Carrie Patel, known for her work as the director of the game Avowed, has decided to leave Obsidian Entertainment to join Night Dive Studios, the developer of the acclaimed game Oxenfree, which is now part of Netflix. This departure comes after the release of Avowed in February, which received positive reviews, although Microsoft, the owner of Obsidian, has not shared information about its commercial success.
If there is a sequel, it will not be with the same director
Despite its recent release, Patel had expressed on multiple occasions his desire for Obsidian to explore the world of Avowed more deeply, which many interpreted as a hint at a possible sequel. “Now that we have built this wonderful world and also formed a strong team, I would love to see us do more with it,” Patel stated. During his time at Obsidian, which spanned over 11 years, he contributed to iconic titles such as Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds, in addition to leading the development direction of Avowed after a significant shift in the project’s focus.
Obsidian, for its part, continues to work on future projects, including the development of The Outer Worlds 2, which is expected to be released later this year. Although Patel’s departure does not provide clarity on the future of Avowed or other projects she was involved in, the company has announced that it plans to implement significant updates for Avowed in the summer and fall, which will include new skills and game modes.
Meanwhile, Netflix is going through a transformation period in its approach to gaming, having closed its AAA game studio and focusing more on mobile and social games. Although it is unclear what specific project Patel will work on in his new position, fans are advised to stay tuned for future updates on his work at Night Dive.