Setting the Record Straight

Following a period of major organizational shifts within Microsoft’s gaming division, Obsidian Entertainment has faced intense public scrutiny. After widespread layoffs hit the studio, discussions online have increasingly focused on the idea that the developer has lost its original creative spirit. Critics frequently argue that the team responsible for legendary titles like Fallout: New Vegas and Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II is long gone.

However, Brandon Adler, a game director at Obsidian, has publicly pushed back against these narratives. Taking to LinkedIn, Adler expressed frustration with the spread of misinformation regarding the studio's internal composition.

«The number of times I've seen people, with no understanding of who has worked on our previous games or what they contributed, talk about how Obsidian isn't who they used to be... is staggering. Most of the time they are not just wrong, but spreading an enormous amount of misinformation.»

The Persistence of Studio DNA

Adler emphasized that the core leadership and talent remain consistent with the studio's history. He pointed out that the creative continuity from the era of KotOR2 to their modern projects is evident to those familiar with the team's internal structure.

  • Leadership continuity: Many individuals in key decision-making roles today are the same professionals who led projects years ago.
  • Core identity: According to Adler, the "DNA" of Obsidian remains unchanged, carrying forward the same principles that defined classics like Neverwinter Nights 2 and The Stick of Truth.

While Adler acknowledges that the studio has naturally evolved over the years, he maintains that the fundamental philosophies that drive their development processes are intact.


A Challenging Period for the Team

Beyond the debates over the studio's creative direction, Adler shared a somber reflection on the recent layoffs. He addressed the personal toll these changes have taken on the remaining staff, noting the difficulty of losing colleagues who were also close friends.

In a show of support for those affected, he added: «Know that if you are looking to hire one of these former Obsidian devs, you are hiring some of the best people around – both professionally and personally.»