Confirming rumours just a few weeks ago, Microsoft has announced this week during its X018 Xbox event in Mexico, that it has acquired game studios Obsidian Entertainment and inXile. Games created by the game development studio Obsidian Entertainment include the recent and awesome Pillars of Eternity series as well as classics such as Fallout: New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and more.
Obsidian Entertainment: A Legacy of RPG Excellence
Obsidian Entertainment has long been revered in the gaming community for its exceptional role-playing games (RPGs). The studio’s ability to craft intricate narratives and immersive worlds has set it apart from many of its peers. The Pillars of Eternity series, for instance, has been praised for its deep lore, complex characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Additionally, Fallout: New Vegas remains a fan favorite, often cited as one of the best entries in the Fallout franchise due to its rich storytelling and expansive open world.
Moreover, Obsidian’s work on South Park: The Stick of Truth showcased the studio’s versatility. The game successfully translated the humor and style of the beloved TV show into an interactive experience, earning accolades from both fans and critics. With Microsoft’s backing, Obsidian now has the resources to push the boundaries of RPG development even further, potentially exploring new IPs or expanding upon their existing franchises.
inXile Entertainment: Reviving Classic RPGs
The inXile game studio has been responsible for titles such as Wasteland 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep. These games have been instrumental in reviving classic RPG genres, bringing them to a new generation of gamers. Wasteland 2, for example, is a direct sequel to the 1988 game Wasteland, which is considered a spiritual predecessor to the Fallout series. The game was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign, highlighting the strong community support for inXile’s projects.
Torment: Tides of Numenera, another crowdfunded project, is a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Planescape: Torment. The game delves into philosophical themes and offers a unique narrative experience, further cementing inXile’s reputation for creating thought-provoking RPGs. The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep continues the legacy of the original Bard’s Tale trilogy, blending traditional RPG elements with modern gameplay mechanics.
Microsoft explains a little more about the game studio acquisitions. “As one of the industry’s premiere RPG developers, we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to add their expertise to Microsoft Studios, while enabling the studio to preserve its unique culture and build on its talent and vision to fully realise their creative ambitions.”
The acquisition will provide big changes to the mechanics of the game studios as both have been independent for many years. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft accomplishes with the new skills and talent they have acquired. The integration of these studios into Microsoft Studios could lead to exciting collaborations and innovations in the RPG genre. For instance, we might see crossovers between the worlds of Obsidian and inXile, or entirely new IPs that leverage the strengths of both studios.
Furthermore, with Microsoft’s substantial resources, both studios will have access to advanced technologies and tools that can enhance their game development processes. This could result in higher quality games with more polished graphics, intricate gameplay mechanics, and expansive worlds. Additionally, the backing of a major corporation like Microsoft provides financial stability, allowing the studios to take creative risks without the looming pressure of financial constraints.
Overall, the acquisition of Obsidian Entertainment and inXile by Microsoft marks a significant milestone in the gaming industry. It not only strengthens Microsoft’s portfolio of game studios but also promises to deliver innovative and high-quality RPG experiences to gamers worldwide.
Source: Eurogamer
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