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 acclaimed 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 the studio, celebrated for Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, is currently engrossed in projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly stated his enthusiasm for the Shadowrun franchise.

Urquhart declared his fondness for Shadowrun, calling it "super cool." He explained 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. He definitively stated, "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one."

Obsidian has established itself by crafting compelling entries within existing game universes. While their ability to create original worlds, as seen in Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, is undeniable, their legacy is strongly linked to established RPG franchises. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently demonstrates expertise in expanding existing worlds.

A 2011 interview with Joystiq revealed Urquhart's perspective on the studio's preference for sequels: "RPGs have a lot of sequels because you can keep on adding to the world. You can keep on coming up with new stories. I think from that perspective, it’s great to be able to make these even if they’re sequels because you get to go play in someone else’s world."

While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remain undisclosed, securing the license would undoubtedly place the beloved franchise in capable hands. Urquhart's long-standing fandom is evident: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."

The Shadowrun Saga: A Look Back

The Shadowrun universe is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it has inspired numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands multiple times, but Microsoft retained the video game rights after acquiring FASA Interactive in 1999.

Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but fans eagerly anticipate a new, original title. Shadowrun: Hong Kong, released in 2015, was the last standalone game. Remastered versions of earlier titles arrived on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, but the community's desire for a fresh Shadowrun experience remains strong.