The development of The Outer Worlds 2 has been entirely under the ownership of Microsoft, which presents a curious irony given that the first game was conceived and developed before the acquisition of Obsidian Entertainment by the tech giant. The creators have acknowledged this contrast in a recent interview, finding humor in the situation, despite the fact that the premise of the game revolves around critiques of mega-corporations.
An irony that has not escaped the game director
Brandon Adler, the game’s director, mentioned the obvious relationship between the developer and the content of the title. “It’s ridiculous to say that we don’t realize that. Obviously, we do. We think it’s funny, and in some way, we address it in our trailers,” Adler stated. However, he emphasized that, regardless of the funder, the message of the game remains the same: a scathing critique of corporations.
Leonard Boyarsky, creative director, also joined the conversation, assuring that the team works enthusiastically and without pressures imposed by the parent company. “The people we work with really love the game,” Boyarsky commented, suggesting a development culture that maintains the essence of the original project.
Despite Microsoft’s acquisition, developers do not feel fear of comparisons with the Fallout series. Adler emphasized that Obsidian’s legacy in the genre gives them the confidence needed to meet players’ expectations. “It is our legacy,” he stated, while reflecting on the implications of ethical satire in a capitalist context. “Can ethical satire exist under capitalism? That is another question,” he concluded.
