Obsidian Entertainment (2003)
Masters of Complex Morality, Fallout: New Vegas, and the CRPG Renaissance
Founded in 2003 in Irvine, California, by Feargus Urquhart, Chris Avellone, and fellow Black Isle Studios veterans, Obsidian Entertainment is synonymous with intricate dialogue branching, moral ambiguity, and narrative-driven role-playing. Acclaimed for Star Wars: KOTOR II, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian is now an elite pillar of Xbox Game Studios.
Black Isle Lineage and Fallout: New Vegas
Emerging from the ashes of Black Isle Studios, Obsidian delivered philosophically deconstructive sequels like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (2004). In 2010, they returned to their roots with Bethesda's Fallout: New Vegas, universally revered for its multi-faction geopolitics in the Mojave Wasteland and legendary companion writing.
Pillars of Eternity Crowdfunding and Microsoft Ownership
Facing imminent bankruptcy in 2012, Obsidian launched 'Project Eternity' on Kickstarter, raising nearly $4 million and igniting the modern CRPG revival. Acquired by Microsoft in 2018, Obsidian continues to champion narrative diversity—from the historic illuminated manuscript mystery Pentiment (2022) to AAA fantasy Avowed.