Josh Sawyer
Reporting and statements that mention Josh Sawyer.
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RPG legend behind Fallout: New Vegas does "everything" he can to stop save scumming, but he wishes he'd "been more cynical about player behavior" in Pillars of Eternity
RPG director Josh Sawyer discusses his approach to game design, particularly concerning player behavior and save scumming. He expresses regret for not being more cynical about player tendencies in games like Pillars of Eternity, contrasting it with solutions found in Baldur's Gate 3 and his design choices in Fallout: New Vegas. Sawyer emphasizes the importance of considering player psychology to create more engaging experiences.
Bethesda say new underlings Obsidian will retain their "distinct" creative identity, despite no longer being as free to work on their own creatively distinct series
Bethesda's Jill Braff announced that Obsidian Entertainment will now report to Bethesda, impacting its creative independence. While Braff claims Obsidian's distinct identity will remain, the article argues this structural change, especially with Obsidian working on a new Fallout project, will likely dilute their ability to create original series like The Outer Worlds or Pentiment.
Even though turn-based and real time RPGs 'have their loud, vocal advocates,' Fallout developer Tim Cain thinks they both have a place in the genre
Legendary developer Tim Cain believes both turn-based and real-time combat systems have their place in role-playing games, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive. He argues that real-time combat is naturally superior for first-person games and allows for faster pacing, while turn-based combat offers strategic depth. Cain cautions against designing games that allow players to switch between modes due to the significant development effort involved.
New Fallout game reportedly led by Josh Sawyer would be "good" for both Obsidian and Bethesda "in many ways," says former New Vegas creative lead
Former Fallout: New Vegas designer Chris Avellone expressed excitement over reports that Josh Sawyer is directing a new Fallout game at Obsidian Entertainment. Avellone believes this project would benefit both Obsidian and publisher Bethesda by potentially increasing the release cadence of major titles, given Bethesda's historically long development times. While John Gonzalez, a key writer for New Vegas, has returned to Obsidian, his specific role on the new Fallout project remains unclear due to recent Xbox restructuring.
Pentiment director emphasizes the importance of RPG players not controlling everything
Pentiment director Josh Sawyer believes role-playing games are at their best when players have significant agency but cannot control every aspect of the world. He argues that limitations on player control can lead to more meaningful choices and a deeper connection to the game's narrative, citing examples from Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire and Pentiment itself.
Reported lead of Obsidian's new Fallout game wants you to feel a "sense of agony" when playing an RPG, rather than being an all-powerful god-splatterer
Josh Sawyer, reportedly leading Obsidian's new Fallout game, aims to create RPG experiences that evoke a "sense of agony" through difficult choices, contrasting with Bethesda's philosophy of player freedom. This difference in design approach, exemplified by Fallout: New Vegas and Bethesda's mainline titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim, is expected to set their upcoming Fallout entries apart.
Fallout: New Vegas director says RPGs should be messy and force players to make hard decisions: "No person can fix…
Fallout: New Vegas and Pentiment director Josh Sawyer believes RPGs should present players with difficult, imperfect choices rather than allowing them to fix every problem. He argues that restricting players and forcing them to confront the consequences of their decisions is more engaging and encourages introspection about values. Sawyer cites examples from Pentiment and Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire to illustrate his design philosophy.
Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 fans might dread the return of Creation Engine, but New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer once called it "incredibly easy" to work with, even if it is "buggy and unstable"
New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer described Bethesda's Creation Engine as "incredibly easy" to work with, despite its known issues with bugs and instability. His past comments resurfaced amid fan concerns about the engine's use for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, suggesting it could facilitate faster development cycles.
We Want Fallout New Vegas 2, But Not Like This
Obsidian Entertainment is reportedly beginning work on a new Fallout game, potentially a sequel to Fallout New Vegas, with Josh Sawyer leading the project. This news comes amidst significant layoffs at Xbox and the cancellation of Avowed 2.
RPG players are conditioned to think they're 'built different', says Josh Sawyer, so some of them hate it when games like Pillars of Eternity tell them they can't do something
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire director Josh Sawyer discussed player expectations in RPGs, noting that some players dislike the game's ending where the protagonist cannot stop the god Eothas. Sawyer explained that this narrative choice was intentional to explore the limitations of power and challenge the common RPG trope of the protagonist being able to overcome any obstacle.
Fallout: New Vegas director chooses "dysfunction" and "corruption" over handing power to Caesar or Mr. House in his ideal ending for the beloved RPG
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer discusses his preferred ending for the RPG, favoring an independent New Vegas despite its inherent dysfunction, corruption, and bureaucracy. He believes this outcome is more worthwhile than handing power to factions like Caesar's Legion or Mr. House, or the problematic New California Republic.
Obsidian: "Vi har fortfarande samma dna som vid New Vegas och KOTOR"
Obsidian Entertainment's Brandon Adler addressed criticism regarding the studio's current identity, stating that despite recent layoffs and shifts in project focus, the core 'DNA' remains the same as when they developed games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout: New Vegas. He emphasized that many lead developers are still the same individuals who worked on previous acclaimed titles.
Quoteworthy
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer shared his ideal scenario for the game's ending, focusing on the fate of the Mojave Wasteland. The discussion touches upon various narrative possibilities and player choices within the game's design.
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer reveals his optimal outcome for the Mojave Wasteland
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer shared his personal preferred 'best of a bad lot' endgame outcome for the Mojave Wasteland, favoring independence despite its inherent dysfunction. Sawyer discussed the drawbacks of factions like Caesar's Legion and the NCR, ultimately concluding that an independent New Vegas, while flawed, represents the least worst option. The article also briefly touches on Sawyer reportedly leading a new Fallout project at Obsidian amidst recent studio layoffs.
Obsidian still have "the same DNA" that went into New Vegas and KOTOR 2, The Outer Worlds 2 director insists, following chatter around layoffs
Following recent layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment, director Brandon Adler defended the studio's creative DNA, asserting that the core team behind classic games like Fallout: New Vegas and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II remains intact. Adler pushed back against criticism that the studio has lost its way, emphasizing that the same individuals are still in leadership roles and that the studio's fundamental ethos persists despite changes over the years.
Fallout: New Vegas level scaling is designed to teach players that "this is not actually Fallout 3," Josh Sawyer says: "You're going to get your ass handed to you if you're not careful"
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer explains that the game's level scaling was intentionally designed to differ from Fallout 3, aiming to teach players that the world is more dangerous and unforgiving. This approach, inspired by the original Fallout, allows for more open-ended exploration with difficulty gates, encouraging players to level up before tackling certain areas.
What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leaves
Following 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.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Devs Fear “More Delays” After Layoffs Have “Crushing Effect On Morale”
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios are concerned that recent Microsoft layoffs could lead to significant delays for The Elder Scrolls 6, citing a "crushing effect on morale." These cuts, impacting various disciplines, raise fears of project timelines being pushed back and potential reliance on contract labor. The studio is also reportedly planning Fallout 5 after The Elder Scrolls 6.
Xbox Game Pass Hidden Gems: 20 Games Worth Playing Right Now (2026) | TAG
This 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 Avowed
Xbox 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.
