“We were about 170 people… not only have we grown the studio to 285 people”: Wildest Plot Twist Is Obsidian Crediting Microsoft Acquisition for Avowed Success

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Even though it’s only been a few days since its release, “Avowed” has held its own admirably in the tough RPG market. The kudos for this achievement are due to none other than Obsidian Entertainment, the game’s developer, and surprisingly, also to Microsoft.

Obsidian Entertainment, known for hits like “Fallout: New Vegas” and “The Outer Worlds”, wasn’t always a stable studio prior to being acquired in 2018 by a major company. This acquisition significantly altered the trajectory of this game development company, marking a turning point in its history.

Avowed success: How Microsoft plays a part

2025’s highly anticipated release, “Avowed”, has finally dropped, and while the number of players on Steam seems to indicate otherwise, it’s been met with a warm reception from gamers.

During the takeover, some fans worried that the studio might relinquish its creative control and eventually decline. Yet, contrary to those concerns, it’s clear today that this wasn’t the outcome. In a recent interview with IGN, the studio’s leader, Feargus Urquhart, shared his perspective on how the acquisition benefited them.

Initially, there were approximately 170 individuals working at the studio, following our association with Xbox. Since then, our team has expanded significantly to include around 285 people. Furthermore, we’ve also established numerous collaborative development partners.

In Avowed, it appears that Microsoft not only preserved Obsidian Entertainment’s creative autonomy, but also significantly boosted their resources. These additional resources and connections are what typically enable game studios to outshine their competitors within the gaming industry.

How Avowed is a positive byproduct of the Microsoft acquisition frenzy

Over the past several years, Microsoft has made a concerted effort to purchase numerous game studios, with one notable acquisition being Activision Blizzard Group for approximately $70 billion.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve been eagerly anticipating masterpieces like the freshly unveiled “Avowed”. It’s a testament to what an inspired team of developers can achieve when they have the necessary resources at their disposal. Here’s how the gaming community has responded to Obsidian’s head’s remarks about their recent acquisition by Microsoft.

Microsoft acquisition was good for Obsidian

— Kloot (@ZakkenKloot) February 21, 2025

Good to see a positive growth story. Great studio! Exciting to see what they do next (after OW2).

— K (@Matt_Swan90) February 21, 2025

Incredibly impressive! Obsidian could assemble a large workforce to help Adam Brennecke create another outstanding production for our enjoyment.

— AlgalordWarrior || Caelus.wiki.br (@LeandroAlgalord) February 21, 2025

A fantastic illustration of organic expansion, where both the studio (Obsidian) and the company (Xbox) prosper from this relationship.

— Jassem 🇦🇷🌟 (@jassem73) February 21, 2025

Currently, it seems my anticipation for the game’s release isn’t matched by its initial reception, as the player count and Steam reviews paint a rather grim picture. Not to mention the potential impact of Game Pass. In stark contrast, Stalker 2 managed to draw in over 100,000 players on day one, leaving me in awe.

— TJ Hooker (@WhySoSeriousXXC) February 21, 2025

Ignore those critics over there, they’re just overly sensitive. If you dislike something, kindly express your feelings in a more constructive manner. These so-called ‘keyboard warriors’ seem to lack real-world experiences.

— Gary Hall (@Garybo1977) February 21, 2025

To clarify, when Avowed debuts straight onto Xbox Game Pass, the studio Obsidian no longer needs to base their success solely on initial sales. Instead, this game will immediately reach millions of players, resulting in a broader audience compared to conventional distribution methods.

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2025-02-21 21:14