Summary
The upcoming Xbox exclusiveAvowedhas seemingly been delayed from a 2024 release window to 2025, but as unfortunate as the postponement might seem, this is one scenario where the delay could be especially helpful. As the next RPG from acclaimed developer Obsidian Entertainment,Avowedreturns to the unique fantasy world of thePillars of Eternitygamesand shakes things up with a new story and first-person perspective. It seems like an obvious choice for fans of titles likeThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimand Obsidian’sFallout: New Vegas, making it a potentially strong addition to the Xbox catalog.
Avowedwas first revealedduring the Xbox Games Showcase in 2020, marking Obsidian’s first new AAA project since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018. More gameplay footage didn’t show up until almost three years later, eventually showing off an attempt at a robust first-person spellcasting system and a healthy mix of firearms and more medieval weapons. Obsidian’s covered the storytelling side of things more thoroughly since, making a point of its branching system of choices and the rich lore of the Living Lands setting while giving no indication that the game might be delayed.
“We Want Players To Experiment”: Avowed Developers Explain How Combat Is All Up To You
Avowed’s game director Carrie Patel and art director Matthew Hansen explain how the combat and skill system was built for every type of playstyle.
Avowed Might Be Delayed Because Of Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass’s Late 2024 Schedule Is Crowded
The reports ofAvowed’s delay come courtesy ofThe Verge, with news buried within a broader article on Microsoft shared on Twitter byWario64. According to the summary,Avowedis actually"in good shape," withthe reason for the delays lying in the crowded status of the Xbox Game Pass slate in late 2024. Attracting people to the subscription service and the games that it provides access to is a cornerstone of the current Xbox business model, so a change in release plans for the sake of Game Pass scheduling isn’t all that surprising as a concept.
Assuming thatAvowedwas likely to release in November (an official post fromObsidian seemingly leaked a November 12 releasedate forAvowedin June), it’s easy to see where it might have been lost among some other titles.October sees the debut ofCall of Duty: Black Ops 6as a day one Xbox Game Pass release, a huge step for the service. November is already occupied byMicrosoft Flight Simulatorand the recently delayedS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which could have been the straw that broke the camel’s back forAvowed.
Although the date forIndiana Jones and the Great Circlehasn’t yet been confirmed, a November or December holiday release on Xbox Game Pass seems viable, tossing another competitor into the mix.
The Avowed Delay Could Be Good For Everyone
Avowed Needs A Chance To Breathe
From a consumer standpoint, it’s a somewhat frustrating reason for a delay, but it might be good for more than just Microsoft’s bank account.Avoweddoesn’t have the backing of an IP likeThe Elder Scrollsbehind it, and it could be fighting an uphill battle to prove successful for Obsidian.Letting it launch at a time where people are more likely to try it out on Xbox Game Pass could help it find its footing, hopefully giving Obsidian better leverage to keep producing interesting RPGs.
Avowed Confirms Fan-Favorite Feature After All
Role-playing fans who like to see the bigger picture are in luck as Obsidian Entertainment confirms that Avowed will sport a beloved camera feature.
The health of Obsidian as a studio feels more important than ever after the unceremonious closure of several Microsoft subsidiary studios early in 2024, which saw the developers behind some acclaimed titles shuttered. It’s been a volatile time for the gaming industry, and anything that might help avoid layoffs seems like a good thing. Even if the game would have been ready by November,it should also give Obsidian a bit of extra time for polish without last-minute crunch, something that the studio never got when making themasterful but often brokenFallout: New Vegas.
There’s no official word from Microsoft on the reportedAvoweddelay yet, but assuming the information is accurate, it seems reasonable to expect something soon. There should still be plenty to play over the holiday season, and even outside of Xbox Game Pass, an early 2025 launch could work forAvowedin the way that an early 2024 launch worked for games likeDragon’s Dogma 2.Delays are never fun, butAvowedcould very well come out at the other end with a better shot at success.
Sources:The Verge,Wario64/Twitter
Avowed
Avowed is an upcoming RPG release from Obsidian Entertainment, the creative minds behind Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. Avowed will reportedly take place in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity.
