According to Windows Central, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart revealed the impressive scale of the studio’s expansion following its acquisition by Microsoft. Since 2018, Obsidian has grown to nearly 300 employees, which is still considered relatively modest for the AAA segment.
Studio Expansion and Collaborations
Urquhart noted, “When we joined XGS and Xbox, we had about 170-180 people. Over the last five to six years, we have not only grown the studio to about 285 people, but also built great collaborations with partners Heavy Iron and Beamdog.”
Comparison with Other Large Developers
For comparison, here are the sizes of other large developers:
- Bungie: 850
- CD Projekt RED: 615
- Larian: 470
- Bethesda Game Studios: 450+
- Insomniac: 450
- Naughty Dog: 400+
- Valve: 336
- Sony Santa Monica: 250
- BioWare: less than 100
- ZA/UM: ~70
Obsidian’s Position in the Industry
Looking at these numbers, Obsidian can be considered a mid-sized studio. Despite its relatively modest size, the studio has maintained high productivity in recent years. While game budgets are growing and development cycles are exceeding five years, Obsidian has released three games since 2020 — Grounded, Pentiment, and Avowed — with a fourth, The Outer Worlds 2, due out before the end of the year.
The Secret to Obsidian’s Success
The secret to the studio’s success lies in its “100-year plan”: aiming for “moderate success” with each game rather than chasing sales records, and allocating time, money, and staff accordingly. Obsidian’s games don’t aim for graphical records, but they impress with their design, writing, and art direction.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Avowed CEO Carrie Patel mentioned that about 80 people were working on the game in 2021 — roughly a third of the studio. Obsidian’s strategy stands out in an industry where big teams are increasingly spending money and time to make games, each of which must be a hit or risk layoffs. Not all of them justify the investment. Obsidian is proving that a more disciplined approach to development does not mean a decrease in quality.
Conclusion
Obsidian Entertainment’s growth and strategic approach serve as an inspiring example in the gaming industry. Their commitment to creating high-quality games without succumbing to the pressure of setting sales records has positioned them as a formidable player in the AAA segment.
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