All articles tagged with #obsidian entertainment
id Software posted a brief statement after recent Microsoft/Xbox layoffs, insisting the core crew remains intact and capable of building the studio’s signature games and tech, with the team size at roughly what it was during Doom 2016 and a pledge to support affected staff ahead of QuakeCon this August.
After Microsoft’s mass layoffs hit Obsidian, studio director Brandon Adler pushes back on critics, saying the studio’s DNA remains intact and that Avowed is still in development while leadership pivots toward a new Fallout project.
Brandon Adler defends Obsidian’s identity amid Xbox layoffs, a shift to a Fallout project, and the cancellation of Avowed’s sequel, arguing the core DNA and leadership remain intact despite external criticism and organizational changes.
Amid Xbox’s ~3,200 layoffs, Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly moved onto a new Fallout title led by Josh Sawyer, with a canceled Avowed sequel and a planned reveal around 2027, as Bethesda concentrates on the Elder Scrolls and other major franchises.
Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly developing a new Fallout title led by Josh Sawyer as part of an Xbox-wide restructuring that has affected 60–70 Obsidian employees. A small team will continue work on an Avowed sequel, with other staff focusing on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2; Bethesda is expected to collaborate on the Fallout project. The broader layoffs hit Id Software and Bethesda Game Studios in Austin, among others, as Microsoft says it will support independent studios rather than owning every studio.
As part of Microsoft's Xbox reset, Obsidian Entertainment is pivoting to develop a new Fallout title led by Josh Sawyer after layoffs and studio changes; multiple projects including a sequel to Avowed have been canceled, though Grounded 2 and DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 remain in the works.
Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind The Outer Worlds and Avowed, is reportedly cutting about 60–70 jobs—roughly a quarter of its staff—as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs that total around 3,200 roles. The first wave hit Obsidian, with more cuts expected later this year, affecting roles across disciplines and even senior staff like the art director and the studio’s recruiter. Grounded 2 will continue, and Obsidian is slated to deliver more The Outer Worlds 2 DLC, though future projects remain uncertain. Obsidian was acquired by Microsoft in 2018 and has since released several titles.
During Microsoft's Xbox Reset, two first‑party studios—Halo Studios and Obsidian Entertainment—are reportedly safe from closure talks, though Halo's studio will be heavily evaluated and may receive more resources toward Halo, while Obsidian's status is confirmed by Bloomberg’s Schreier; other Xbox Game Studios teams may still face layoffs or further restructuring as rumors persist.
Rumors from The Game Business suggested Obsidian could shut down, but Bloomberg's Jason Schreier rebutted the claim, saying Obsidian is not in talks to close; layoffs remain uncertain and details may become clearer on Monday, with sources indicating Xbox is keeping the studio. No evidence has emerged that Obsidian will be shuttered, though the situation underscores a broader distrust around Xbox exclusives.
Rumors swirl that Obsidian Entertainment is negotiating to avoid closure as Microsoft’s sweeping Xbox restructuring unfolds; a Game Business report suggested internal teams fear Punishing for Call of Duty’s performance could spur offloading or shuttering studios, including Obsidian, Undead Labs, or Ninja Theory, while Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier later claimed Obsidian is not in danger and will be kept by Xbox. The situation underscores broader internal chaos during a company-wide “reset” led by new Xbox leadership, with analysts suggesting up to ~1,000 jobs could be cut across the division, though specifics and timing remain uncertain and conflicting reports may reflect different moments in a fluid process.
Obsidian’s promise of a free upgrade to The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition ran into console entitlement problems on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with base-version owners sometimes still needing the expansion pass after the base game was delisted. The issue has prompted official workarounds and frustration from players, while PC users reported mixed results. Obsidian is directing affected players to support to resolve cases.
Obsidian apologized after promising a free Spacer's Choice Edition upgrade to base Outer Worlds owners, but PS5/Xbox Series X|S players can’t actually claim it due to entitlement restrictions and backend issues following the game's delisting. The studio said they’d work with affected players and explore a make-good, but the exact remedy remains unclear, sparking backlash even as Steam users report no upgrade problems.
Obsidian will delist the base The Outer Worlds on May 27, making Spacer’s Choice Edition the only version available; base owners will be upgraded for free, and the Spacer's Choice Edition price will drop to $39.99. The second patch also adds grenades and other fixes alongside ongoing improvements.
Obsidian will push a major update to The Outer Worlds on May 27, including grenades and a broad set of performance, lighting, and quest fixes. The base game will be delisted in favor of the Spacer’s Choice Edition, which will be offered free to existing owners and priced at $40 going forward. Xbox One and PS4 upgrades require owning both DLCs, the paid upgrade path is being removed, and the DLCs will receive permanent discounts. The update signals ongoing support for the original game seven years after launch and coincides with Spacer’s Choice Edition’s prominence in storefronts.
Steam's Spring Sale discounts Fallout: New Vegas to $0.99 through March 26, making it one of the best RPG bargains on Steam. Originally released in 2010, the game remains a landmark in its genre, buoyed by a massive modding community that keeps visuals, gunplay, and content fresh, underscoring why it continues to be widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs in history.