Developers at Obsidian Entertainment assure no controlling input from their corporate overlords at Microsoft as they work on The Outer Worlds 2, all the while acknowledging the irony of their situation
The highly-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed The Outer Worlds is on the horizon, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and presented by Microsoft. However, the funding source raises questions about the game's creative direction and potential constraints.
Leonard Boyarsky, the game's creative director and original Fallout developer, has confirmed that no dictates or restrictions are being imposed on the team. This reassurance comes amid rumours of Microsoft's involvement, with Brandon Adler, the game director, admitting that the team pokes fun at their corporate overlord and plays into the irony.
Obsidian, who were previously acquired by Microsoft, has faced criticism for being funded by the tech giant while their game is anti-The Man. The team acknowledges the incongruity, but assures players that Microsoft is not interfering with the message of The Outer Worlds 2.
The launch of The Outer Worlds 2 may not prompt approval from the Microsoft C-suite, suggesting potential concerns about the game's content. This is not unprecedented, as Microsoft has been reported to clamp down on protests on its own campus and conduct brutal layoffs.
The release of The Outer Worlds 2 may not satisfy those looking for a game with more serious criticism. This could be due to the timing of the release, as the original game did not meet the expectations of some players seeking a more critically focused game. Joshua Wolens, a writer whose work has been featured in Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times, has a deep love for CRPGs, immersive sims, and games with ambitious designs. Despite this, Wolens is known for his defense of Deus Ex: Invisible War, indicating a preference for games that balance humour and critique.
The upcoming releases of 2025 are yet to be determined, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more information about The Outer Worlds 2. The best PC games of all time are yet to be specified, but with the success of the first game and the promise of creative freedom, The Outer Worlds 2 is certainly a contender.
In the meantime, players can look forward to the list of free PC games for this period, which has yet to be announced. Joshua Wolens has written extensively on various games, including visual novels and Assassin's Creed, providing insights into the world of gaming for fans everywhere. With Microsoft's multi-trillion-dollar market cap, it will be interesting to see how they navigate the balance between creative freedom and corporate responsibility in the development of The Outer Worlds 2.
