Obsidian’s next big RPG move might not be in the stars literally. According to studio co-founder Chris Avellone, the developer currently has no plans for The Outer Worlds 3, instead shifting focus toward Avowed 2, just weeks after launching The Outer Worlds 2.
The Outer Worlds 3 not on Obsidian’s radar, says Avellone
Chris Avellone, who left Obsidian in 2015, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the studio appears to be wrapping up DLC plans for The Outer Worlds 2 with no sequel in sight. “Apparently, aside from DLC plans for The Outer Worlds 2, it seems like Obsidian is making no plans for Outer Worlds 3 (but they are doing Avowed 2),” he wrote on November 6.
The timing caught fans off guard, especially since The Outer Worlds 2 launched less than two weeks ago on October 29. The game received positive reviews for refining the original’s systems, offering more freedom-of-choice, and reintroducing the Flaw system, a unique mechanic that trades in-game perks for character vulnerabilities based on your playstyle.
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Obsidian juggling multiple projects, but The Outer Worlds 3 not confirmed
Despite Avellone’s claim, it’s too early to treat The Outer Worlds 3 as dead in the airlock. Obsidian is known for running a multi-team development structure, meaning several projects like DLC, live updates, and new IPs can exist in parallel. Right now, the team is likely focusing efforts on post-launch support for The Outer Worlds 2, and discussing a third game this early might shift attention away from their current momentum.
Still, Avellone’s comment adds a layer of uncertainty to a franchise that seemed to be gaining steam.
Avowed 2 reportedly greenlit despite lukewarm reception
While The Outer Worlds’ future is murky, Avowed 2 is reportedly moving forward. That’s a surprise, considering the original Avowed launched on February 18, 2025, with a Metacritic score of 80/100. The average user rating was 6.8. Reviews were mixed. Many players described it as “an OK RPG” that failed to stand out in a crowded fantasy genre.
Even so, Microsoft praised its Game Pass numbers. They ranked it as the second most-played day-one Game Pass title of 2025, just behind Oblivion: Remastered. Even so, Avowed’s player base faded fast, peaking at 19,198 concurrent Steam players before dropping to around 200 daily.
What Obsidian’s shifting focus could mean
Here’s the situation as it stands:
- The Outer Worlds 2 is still fresh, with DLC support incoming
- The Outer Worlds 3 is not in active planning, per Avellone
- Avowed 2 is reportedly in early development
- Obsidian continues to split teams across multiple RPG projects
A slow orbit, not a dead planet
Obsidian isn’t done telling stories in space but don’t expect The Outer Worlds 3 to launch anytime soon. For now, the studio appears more interested in taking another swing at high fantasy than doubling down on sci-fi satire. And with Game Pass reshaping how games are greenlit, the numbers may matter more than the noise.
