Obsidian Entertainment's creative director for The Outer Worlds 2, Brandon Adler, has pushed back against claims that the studio has lost its distinctive identity. His remarks follow recent staff reductions at the studio and subsequent speculation about Obsidian's future projects and creative direction.
Last week, Obsidian experienced significant layoffs, with approximately a quarter of its staff being affected. Reports soon emerged suggesting a potential pivot for the studio, including the possibility of developing a new Fallout game under the direction of Fallout: New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer, and a scaling back of the Avowed sequel. These developments have fueled discussions about Obsidian's legacy and current capabilities.
Adler addressed these discussions directly, stating that the narrative of Obsidian no longer being the studio it once was is inaccurate. He emphasized that many of the key personnel in lead and director roles today are the same individuals who contributed to seminal titles like Knights of the Old Republic 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. "The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear," Adler wrote on LinkedIn, as noted by Eurogamer. He acknowledged that the studio has evolved over its 20-year history but stressed that its fundamental "DNA" remains consistent. "The same DNA that created KotOR, New Vegas, NWN2, and Stick of Truth," he stated. "I'm extremely proud of our history and I am also excited for who we have become."
While acknowledging that Obsidian's more recent RPGs, such as Avowed and The Outer Worlds, may not always reach the same critical heights as their earlier acclaimed works like New Vegas, Adler defended their inherent quality and connection to the studio's core ethos. He suggested that perceptions of a studio's quality can be heavily influenced by its most recent releases, leading to both unreasonable expectations for successful studios and harsh judgments for those perceived to be past their prime. The commentary from external voices, he argued, often lacks a deep understanding of the internal contributions and the continuity of talent within the development teams.
Adler concluded by expressing hope that the remaining Obsidian team members receive support following the recent upheaval, especially in the face of what he termed "cold take artists" publicly dissecting the studio's work and identity without full context. The director, who has been with Obsidian since 2006 barring a brief period working on mobile games, aims to reassure both the public and his colleagues that the studio's creative spirit endures.