Obsidian Entertainment's Brandon Adler on the future of RPGs and studio challenges
Intelligence Summary
- Brandon Adler of Obsidian Entertainment addresses the studio’s future and the challenges it faces as it focuses on deeper RPGs.
Briefly summarized
- Brandon Adler, a director at Obsidian Entertainment, expresses frustration over misinformation about the studio.
- Obsidian’s core remains intact, despite changes over the past 20 years.
- The studio has recently gone through a difficult period, with a significant number of layoffs.
GAME-scanner analysis
Brandon Adler, who is currently working on an unannounced project, has publicly responded to the negative perceptions surrounding Obsidian Entertainment. He emphasized that the people responsible for earlier successes such as The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity are still in leadership positions. This is crucial for maintaining the studio’s creative vision. Despite the recent layoffs, which reportedly affected 25% of staff, the studio’s DNA remains strong. That suggests Obsidian is focused on preserving its unique identity, even in challenging times.
What does this mean for players?
For fans of Obsidian’s RPGs, it’s reassuring to hear that the studio’s core remains intact. The focus on deeper RPG experiences, as Adler indicated, could lead to more complex and immersive games as early access development continues. This is especially relevant with the upcoming release of The Outer Worlds 2, scheduled for October 29, 2025. Players can look forward to the rich narratives and choices that made the studio so popular.
Timeline
2026-07-09: Brandon Adler speaks about the challenges and frustrations within Obsidian Entertainment.
2026-07-11: The studio has gone through a difficult week with significant staff reductions.