Avowed Director Leaves Obsidian for Netflix's Oxenfree Studio After 13 Years

Carrie Patel, the director of Avowed, has stepped down from her position at Obsidian Entertainment, just a few months following the game's release. According to an update on her LinkedIn profile, Patel has transitioned to Night School, a Netflix-owned studio renowned for its narrative-driven adventures like the Oxenfree series.

"I’m thrilled to announce I’m taking on a new role as Game Director at Night School: A Netflix Game Studio!" Patel shared in her announcement. Details about her upcoming projects remain undisclosed, though her role will once again focus on leading game direction.

Night School gained recognition for titles such as Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals and the Black Mirror spin-off Throglets. However, the studio faced challenges earlier this year, including layoffs and the shutdown of another Netflix studio working on a high-profile AAA title.

During her tenure at Obsidian, Patel contributed significantly to acclaimed games like The Outer Worlds and the Pillars of Eternity series. Upon joining Avowed, she oversaw its shift from a darker fantasy setting inspired by The Elder Scrolls to a brighter, more distinct vision featuring multiple expansive maps and a singular-player journey.

Avowed - Xbox Developer Direct Screenshots

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While reactions to Avowed were largely favorable, the game received praise for its world-building and character writing but was noted for playing it safe within the fantasy genre. A recent development roadmap outlined minor updates like Photo Mode and New Game Plus features over the next six months.

Meanwhile, Obsidian’s next major release, The Outer Worlds 2, is set to be showcased during this year’s Xbox Games Showcase in June.