Tag: Avowed 2

  • Obsidian’s Avowed 2 Safe Despite Xbox Layoffs, Leaker Says

    Obsidian’s Avowed 2 Safe Despite Xbox Layoffs, Leaker Says

    Key Takeaway

    – Obsidian Entertainment’s *Avowed 2* is in production and likely safe from Microsoft’s studio closures.
    – Multiple Xbox Game Studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, face closure risks under CEO Asha Sharma’s cost-cutting reset.
    – A leaker’s “joke” about *Avowed 2* being canceled caused panic, but was quickly denied.
    – Microsoft has a history of canceling high-profile Xbox games amid poor profitability.
    – Despite positive reviews, *Avowed*’s Game Pass debut and disappointing sequel sales may delay *The Outer Worlds 3*.

    As CEO Asha Sharma “resets” Microsoft’s gaming business, several Xbox Game Studios are in danger. However, Obsidian Entertainment will likely avoid closure. Co-founder of the company, Chris Avellone, recently reiterated that Avowed 2 was in the works. While a rumor of a sudden cancellation emerged, a leaker has now denied the report.

    Leakers Joke Causes Confusion

    Shpeshal_Nick, aka XboxEra’s Nick Baker, has an uneven track record but correctly predicted Game Pass additions like Persona 5. A social media post caused confusion before he corrected readers. Shpeshal_Nick shared an article about the Avowed sequel, with a South Park “And It’s gone” meme above it.

    Fan Panic Was Understandable

    After supporters of the Obsidian RPG began to panic, the leaker put their fears to rest. His initial post was a “joke”, but the reaction of these fans is understandable. With Sharma contending with meager profits, Xbox Game Studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, may be at risk. Microsoft also has a history of axing high-profile Xbox games.

    In the case of Ninja Theory, the Hellblade maker had just announced Senua at the June 7th Games Showcase. Regardless, Bloomberg is one of several sources reporting that the company now faces closure. The scenario shows how volatile the situation at Microsoft’s gaming division is.

    Obsidian’s Eora Universe Expands

    Obsidian Entertainment hasn’t officially unveiled Avowed 2, but it previously hinted at its existence. In February 2026, it teased that more titles would take place in the RPG’s fantasy world of Eora.

    Avellone Speaks Out

    Outspoken game designer and writer Chris Avellone is also confident in the sequel. When discussing the potential closures and layoffs on social media, he said, “There most certainly is an Avowed 2 in production.” It’s believed that Fallout: New Vegas writer George Ziets is leading development.

    Avellone admitted he was a “little surprised” that the Xbox game is getting a follow-up. Although its predecessor enjoyed positive reviews, a day-one Game Pass debut may have cannibalized sales. Yet, after the second entry posted disappointing numbers, Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds 3 is not expected anytime soon.

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  • Obsidian Confirms No Plans for Outer Worlds 3, Focus on Avowed 2

    Obsidian Confirms No Plans for Outer Worlds 3, Focus on Avowed 2

    Key Takeaways

    1. Chris Avellone announced there will not be a sequel to The Outer Worlds 3, but an Avowed sequel is in the works.
    2. The Outer Worlds 2, released on October 29, 2023, received positive feedback for its enhanced gameplay and the return of the Flaw system.
    3. Obsidian Entertainment operates with a multi-team structure, so it’s possible that future projects, including The Outer Worlds 3, are not completely off the table.
    4. Avowed, released on February 18, 2025, earned a Metacritic score of 80/100, but was considered an “OK RPG” by players.
    5. Avowed had a peak of 19,198 concurrent players shortly after launch, but daily player numbers declined to around 200 on Steam.

    Chris Avellone, who co-founded Obsidian Entertainment and was the lead designer for beloved games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, The Sith Lords, and Fallout: New Vegas, shared some intriguing news on November 6. He announced that while there won’t be a sequel to The Outer Worlds 2, there are plans for an Avowed sequel.

    Statement on Future Plans

    In a post on X, Avellone, who has not been part of the studio since 2015, mentioned, “It appears that aside from DLC for The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian isn’t working on Outer Worlds 3 (but they are making Avowed 2).” This news comes as a surprise, especially since The Outer Worlds 2 was just released on October 29 for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series S|X. The new game has been well-received, praised for its enhanced gameplay that allows for more freedom of choice compared to the original released in 2019.

    Gameplay Features

    Players also welcomed back the Flaw system, which introduces trade-offs that can significantly impact gameplay through debuffs based on player choices during the game. It seems that Obsidian is busy with post-launch updates and downloadable content for The Outer Worlds 2. However, the idea that an Outer Worlds 3 might not be in the works should be taken lightly, given the recent release and the studio’s focus on their latest title, making it unlikely for them to discuss future projects.

    Development Structure

    For some context, it’s noted that Obsidian operates with a multi-team structure, meaning resources and staff are allocated across various ongoing projects. Therefore, it might be premature to declare that The Outer Worlds 3 is off the table. In contrast, the greenlighting of Avowed 2, which is based on the Pillars of Eternity series, indicates that there is strong internal belief in the project.

    Avowed was launched on February 18, 2025, for PC and Xbox Series S|X, and it earned a Metacritic score of 80/100 from 80 critic reviews, along with an average user score of 6.8 from 2,049 player reviews. Many players described Avowed as an “OK RPG,” noting that it didn’t particularly stand out in the already crowded fantasy RPG genre.

    Player Engagement

    The game reached a peak of 19,198 concurrent players on February 23, but this number steadily dropped to an average of around 200 daily players on Steam. Microsoft assessed Avowed’s performance through Game Pass engagement, celebrating it as the second-most-played day one Game Pass launch of the year in early 2025, just behind Oblivion: Remastered.

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