The Xbox brand and all of its studios have been undergoing some massive changes. With layoffs happening earlier this year and again only a short while ago, it obviously has both the development studios and fans on edge. During the latest round of restructuring, layoffs, and studio closures, we saw Activision take control of numerous IPs, including the Halo series. Another big move was the shift to place Obsidian, the studio behind games like The Outer Worlds, Grounded, and, most notably, Fallout: New Vegas, officially under the umbrella of Bethesda. Bethesda president Jill Braff has released a statement regarding the recent transition for Obsidian Entertainment and has assured that the studio will retain its “creative identity.”
President Braff Says Obsidian Will Retain “Creative Identity”
According to Aftermath, Bethesda president Jill Braff sent out an email to staff saying, “The creative identity and strengths that make Obsidian distinct will remain at the core of their studio and work.” There will be no change to the leadership at Obsidian, but the leadership team will now report directly to Braff as part of the reorganization done across Xbox studios.
Braff also stated, “Together, the teams will build on their longstanding relationship and the early work already underway on a new Fallout project, with more to share in the months ahead.” Earlier this year, it was announced that Obsidian would be working on an upcoming Fallout title, but no additional information about the project has been shared.
Earlier this year, restructuring forced Obsidian to cancel multiple projects. Among the projects canceled was a sequel to Avowed – Obsidian’s recent fantasy RPG. These cancelations were due to the team being put on the Fallout project. Braff ended the email by saying, “Obsidian has extraordinary creative talent, deep expertise, and a long history of creating memorable games and experiences. I’m looking forward to working more closely with them.”
