Avowed's Success Spurs Talk of Expansions and Sequels
Obsidian Entertainment and Microsoft are reportedly pleased with Avowed's sales performance, hinting at the possibility of future content. Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel, in a recent Bloomberg interview (February 22, 2025), expressed her strong desire to continue developing within the established world. While no official plans have been announced, Patel stated her enthusiasm for both expansions and a potential sequel, emphasizing the team's established expertise and the rich world they've created: "Now that we’ve built this wonderful world, and also built this team strength and muscle memory around the content and gameplay in this world, I’d love to see us do more with it."
Development Challenges and Triumphs
Patel candidly discussed the tumultuous development journey. The project, initiated in 2018 amidst Obsidian's sale negotiations, faced numerous hurdles. The acquisition by Microsoft in 2020 brought changes, including the removal of certain features and the cancellation of multiplayer functionality. A leadership change and game reboot in January 2021 further complicated the process. Managing a large team (over 80 people) during a creative overhaul presented significant challenges. However, Patel highlighted the eventual cohesion of the project, stating, "There’s this interesting thing I’ve seen on every project I’ve worked on or seen during my time at the studio — things are messy, messy, messy, then they start coming together." Key changes included a focus on the Pillars of Eternity lore and a shift from an open world to open zones, allowing for improved environmental detail.
Pillars of Eternity Tactics on the Horizon?
Riding the wave of Avowed's success, Obsidian is exploring the possibility of a Pillars of Eternity Tactics game. Josh Sawyer, director of the original Pillars of Eternity titles, revealed this interest during a February 23, 2025 Twitch livestream. While enthusiasm is high, Sawyer acknowledged the need to carefully consider the scope, visual fidelity, and overall scale of such an undertaking. He also reaffirmed his commitment to developing Pillars of Eternity 3, albeit with a significantly larger budget (similar to Baldur’s Gate 3's $100 million budget) compared to its predecessor.
Avowed is currently available on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!
