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 IP he'd like to develop. While the studio, celebrated for Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, is currently immersed in projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly stated his preference for the Shadowrun franchise.
Urquhart declared his fondness for Shadowrun, calling it "super cool." He explained that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the acquisition. The subsequent addition of Activision's vast library expanded 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 they've proven their capacity for original worlds with titles like Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, their legacy is significantly linked to well-known RPG series. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently demonstrates expertise in expanding existing universes.
In a 2011 interview with Joystiq, Urquhart shed light 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."
How Urquhart and Obsidian envision a Shadowrun expansion remains unclear. However, securing the license would undoubtedly place the beloved world in capable hands. The CEO himself admitted to being a long-time fan of the tabletop RPG: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."
Shadowrun's Journey: A Look Back
The history of Shadowrun is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it's 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 recently, but fans eagerly anticipate a fresh, original entry. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of previous games were released for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, yet the community's desire for a new Shadowrun experience persists.
