Obsidian Entertainment's CEO has expressed strong interest in developing a lesser-known Microsoft game franchise. This article explores why this particular IP has caught the eye of the acclaimed RPG studio.
Urquhart declared his fondness for Shadowrun, stating, "I love Shadowrun. I think it’s super cool." He further explained that he requested a list of Microsoft IPs following the company's acquisition of Obsidian. The subsequent acquisition of Activision significantly expanded this list, yet Urquhart remained focused on one particular IP: "If you had to pin me down on one, yes, Shadowrun is the one."
Obsidian has built a reputation for crafting compelling sequels within established franchises. Although they've successfully created original worlds (Alpha Protocol, The Outer Worlds), their history is deeply rooted in expanding existing RPG universes. From Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2 to Fallout: New Vegas and Dungeon Siege III, Obsidian consistently demonstrates a mastery of expanding established worlds.
A 2011 interview with Joystiq revealed Urquhart's perspective on sequels: "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. I think from that perspective, it’s great to be able to make these even if they’re sequels because you get to go play in someone else’s world."
While Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remains unclear, securing the license would undoubtedly place the franchise in capable hands. Urquhart's long-standing passion for the tabletop RPG is evident: "I bought the book when it first came out. I probably own four of the six editions."
The Shadowrun franchise boasts a rich and complex history, mirroring the cyberpunk-fantasy world it portrays. Originating as a tabletop RPG in 1989, it has spawned numerous video game adaptations. While the tabletop rights have changed hands several times following FASA Corporation's closure, the video game rights remained with Microsoft after its acquisition of FASA Interactive in 1999.
Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games recently, but fans eagerly anticipate a new, original entry. The last standalone title, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, launched in 2015. Remastered versions of previous games were released across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2022, yet the demand for a fresh Shadowrun experience endures.
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