The announcement of The Outer Worlds 2 back in 2021 generated a lot of excitement among fans of the original game. However, since then, there has been a noticeable lack of updates or information about the sequel. Developers Obsidian have been preoccupied with other projects such as Avowed and Grounded. According to Obsidian’s studio head Feargus Urquhart, there were discussions within the team about reallocating resources from Outer Worlds 2 to focus on Avowed during the early stages of the Covid pandemic. These challenges posed serious questions about the future of the game and the studio as a whole.
Despite facing numerous obstacles during the pandemic, Obsidian remained committed to moving forward with Outer Worlds 2. The studio underwent significant changes after being acquired in 2018, only to be hit with the disruptions caused by Covid. Urquhart described the studio as being in a difficult place for about a year and a half, as they struggled to balance multiple projects and deadlines. The team considered the possibility of halting development on Outer Worlds 2 and focusing all their efforts on Avowed. However, they ultimately decided to persevere and stay the course, even if it meant facing delays in the release of their games.
One of the key takeaways from Obsidian’s experiences during the pandemic was the importance of learning from past mistakes. Urquhart acknowledged that there were discussions about reorganizing the team and prioritizing different projects, but ultimately, the studio decided to stick with their original plans. This decision paved the way for the successful releases of Grounded and Pentiment, as well as the progress made on Avowed and Outer Worlds 2. By leveraging their experience and the tools they had developed over the years, Obsidian was able to lay the groundwork for future projects and ensure the success of their upcoming titles.
As Obsidian continues to work on Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed, they are mindful of the challenges that come with managing multiple projects simultaneously. Urquhart emphasized the importance of working with third-party tools like Unreal Engine to streamline development processes and improve overall efficiency. While the first Outer Worlds received mixed reviews, there is hope that the sequel will address some of the issues raised by critics and fans. With a strong team in place and a solid foundation of past successes, Obsidian is well-positioned to deliver compelling and engaging experiences with their upcoming titles.
The journey of developing The Outer Worlds 2 has been fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but Obsidian’s resilience and determination have carried them through. By staying true to their vision and adapting to changing circumstances, the studio has overcome obstacles and continued to make progress on their ambitious projects. With Outer Worlds 2 on the horizon and Avowed in the works, fans can look forward to a new generation of captivating RPG experiences from one of the industry’s most innovative developers.