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 acclaimed RPG studio.
Obsidian's CEO Wants to Bring Shadowrun to the Forefront
Beyond Fallout: A New Frontier
In a recent podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart revealed his desire to work on a non-Fallout Xbox IP. While the studio, renowned for Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, is currently focused on titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly stated his enthusiasm for the Shadowrun franchise.
Urquhart declared his fondness for Shadowrun, calling it "super cool." He further explained that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the company's acquisition of Obsidian. The subsequent acquisition of Activision significantly expanded this list, 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 creating compelling sequels within established franchises. Although they've successfully crafted original worlds with Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, their legacy is undeniably linked to prominent 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 mastery in expanding existing universes.
In a 2011 interview with Joystiq, Urquhart explained the studio's attraction to sequels: "RPGs have a lot of sequels because you can keep on adding to the world. You can keep 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 play in someone else’s world."
While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun expansion remains undisclosed, securing the license would 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."
Shadowrun's Evolving Legacy
The history of Shadowrun is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it has spawned numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands several times, but Microsoft retained the video game rights after acquiring FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but a new, original entry is highly anticipated by fans. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of previous games were released for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, but the demand for a fresh Shadowrun experience remains strong.
