Fallout Creators Seek Revival of Forgotten Franchise

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Big Project

Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, has its sights set on a lesser-known Microsoft IP: Shadowrun. CEO Feargus Urquhart recently expressed his strong interest in developing a new Shadowrun game, revealing his long-standing love for the franchise in an interview with Tom Caswell.

While currently occupied with projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart specifically named Shadowrun as his top choice among available Microsoft properties, a list that significantly expanded with the recent Activision acquisition. "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool," he stated, emphasizing his personal connection to the series, having owned multiple editions of the tabletop RPG since its release.

Obsidian's history is rich with successful work on established franchises. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II to Neverwinter Nights 2 and Dungeon Siege III, their expertise in expanding existing RPG universes is undeniable. This knack for sequels stems, as Urquhart explained in a 2011 interview, from the inherent nature of RPGs: "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."

The specifics of Obsidian's vision for a new Shadowrun game remain undisclosed. However, given their track record and Urquhart's enthusiasm, a potential Shadowrun project from this studio promises a high-quality, faithful adaptation of the beloved cyberpunk-fantasy setting.

The Shadowrun franchise, originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, boasts a complex history. While various video game adaptations exist, the last major standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. While Harebrained Schemes has produced recent Shadowrun games, and remastered versions appeared in 2022, the demand for a new, original entry remains strong. The video game rights, secured by Microsoft following its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999, now present a significant opportunity.

Should Obsidian secure the license, fans can anticipate a potentially groundbreaking addition to the Shadowrun universe, developed by a studio clearly passionate about the source material.