Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series

Obsidian Entertainment's CEO has expressed strong interest in developing a lesser-known Microsoft game franchise. This article explores why this particular IP has caught the eye of the renowned RPG studio.

Obsidian's CEO Wants to Breathe New Life into Shadowrun

Beyond Fallout: A New Frontier

In a recent podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart revealed his top choice for a non-Fallout Xbox franchise to develop. While currently occupied with projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly stated his enthusiasm for the Shadowrun franchise.

Urquhart declared his fondness for Shadowrun, stating, "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool." He further explained that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the acquisition. The subsequent addition of Activision's extensive library only broadened the possibilities, yet Urquhart remained focused on one specific IP: "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one."

Obsidian has established a reputation for crafting compelling sequels within established franchises. While their original creations like Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds demonstrate their creative prowess, their legacy is deeply rooted in expanding existing RPG universes. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently showcases its ability to enrich established worlds.

A 2011 interview with Joystiq revealed Urquhart's perspective on the studio's preference for sequels: "RPGs have a lot of sequels because you can keep on adding on to the world. You can keep on coming up with new stories. I think from that perspective, it’s great to be able to make these even if they’re sequels because you get to go play in someone else’s world."

While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remains undisclosed, securing the license would undoubtedly place the beloved franchise in capable hands. Urquhart's long-standing passion for the tabletop RPG is evident: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."

The Shadowrun Saga: A Look Back

The history of Shadowrun is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it has since spawned numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands multiple times, but the video game rights remained with Microsoft after its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999.

Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games in recent years, but a new, original entry is highly anticipated by fans. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, was released in 2015. Remastered versions of earlier games were released in 2022 for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, yet the demand for a fresh Shadowrun experience persists.