Xbox has been through a rough patch recently with the closure of four studios. If you are wondering how other developers at Xbox are feeling about this, Obsidian's Avowed director Carrie Patel has now shared some thoughts.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Patel mentioned how she didn't "believe in living in fear", when games require developers to be "so invested in the creative process" and feels "a strong sense of security" thanks to its history:
"You have to be invested in what you're making, and you have to believe in it. And I do feel a strong sense of security in being part of Obsidian and, you know, being a part of a studio that was a successful independent developer for almost 15, 20 years."
She added how she also "really" trusts the leadership, and while it is "sad to hear about what's happened to some of these other studios" it hasn't changed the Obsidian's "belief" in what it's doing with Avowed.
Throughout its 20 year history, Obsidian has been through some difficult periods, but being acquired by Microsoft and having access to Game Pass has actually allowed it to release more 'niche' games like Pentiment and gather more support for titles like Grounded.
Are you excited about Avowed? What else would you like to see from Obsidian going forward? Tell us in the comments.
Comments 8
Definitely correct not to live in fear, especially in a creative industry. Wishing them well, Avowed looks good and Obsidian are a really good studio, it should be good
I just hope it’s a little more ambitious than The Outer Worlds, which was fun but lacked real depth.
Pentiment, Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, all good to great games...now please give them Fallout, cause Bethesda just doesn't get it.
I mean people forget that the days of working at a single company from graduation until retirement are long gone. If you build your skills and are fiscally responsible then you are less concerned about what your employer might do because you have options. Name of the game is always have options.
Hopefully it will be better looking by the time it comes out don't think I'm going to be into it
@LikelySatan Exactly. I'm going through gh New Vegas Right now for the first time. Currently level 50, and doing Lonesome Road. And man. You can tell they can really do Fallout, especially in the DLC where they had more time to fill them out.
So MS closed a few Studio's but also opened a few new Studio's too over the past 6-8 months.
Arkane Austin may have 'closed', but Infinity Ward opened a new studio in Austin to 'work on innovative new CoD experiences and the tech that powers them'. They have other Studio's in Austin too so maybe most staff were offered employment elsewhere.
Talking of Elsewhere, Activision opened a 'new' Studio in Poland called Elsewhere Studios. Of course that won't help the Japanese talent at Tango but maybe Logistically and Financially beneficial. What I mean is that it maybe easier and 'cheaper' to build up that Studio with Talent than in Japan with higher rates adding to the 'cost'.
With King joining MS, the other Studios 'Alpha Dog and Roundhouse' are probably obsolete too - although they did merge one into Zenimax Online.
Other Studios are unlikely to fear closure. All the others are progressing with developing their next game that MS has 'invested' time and money into, games that MS themselves had 'greenlit'. Arkane Austin and Tango had 'released' something and maybe didn't have a 'plan' for what comes next and/or maybe would need a LOT of investment over the next 5yrs+ before they have something to sell. We are still waiting for Compulsion or Undead Labs first release as First Party Studios 6 yrs after being acquired...
Obsidian of all Studio's I think should feel 'safe' having released Grounded & Pentiment with Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 in development. That's 'product' bringing in 'revenue' and continued content coming for MS. Obsidian has a future plan that MS themselves have backed, they are 'near' to finishing Avowed and have Outer Worlds 2 in development too so unlikely to 'close' in the 'near' future...
@InterceptorAlpha Old World Blues is legendary. Enjoy.
Obsidian is another example of a studio that xbox bought specifically and not part of a broader purchase like bethesda. They should not feel in danger of closure.
I like the evil within games but xbox did not set out to purchase tango. It was included alongside the studios and IP they actually wanted. Similar to Toys for Bob.
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