Key Takeaways
1. Obsidian Entertainment was acquired by Microsoft in 2018, surprising the creators of The Outer Wilds while they were working on a game critiquing corporate power.
2. The acquisition did not impact Obsidian’s creative freedom, allowing them to maintain their vision for The Outer Worlds.
3. Microsoft’s support has provided stability for Obsidian, helping them grow from 200 to over 300 staff members by 2025.
4. The Outer Wilds 2 is set to release on October 29, 2025, with aims to expand gameplay, new planets, and factions.
5. The Outer Wilds 2 Premium Edition will cost $99.99 and includes early access and a DLC Pass, while Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have day-one access.
In a development that feels like it’s straight from their own narrative, the creators of The Outer Wilds found themselves being taken over by a large company while they were working on a game that humorously critiques corporate powers.
Leonard Boyarsky, one of the minds behind The Outer Wilds and its sequel set for launch later this year, shared his thoughts on this surprising situation in a recent chat with Edge magazine’s Issue 414. He remarked, “It was quite a shock,” when Microsoft bought Obsidian Entertainment in 2018, putting Obsidian and its associated teams under the management of Xbox Game Studios.
Creative Freedom Maintained
Boyarsky did mention that this acquisition did not alter their vision for The Outer Worlds, clarifying to Edge that Microsoft’s engagement “didn’t and hasn’t impacted Obsidian’s creative freedom at all.” This freedom enabled the team to craft a game that critiques corporate avarice, with gameplay elements resembling sponsorships of factions akin to real-world large companies. He pointed out that the themes of the game mirror human behavior:
“Sadly, the corruptive nature of power has always been a problem throughout history, and I doubt it will change anytime soon.” Boyarsky added, “We aim to concentrate on themes that are much more universal and not just tied to our current era.”
Stability for Growth
Tim Cain, the co-director who also helped create Fallout back in 1997, echoed similar sentiments in past discussions, noting that Microsoft’s acquisition brought stability to the team without hindering their creativity. This support has helped Obsidian Entertainment grow from 200 staff members in 2018 to over 300 by 2025.
Now looking ahead, this ironic story has sparked aspirations for a more ambitious sequel. The Outer Wilds 2 was first revealed during E3 2021 at a joint event with Xbox and Bethesda.
Release Information
The game is set to launch on October 29, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC. Boyarsky expressed that the goal is to “go much bigger and deeper,” expanding on the gameplay of the first game while adding new planets and factions.
The Outer Wilds 2 Premium Edition will be available for $99.99, giving players up to five days of Early Access along with a DLC Pass for two upcoming story expansions. Additionally, subscribers of Xbox Game Pass will have day-one access to The Outer Wilds 2.
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