Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Big Project

The CEO of Obsidian Entertainment, Feargus Urquhart, has publicly expressed strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's Shadowrun IP. This revelation comes amidst the studio's ongoing work on titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2.

Beyond Fallout

In a recent podcast interview, Urquhart was asked which non-Fallout Microsoft franchise he'd most like to tackle. He didn't hesitate: "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool." He revealed that he specifically requested a list of available Microsoft IPs after the acquisition, and Shadowrun quickly rose to the top of his list.

Obsidian's reputation is built on its expertise in crafting compelling sequels and expanding existing RPG universes. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II to Fallout: New Vegas, their track record speaks for itself. Urquhart himself has previously commented on the studio's preference for sequels, citing the inherent expandability of RPG worlds.

While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remain undisclosed, Urquhart's long-standing fandom—he owns multiple editions of the tabletop RPG—suggests a deep understanding and passion for the source material. The prospect of Obsidian taking on this project has generated significant excitement among fans.

Shadowrun's Legacy

Shadowrun, originally a tabletop RPG launched in 1989, boasts a rich history and numerous video game adaptations. Following the acquisition of FASA Interactive by Microsoft in 1999, the video game rights have remained with Microsoft. While Harebrained Schemes has developed several recent Shadowrun games, a new, original entry remains highly anticipated by fans. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, was released in 2015. A collection of remastered versions arrived in 2022, but the call for a fresh, Obsidian-developed Shadowrun experience is loud and clear.