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Bethesda says that Obsidian’s ‘creative identity’ will be preserved, just months after multiple projects were cancelled and it was told to make a Fallout game
Bethesda says Obsidian will retain its creative identity while collaborating on a new Fallout project, despite recent restructuring that has raised concerns about the studio’s independence. The reassurance follows reports that Microsoft cancelled several Obsidian projects and redirected some staff towards Fallout development.
Around 25% of Obsidian’s workforce was reportedly laid off, with projects including an Avowed sequel cancelled. The new Fallout game is reportedly being led by Josh Sawyer, director of Fallout: New Vegas, although details and a release date remain unknown.
In short
- Bethesda promises to protect Obsidian’s creative identity.
- Multiple projects were cancelled amid major layoffs.
- Obsidian is reportedly making a new Fallout game.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A Fallout project could give Obsidian a chance to build on its acclaimed work in the series, while Bethesda’s assurance that the studio will retain its creative identity suggests collaboration need not mean losing its distinctive approach. Redirecting staff after cancellations may also help preserve jobs and make use of the team’s experience.
The case against
The reported cancellations, layoffs affecting around a quarter of the workforce and redirection of staff towards Fallout give reason to question how much independence Obsidian will retain in practice. A promise to preserve its creative identity may carry limited weight if the studio has less control over which projects it pursues and how its staff are assigned.
Explained simply
Obsidian is a video game studio known for role-playing games, including Fallout: New Vegas and Avowed. It is owned by Microsoft, which also owns Bethesda, the publisher behind the Fallout series.
Fallout is a long-running series of role-playing games set in a post-apocalyptic world. Different studios have worked on its games, and Obsidian’s earlier entry, New Vegas, is often associated with the studio’s role in the series.
The issue matters because studio ownership can affect which games get made and how much creative control a team has. Reports of cancelled projects and job losses have raised questions about what the changes mean for Obsidian’s future work.