An Obsidian Entertainment director pushed back against criticism of the studio's direction following Avowed's reception, defending the studio's creative trajectory across decades of work.
The director highlighted continuity in Obsidian's design philosophy, pointing to Knights of the Old Republic 2 as evidence that the studio has maintained consistent principles from that 2004 release through current projects. The comment arrives as some players voiced disappointment with Avowed, the studio's fantasy RPG that launched in early 2025.
Obsidian has faced recurring skepticism about its output quality in recent years. Starfield's middling reception in 2023, followed by mixed reactions to Avowed, created an opening for critics to question whether the studio had lost its creative edge. The director's response suggests leadership views these assessments as superficial, missing the deeper design lineage connecting projects across generations.
The studio's catalog actually supports this argument. From KOTOR 2's companion-focused narrative design through Fallout: New Vegas' player agency emphasis to The Outer Worlds' small-scale worldbuilding and Avowed's choice-driven storytelling, Obsidian has consistently prioritized player choice and consequence over technical spectacle. Avowed itself features branching dialogue, multiple quest solutions, and companion interactions that echo this philosophy.
However, the director's frustration also reflects legitimate tension in modern game development. Avowed launched on Game Pass day one, limiting traditional sales visibility. Its technical performance at launch drew complaints. Some systems felt simplified compared to Obsidian's earlier work, leading players to interpret the game as a step backward rather than lateral movement.
The "through line" the director references matters for understanding Obsidian's identity within Microsoft's portfolio. The studio isn't chasing Baldur's Gate 3's blockbuster scope or BioWare's AAA