Obsidian studio design director Josh Sawyer, whose credits include Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and Pentiment, has stated that his dream project would involve making a spiritual successor to the 1992 historical fantasy RPG, Darklands, provided he had ample financial backing and a team he enjoyed working with. Sawyer discussed his career and future aspirations on a recent episode of the Human Can Opener Podcast.
Sawyer reflected on his career, noting that he has had the opportunity to create games aligned with his personal interests. He mentioned fulfilling his desire to make a Dungeons & Dragons game early in his career, followed by a Fallout game approximately a decade later, and then a historical game. He indicated that he does not currently harbor a singular, overarching game idea he is committed to pursuing.
Instead, Sawyer emphasized the importance of the collaborative environment. He suggested that working with a team he likes can make even a project he is less enthusiastic about a positive experience, while a disliked environment can tarnish a dream project, turning it into a nightmare. This perspective leads him to not fixate on one specific game concept.
However, he did express a specific interest in creating a game akin to Darklands, a roleplaying game set in 15th-century Germany known for its emphasis on realism. Sawyer mused that if presented with substantial funding with no other specific direction, he would likely attempt to create something in that vein, acknowledging uncertainty about its market viability. The original Darklands game is recognized for its detailed historical setting and complex mechanics, offering a precursor to games that blend historical accuracy with fantasy elements.