Obsidian Entertainment CEO Eyes Shadowrun: A Cyberpunk-Fantasy RPG Revival?

Obsidian Entertainment's CEO, Feargus Urquhart, has publicly expressed strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's lesser-known Shadowrun IP. This revelation follows an interview where he discussed his desire to work on an Xbox franchise outside of the Fallout series. Let's delve into why this cyberpunk-fantasy setting has captivated the acclaimed RPG studio.

Obsidian's CEO Wants Shadowrun: More Than Just Fallout

In a recent podcast interview with Tom Caswell, Urquhart revealed his fondness for Shadowrun, stating, "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool." This passion stems from a long-standing appreciation for the franchise, further solidified by his request for a list of Microsoft IPs following the company's acquisition of Obsidian. While Obsidian is currently focused on projects like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, Urquhart clearly prioritized Shadowrun, declaring, "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one." Obsidian's history is rich with successful work on existing franchises, showcasing their expertise in crafting compelling sequels. From their contributions to Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Fallout: New Vegas to their original creations like The Outer Worlds, they’ve proven their versatility. Urquhart's 2011 Joystiq interview highlights the studio's preference for sequels, stating, "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 suggests a potential for significant expansion of the Shadowrun universe. While the specifics of Obsidian's vision remain unclear, their proven track record assures fans that a Shadowrun project from them would be in capable hands. Urquhart's personal connection – he owns multiple editions of the tabletop RPG – further underscores this commitment.

Shadowrun's History and the Community's Anticipation

The Shadowrun universe, originally launched as a tabletop RPG in 1989, boasts a complex history and numerous video game adaptations. While the tabletop rights have changed hands over the years, Microsoft retained the video game rights following their acquisition of FASA Interactive. Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games, but the community eagerly awaits a new, original title. The last standalone entry, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, was released in 2015, leaving a gap that Obsidian might be perfectly positioned to fill. The 2022 remaster collection helped reignite interest, but the demand for a fresh Shadowrun experience remains strong.