Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming first-person RPG, Avowed, has captivated gamers with its stunning visuals, world inspired by Pillars of Eternity, and focus on player choice. While early development hinted at a potential multiplayer component, the studio recently revealed a shift in direction – Avowed will be a single-player experience. Let’s delve into the reasoning behind this decision and explore what it means for the future of Avowed.
From Shared Adventures to Solo Expeditions: The Scrapped Multiplayer Mode
News of Avowed’s initial multiplayer focus came as a surprise to some, considering Obsidian’s established reputation for crafting rich single-player RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. However, the allure of a collaborative Avowed experience piqued the interest of many gamers.
This vision, however, proved challenging to reconcile with Obsidian’s core strengths. Carrie Patel, Avowed’s creative director, sheds light on the complexities involved:
“Building the systems needed to support multiplayer, and also designing the content and conversations and everything else that makes it work… It was a really big creative and technical challenge to figure out a way to make a multiplayer game and still deliver on what we’re good at as a studio.”
Patel highlights the delicate balance between a robust multiplayer experience and Obsidian’s signature single-player storytelling. Implementing multiplayer would require significant resources to create systems that seamlessly integrate with the narrative and impactful choices players make.
She further emphasizes Obsidian’s commitment to a compelling single-player narrative: “It’s important to us to make sure that we have a robust campaign and story that puts the player in the role of a character who is taking steps forward, making important decisions, and shaping the world and characters around them, which of course becomes difficult when you’re trying to add a multiplayer component.”
Herein lies the crux of the decision. While studios like Larian, with their expertise in titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin, have successfully navigated the challenges of multiplayer RPGs, Obsidian prioritizes a different type of experience.
Focusing on Obsidian’s Strengths: A Deep Single-Player Narrative
By forgoing multiplayer, Obsidian aims to deliver what they do best: a well-crafted single-player narrative with meaningful choices and consequences. Patel elaborates on this design philosophy:
“We wanted to make sure that it delivered the things players expect from an Obsidian Entertainment RPG first and foremost, which is a well-crafted story, meaningful choices and consequences, and the ability to be a force for change in the world.”
This renewed focus on single-player allows Obsidian to meticulously craft a narrative that reacts to player decisions. Imagine the ripple effects of your choices – the fate of characters, the dynamics of factions, and the overall landscape of the world. This level of narrative depth is often more achievable in a single-player environment.
Furthermore, without the constraints of accommodating multiple players, Obsidian can design encounters and challenges tailored specifically for a solo experience. This can lead to more intricate and engaging combat mechanics, as well as a more immersive sense of world exploration.
Avowed: A Single-Player Odyssey Awaits
The decision to forego multiplayer in Avowed may come as a disappointment to some. However, for many Obsidian fans, this focus on a deep single-player experience is cause for excitement. Avowed promises a world rich with lore, meaningful player agency, and a captivating story that unfolds based on your choices.
Obsidian’s commitment to its core strengths paves the way for a potentially groundbreaking single-player RPG. As we await further details on Avowed, one thing remains clear – Obsidian is crafting an experience designed to immerse players in a world brimming with possibilities.
FAQs:
Q: Why was multiplayer scrapped for Avowed?
A: Obsidian found it challenging to balance a robust multiplayer experience with their focus on a strong single-player narrative with impactful choices.
Q: Does this mean Obsidian will never make a multiplayer RPG?
A: Not necessarily. This decision is specific to Avowed, and Obsidian could explore multiplayer in future projects.
Q: What can I expect from Avowed’s single-player experience?
A: Expect a rich narrative with meaningful choices and consequences, allowing you to shape the world around you.
