Obsidian Entertainment's CEO, Feargus Urquhart, has publicly expressed his strong interest in developing a game based on Microsoft's Shadowrun IP. This revelation follows an interview where he was asked which non-Fallout Xbox franchise he'd most like to work on. Urquhart's enthusiasm for Shadowrun is undeniable, stating it's "super cool" and his top choice among available Microsoft properties.
This shouldn't come as a surprise given Obsidian's history of successfully developing compelling entries in established RPG franchises. While they've proven their ability to create original IPs like The Outer Worlds, their expertise lies in expanding existing universes, as evidenced by their work on Fallout: New Vegas, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II, and others. Urquhart himself has previously noted the advantages of working on sequels in the RPG genre, highlighting the potential for continuous world-building and storytelling.
While the specifics of Obsidian's vision for a Shadowrun game remain undisclosed, the prospect excites fans. Urquhart's long-standing personal connection to the franchise, dating back to the original tabletop RPG, further strengthens this anticipation. He even confirmed owning multiple editions of the tabletop game.
The Shadowrun franchise, initially launched as a tabletop RPG in 1989, boasts a rich history and numerous video game adaptations. Following FASA Interactive's acquisition by Microsoft in 1999, Microsoft retained the video game rights. While Harebrained Schemes has developed several Shadowrun games in recent years, including a 2022 remaster collection, the community's desire for a new, original title remains strong. The last standalone game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, was released in 2015.
The possibility of Obsidian taking the reins on a new Shadowrun game is a compelling one, promising a high-quality experience for fans of the cyberpunk-fantasy setting.
