The Outer Worlds 2 dev Leonard Boyarsky says "It was quite a shock" when Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment

In a twist that feels like something out of their own script, the developers of The Outer Worlds found themselves being acquired by a massive corporation while creating a game on the very idea that centers around poking fun at corporate overlords.

Leonard Boyarsky, co-creator of The Outer Worlds and its sequel slated for a release later this year, spoke about this ironic turn of events in a recent interview with Edge magazine’s Issue 414 and stated, “It was quite a shock” when Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment in 2018, placing Obsidian and its subsidiaries under the helm of Xbox Game Studios.

Boyarsky did state that the acquisition didn’t affect their vision for The Outer Worlds, telling Edge that Microsoft’s involvement “didn’t and hasn’t impacted Obsidian’s creative freedom at all.”

This allowed the team to deliver a game about corporate greed, and game mechanics like sponsoring factions similar to real-world mega corporations. He stated that the game’s themes reflect human nature:

“Unfortunately, power corrupting people has always been an issue in humanity, and I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.” Boyarsky further commented, “We want to focus on stuff that’s much more universal, and less specifically tied to our time.”

Co-director Tim Cain, who co-created Fallout in 1997, has also voiced similar statements in earlier interviews, commenting that Microsoft’s acquisition provided the team stability without any creative interference, allowing Obsidian Entertainment to expand from 200 employees in 2018 to over 300 in 2025.

Coming back to the present, that ironic saga has now fueled ambitions for a bigger sequel. The Outer Worlds 2 was initially announced at E3 2021 at a joint panel between Xbox and Bethesda. 

The game is currently on track for an October 29, 2025, release date for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC. Boyarsky stated that the plan is to “go much bigger and deeper,” building upon the first installment's gameplay, and introducing new planets and factions.

The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition, priced at $99.99, allows players up to five days of Early Access and a DLC Pass for two future story expansions. In addition to this, Xbox Game Pass subscribers also get day-one access to The Outer Worlds 2.