Obsidian Entertainment

Obsidian_Entertainment

Chris_Avellone

Feargus_Urkuhart_at_KRI_2013,_Russia,_Moscow

Obsidian Entertainment is an American video game developer founded in 2003 and based in Irvine, California. The company was established by Feargus Urquhart, Chris Avellone, Chris Parker, Darren Monahan, and Chris Jones, all of whom were former employees of Black Isle Studios. Obsidian is known for developing role-playing games (RPGs) and has created several critically acclaimed titles.

History[edit | edit source]

Obsidian Entertainment was founded after the closure of Black Isle Studios, a division of Interplay Entertainment. The founders sought to continue their work in the RPG genre and quickly established a reputation for creating deep, narrative-driven games.

Notable Games[edit | edit source]

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords[edit | edit source]

Released in 2004, this game is a sequel to BioWare's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It was praised for its complex story and character development.

Neverwinter Nights 2[edit | edit source]

Released in 2006, this game is a sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights. It featured an extensive single-player campaign and robust multiplayer options.

Fallout: New Vegas[edit | edit source]

Released in 2010, this game is set in the Fallout universe. It was highly praised for its open-world design, storytelling, and player choice.

Pillars of Eternity[edit | edit source]

Released in 2015, this game was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. It is a spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series.

The Outer Worlds[edit | edit source]

Released in 2019, this game is a first-person RPG set in a dystopian future. It received positive reviews for its writing, humor, and player agency.

Development Philosophy[edit | edit source]

Obsidian Entertainment is known for its focus on narrative depth and player choice. The company often collaborates with other developers and publishers, such as Bethesda Softworks, Square Enix, and Paradox Interactive.

Acquisition by Microsoft[edit | edit source]

In 2018, Obsidian Entertainment was acquired by Microsoft and became part of Xbox Game Studios. This acquisition has allowed the company to expand its resources and development capabilities.