Obsidian Entertainment has significantly expanded its workforce following its acquisition by Microsoft. The studio, known for its narrative-driven games, has reached nearly 300 employees, maintaining a streamlined structure within the competitive triple-A gaming sector. This growth underscores the company’s strategic planning and dedication to fostering a sustainable development environment.
Since its acquisition in 2018, Obsidian has steadily increased its team size from approximately 170-180 members to 285 employees. This expansion includes collaboration with co-development partners like Heavy Iron and Beamdog, enhancing the studio’s capacity to deliver high-quality games consistently.
Team Expansion and Current Size
“When we came on with XGS and Xbox, we were about 170, 180 people,”
Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian, highlighted the significant growth over the past five to six years. The current workforce positions Obsidian as a midsize studio, especially when compared to larger developers like Bungie and CD Projekt Red, which employ hundreds more staff members.
Productivity in a Lean Structure
Despite being relatively small, Obsidian has demonstrated remarkable productivity by releasing three games since 2020: Grounded, Pentiment, and Avowed. A fourth title, The Outer Worlds 2, is anticipated by the end of the year. This efficiency is notable in an industry where larger teams typically require more time and resources to produce comparable titles.
Future Projects and Strategic Planning
Obsidian’s strategic approach involves a “100-year plan,” focusing on consistent, mild successes rather than aggressive expansion or aiming for blockbuster sales. This method allows for sustainable growth and ensures that each project receives adequate attention in terms of time, budget, and staffing. The studio emphasizes design, writing, and art direction over pushing technical boundaries, which has been reflected in the positive reception of their recent games.
Obsidian’s disciplined development practices have set them apart in the gaming industry. Their focus on quality over quantity has resulted in critically acclaimed titles like Pentiment and Avowed, which are praised for their design and storytelling. This approach contrasts with earlier, more ambitious projects that led to internal challenges and layoffs, showcasing a more balanced and sustainable model for future growth.
The studio’s ability to maintain a lean team while producing high-quality games offers valuable insights for other developers. By prioritizing strategic planning and sustainable growth, Obsidian sets a precedent for long-term success in the gaming industry. This model demonstrates that a smaller, focused team can achieve significant productivity and industry impact without the need for massive expansion.
