Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment business and news from across the web.- Avowed 2 Is Still Being Worked On, Reaffirms Jason SchreierDespite reports of cancellation, a small team at Obsidian Entertainment is still working on Avowed 2. The project is being kept alive while the studio awaits further assignments on Fallout projects, according to Jason Schreier.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.- Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re MakingXbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be bothFormer PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
Own goal specialist Xbox rifles another into the roof of the net - Patch Notes #60Xbox announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees across various studios including id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Xbox boss Asha Sharma cited a need to eliminate management layers and create a flatter organization, though many of the affected employees are senior staff integral to game production. This marks the fifth major round of layoffs at Xbox in three years, with unions like CWA Canada criticizing Microsoft's handling of the situation.
Avowed 2 Has Not Been Cancelled Following Layoffs at Obsidian – RumorDespite recent layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment and rumors of cancellation, former co-founder Chris Avellone has stated that Avowed 2 is still in development and the studio hopes to "re-pitch" the concept. While some projects are being re-evaluated, expansions for The Outer Worlds 2 are still planned, and Grounded is continuing development.
Asha Sharma joins Federal Reserve advisory task force days after laying off thousands at XboxXbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a new US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs, specifically examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence. This appointment follows Xbox's announcement of significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and several game studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory.
What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leavesFollowing reports of Obsidian Entertainment being redirected to work on a new Fallout game, this article speculates on what such a title might look like. It considers how the studio could innovate within the series, potentially by exploring new settings and gameplay mechanics, while acknowledging the influence of the recent Fallout TV show and other modern RPGs.
"We were already running a tight ship": Elder Scrolls 6 devs are worried about Xbox's layoffs causing even more delays to the long-awaited RPGBethesda developers are concerned that recent layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox will cause further delays for The Elder Scrolls 6. Staff report that the cuts have negatively impacted morale and may lead to longer development cycles due to the need for onboarding new or contract labor. Developers fear this will necessitate crunch time to meet deadlines for the highly anticipated RPG.
Xbox Game Pass Hidden Gems: 20 Games Worth Playing Right Now (2026) | TAGThis guide highlights 20 under-the-radar games available on Xbox Game Pass, categorized by their time commitment. It focuses on titles that are either new, forgotten, or obscure, offering recommendations for various playstyles and schedules. The article emphasizes that these games are worth owning even if they leave the service.
Fallout: New Vegas studio Obsidian reportedly moved onto a new Fallout game by Xbox, but at the cost of a sequel to AvowedXbox has reportedly shifted Obsidian Entertainment's focus to a new Fallout game following significant layoffs at the studio. This move has led to the cancellation of multiple projects, including a sequel to the RPG Avowed. Studio design director Josh Sawyer, who previously directed Fallout: New Vegas, is expected to lead the new Fallout title.
Another Fallout RPG was in development at Obsidian Entertainment before Bethesda pulled the plug "a while…Obsidian Entertainment was reportedly working on a new Fallout game that Bethesda ultimately canceled. According to former developer Chris Avellone, a project directed by Josh Sawyer was intended to be a Fallout title before Bethesda intervened. The article also mentions that an Avowed sequel, previously rumored to be scrapped for a Fallout game, is still in development.
New Fallout game in development by makers of New Vegas but at a costXbox has commissioned Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas, to develop a new Fallout game, led by project director Josh Sawyer. This decision comes after Obsidian experienced significant layoffs, with reports suggesting that previous projects were cancelled to prioritize this new Fallout title. The move aims to capitalize on the franchise's popularity, potentially releasing before Bethesda's Fallout 5.
Xbox had laid off 379 Zenimax workers in MarylandMicrosoft's Xbox division has laid off 379 employees across ZeniMax Media Inc. and ZeniMax Online Studios in Maryland. The cuts, effective September 4, 2026, impact 213 workers at The Elder Scrolls Online developer and 166 at ZeniMax Media Inc. This follows a broader trend of job reductions at Xbox, with a total of 3,200 roles being cut across the division.
Report: Obsidian to work on Fallout title as unannounced projects cancelledObsidian Entertainment is reportedly developing a new Fallout game, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer, as part of a wider Xbox restructuring that has led to the cancellation of several unannounced projects and layoffs. A small team will continue work on an Avowed sequel, while others focus on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2. This news follows a significant increase in Fallout game sales after the premiere of the Prime Video adaptation.
Rapport: Obsidian skrotar flera projekt för att jobba på ett nytt FalloutObsidian Entertainment is reportedly shifting focus to a new Fallout game, led by Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer. This pivot means a sequel to Avowed is being put on hold, with only a small team maintaining it. The studio has also undergone significant layoffs, cutting about a quarter of its staff, though development will continue on DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and Grounded 2.
The 12 best pirate video games and how to play them right nowThis article lists and discusses the 12 best pirate-themed video games available to play. It covers a range of titles from classic adventure games like The Secret of Monkey Island to modern titles such as Sea of Thieves and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, detailing their availability on various platforms and their unique pirate elements.
New Fallout in the Works at Obsidian, Avowed 2 Cancelled – RumorAccording to reports, Obsidian Entertainment is developing a new Fallout title, potentially directed by Josh Sawyer, who previously worked on Fallout: New Vegas. This comes as Avowed 2 and other unannounced projects have reportedly been cancelled following an internal reset at Xbox. While Avowed 2 may continue development temporarily, the studio is shifting focus to the new Fallout game.- Obsidian Reportedly Lays Off Staff; Cancels Avowed 2; Starts a New FalloutObsidian Entertainment has reportedly laid off approximately 25% of its staff and canceled a second project related to Avowed. The studio has also begun work on a new Fallout title, according to an unconfirmed report.
Obsidian Entertainment may be pivoting to a Fallout game amid layoffs & reorganizationObsidian Entertainment is reportedly undergoing reorganization and layoffs, with speculation that the studio may be pivoting to a new Fallout game directed by Josh Sawyer, potentially shelving projects like an Avowed sequel. Conflicting reports suggest that The Outer Worlds 2 expansions and Avowed 2 are still in development or being re-pitched, though project pauses are rumored.