The long-awaited sequel to the satirical space RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, was first announced back in 2021. However, since that initial announcement, there has been little information released about the game. Developers Obsidian have been focusing their efforts on other projects such as the Pillars Of Eternity successor Avowed and the survival game Grounded, which left early access in September 2022. According to Obsidian’s studio head Feargus Urquhart, The Outer Worlds 2 has been progressing well, despite some early challenges.
During the early stages of the Covid pandemic, there was internal discussion within Obsidian about reallocating resources from The Outer Worlds 2 to focus on Avowed. The idea of halting development on the sequel in order to bolster the team working on Avowed was raised. This period was particularly turbulent, with the studio grappling with the effects of the pandemic, navigating an acquisition, and managing multiple projects simultaneously. Urquhart himself acknowledged that Obsidian faced difficulties during this time, describing the studio as being “kind of a crappy developer for about a year and a half.”
Despite the challenges faced, Obsidian ultimately decided to continue with development on The Outer Worlds 2. The continuity of key team members, such as the lead programmer, creative director, and game director from the first game, provided a strong foundation for the sequel. Urquhart highlighted the importance of having a team that understood the vision and direction of the project, having worked together for an extended period of time. This cohesion was crucial in navigating the complexities of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
As the development of The Outer Worlds 2 progressed, unforeseen circumstances, such as the impact of the pandemic and shifting timelines, forced Obsidian to adapt and reevaluate their approach. While Avowed was recently delayed to 2025, the studio remained committed to delivering on all of their projects. Urquhart emphasized the importance of staying the course and embracing the challenges that arose, recognizing that success would require flexibility and resilience.
With Grounded and Pentiment already released and Avowed on the horizon, Obsidian is building a solid foundation for their future projects. Urquhart expressed confidence in the progress of The Outer Worlds 2 and the studio’s ability to leverage their experience and tools developed over the years to create the next generation of games. The use of third-party tools, such as Unreal Engine, was cited as a key factor in streamlining development and maximizing efficiency.
As a critic of the first Outer Worlds game, I found its satirical humor to be off-putting and its gameplay formulaic. However, there is hope that The Outer Worlds 2 will take more risks and deliver a more compelling experience. Similarly, Avowed has shown promise, though there are reservations about its execution. As Obsidian navigates the complexities of developing multiple projects simultaneously, the future looks bright for the studio. With a strong team in place and a commitment to delivering high-quality games, The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be an impressive sequel.
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