Obsidian Director Blasts Misinformation Following Xbox Layoffs
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler has spoken out against those spreading misinformation about the studio’s current state following recent Xbox layoffs.
Adler took to LinkedIn to address the situation, acknowledging that it has been an ‘extremely difficult week’ for the team. He expressed frustration at seeing ‘cold take artists’ coming out of the woodwork to discuss the studio’s past and present.
According to Adler, many of these individuals have ‘no understanding of who has worked on our previous games or what they contributed.’ This lack of insight has led to the spread of ‘enormous amounts of misinformation’ about Obsidian’s current status.
Obsidian was one of the studios affected by Microsoft’s recent layoffs, with 1,600 staff members losing their jobs immediately. Another 1,600 are set to be laid off throughout the financial year. The restructure has seen studios Ninja Theory and Undead Labs enter new ownership, while Double Fine and Compulsion Games have become independent.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Xbox, Adler emphasized that the talent at Obsidian remains the same as it has been for years. He pointed out that many of the people in lead or director roles have worked on games such as The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and New Vegas.
‘Like, literally the same people,’ Adler said. ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear.’ He noted that while Obsidian is not the same as it was 20 years ago, the studio’s DNA remains the same.
Adler concluded by asking readers to remember that those spreading misinformation about Obsidian have ‘zero insight into how a game is made and who contributed to our previous games.’
The History of Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment was founded in 2003 by a group of industry veterans, including Feargus Urquhart and Chris Avellone. The studio has since become known for its work on RPGs such as The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and New Vegas.
Obsidian’s games are often praised for their engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and immersive worlds. The studio has built a reputation for creating games that challenge players and offer a unique gaming experience.
However, the recent layoffs at Xbox have raised questions about the studio’s future. Adler’s comments have helped to clarify the situation, emphasizing that the talent at Obsidian remains the same as it has been for years.
The Fallout Universe Returns
According to Bloomberg, Obsidian has recently canceled a sequel to its fantasy RPG, Avowed. The studio has instead started work on a new game set in the Fallout universe, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer.
This news has sparked excitement among fans of the Fallout series, who are eager to see what Obsidian will bring to the franchise. Sawyer’s involvement in the project has also generated interest, given his experience with the series and his reputation for creating engaging RPGs.
The future of Obsidian Entertainment remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the studio’s DNA remains the same as it has been for years. With a talented team and a commitment to creating engaging RPGs, Obsidian is poised to continue making waves in the gaming industry.
