Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Big Project

Obsidian, famed for Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, has its sights set on a lesser-known Microsoft IP: Shadowrun. CEO Feargus Urquhart recently revealed his strong interest in the franchise during a podcast interview.

Beyond Fallout: A Shadowrun Dream

Urquhart, while acknowledging Obsidian's current commitments to projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, expressed a clear preference for Shadowrun if given the opportunity. He specifically requested a list of available Microsoft IPs following the acquisition and, despite the expansion of Microsoft's game library with the Activision acquisition, Shadowrun remains his top choice. His passion for the franchise is evident, having owned multiple editions of the tabletop RPG since its inception.

Obsidian's Sequel Expertise

Obsidian’s history is rich with successful sequel development, from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II to Fallout: New Vegas. This experience, coupled with their ability to create original IPs like Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, makes them a strong candidate to revitalize the Shadowrun franchise. Urquhart himself has previously noted the appeal of RPG sequels, citing the opportunity to expand existing worlds and storylines.

Shadowrun's Legacy and Future

Shadowrun, originally a tabletop RPG launched in 1989, boasts a rich history of video game adaptations. While Harebrained Schemes has developed several recent titles, including a 2022 remaster collection, a new, original Shadowrun game is highly anticipated by fans. The last standalone entry, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, dates back to 2015. Should Obsidian secure the rights, a new Shadowrun game would likely be in very capable hands.