MS Aquires Obsidian Entertainment and InXile Entertainment

Andy

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Microsoft acquires Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment

Two major RPG developers join the Microsoft family.

MS-Obsidian-inXile_11-10-18.jpg



Following rumors last week, Microsoft has announced that it has acquired Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity developer Obsidian Entertainment, as well as Wasteland and The Bard’s Tale developer inXile Entertainment.

https://gematsu.com/2018/11/microsoft-acquires-obsidian-entertainment-and-inxile-entertainment

Nice!
 
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Message from Obsidian:



It’s a great video because it gives insight into what these developers are thinking and confirms Microsoft is giving them creative independence while providing extra technical support.

Of all the new studios, Obsidian is my dark horse pick to create the next new pillar IP for Xbox. They were on the brink of becomming the next Bioware before hitting major financial hardships. With Bioware focusing on the next Destiny type of game, Obsidian has a real chance to become one of the top Western RPG developers now that they have the technical and financial suppport from Microsoft.
 
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I had never heard of InXile before.

I was impressed with the story trailer of Torment: Tides of Numenera but my hype got deflated when I saw it was a top-down perspective rpg. It's difficult for me to get into these kind of rpgs, eventhough alot seem to have excellent voice acting and stories.

 
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Both these developers make CRPG. Will be interesting if they stick to that or go bigger. None of them are top tier studios but could be interesting acquisitions nevertheless.
 
Both these developers make CRPG. Will be interesting if they stick to that or go bigger. None of them are top tier studios but could be interesting acquisitions nevertheless.

Playground games wasn’t considered a top tier studio (only founded in 2010) but has grew into one of the best studios whilst working with MS. Becoming a first party developer will allow these new acquisitions access to better tech and more money. I’m sure these studios will only go from strength to strength.
 
Playground games wasn’t considered a top tier studio (only founded in 2010) but has grew into one of the best studios whilst working with MS. Becoming a first party developer will allow these new acquisitions access to better tech and more money. I’m sure these studios will only go from strength to strength.

Playground has not lost top talent like Obsidian has and they are also one of the best tech companies in the industry whereas the other two are not. You need the foundations to grow and evolve. I am not saying they cannot deliver bigger games but the foundations at playground were already there. If you want to build up to bigger games it takes years. Look at studios like Sony Bend who worked on smaller games and how long it has taken them to build up to a AAA console game.
 
I'm glad, because both of these companies focus on one of my favorite genres, RPGs. Neither have produced a game to my taste so far, but that's okay. They might in the future. Hopefully, under MS, they will focus on projects geared more toward a console audience rather than the PC crowd (who, for instance, like the isometric style).
 
MS is serious about buying up studios. And good ones. Good investments. Looking much stronger for next gen.
 
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I think these 2 studios are quality pickups. Not splashy but relatively low cost AA studios that can be potentially grown into AAA studios. I still think Compulsion studios is the weakest out of all their purchases but that might be because I don't personally like anything they've done.
 
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I had never heard of InXile before.

I was impressed with the story trailer of Torment: Tides of Numenera but my hype got deflated when I saw it was a top-down perspective rpg. It's difficult for me to get into these kind of rpgs, eventhough alot seem to have excellent voice acting and stories.



I'm glad, because both of these companies focus on one of my favorite genres, RPGs. Neither have produced a game to my taste so far, but that's okay. They might in the future. Hopefully, under MS, they will focus on projects geared more toward a console audience rather than the PC crowd (who, for instance, like the isometric style).

My excitement regarding both these studios is due to being with Bioware since Balder's Gate. Balder's Gate was a great top down CRPG. When they had success and received more funding, they were allowed to create KOTOR. Then Jade Empire. Then Microsoft exploded the budget for them and they made Mass Effect.

No guarantees...but a real chance these studios become premiere RPG developers with Microsoft. Difference between the core talent of a studio making Balder's Gate and Mass Effect is money. They know how to build worlds, characters and tell stories. Obsidian in particular has been itching to make something grander.
 
People b**** that Microsoft doesn’t cater to gamers. These two studios are very much geared towards a hardcore base.
It reminds me of my first memories with the OG Xbox. Most powerful box, RPG's, racers, FPS, action/adventure are the games I remember defining the original Xbox. They've come full-circle.
 
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Anyone else getting a vibe that Microsoft next purchase may be ori dev Moon Studios? Since both games are gonna be set to release on gamepass.


It reminds me of my first memories with the OG Xbox. Most powerful box, RPG's, racers, FPS, action/adventure are the games I remember defining the original Xbox. They've come full-circle.

Hopefully that means gritty reboot of Azurik, I’d be ok if it was a next gen launch title.

And anew fusion frenzy with say banjo, ori, covi grunt and maybe other characters from close tied 3rd party devs like Bethesda’s Vault Boy and other indie devs
 
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I'm always forgetting the first mass effect started exclusive to the 360. Microsoft probably offered to buy bioware, but knowing ol muzyka and zeschuk, they were likely turned down.

I'd love to see *that* timeline.
 
I'm always forgetting the first mass effect started exclusive to the 360. Microsoft probably offered to buy bioware, but knowing ol muzyka and zeschuk, they were likely turned down.

I'd love to see *that* timeline.

They tried but were told they had to buy Pandemic Studios as well (bumping the price in the process) so MS backed out and EA moved in then closed PS
 
Playground games wasn’t considered a top tier studio (only founded in 2010) but has grew into one of the best studios whilst working with MS. Becoming a first party developer will allow these new acquisitions access to better tech and more money. I’m sure these studios will only go from strength to strength.

Playground games knows one thing many studios don't. release their games on time.
 
Fuk this^^

The studio I work for, we make sure people understand that we have deadlines, yes. But you can't rush greatness. In the end, if you want a great production or service it takes time. It'll get done when it's done. (of course you gotta plan way out ahead to make sure you can complete a project ahead of time...) But, yeah... Don't fuking rush us! We got this!
 
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I'm always forgetting the first mass effect started exclusive to the 360. Microsoft probably offered to buy bioware, but knowing ol muzyka and zeschuk, they were likely turned down.

I'd love to see *that* timeline.

Would you have really trusted that Microsoft with them though? Now maybe but not then.