Obsidian Reveals the Future of Avowed and The Outer Worlds

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4 February 2026 no comments
Obsidian 2025 lineup

Walking through the neon-soaked alleys of Arcadia in The Outer Worlds 2 or casting spells across the Living Lands in Avowed feels like stepping into a dream.

But for Obsidian Entertainment, 2025 was a bit of a wake-up call.

You've probably felt it too: that specific Obsidian magic where the writing is sharp and the world is weird, yet something feels just slightly out of reach.

While we were busy exploring their massive RPGs, the studio was quietly weathering a storm of expectations and dev-cycle reality checks.

Grounded 2

Obsidian Reflected: The 2025 Reality Check

It’s rare to see a studio drop three major titles in a single year.

Between the fantasy exploration of Avowed, the corporate-satire space-faring of The Outer Worlds 2, and the backyard survival of Grounded 2, Obsidian was everywhere.

But "everywhere" comes with a price. Feargus Urquhart, the studio's head, recently sat down with Bloomberg to level with fans.

The verdict? Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 didn't quite hit the sales targets Microsoft was looking for.

"They're not disasters," Urquhart admitted with his trademark candor. "It was more like: 'That sucks. What are we learning?'"

It turns out, spending six to seven years on a single project—like Avowed, which famously pivoted from a multiplayer Skyrim-meets-Destiny hybrid halfway through—is becoming a sustainability nightmare.

The Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2 & Avowed: The Hard Lessons

The commercial side of gaming is often a buzzkill, but it dictates what we get to play next.

While Grounded 2 became a breakout smash by being leaner and meaner (developed in just two years), the big RPGs struggled under the weight of their own dev time.

If you're looking for the smart shopper takeaway, it's this: Obsidian is shifting gears. They're aiming for three-to-four-year dev cycles now.

They want to get back to that "at-bat" rhythm where they can take risks without a single project's underperformance feeling like a "kick in the teeth."

The good news? Eora isn't going anywhere. While The Outer Worlds 3 isn't on the cards right now, the studio is doubling down on the Avowed and Pillars of Eternity universe.

Plus, if you're a PlayStation fan who felt left out, Avowed is officially landing on PS5 on February 17, 2026.

Verdict: Is Obsidian Still the RPG King?

Despite the corporate spreadsheets not glowing green, the "Obsidian Vibe" is still unmatched. They’re a studio that prioritizes choice and consequence in a way few others do.

If their new "leaner" approach means we get more focused, polished experiences like Pentiment alongside their bigger worlds, the future looks bright.

What do you think? Would you rather wait seven years for a massive epic, or see Obsidian drop tighter, more frequent RPGs every three years?

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Game Designer raised on metal music and RPGs. I approach gaming news with a cool head. I dissect the technical and narrative aspects without ever forcing it. A relaxed writing style that analyses everything from FPS to RPG.

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