It seems like this is just a matter of time
At E3 2018, Microsoft boldly revealed its new initiative to release more first-party games for Xbox and Windows 10 PC through acquisition of talented studios. It came alongside the announcement from Xbox head Phil Spencer that Microsoft had already bought Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Compulsion Games. Now, it seems as if one of the biggest RPG developers is on the cusp of becoming a Microsoft subsidiary.
Kotakureports that Microsoft is close to acquiring Obsidian Entertainment. Kotaku’s sources expect it to happen, stating “it’s a matter of when, not if” and estimating that a deal is approximately 90 percent likely. Public relations spokespeople for both companies declined to make an official comment.
Obsidian has a 15-year history of developing high-profile role-playing games. Some of its notable titles are:Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords,Neverwinter Nights 2,Alpha Protocol,Fallout: New Vegas,South Park: The Stick of Truth, andPillars of Eternity.
Microsoft has shown a willingness to buy established studios, and it has also emphasized a broader gaming ecosystem which includes both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. Targeting Obsidian nicely fits within both of those strategies. When framed that way, this move makes perfect sense.
