Fallout Creators Plan Revival of Old Franchise

Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun for Next Big Project

Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment, has publicly expressed strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's Shadowrun IP. This revelation follows an interview where he was asked about his preferred non-Fallout Xbox franchise to helm. While currently occupied with projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly sees potential in the cyberpunk-fantasy world of Shadowrun.

Urquhart's Shadowrun Enthusiasm

In a podcast interview, Urquhart stated his admiration for Shadowrun, calling it "super cool." He revealed requesting a list of Microsoft IPs after the acquisition, and despite the expanded catalog following the Activision merger, Shadowrun emerged as his top choice. His long-standing fandom is evident: he owns multiple editions of the original tabletop RPG.

Obsidian's Sequel Expertise

Obsidian's reputation is built on crafting compelling sequels within established franchises (Fallout: New Vegas, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II). While they've successfully created original IPs (Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds), their expertise in expanding existing worlds makes them a strong candidate for a Shadowrun project. Urquhart himself has previously commented on the advantages of working within established RPG universes, citing the ability to build upon existing lore and stories.

The Future of Shadowrun

Shadowrun, initially a tabletop RPG from 1989, boasts a rich history across various video game adaptations. While Harebrained Schemes has produced several recent titles, a new, original entry is highly anticipated by fans. The last major release, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, dates back to 2015. A 2022 remaster compilation did little to quell the community's desire for fresh content. If Obsidian secures the license, a new Shadowrun game from this acclaimed studio could revitalize the franchise.