The development journey of Obsidian Entertainment’s latest RPG, Avowed, was fraught with challenges and significant changes. Initially envisioned as an expansive open-world game with multiplayer features, the project underwent two major reboots before arriving at its current form. Despite these hurdles, the final product has been well-received by both critics and players, with discussions already hinting at future DLCs and a potential sequel. The studio’s resilience and ability to adapt played a crucial role in bringing Avowed to fruition.
Avowed’s development commenced in 2018, prior to Microsoft’s acquisition of Obsidian. Originally pitched as a multiplayer-centric title similar to Destiny, the game faced difficulties aligning with the studio’s vision and market demands. By summer 2020, the multiplayer aspects were abandoned, leading to further complications within the production cycle. With the appointment of Carrie Patel as the new director in early 2021, the project was refocused to emphasize a more traditional single-player experience.
What Changes Did Carrie Patel Implement?
“Now that we’ve built this wonderful world, and also built this team strength and muscle memory around the content and gameplay in this world, I’d love to see us do more with it.”
Under Patel’s leadership, Avowed transitioned from a seamless open world to an “open zone” design, allowing for more manageable development and richer content creation. This shift also involved redefining the game’s scope to better fit the studio’s strengths and resources.
How Does Avowed Compare to Previous Obsidian Titles?
Avowed shares similarities with earlier Obsidian games like Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds, particularly in its focus on narrative depth and player choice. However, the inclusion of meaningful reactivity to player decisions and enhanced combat mechanics sets it apart, aligning it more closely with the studio’s evolving design philosophy.
What Does Avowed’s Success Mean for Obsidian’s Future?
The positive reception of Avowed demonstrates Obsidian’s capability to overcome development obstacles and deliver high-quality RPGs. With multiple projects in the pipeline and a stable release schedule, the studio is poised to continue expanding its portfolio without compromising on quality or creative integrity.
Avowed’s successful launch underscores the importance of adaptable leadership and clear project direction in game development. By prioritizing the core strengths of its team and maintaining a flexible vision, Obsidian Entertainment has set a strong foundation for future projects. Players can look forward to more immersive experiences as the studio leverages its expanded resources and expertise.
