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 renowned RPG studio.
Obsidian's CEO Wants to Reimagine Shadowrun
Beyond Fallout: A New Frontier
In a recent podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart revealed his top choice for a non-Fallout Xbox franchise to develop. While the studio, celebrated for *Fallout: New Vegas* and *The Outer Worlds*, is currently immersed in projects like *Avowed* and *The Outer Worlds 2*, Urquhart clearly stated his desire to tackle Shadowrun."I love Shadowrun. I think it's incredibly cool," Urquhart declared, explaining 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 I had to choose just one, yes, Shadowrun is it," he confirmed.
Obsidian has established itself by expertly crafting sequels within established franchises. While they’ve successfully created original worlds with Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, their legacy is strongly linked to renowned 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 showcases its ability to expand existing universes.
In a 2011 interview with Joystiq, Urquhart explained the studio's preference for sequels: "RPGs lend themselves to sequels because you can continuously build upon the world and create new narratives. From that perspective, developing sequels is beneficial because you get to work within an already established and rich setting."
While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for Shadowrun remain undisclosed, securing the license would undoubtedly place the beloved franchise in capable hands. Urquhart's long-standing passion for the tabletop RPG is well-documented: "I purchased the book upon its initial release and likely own four out of the six editions."
Shadowrun's Legacy and Future
Shadowrun's history 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 the video game rights remained with Microsoft after its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but anticipation remains high for a new, original title. The last standalone Shadowrun game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of earlier titles were released for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, but the community eagerly awaits a fresh Shadowrun experience.
