Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment business and news from across the web.
New Vegas devs Obsidian are reportedly working on a new Fallout game, and only Microsoft could make news I've waited half my life for taste this bitterObsidian Entertainment is reportedly set to begin development on a new Fallout game, helmed by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer. This news comes as Microsoft recently laid off approximately a quarter of Obsidian's workforce. The article expresses mixed feelings, lamenting the circumstances under which this project is being greenlit, suggesting it's a business decision driven by Microsoft's focus on established franchises rather than purely creative desire.- Microsoft reportedly cancels Avowed sequel as Obsidian focuses on a Fallout gameMicrosoft has reportedly canceled the sequel to Avowed, with developer Obsidian Entertainment now focusing on a new Fallout game. This decision comes as part of broader Xbox layoffs affecting the studio.
- Obsidian Is Working On A New Fallout Game, And Avowed 2 CancelledObsidian Entertainment is reportedly shifting focus to a new Fallout game, canceling projects including Avowed 2 amidst company layoffs. This strategic pivot occurs during a period of significant restructuring within Xbox.
New Fallout Game Is New Focus For New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment – ReportObsidian Entertainment is reportedly shifting its focus to a new Fallout game, potentially shelving a planned sequel to Avowed and other unannounced projects. Studio design director Josh Sawyer, who previously directed Fallout: New Vegas, is expected to lead the new project. This news comes as Obsidian recently experienced significant layoffs due to Microsoft's restructuring of its Xbox division.
Fallout and Elder Scrolls union says Bethesda layoffs didn't hurt Microsoft's "14 layers of management" – "We lost dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers"Microsoft's recent layoffs significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online, Obsidian Entertainment, and id Software, affecting dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers, not just management. The Bethesda Game Studios Union expressed outrage, calling the cuts a "stressful annual routine" and urging fans to voice concerns through Microsoft's feedback portal to prevent future layoffs and studio closures.- Xbox Kills Obsidian’s Avowed Sequel In The Wake Of Layoffs – ReportXbox has reportedly cancelled the sequel to Obsidian Entertainment's action-RPG Avowed and laid off approximately a quarter of the studio's staff. The cancellation is part of a larger strategic reset by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, with Obsidian now focusing on the Fallout franchise. While the Avowed sequel was progressing well, it did not align with Xbox's current strategy, though a small chance of its revival remains.
- Obsidian Reportedly Cancels Avowed 2 to Focus on a New Fallout GameObsidian Entertainment has reportedly canceled Avowed 2 to shift focus towards developing a new Fallout game. This decision indicates a strategic pivot for the studio, prioritizing the established Fallout franchise.
Fallout: New Vegas studio Obsidian reportedly working on a new Fallout RPG after forced pivot from Xbox kills Avowed 2…Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly pivoting to develop a new Fallout RPG following significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, which also led to the cancellation of Avowed 2. Josh Sawyer is said to be leading the new Fallout project, which may be related to a previously unannounced RPG he was working on.
Fallout TV Series Lands 10 Emmy Nominations For Season 2, But Actors Get SnubbedAmazon's Fallout TV series has received 10 Emmy nominations for its second season, focusing on technical and performance categories like Production Design and Stunt Performance, though no acting nominations were given. This follows Season 1's 16 nominations and two wins. Meanwhile, news emerged of Obsidian Entertainment collaborating with Bethesda Game Studios on a new Fallout game, amidst recent layoffs at Xbox-owned studios.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of WarFollowing significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.
Man behind Xbox backwards compatibility laid off as 25% of Obsidian devs cutMicrosoft has laid off Kevin LaChapelle, the key figure behind Xbox's backwards compatibility and cloud gaming features, as part of broader cuts affecting 3,200 employees. Several development studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, have become independent or are being sold off. Approximately 25% of Obsidian Entertainment's staff has also been impacted by these layoffs.- Bethesda Tells Workers The Company Needs To “Change Course” And Focus On Games With “Greatest Potential”Bethesda is undergoing a significant shift in strategy following recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Company boss Jill Braff informed staff that Bethesda must 'change course' and focus on franchises with the 'greatest potential,' including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, to ensure sustainable growth and continued investment in its games and players.
- Staff at Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian Reportedly Left Unsure How 'Huge List of Projects' Can Continue After Xbox Layoffs Hit HardStaff at Obsidian Entertainment are reportedly concerned about the studio's future projects following significant layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division. The uncertainty stems from a 'huge list of projects' and the impact of the recent job cuts on the development team.
Xbox's layoffs come with a push to focus on series like Fallout, so naturally New Vegas devs Obsidian have reportedly lost around a quarter of their staffXbox has reportedly laid off approximately 1600 employees and is shifting focus to lucrative series like Fallout. As part of these cuts, Obsidian Entertainment, known for Fallout: New Vegas, has lost around a quarter of its staff, with 60-70 employees let go. This news comes amid broader industry trends of significant layoffs and uncertainty for remaining developers.
Report – Xbox cuts around 25% of Obsidian staffXbox has initiated significant layoffs across its studios, with Obsidian Entertainment reportedly losing around 25% of its staff, impacting producers, artists, designers, and more. This is part of Microsoft's larger plan to lay off 3,200 employees by June 2027, though Blizzard Entertainment teams have been spared for now. The restructuring aims to shift focus away from smaller acquired studios, but the arbitrary nature of the cuts is causing concern over lost expertise.
Report: Obsidian losing around one quarter of its staff to 'Xbox reset'Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly laid off approximately one quarter of its staff, impacting 60-70 employees as part of a larger 'Xbox reset'. The cuts affect various departments, including senior talent and the art director for The Outer Worlds. This follows a broader announcement of 3200 layoffs at Xbox, with leadership citing a need to course-correct after ambitious bets on Game Pass and multi-platform strategies did not yield expected results.
Xbox’s Game Pass Subscriptions Currently Hovering Around 30 Million – RumorA rumor suggests that Xbox Game Pass subscriptions are currently around 30 million, a figure lower than the 34 million reported in February 2024 and significantly below Microsoft's goal of 77 million by fiscal year 2027. Despite this, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the service did not grow as expected but indicated continued investment in higher priority projects, including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises.
Obsidian was also hit by "the Microsoft sacrificial rituals," says laid-off RPG veteran who previously worked…Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly been affected by recent Xbox layoffs, with narrative designer Jay Turner and other developers confirming their departure. These cuts are part of a larger "reset" by Microsoft, which aims to reduce its workforce by 3,200 by fiscal year 2027. Reports suggest around 25% of Obsidian's staff, approximately 60-70 individuals, were impacted.
Even Obsidian couldn't escape the Xbox cuts, with losses ranging from a 21-year veteran artist to an engineer…Obsidian Entertainment has experienced layoffs, affecting employees including a 21-year veteran artist and a recent engineer. This marks the first time the studio has been impacted by the recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft's Xbox division. The exact number of affected employees is between nine and 49, falling below the threshold that would trigger a WARN Act notice.- Microsoft confirms 3200 layoffs and four studio departuresMicrosoft has confirmed significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees across its Xbox business, including 1,600 on the day of the announcement. Four studios, Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, will either become independent or find new ownership, while Arkane Studios faces strategic review. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited slower-than-expected growth in Game Pass, multi-platform strategies, and content portfolio as reasons for the restructuring, which will also involve reducing management layers.