Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 Didn’t Quite Soar for Obsidian, But Grounded 2 Was a Hit, and The Pillars of Eternity Universe is Shining Bright
Ever had a favorite chef try a new dish, and it just didn’t quite hit the spot, even though everything else they make is usually amazing? That’s a bit like what’s been happening with Obsidian Entertainment, a game studio famous for making worlds where your choices truly matter. For a long time, their name has been a beacon for players who love deep stories and rich characters, especially in first-person role-playing games where you see the world through your character’s eyes. But here’s the thing: recent big projects like *Avowed* and the highly anticipated *The Outer Worlds 2*, which are exactly those kinds of choice-driven first-person adventures, haven’t quite reached the lofty sales goals everyone hoped for.
The reality is, making a truly expansive, consequence-rich first-person RPG is like building a custom-designed mansion with a thousand hidden rooms and secret passages; it’s incredibly complex, takes a long time, and costs a fortune. Think about it: every choice needs a reaction, every character needs a story, and every corner of the world needs to feel alive. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, player expectations can soar so high they become impossible to meet, or the market gets crowded with other giant games. This huge undertaking can lead to longer development times, potential bumps along the way, and sometimes, even the helpful presence of services like Game Pass can change how many copies are bought on day one, impacting those initial sales numbers.
Plot twist: While some of their big, ambitious RPGs faced an uphill battle, a completely different kind of game, *Grounded*, quietly grew into a massive success story. Imagine shrinking down to the size of an ant and trying to survive in a backyard full of giant spiders and dewdrop drinks – that’s *Grounded*. It’s a survival game where you work with friends, build bases, and explore a familiar world from a brand-new perspective. Its success wasn’t just luck; it was a perfect blend of a unique idea, fun cooperative play, and a consistent stream of new content that kept players coming back. It’s like a small, zippy car winning a race against big, heavy trucks, proving that sometimes a fresh angle is exactly what people are looking for.
*Grounded*’s triumph taught Obsidian a valuable lesson, showing they could weave their storytelling magic even outside the grand, sprawling RPGs they’re known for. Here’s how it works: sometimes, a smaller, more focused idea, especially one that encourages friends to play together, can connect with a much wider audience than a single-player epic. This success means Obsidian isn’t just a “one-trick pony” when it comes to making games; they can truly diversify and explore different kinds of adventures. It gave them a blueprint for how to build a vibrant community and keep players engaged, proving that innovation isn’t just about bigger worlds, but sometimes about smaller, more intimate ones too.
Now, let’s talk about a familiar friend in Obsidian’s family: the *Pillars of Eternity* universe. Even with the challenges faced by their first-person RPGs, the future for this beloved, classic-style RPG world is looking incredibly bright. Think of *Pillars of Eternity* as a nod to those classic fantasy novels or old-school computer games where you view the world from a top-down perspective, guiding a party of heroes through deep, intricate stories and tactical battles. It’s a world built on rich lore, tough moral choices, and characters you truly care about. Its enduring appeal comes from a dedicated fanbase that values complex narratives and strategic gameplay over the flashy, fast-paced action of first-person adventures.
The reality is, the enduring love for *Pillars of Eternity* comes from its unique blend of detailed world-building and player freedom, delivered in a distinct, isometric package. It doesn’t try to go head-to-head with the massive, visually demanding first-person epics; instead, it carves out its own special corner in the gaming world. Here’s what’s happening: this style of RPG often allows for a more predictable development process and a more contained scope, making it a safer bet for consistently delivering high-quality experiences without the same intense technical hurdles. It lets Obsidian truly shine with its masterful storytelling and world-design, satisfying a core part of their fanbase with what they do best: deep, thoughtful role-playing.
Think about it: Obsidian is currently navigating a fascinating journey, balancing their grand ambitions with the ever-changing realities of the game market. The path forward isn’t always straight, but the valuable lessons learned from the ambitious projects like *Avowed* and *The Outer Worlds 2*, alongside the unexpected triumph of *Grounded*, are clearly shaping their future. The positive outlook for the *Pillars of Eternity* universe shows a strong commitment to their roots and the kind of deep, intricate storytelling their long-time fans adore, while *Grounded*’s success points to exciting new directions and genres they can master. This means Obsidian is evolving, learning to diversify its game portfolio and understanding what truly resonates with different kinds of players, promising a future filled with a rich tapestry of adventures.