidian leadership. The Fallout franchise, especially following the critical and commercial success of the recent Amazon Prime Video series, is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity. By tasking a studio with Obsidian's pedigree in creating rich, player-driven RPGs with a new Fallout game, they are clearly aiming to capitalize on this momentum. Bethesda, the current custodian of the Fallout IP, is expected to collaborate on this new project, suggesting a potentially close working relationship between the studios.

What This Means for Fallout Fans

For the legion of Fallout fans around the globe, this news is likely to be met with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Fallout: New Vegas remains a high watermark for many in the community, praised for its intricate quest design and the freedom it offered players. Having Josh Sawyer back at the helm of a new Fallout project offers a strong degree of confidence that the spirit of what made New Vegas so special could be recaptured. It also raises questions about what kind of Fallout experience this will be – will it lean more into the established Bethesda style, or will it embrace the unique narrative and choice-driven elements that defined Sawyer's previous work in the wasteland? The potential for a return to form for the franchise, guided by a director with such a strong track record, is a compelling prospect.

What's Next

Details regarding the scope, platform, or release window for this new Fallout title have not yet been announced. However, with Avowed 2 and other projects now off the table, development is expected to ramp up considerably. Fans will be eagerly awaiting further official announcements from Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox regarding this highly anticipated return to the wasteland.