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 attention of the renowned RPG studio.
Obsidian's CEO Wants to Breathe New Life into 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 currently engaged with projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly stated his enthusiasm for Shadowrun.
"I love Shadowrun. I think it's incredibly cool," Urquhart declared, explaining that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the acquisition. The addition of Activision's extensive library further expanded the possibilities, yet Urquhart remained focused. "If I had to pick just one, yes, Shadowrun is it," he confirmed.
Obsidian has established a reputation for crafting compelling sequels within established franchises. While they've successfully created original worlds (Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds), their legacy is firmly rooted in 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 demonstrates mastery in expanding existing universes.
A 2011 Joystiq interview shed light on Obsidian'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 advantageous, as you get to explore someone else's established world."
How Urquhart and Obsidian envision a Shadowrun expansion remains unknown. However, should they secure the license, fans can be confident the franchise is in capable hands. Urquhart himself is a long-time fan of the tabletop RPG: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."
Shadowrun's Journey: Then and Now
Shadowrun's history is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it's spawned numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands several times, but Microsoft retained the video game rights after acquiring FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has produced several Shadowrun games recently, but fans eagerly anticipate a new, original title. The last standalone Shadowrun game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of earlier games were released for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, yet the community's desire for a fresh Shadowrun experience remains strong.
