Obsidian Entertainment's CEO has expressed strong interest in developing a lesser-known Microsoft IP. This article explores why this particular franchise 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 IP: Shadowrun. While the studio is currently focused on projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart's enthusiasm for Shadowrun is undeniable."I love Shadowrun. It's incredibly cool," Urquhart stated, explaining that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the acquisition. The subsequent addition of Activision's vast library only expanded the possibilities, yet Urquhart remained steadfast in his preference. "If I had to choose just one, 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 renowned RPGs. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently demonstrates mastery in expanding existing universes.
A 2011 Joystiq interview shed light on Obsidian's penchant for sequels: Urquhart explained, "RPGs lend themselves to sequels because you can continuously build upon the world and create new stories. It's rewarding to work on sequels, even if they're not original IPs, because you get to explore someone else's world."
While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun project remains 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."
Shadowrun's Evolving Legacy
Shadowrun's history is as 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 Microsoft retained the video game rights after acquiring FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but fans yearn for a fresh, original installment. The last standalone Shadowrun game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of previous titles were released in 2022 for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, yet the community's desire for a new Shadowrun experience remains strong.
