The details:
- In an internal email viewed by Aftermath, Braff described the move as "primarily a change in reporting structure," adding that "the creative identity and strengths that make Obsidian distinct will remain at the core of their studio and work." CEO Feargus Urquhart and Obsidian's leadership will continue to run the studio day-to-day, with Urquhart now reporting to Braff.
- The restructuring comes on top of layoffs that eliminated around 25% of Obsidian's staff in July, when Bloomberg reported the studio had been directed to cancel multiple projects — including a sequel to Avowed — to focus on a new Fallout game. Bethesda Game Studios will continue to lead the Fallout franchise overall, with Obsidian contributing to the new project; Fallout: New Vegas design director Josh Sawyer is heading it up.
- The concern running through the industry is whether Obsidian will exist as a distinct creative entity in anything but name. As Aftermath notes, management at other affected Xbox studios — including id Software — have offered similar reassurances following layoffs and reorganisations, only for employees to express scepticism publicly. Obsidian's history of building original IP — Pillars of Eternity, Pentiment, Grounded — makes any narrowing of its creative scope especially pointed.
Find your next role in gaming with a free Hitmarker Profile.
