Avowed Developer Explains Why It’s Not an Open-World Game

Kate Dollarhyde, the narrative designer for Avowed, offers insight into Obsidian’s decision to stray from the open-world concept for their latest RPG. Instead, Avowed draws inspiration from The Outer Worlds, utilizing expansive zones that enhance the storytelling flow as players progress through the game.

The buzz around Avowed’s release in 2025 is palpable. Obsidian Entertainment, known for crafting standout RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, never fails to stir excitement with a new release. However, some design choices for Avowed have sparked debate, such as the absence of romance options, a common feature in contemporary RPGs. Yet, many see this choice as a breath of fresh air, marking a shift towards prioritizing what truly fits the game rather than conforming to genre expectations.

In a conversation with Xbox Wire, Kate Dollarhyde elaborated on why the game doesn’t embrace a fully open world. “Pacing is really tough in open-world games,” she explained. “You never know where the player is and what they’re doing at any given time. So having these zones that happen in sequence means we always know what content you’ve just come from on the critical path. Maybe not what side quests you’ve done, but we always know you’ve just had this [core] experience.” With this approach, Avowed mirrors the semi-open-world structure seen in The Outer Worlds, allowing players to revisit areas to wrap up unfinished side quests.

Understanding Dollarhyde’s reasoning illuminates the value of such a design philosophy. By organizing zones in a linear fashion, developers can more effectively shape late-game content based on shared player experiences. This ensures a cohesive journey, simplifying how they build and enhance the game world as players progress. Avowed is poised to be one of the most thrilling entries in 2025’s gaming roster, thanks to the seasoned insight of its creators.

The excitement for 2025 doesn’t end with Avowed for Obsidian Entertainment. During The Game Awards 2024, fans were thrilled to learn about plans for The Outer Worlds 2, slated for a late 2025 launch. Of course, unexpected delays could push it to 2026, but if everything stays on course, the year will be a memorable milestone for Obsidian.

Set against the mysterious backdrop of Eora’s Living Lands, Avowed invites players into an adventure fraught with danger, intrigue, and crucial decisions. Playing as an envoy from Aedyr, you investigate rumors of a spreading plague and uncover personal connections and ancient threats in an untamed world. As the story unfolds, you’ll face decisions that could alter the fate of this frontier and your destiny.

Avowed promises a rich narrative experience, brought to life with the latest technology of Unreal Engine 5. Scheduled for release on February 18, 2025, for PC and Xbox Series X|S, this adventure is set to captivate players with its immersiveness and depth. As we edge closer to launch day, anticipation builds for what could be Obsidian’s next great triumph.