Obsidian Entertainment's CEO has expressed strong interest in developing a lesser-known Microsoft IP. Discover why this franchise has captivated the acclaimed RPG studio.
Obsidian CEO Wants to Bring Shadowrun to Life
Fallout is Cool, But…
In a recent interview with Tom Caswell, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart revealed his top choice for a non-Fallout Xbox IP he'd like to develop. While the studio, renowned for *Fallout: New Vegas* and *The Outer Worlds*, is currently focused on projects like *Avowed* and *The Outer Worlds 2*, Urquhart clearly stated his desire to tackle the *Shadowrun* franchise."I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool," Urquhart explained, mentioning he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the acquisition. The addition of Activision's vast catalog expanded the possibilities, yet Urquhart remained focused. "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one," he confirmed.
Obsidian has established a reputation for crafting compelling sequels within established franchises. While they've successfully created original worlds with Alpha Protocol and The Outer Worlds, their legacy is deeply rooted in acclaimed RPG series. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently demonstrates a knack for expanding existing universes.
In a 2011 Joystiq interview, Urquhart shed light on the studio's preference for sequels: "RPGs have a lot of sequels because you can keep on adding to the world. You can keep on coming up with new stories. I think from that perspective, it’s great to be able to make these even if they’re sequels because you get to go play in someone else’s world."
While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun expansion remains unclear, fans can be confident that their beloved world would be in capable hands should the studio secure the license. Urquhart himself is a longtime fan of the tabletop RPG: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."
What Happened to Shadowrun?
Shadowrun's history is as complex as its cyberpunk-fantasy world. 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 the video game rights remained with Microsoft after its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but anticipation for a new, original entry remains high. The last standalone game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of previous titles were released for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, yet the community's desire for a fresh Shadowrun experience persists.
