Microsoft’s blockbuster announcement that it haspurchased ZeniMax Media, which includes Bethesda Game Studios, has rocked the gaming world. It has completely changed the complexion of the next-generation console war, and seemingly solves Xbox’s console exclusivity problem in one fell swoop. However, the acquisition also creates some interesting questions for some of the other studios Microsoft has acquired over the past few years.
In particular, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda may mean some interesting things forObsidian Entertainment. In the past, Obsidian had a working relationship with Bethesda, with the companies collaborating on things likeFallout: New Vegas. But in recent years, Obsidian has been making games that appear to be spiritual successors of sorts to Bethesda’s, withThe Outer WorldsmirroringFallout, and the upcomingAvowedseemingly taking a page out ofThe Elder Scrollsplaybook. But now that both companies are under the Xbox umbrella, some may be wondering what it all means for Obsidian and games likeAvowed.
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Here is what Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda means for Obsidian and its upcoming RPGAvowed.
Xbox is Now THE Console for Western RPGs
Xbox owning both Obsidian and Bethesda means that it istheconsole for western RPGs. Upcoming games likeThe Elder Scrolls 6andAvowedwill both potentially be console exclusive to Xbox Series X, not to mention any potentialOuter Worldssequels orBethesda’sStarfield. Having console exclusivity for these massive games is a big deal, as Xbox will likely still get some of the other major third-party western RPGs that are on the way, like games fromCyberpunk 2077developer CD Projekt Red. And that’s not even mentioning other Xbox exclusive western RPGs on the way, like Playground Games’Fablereboot.
With the acquisitions of Bethesda and Obsidian, Microsoft has effectively cornered the western RPG market, and it will definitely be interesting to see if Sony has any kind of counterattack planned for the PS5.
Fallout: New Vegas 2
Obsidian was quick to comment on the possibility ofFallout: New Vegas 2now that Microsoft owns Bethesda and theFalloutfranchise. Responding to a fan on Twitter, Obsidian shared a “shrug” emoji, seemingly hinting that it is open to the idea. But right now, Obsidian is busy at work onGrounded, itsHoney, I Shrunk the Kids-style survival game, as well as theAvowedfirst-person RPG.Avowedis a brand new series, though, and there’s no denying that it lacks the same brand recognition as theFalloutfranchise, so maybe Obsidian will focus some of its resources on a potentialNew Vegas 2instead if given the opportunity.
The potential to createFallout: New Vegas 2also calls into question the future ofThe Outer Worlds. Why bother withThe Outer Worlds 2when Obsidian could potentially just makeNew Vegas 2instead?
Original IP for Filling the Gap
Obsidian’s original IPAvowedandThe Outer Worldsmay potentially be in jeopardy now that Microsoft owns Bethesda, but that’s not necessarily the case. After all, Bethesda takes a significant amount of time to release new main series entries in its major franchises, withThe Elder Scrolls 6not expected to come until well afterSkyrimhas already been out for a decade. It’s safe to say that many fans would not mind having an alternative to play while they wait for Bethesda to release its new games.
So whileAvowedis clearly inspired byThe Elder ScrollsandThe Outer Worldsis clearly inspired byFallout, it seems more likely that Obsidian will be given the chance to cultivate its own IP, which will go a long way in strengthening the Xbox brand in general. After all, why would Microsoft want just one major fantasy RPG franchise on its consoles when it could have all of them?
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