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Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear’
Obsidian game director Josh Sawyer has pushed back against what he considers inaccurate criticism about the current direction and health of the veteran RPG studio. He argues that there is a clear continuity between Obsidian's acclaimed earlier work, such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, and its more recent titles, rejecting the notion that the studio has lost its way.
The comments frame an ongoing debate among fans about whether Obsidian's identity and quality have shifted over the years, particularly following its acquisition by Microsoft and the release of newer games. Sawyer's remarks defend the studio's creative through line and dismiss the negative narratives he feels have become common. (Note: the supplied article text consists almost entirely of PC Gamer site navigation and membership promotion, so further specific detail from the piece is not available here.)
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Obsidian has genuinely sustained its core creative identity through decades of work, maintaining a focus on narrative depth, meaningful player choice, and sophisticated writing that defined KotOR2 and earlier titles. The studio has continued producing critically acclaimed RPGs that embody these principles, and dismissing recent work as inferior represents unfair revisionism that ignores the genuine creative continuity evident to those who examine the games closely.
The case against
The Microsoft acquisition and industry pressures have measurably shifted Obsidian's priorities towards broader commercial appeal and larger production budgets, which frequently comes at the expense of the creative boldness and experimental design that made their earlier work distinctive. Many fans perceive a real difference in tone and creative risk-taking between their classical period and recent output, and this perception reflects legitimate concerns about how institutional changes affect creative direction rather than mere nostalgia.
Explained simply
Obsidian Entertainment is a video game studio that specialises in creating role-playing games with emphasis on narrative and character development. The studio became known for several acclaimed titles over many years. In 2018, the company was acquired by Microsoft, which became its new owner.
Since the Microsoft acquisition, some members of the gaming community have questioned whether Obsidian's recent games maintain the same creative quality and distinctive character as its earlier work. A debate has developed about whether the studio has shifted its creative direction or lost ground compared to its celebrated past. This reflects broader industry questions about how studios evolve under new corporate ownership and whether they retain their artistic identity through such changes.
Game director Josh Sawyer is among the creators at Obsidian who work on the studio's current projects. The question of whether Obsidian has maintained creative continuity with its past is significant to fans who value the studio's earlier work and expect to see that legacy reflected in newer releases. These discussions between creators and audiences about artistic identity and studio direction are a recurring feature of how established entertainment companies interact with their fan bases.