When Microsoft first started acquiring game studios to bolster the Xbox console lineup of exclusive games, one of the first studios it acquired wasObsidian Entertainment.Obsidianhas a long history of delivering high-quality RPGs, and the studio’s impressive track record really speaks for itself, so it made a great deal of sense for Microsoft to acquire it. Since the Microsoft acquisition, Obsidian has been hard at work on a number of projects - some of these have been announced, but others have not.
With E3 2021 right around the corner, the event stands as a prime opportunity for Obsidian Entertainment to truly get its time in the spotlight. E3 2021 could be used to properly showcase the various games that Obsidian has in development from previously revealed titles likeAvowedandGroundedto the brand new games that are still a mystery. The upcomingXbox/Bethesda E3 2021 showcaseon Sunday, June 13 at 10am PT has 90 minutes to fill, and so it stands to reason that Obsidian’s games could very well be used to fill the time.
RELATED:Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 Rumored for Xbox E3 2021 Showcase
Here are the games that Obsidian Entertainment could very well be showing off at E3 2021.
Avowed
Last year, Obsidian Entertainment pulled the curtain back on its next major project, a fantasy RPG calledAvowed.Avowed’s first-person viewpoint immediately saw it beingcompared to Bethesda’sThe Elder Scrollsfranchise, though it’s still far too early to make too many assumptions about the game. As it stands, the only thing fans have seen ofAvowedis a brief cinematic trailer that showed off the game’s general concept, but didn’t reveal much else.
One other tidbit that fans know aboutAvowedbesides itsElder Scrolls-style first-person view is the fact that it’s set in thesame universe as Obsidian’sPillars of Eternitygames. This should makeAvoweda little more interesting to fans of Obsidian’s other games. It’s not clear yet just how deep the connections betweenAvowedandPillars of Eternitygo, but hopefully fans get some clarification at E3 2021.
There is a chance that Obsidian will showcaseAvowedat E3 during the Xbox press conference. And not only that, but there’s a chance thatAvowedcould show gameplay at E3. Recent developments have suggested thatAvowedis farther along in developmentthan some may expect, so perhaps E3 2021 will be the event where the game gets its big blowout and info dump. Time will tell, but anyone looking forward toAvowedshould be sure to tune in to Microsoft’s E3 2021 press conference just in case.
Grounded
Obsidian Entertainment is primarily known for its RPGs, but it has branched out into other genres recently. Specifically, Obsidian is hard at work on a unique survival game calledGroundedthat is essentially the video game version ofHoney, I Shrunk the Kids.Grounded’s early access releasehas been well-received so far, capturing the attention of top streamers and generating a dedicated fanbase.
WhileGroundedhas lost some of the popularity that it earned when it first launched, Obsidian has not faltered in its support of the game. Obsidian has releasedGroundedupdates on a regular basis, adding new features and generally fleshing out the game. All of theseGroundedupdateswill eventually culminate in the game having its proper release, though the jury is still out on exactly when that will be.
SinceGroundedhas already been around for some time now, maybe E3 2021 will seeGrounded’s release date announced. Alternatively, E3 2021 could be used to reveal moreGroundedfeatures that Obsidian has on deck for the game’s future updates. It’s all possible thatGroundedwon’t be featured at E3 2021 at all, so fans of the game should keep that in mind as well and keep their expectations in check.
The Outer Worlds 2
The Outer Worldsjust launched in 2019 and recently received some new DLC, so some may think it’s way too early for a sequel to be in development. However, a recent rumor suggests thatThe Outer Worlds 2could be announced at E3 2021. Job listings have indicated that Obsidian is indeed working on a new RPG/FPS hybrid, and anOuter Worldssequelwould certainly fit that description. Even so, this does seem like a longshot, soOuter Worldsfans may want to make sure they don’t get too excited.
Something Completely Different
WhileAvowed,Grounded, and anOuter Worldssequel seem to be the most likely possibilities when it comes to Obsidian’s E3 2021 offerings, there’s always the chance the studio has some surprises in store. Perhaps a sequel to one ofObsidian’s other gameswill be announced instead, or maybe the company has a brand new IP up its sleeve. There’s also the possibility that Obsidian won’t have any kind of presence at E3 2021, and while that seems unlikely, fans of the studio should be aware of that going into the big show.
With the Xbox/Bethesda joint E3 2021 press conference scheduled for June 13 at 10am PT, Obsidian Entertainment fans will get their answers sooner rather than later.
