A Bloomberg report says Obsidian Leisure, which was just lately hit arduous by mass layoffs at Xbox, has cancelled initiatives together with a sequel to Avowed and can as a substitute start engaged on a brand new Fallout recreation.
A California WARN report shared by GameFile says 52 workers at Obsidian have been let go within the layoffs, which Bloomberg says represents roughly 1 / 4 of the studio’s workforce. The sequel to Avowed, the excellent 2025 first-person RPG set within the studio’s Pillars of Eternity universe, is considered one of a number of unannounced video games in growth which have been cancelled amidst the bloodletting.
As an alternative of that, a brand new Fallout recreation is reportedly being headed up by Obsidian design director Josh Sawyer. Sawyer has an enviable document of RPG credit to his identify, most notably on this second because the lead designer and director of Fallout: New Vegas.
Nonetheless, I will be the primary to say it, on this story no less than: This sucks. I am as down for a brand new Fallout as a lot as the following man, however I might additionally actually go for extra Pillars, or no matter non-Fallout RPG Sawyer was reportedly directing earlier than his consideration was diverted to this.
I additionally can not help questioning how the circumstances will influence what finally comes out of this. Sawyer has beforehand stated he’d head up a brand new Fallout recreation if Microsoft requested, if he might do it on his personal phrases, however I doubt his phrases would ever have included seeing 1 / 4 of the studio put out of labor, or that the temper amongst those that stay goes to contribute positively to the challenge.
I’ve reached out to Obsidian for touch upon the report and can replace if I obtain a reply. Within the meantime, if you wish to see what Sawyer and Obsidian can do after they haven’t got shareholder-obsessed overlords respiratory down their necks, I’d urge you to take a look at Pentiment, an astonishingly good slow-burn journey by way of sixteenth century Bavaria. It is at the moment on sale for $10/£7.49/€10—that is half-price—within the Steam Summer season Sale. (Additionally, a bit of recommendation: Do not spoil it for your self.)
