Obscure Series Revival Eyed by Fallout: New Vegas Devs

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Project

Obsidian Entertainment's CEO, Feargus Urquhart, has publicly expressed strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's lesser-known Shadowrun IP. This revelation follows an interview where he discussed his wish list of Xbox franchises to helm after Obsidian's acquisition.

Beyond Fallout: A Shadowrun Ambition

While Obsidian is currently immersed in projects like *Avowed* and *The Outer Worlds 2*, Urquhart's enthusiasm for Shadowrun is undeniable. In a recent podcast interview, he declared his fondness for the franchise, highlighting it as his top choice among available Microsoft IPs. This interest stems from a personal connection; Urquhart is a long-time fan of the tabletop RPG, owning multiple editions of the core rulebook. Obsidian's expertise lies in crafting compelling entries within established RPG universes, evidenced by their work on *Fallout: New Vegas* and other notable sequels. However, their success with original IPs like *The Outer Worlds* demonstrates their adaptability. Their history of expanding existing worlds makes them a strong candidate to revitalize the Shadowrun franchise. Urquhart himself has previously discussed the studio's preference for sequels, citing the inherent advantages of building upon existing lore and narratives.

The Future of Shadowrun?

While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remain undisclosed, the studio's reputation and Urquhart's passion suggest a potentially exciting future for the franchise. The last major Shadowrun release, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, debuted in 2015. While remastered versions exist, a new, original title is highly anticipated by fans.

The Shadowrun universe, initially launched as a tabletop RPG in 1989, has seen several video game iterations. Following Microsoft's acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999, the video game rights have remained under their control. While Harebrained Schemes has contributed to the franchise's recent video game output, a fresh, Obsidian-developed entry could reignite interest in this cyberpunk-fantasy world.