Companies & Studios

Obsidian Entertainment

Black Isle reborn

Obsidian Entertainment rose from Black Isle's ashes, delivering KOTOR II, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity while earning a reputation for ambitious-but-buggy role-playing games.

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Ambition over polish. Obsidian Entertainment formed when Interplay collapsed, reuniting Black Isle veterans determined to continue their craft. KOTOR II shipped incomplete but beloved; Alpha Protocol failed commercially but gained cult status; Fallout: New Vegas became the definitive modern Fallout. Kickstarter funded Pillars of Eternity’s return to isometric CRPGs. Microsoft acquisition in 2018 provided stability.

Fast facts

  • Founded: 2003.
  • Founders: Feargus Urquhart, Chris Avellone, others.
  • Location: Irvine, California.
  • Acquired by: Microsoft (2018).

Key releases

Title Year Note
KOTOR II 2004 Rushed but brilliant
Neverwinter Nights 2 2006 D&D sequel
Alpha Protocol 2010 Cult classic
Fallout: New Vegas 2010 Fan favourite
Pillars of Eternity 2015 Kickstarter success
The Outer Worlds 2019 Spiritual Fallout

Design reputation

Trait Reality
Writing quality Exceptional
Reactivity Industry-leading
Launch stability Historically poor
Publisher pressure Frequent issue

Fallout: New Vegas

Achievement Impact
Critical acclaim 84 Metacritic
Fan preference “Better than 3” debate
18-month development Remarkable scope
Bonus denied 1 point short

Kickstarter era

Project Funding
Pillars of Eternity $4.16 million
Pillars II $4.4 million
Revival CRPG renaissance

Microsoft era

Change Outcome
Stability Financial security
Resources Larger teams
Independence Creative freedom
Avowed AAA development

See also

Not yet fact-checked. This entry was drafted by an AI and nobody has verified it. The dates, figures and technical details may be wrong. Use it to find your bearings, then confirm anything that matters against a primary source.