"Fallout: New Vegas Devs Eye Return to Obscure Series"

Obsidian Entertainment's CEO has expressed a strong interest in reviving a lesser-known Microsoft IP, highlighting the studio's passion for expanding unique gaming universes. Dive in to discover why the acclaimed RPG developer is eager to breathe new life into this intriguing franchise.

Obsidian CEO Wants to Bring Shadowrun to Life

Fallout is Cool and All, But…

In a recent podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Obsidian's CEO Feargus Urquhart shared his enthusiasm for exploring a non-Fallout Xbox IP. While the studio is currently immersed in projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart's interest in the Shadowrun franchise remains unwavering.

"I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool," Urquhart remarked, revealing that he sought a list of Microsoft IPs shortly after the company's acquisition. Despite the expanded catalog from the recent Activision merger, Urquhart's focus remains on Shadowrun. "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one," he affirmed.

Obsidian Entertainment has established itself as a master of crafting compelling sequels and expanding existing universes. With a rich history in RPGs, from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II to Fallout: New Vegas, the studio consistently delivers immersive experiences. Urquhart explained in a 2011 Joystiq interview, "RPGs have a lot of sequels because you can keep on adding on 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."

Should Obsidian secure the Shadowrun license, fans can expect a thoughtful expansion of the beloved universe. Urquhart's personal connection to the franchise is evident, as he shared, "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."

What Happened to Shadowrun?

Shadowrun, a tabletop RPG launched in 1989, has evolved into a multifaceted universe with numerous video game adaptations. After FASA Corporation's closure, the pen-and-paper rights changed hands several times, while Microsoft retained the video game rights following its 1999 acquisition of FASA Interactive.

Recent years have seen Harebrained Schemes develop several Shadowrun titles, but the community's anticipation for a new, original game remains high. The last standalone release, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, came out in 2015. Although remastered versions of earlier games were released across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, fans are eager for a fresh Shadowrun experience.