Avowed's Success Spurs Talk of Expansions and Sequels
Following the successful launch of Avowed, Obsidian and Microsoft are reportedly pleased with sales figures. This positive reception has fueled speculation about future installments in the franchise. In a recent Bloomberg interview (February 22, 2025), Avowed Game Director Carrie Patel hinted at the possibility of expansions or a sequel.
While Obsidian hasn't formally announced any plans, Patel expressed strong interest in continuing the Avowed story. She highlighted the established world and the team's expertise, stating, "Now that we’ve built this wonderful world, and also built this team strength and muscle memory around the content and gameplay in this world, I’d love to see us do more with it."
A Rocky Road to Release: Overcoming Development Challenges
Patel also shared insights into Avowed's challenging development journey. The project, initiated in 2018 amidst Obsidian's sale considerations, faced numerous hurdles. The acquisition by Microsoft in 2020 brought changes, including the removal of certain features and the cancellation of the multiplayer component. A leadership change and game reboot in January 2021 further complicated the process.
Managing a large team of over 80 individuals presented its own set of difficulties. Patel described the process as "messy," but emphasized the team's eventual success in delivering a compelling product. Key changes included a renewed focus on the Pillars of Eternity lore and a shift from an open world to open zones, allowing for greater refinement of individual areas.
Pillars of Eternity Tactics on the Horizon?
The resurgence of the Pillars of Eternity franchise with Avowed has sparked interest in a new spin-off. In a February 23, 2025 Twitch livestream, Pillars of Eternity Director Josh Sawyer revealed the studio's desire to develop a tactics game within the franchise.
While enthusiasm is high, Sawyer acknowledged the challenges of determining the project's scope, including team size, visual fidelity, and overall scale. Despite this, he reaffirmed his commitment to developing Pillars of Eternity 3, albeit with a significantly larger budget (similar to Baldur's Gate 3's $100 million budget) compared to its predecessor.
Avowed is currently available on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!
