The development of The Outer Worlds 2 faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Feargus Urquhart, the studio head at Obsidian Entertainment, revealed in an interview with Limit Break Network that there were discussions within the team about reallocating resources from the sequel to focus on other projects like Avowed. The studio was juggling various tasks, including completing the original Outer Worlds, its DLC, advancing Avowed, and launching Grounded out of early access. The pressure of managing multiple projects amidst the chaos of the pandemic led Urquhart to admit that they were “kind of a crappy developer for about a year and a half.”
Despite the challenges and internal discussions about shifting priorities, Obsidian ultimately decided to stay the course with Outer Worlds 2. They acknowledged the potential for delays in their ambitious timeline and chose to persevere. Urquhart emphasized the importance of staying true to their vision and persevering through the difficulties. The decision to push through the tough times paid off, as Grounded and Pentiment were well-received, with Avowed generating anticipation and Outer Worlds 2 showing promise.
Obsidian implemented a strategy to manage creative input and resources effectively between Avowed and Outer Worlds 2. Urquhart mentioned that they established a system to separate the two projects while ensuring the continuity of key team members across both. By maintaining consistency in leadership roles, such as the lead programmer, creative director, and game director, Obsidian aimed to leverage the experience and understanding gained from working on the first Outer Worlds game.
As the team moves forward with Outer Worlds 2 and other projects, Urquhart expressed optimism about the studio’s capabilities and the potential for future game development. Obsidian’s experience with Unreal Engine and other tools developed over the years provides a solid foundation for creating the next generation of games. Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, Urquhart’s confidence in the team’s ability to deliver quality games remains unwavering.
The journey of developing The Outer Worlds 2 has been fraught with obstacles, particularly during the pandemic. However, Obsidian’s commitment to their projects and the resilience of the team have been pivotal in overcoming these challenges. With a strong focus on managing resources effectively, maintaining creative continuity, and looking towards the future of game development, Obsidian is poised to deliver another compelling experience with Outer Worlds 2. As fans eagerly await the sequel, the studio’s dedication to quality and innovation bodes well for the future of the franchise.
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