Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler has responded to critics questioning the studio's identity after the recent Xbox layoffs, stating that many lead roles are still held by veterans of the studio's most iconic games, including The Outer Worlds and New Vegas.
The comments, made in a LinkedIn post highlighted by Eurogamer, follow a difficult week for Obsidian, which was among the studios impacted by Microsoft's announcement of 3,200 job cuts across its gaming divisions, with 1,600 immediate layoffs and another 1,600 expected by the end of the financial year. Adler expressed frustration with "cold take artists" spreading misinformation about the studio's evolution, particularly those unaware of the continuity in key team members. "The people in lead or director roles are the same people that worked on games like The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and New Vegas," Adler emphasized, underscoring the studio's enduring creative core.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total job cuts announced by Microsoft | 3,200 |
| Immediate layoffs | 1,600 |
| Expected layoffs by end of financial year | 1,600 |
Obsidian Boss Fires Back at Backlash
Adler's post was not just a defense against recent critiques but also a clarification on the nature of Obsidian's change. He acknowledged that, like any studio, Obsidian is not the same as it was 20 years ago, but asserted that the studio's "DNA" remains intact. This "DNA," according to Adler, is the consistent creative thread from early successes like Knights of the Old Republic 2 (KotOR2) through to more recent titles, highlighting a continuity in vision and approach despite personnel changes over the years.
"Is Obsidian the same as it was 20 years ago? No, of course not. Nothing stays the same. But the DNA at Obsidian is the same as it always was. The same DNA that created KotOR, New Vegas, NWN2, and Stick of Truth."
Brandon Adler, Director at Obsidian Entertainment
Adler's defense comes at a pivotal moment for Xbox Game Studios, with several high-profile studios either being restructured (Ninja Theory, Undead Labs) or gaining independence (Double Fine, Compulsion Games), and uncertainty surrounding others like Arkane Studios. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Obsidian has canceled the sequel to its fantasy RPG Avowed and is reportedly working on a new Fallout game under the direction of Josh Sawyer, known for his work on Fallout: New Vegas.
Obsidian’s Next Move After the Xbox Bloodbath
The layoffs and subsequent project shifts, including the cancellation of Avowed's sequel and the potential new Fallout title, signify a period of adjustment for Obsidian. But Adler's statement suggests that despite these changes, the studio remains committed to its core values and creative identity. The mention of a new Fallout project, in particular, could be seen as a strategic move to use the studio's proven track record with the franchise, potentially offering a beacon of stability amidst the turmoil.
For fans of Obsidian and its catalog of deeply narrative-driven games, Adler's reassurance may offer comfort. It underscores that the creative helm of the studio remains in the hands of those who have defined its most beloved titles, even as the studio navigates the challenges posed by the layoffs and the broader restructuring of Xbox's gaming arm.
Obsidian's Bold Response to Xbox Layoffs
Adler's pushback against critics is not merely a defensive maneuver; it speaks to the heart of how game development studios are perceived during times of change. In an industry where fan loyalty is often tied to the perceived integrity and consistency of a studio's output, statements like Adler's serve as a bridge between the studio and its audience. And also, the situation at Obsidian, coupled with the fate of other affected Xbox studios, provides a glimpse into the complexities of game development under the umbrella of a large corporate entity, highlighting the delicate balance between creative continuity and business necessity.
As the gaming community and Obsidian itself move forward from these layoffs, the director's comments invite a nuanced view of change within game development studios. It reminds observers that personnel shifts, even on a large scale, do not necessarily equate to a loss of identity or a deviation from the values that made a studio successful in the first place.
