Obsidian Cancels Avowed Sequel, Cuts 52 Jobs as Microsoft Pushes New Fallout Game
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Jul 8
Obsidian Cancels Avowed Sequel, Cuts 52 Jobs as Microsoft Pushes New Fallout Game
3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Jul 8
Summary
Obsidian is scrapping multiple projects — including an Avowed sequel — and redirecting the studio to a new Fallout game, with Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer reportedly leading development.
52 layoffs at Obsidian, about a quarter of its workforce, accompany the shift; WARN notices show 43 Irvine office staff and nine California remote employees are being cut.
Microsoft's broader gaming reset is driving the move, as Xbox narrows studio output toward proven franchises such as Fallout, Doom, Wolfenstein and The Elder Scrolls.
The cuts extend beyond Obsidian: id Software is reportedly laying off more than 90 employees, while Microsoft is eliminating another 3,200 jobs outside its gaming division.
Fallout has gained fresh commercial weight from Amazon's hit TV adaptation, making a new entry more urgent as Fallout 76 remains the franchise's latest release from 2018.