A grey cloud loomed over this 12 months’s large summer time recreation showcases: Over 16,000 recreation builders have misplaced their jobs since 2023, a lot of whom have been casualties of success at corporations that reported large income this 12 months. One of many largest value cutters has been Xbox, which in January minimize 1,900 jobs at Activision Blizzard and in Could shut down 4 studios: Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Alpha Canine Video games, and Roundhouse Video games. The closure of Tango was taken particularly arduous, because the studio was nonetheless basking within the mild of Hello-Fi Rush, a crucial and business success by all of Microsoft’s metrics.
To builders, the sudden closures despatched a transparent message: Making good, worthwhile video games is now not ok. Public belief in Microsoft as stewards of the studios it spent years gobbling up has been shaken—what beloved, storied studio will Xbox abruptly resolve to close down subsequent?
Hours after Microsoft’s dazzling June showcase that debuted a brand new Doom, Good Darkish, and Gears of Battle, PC Gamer sat down with Obsidian CEO and founder Feargus Urquhart, who premiered a brand new Avowed trailer throughout the present, to get his perspective on layoffs and Xbox possession in 2024.
“It is simply horrible,” Urquhart stated of Xbox’s current closures and layoffs. “At Obsidian we needed to undergo three layoffs [before being acquired]. They’re proper behind my dad and mom’ deaths as among the worst days I’ve ever had, so no, these are simply not nice issues.”
Obsidian was one of many earliest acquisitions of Xbox’s spending spree, becoming a member of the corporate in 2018. The beloved RPG maker has launched two video games underneath the Xbox label (Grounded and Pentiment) and is making ready to launch one other. Urquhart is aware of that some followers are anxious about what may occur to Obsidian within the present Xbox local weather.
“All the things that is occurred during the last six months with layoffs and the head of these things with Tango and Arkane and the opposite studios, it actually has made individuals anxious, and shaken,” Urquhart stated. “I believe we simply attempt to say ‘Hey, that is what we’re engaged on right now, and we consider in it.’ I am not saying that [Tango and Arkane] did not consider in what they’re doing, however we simply maintain our heads down and transfer ahead and say we’re engaged on nice video games. We’re engaged on Avowed, we’re engaged on Outer Worlds 2. It is in all probability not a shock—we now have different stuff we’re excited about and doing.”
Feargus Urquhart
CEO and Founder, Obsidian Leisure
Feargus Urquhart co-founded Obsidian in 2003, overseeing growth on all of its initiatives, together with Fallout: New Vegas, the Pillars of Eternity collection, and Avowed. Earlier than Obsidian, Urquhart labored at Interaction, serving in varied director roles on the unique Fallout, Baldur’s Gate, and Icewind Dale collection.
When requested if he nonetheless believes in Xbox as an excellent steward of its many acquired studios, Urquhart replied with an unqualified “Sure.”
Urquhart stated he is been inspired by current talks with different Xbox studio heads. They “discuss quite a bit,” in group chats and in particular person when attainable, he stated. With all of Xbox gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend, he described having dinner with round 14 different studio leaders.
“I believe after we all discuss, it is in all probability an excellent factor that we’re all speaking this manner,” Urquhart stated, gesturing with ahead movement. “, we’re speaking concerning the future and what we’re engaging in.”
I put it one other manner: Obsidian will not be watching its again?
“No, we’re not watching our backs.
“Clearly there’s been all these items that is happening, however I at all times return to the dialog I had with Matt [Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios] in July of ’18, as we simply began the acquisition dialog,” he stated. “I do not really feel like I’ve any completely different directive right now than I did again then.”
If something has modified for Urquhart, it is that there are much more video games competing for consideration, and that provides “just a little bit extra stress” to make higher video games.
“We’re saddened by what occurred. However so long as I am doing my job, and doing it properly, I am not anxious about tomorrow.”
However Urquhart does suppose a lot additional forward, about what’s going to occur to Obsidian after he is gone. “Me and my companions, we began Obsidian. And though we offered it, it issues to me. Here is a shock: I in all probability will not be working Obsidian in 15 years,” Urquhart laughs, “as a result of I will be nearly 70. However I need Obsidian to be there.”
Proper now, Urquhart is targeted on ending his firm’s subsequent large RPG, Avowed. He plans to share a stable launch date quickly, however 2024 is a lock.