Obsidian Entertainment Focuses on Sustainable Growth and Long-term RPG Commitment, Aims for 100-Year Legacy

Obsidian Entertainment’s Vision for a Century of Gaming

During the recent D. I.C. E.Summit, a prominent industry conference held this week and reported by PCGamer, Obsidian Entertainment’s leadership shared a compelling vision for the company’s future. Marcus Morgan, VP of Operations, and Justin Britch, VP of Development, articulated their ambition to see Obsidian reach its centenary. Given the volatile nature of the gaming industry today, this aspiration is undeniably challenging. Nevertheless, Obsidian’s impressive portfolio, including titles such as Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, The Outer Worlds, and their latest offering, Avowed, speaks to their potential to persist.

A Commitment to Longevity

At 22 years old, Obsidian has a robust foundation to build upon for the next 78 years. The two executives expressed confidence that achieving this milestone is feasible, provided they adhere to key principles: staying streamlined, nurturing talent, and maintaining realistic expectations for sales. Unlike some larger gaming companies, Obsidian prioritizes creating games that resonate with players over chasing aggressive profit margins.

Core Principles of Sustainability

Central to Obsidian’s sustainability strategy are two significant themes: remaining “lean and invested.” The leadership emphasizes the importance of a company culture that keeps the workforce engaged and influential. Morgan and Britch recounted their decision against opening international studios, understanding that it might dilute their established culture and operational effectiveness.

Prudent Investment Strategies

Instead of overspending on single blockbuster projects with lofty profit expectations, Britch highlighted their approach of assessing investments based on the likelihood of “mild success.”This perspective could offer valuable insights to giants like PlayStation and Ubisoft, which have both recently encountered difficulties with high-profile projects such as Concord and Star Wars Outlaws, respectively, where anticipated outcomes fell short.

Lessons from the Industry

While specific instances weren’t directly referenced at the Summit, the failure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard serves as a cautionary tale. The game did not meet the high expectations set by EA and BioWare, leading to significant layoffs at BioWare in the aftermath.

Current Success and Future Prospects

Despite these challenges facing the industry, Obsidian has achieved notable success with its 2020s releases, including Grounded, Pentiment, and Avowed. These titles have garnered positive feedback from both critics and players alike, reinforcing their reputation for quality. Should Obsidian continue to stay true to its core values and maintain its strategic focus, it is well-positioned to celebrate its 100th anniversary in the gaming landscape.

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