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Fallout: Devs Unveil Plans for Unseen Franchise

by Isabella Jan 23,2025

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Big Project

Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment, recently revealed his strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's Shadowrun franchise. This comes amidst the studio's current work on titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. Let's delve into why this lesser-known IP has caught the eye of the acclaimed RPG developers.

Beyond Fallout: A Shadowrun Obsession

In a podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Urquhart was asked which non-Fallout Microsoft IP he'd most like to tackle. His response was clear: "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool." He explained that he specifically requested a list of Microsoft's IPs after the acquisition, and Shadowrun quickly rose to the top of his list. The recent addition of Activision's vast library only expanded the possibilities, but Urquhart remained focused on Shadowrun as his top choice.

Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series Obsidian's reputation is built on crafting compelling sequels within established franchises, from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas. While they've proven capable of creating original worlds (Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds), their expertise lies in expanding existing universes. As Urquhart stated in a 2011 interview with Joystiq, "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." This speaks to their potential to enrich the Shadowrun universe.

While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remain undisclosed, Urquhart's long-standing passion for the tabletop RPG – "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions" – assures fans that the franchise would be in capable and enthusiastic hands.

The Shadowrun Legacy: Awaiting a New Chapter

Fallout: New Vegas Devs Want to Work on Obscure Series The Shadowrun universe, initially launched as a tabletop RPG in 1989, boasts a rich history and numerous video game adaptations. Microsoft acquired the video game rights in 1999 following FASA Interactive's acquisition. Harebrained Schemes has released several Shadowrun games in recent years, but the community eagerly anticipates a fresh, original entry. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, dates back to 2015, and while remastered versions were released in 2022, the desire for a new Shadowrun experience remains strong.