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 Reimagine 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 IP: Shadowrun. While currently occupied with projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart's enthusiasm for Shadowrun is undeniable.
"I love Shadowrun. I think it's incredibly cool," Urquhart stated, explaining that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs after the acquisition. The recent Activision merger significantly expanded that list, yet Shadowrun remained his primary focus. "If I had to choose just one, yes, it would be Shadowrun," he confirmed.
Obsidian has built a reputation for crafting compelling sequels within established franchises. Although they've successfully created original worlds (Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds), their legacy is intrinsically linked to major 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 expertise in expanding existing universes.
A 2011 interview with Joystiq revealed Urquhart's perspective on sequels: "RPGs lend themselves to sequels because you can continually build upon the world and create new narratives. It's rewarding to work on sequels, even if they're not our own creations, because you get to explore someone else's world."
While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun project remains unclear, fans can be confident that the franchise would be 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."
The Shadowrun Legacy: A Dormant Giant
Shadowrun's history is as rich and complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it has spawned numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands several times, but the video game rights remained with Microsoft after its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but fans are eager for a new, original title. The last standalone entry, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions were released in 2022 for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, but the demand for a fresh Shadowrun experience persists.
