Something's Brewing in the Water at Obsidian

Obsidian Entertainment's Remarkable 2025

Obsidian Entertainment has long been a cherished name in the gaming industry. The studio is known for creating timeless classics such as Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords and Fallout: New Vegas, as well as original masterpieces like the Pillars of Eternity series and Pentiment, which was named Game of the Year in 2022. This reputation is built on a foundation of experience, with the studio’s founders having worked on iconic RPGs like Planescape: Torment, Fallout 2, and Baldur's Gate before founding Obsidian.

In 2018, Obsidian was acquired by Microsoft, becoming part of Xbox Game Studios, a major development conglomerate. Since then, Obsidian has become one of Microsoft’s most productive studios, bucking the trend of slow AAA game production that has plagued the industry. 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the studio.

A Stacked Lineup for 2025

It was recently announced that Grounded 2 will launch in early access on Xbox Game Pass day one, marking another significant milestone for Obsidian. This revelation highlights just how busy the studio is this year. In February, Avowed was released, offering an early highlight of 2025. Following this, Grounded 2 is set for release on July 29, with no official release window for version 1.0 yet. Then, The Outer Worlds 2 will arrive on October 29.

While some players have expressed criticism of Avowed, many others have praised it for its engaging gameplay and storytelling. Grounded 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 are expected to build upon the success of their predecessors, with both titles appearing to be substantial improvements. Releasing three major games in a single year is rare, especially when they are likely to maintain high quality and minimal technical issues.

A Rare Achievement in Modern Game Development

The modern game development landscape is known for its lengthy timelines. For example, Grand Theft Auto 6 began conceptual work in 2014 but didn’t start in earnest until 2018. Similarly, The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced at E3 2018 and has remained silent since. While Rockstar and Bethesda are notable exceptions, other major studios often focus on one project at a time. For instance, Call of Duty involves multiple studios working on separate titles to maintain a yearly release schedule, while Ubisoft manages several franchises across different platforms.

Interestingly, Ubisoft is also releasing eight games this year, including four mobile titles and two in early access. However, there is a stark difference in scale—Ubisoft had over 18,000 employees in 2024, while Obsidian has fewer than 300. Some of Obsidian’s impressive output may be due to timing, as three major projects may have coincided. Additionally, two of the titles are sequels, which reduces the need for foundational development work.

Despite this, there is reason to believe that Obsidian has strong project management practices. Titles like The Outer Worlds, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2 demonstrate a clear scope that keeps their action RPGs focused. This approach contrasts with the bloated nature of many modern RPGs, which often require over 100 hours of playtime.

Stability Amid Industry Challenges

Obsidian’s consistent output may also explain why the studio wasn’t affected by recent layoffs at Microsoft. While Microsoft has over 9,000 employees, it is understandable that a division releasing three games in a single year would not be on the chopping block. This stability further solidifies Obsidian’s position within Xbox Game Studios.

As 2025 unfolds, Obsidian Entertainment is set to make a significant impact with its three major releases. The studio’s ability to deliver high-quality games consistently is a testament to its talent and dedication. With such a strong lineup, it is clear that Obsidian is poised to dominate the gaming landscape this year.