Obsidian Entertainment's CEO, Feargus Urquhart, has publicly expressed strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's lesser-known IP, Shadowrun. This revelation follows an interview where he was asked about potential Xbox franchises outside of the Fallout series, a franchise Obsidian is well-known for contributing to with Fallout: New Vegas.
Urquhart's enthusiasm for Shadowrun is undeniable. He described the franchise as "super cool" and explicitly named it as his top choice from a list of available Microsoft IPs following their acquisition of the franchise's rights. This decision comes despite Obsidian's current workload, which includes titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2.
This interest isn't surprising, given Obsidian's history of successfully developing sequels and expansions within established RPG universes. Their portfolio includes titles like Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II, Neverwinter Nights 2, and Dungeon Siege III, showcasing their expertise in building upon existing worlds and narratives. Urquhart himself has previously emphasized the appeal of RPG sequels, citing the ability to continuously expand upon a world and its stories. He even revealed his personal history with Shadowrun, stating he's owned multiple editions of the tabletop RPG since its initial release.
The Shadowrun franchise, a cyberpunk-fantasy world originally conceived as a tabletop RPG in 1989, boasts a rich history. While various video game adaptations exist, a new, original entry is highly anticipated by fans. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. While remastered versions arrived on various platforms in 2022, the desire for fresh content remains strong. Should Obsidian secure the license, a new Shadowrun game would likely be in exceptionally capable hands, leveraging Obsidian's proven track record in the RPG genre. The future of Shadowrun, therefore, remains excitingly uncertain.
