Obsidian General Discussion Thread

[Roguey]

It has never been more over.

Eh, she won't be a lead again, so there is that.

 

[Russia is over. The end.]

I have hard time reconciling the fact that you people have 100 iq on average and that you people also give a fuck about who's lead on what at Obsidian, after literally the fathers of Fallout were leads and failed to produce a good game at that studio. I'm really struggling here.

 

[Roguey]

I have hard time reconciling the fact that you people have 100 iq on average and that you people also give a fuck about who's lead on what at Obsidian, after literally the fathers of Fallout were leads and failed to produce a good game at that studio. I'm really struggling here.

I liked Outer Worlds.

 

[agris]

PoE started with a huge lead in the race of reviving the dead genre but squandered it all. So many Obsidian faboys (me included) dreamed PoE series being a huge hit, making Obsidian financially independent, being able to make games they wanted to make. And getting them to make a BG3, Arcanum 2 a proper isometric Fallout spinoff etc. We dreamed big, but those dreams were shattered by PoE being a bad game, Obsidian not handling any criticism well and their first signs of wokeness.

Now I just hope for that abomination of a company that still rides on its old glory will finally shut down.

well said, very much mirror's my own experience

 

[9ted6]

I have hard time reconciling the fact that you people have 100 iq on average and that you people also give a fuck about who's lead on what at Obsidian, after literally the fathers of Fallout were leads and failed to produce a good game at that studio. I'm really struggling here.

Goes to show you how long a time 22 years is when Fallout 1 feels like it was written by totally different people even though it wasn't.

 

[whydoibother]

I have hard time reconciling the fact that you people have 100 iq on average and that you people also give a fuck about who's lead on what at Obsidian, after literally the fathers of Fallout were leads and failed to produce a good game at that studio. I'm really struggling here.

I liked Outer Worlds.

Me too, for about 5 hours. After that I had already seen all the weapons types and abilities, enemy types and even quest types.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

To me, there's a lot of factors involved with games like this coming out. Part of it is everyone deciding to cash in their chips and call it done.

A big part of it actually.

Look at Tim and Leon. Those guys ran a company, and found they wanted NOTHING to do with running a company, but just would rather sit back and make games. They wanted creative control over the product but didn't want all the additional responsibilities that go with it. To me that seems especially true with Tim.

It's not a criticism, because I think like 97% of people are like that. It's more of an observation.

So, after that experience, they sat back and took stock of things and said "Not worth it."

So what we get now is industry vets like them, who still have awesome ideas, basically sitting back and just doing what the boss says the people want because it's easier than trying to run it all themselves. They give up on aspects of control but they still make games and are paid to do it, so it's a sacrifice but one they're ok to make.

 

[scytheavatar]

To me, there's a lot of factors involved with games like this coming out. Part of it is everyone deciding to cash in their chips and call it done.

A big part of it actually.

Look at Tim and Leon. Those guys ran a company, and found they wanted NOTHING to do with running a company, but just would rather sit back and make games. They wanted creative control over the product but didn't want all the additional responsibilities that go with it. To me that seems especially true with Tim.

It's not a criticism, because I think like 97% of people are like that. It's more of an observation.

So, after that experience, they sat back and took stock of things and said "Not worth it."

So what we get now is industry vets like them, who still have awesome ideas, basically sitting back and just doing what the boss says the people want because it's easier than trying to run it all themselves. They give up on aspects of control but they still make games and are paid to do it, so it's a sacrifice but one they're ok to make.

Devs who are capable of both being creatives and businesspeople are extremely rare in the gaming industry, if you ask Tim and Leon to be businesspeople too they will probably explode. Blame shouldn't go to them, it should go to their boss for not being a competent businessman.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

When they ran their own company they were the boss. That's kind of how we came to the state we're in now.

 

[PlanHex]

And it certainly did explode eventually, but they did run for several years and put out 3 classics

 

[Major_Blackhart]

I think also one of the biggest hindrances was the fact that this was during the "Begging Table" phase of gaming when publishers had all the power and control over everything.

Now it's definitely in another direction with digital stuff, early access, and crowd funding. I wonder if Tim and Co. had done their thing now, would they be as anti "be my own boss".

 

[Sinder Velvin]

I'm trying to track down an important moment in Obsidian lore: when, during the stream of the last several hours of crowdfunding for Pillars of Eternity, Feargus Urquhart and Chris Parker apparently shouted "fuck you" to each other in the hallway.

I know about this story from here and here.

The old Twitch link that's mentioned there doesn't work anymore, but this one with the entire stream does.

I don't have time to watch 6 hours of that, so hopefully you guys can give me the timestamp.

 

[Jedi Master Radek]

I don't have time to watch 6 hours of that, so hopefully you guys can give me the timestamp.

No. Fuck you!

 

[Sinder Velvin]

Fine, I'm summoning Roguey, who probably knows the timestamp from memory.

 

[Roguey]

Fine, I'm summoning Roguey, who probably knows the timestamp from memory.

I did not but using https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads...eased-go-to-the-new-thread.75947/post-2320558 and the streaming starting time as a guide I was able to figure out it was 4:02:40 and lasts till 4:03:53.

 

[Sinder Velvin]

I did not but using https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads...eased-go-to-the-new-thread.75947/post-2320558 and the streaming starting time as a guide I was able to figure out it was 4:02:40 and lasts till 4:03:53.

Thanks, that was as good as I was hoping it would be. However, unlike what MCA said, it's clearly Feargus telling the South Park people to go back to work. You can see him in the low resolution camera. I'm not sure Chris Parker had anything to do with it.

 

[Readher]

 

[Sinder Velvin]

Found a really good old interview with Feargus from 2004.

CGW: Welcome to the party everyone. So, how should I address you, Feargus: Mister? Doctor? Esquire?

FUrquhart: How about Feargus Urquhart, CEO, Obsidian Entertainment, Inc.

CGW: Anything shorter?

FUrquhart: Smooth Motherf***er.

[...]

CGW: I know that crunch time schedules mean many sleepless nights, but what kinda crap do you get from your wife for that?

FUrquhart: She understood what I was doing and I usually set aside dinners for us to spend some time together. Luckily, she worked at Interplay as well, so she was pretty busy.

She was definitely done with it after BG2 though.

CGW: So I guess I can't paint you as a notorious player in the industry

FUrquhart: Nope - that's one of the other owners - Darren Monahan. All the girls love that boy.

CGW: I remember Darren. Slick guy. Nice name too (if I don't say so myself)

FUrquhart: They call him SAM - Sweet Ass Monahan.

CGW: Now that has to go into print.

FUrquhart: Well he is the producer on Neverwinter 2 - so it could just be part of the "background".

CGW: fair enough. Maybe you want to reference that in the credits. Producer / Sweetest Ass, NWN 2.

Ahem. Yeah, maybe we should be talking about the game a little ;p. So, Mr. Motherf***er, can you clue us in on how Neverwinter Nights 2 is coming along so far?

FUrquhart: We've been working on it for about a month now and things are going really well. We are finishing up the story, the list of new features and the programmers are getting the engine ready for the new stuff.

[...]

CGW: well, I don't want to hog up any more of your time -- you've been awesome about this already. But I gotta try asking one more time: Anything you can tell us about the plot?

FUrquhart: Sure. We it's about your sex life and call it "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." Brandon can be your body double.

PR Flak Brandon: HEY!!

FUrquhart: Rated A - A--hole to Everyone.

CGW: excellent!

PR Flak Brandon: Feargus, this is all going in print

FUrquhart: He can't print that.

I've said much worse.

Now I wish we had a Feargus Urquhart Appreciation Station.

 

[Roguey]

Devs used to be a bit more laid back in their interactions with fans, but the 10s ushered in the era of distant professionalism.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

That and cancelation shit.

 

[Infinitron]

Microsoft really aren't keeping their games exclusive: https://www.obsidian.net/news/obsidian/pentiment-and-grounded-coming-to-additional-platforms-soon

Pentiment and Grounded Coming to Additional Platforms Soon​

We have some big news for all of you regarding our two most recent titles: Pentiment and Grounded! Long story short, expect both titles on additional platforms, with Pentiment releasing as early as tomorrow, February 22nd, so let's jump into the details!

Pentiment Announcement Summary​

• Pentiment will be digitally released on February 22nd for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
• Pre-orders for physical copies are available for a limited time for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and the Nintendo Switch as of February 22nd and through March 22nd thanks to our friends at Limited Run Games. WISHLIST NOW

About the Game​

Step into a living illustrated world inspired by illuminated manuscripts and printed woodcuts in a time when Europe is at a crossroads of great religious and political change. Walk in the footsteps of Andreas Maler, a master artist who finds himself in the middle of murders, scandals, and intrigue in the Bavarian Alps.

Grounded Announcement Summary​

• Grounded will be digitally released on April 16th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
• Grounded will also release it’s 1.4 update simultaneously as the new platforms are released. So players all over the backyard will be able to experience all the same content, together!
• Stay tuned for preorders of digital copies for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and the Nintendo Switch which will open soon.

About the Game​

The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place, especially when you have been shrunken to the size of an ant. Explore, build, and survive together in this multiplayer, survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to endure the hardships of the backyard?

20 Million Players and Cross-Play​

Get ready to join over 20 million players this April! That's right, since launching in early access back in 2020, Grounded has seen over 20 million players visit the backyard, and soon, the backyard will be open to more players on PlayStation consoles and the Nintendo Switch on April 16th, complete with cross-play functionality. Join your friends in the backyard, regardless of their preferred platform.

Not only will the backyard be opening up to more players, but Grounded will also receive its 1.4 update as the backyard opens for all, meaning all players across all platforms can experience new content on April 16th! Stay tuned for more information about this awesome update coming later!

Playgrounds Mode​

For those new to the backyard you’ll also be introduced to "Playgrounds Mode.” This mode features a suite of creative tools and building blocks that allows imaginations to run wild within the game. Players can design custom experiences like boss battle arenas, escape rooms with traps, entire new gameplay experiences from RPGs to old-school shooters, or even racecourses with power-ups and obstacles. Imagination is truly the only limit.

The mode includes over 300 world props, over 400 items such as equippables, resources, consumables, more than 100 harvestables, along with all the creatures in Grounded. Yes, including all of the bosses.

The backyard is about to get a lot bigger, and we can’t wait to have you all join us on April 16th!

 

[agris]

Obsidian has finally realized its inherent potential

 

[Ryzer]

Nice N64 character.

 

[Infinitron]

Josh Sawyer is the legendary writer and director of games such as Fallout: New Vegas, Pentiment, and Pillars of Eternity at Obsidian Entertainment.

In this episode, we talk about creativity, writing, inspirations, Josh's workflow, and favorite films.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

Dude no. Just no.