Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler expressed frustration over the wave of inaccurate commentary following recent Xbox layoffs. He labeled many critics as "cold take artists" spreading false narratives about the studio’s evolution.

Key Takeaways

  • Brandon Adler calls post‑layoff commentators "cold take artists"
  • Core talent from The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and Fallout remain
  • Obsidian canceled Avowed sequel, shifting focus to a new Fallout title

Brandon Adler, director of Obsidian Entertainment, used a LinkedIn post to push back against the flood of speculation that followed the massive Xbox restructuring. Describing the week as "extremely difficult," he first paid tribute to colleagues who were let go before confronting those “coming out of the woodwork” to comment on what the studio “is or isn’t.”

Scope of the Xbox Layoffs

Last week Microsoft announced a wave of cuts affecting roughly 1,600 employees immediately, with another 1,600 slated for future reductions. The restructure saw studios such as Ninja Theory and Undead Labs transition to new ownership, while Double Fine and Compulsion Games spun off as independent entities. Obsidian, alongside ZeniMax Online and id Software, was listed among the developers absorbing substantial staff losses.

Adler’s Critique: “Cold Take Artists”

Adler warned that “a bunch of cold take artists are coming out of the woodwork to talk about what Obsidian is or isn’t.” He highlighted how many commentators lack any knowledge of who contributed to the studio’s past titles, yet they repeatedly claim that “Obsidian isn’t who they used to be.” According to Adler, these statements are not only inaccurate but also propagate a massive amount of misinformation.

The Studio’s Unchanged DNA

Despite the upheaval, Adler emphasized continuity in leadership. “The people in lead or director roles are the same people that worked on games like The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and Fallout: New Vegas,” he asserted. He added that the creative DNA that produced classics such as *Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic*, *Fallout: New Vegas*, and *The Stick of Truth* remains intact, even if the studio’s outward appearance has evolved over two decades.

Strategic Shifts Post‑Layoff

Bloomberg reported that Obsidian recently canceled the sequel to its fantasy RPG *Avowed* and redirected resources toward a new Fallout‑set game led by Josh Sawyer, the director behind *Fallout: New Vegas*. Adler framed this pivot as a natural evolution, underscoring that the core talent and vision continue to drive the studio forward.

In closing, Adler urged readers to remember that those “spouting off about Obsidian, running their mouths about who we are now vs. what we were then” possess “zero insight into how a game is made and who contributed to our previous games.” His message serves as a reminder that speculation without substance can harm both a studio’s reputation and the broader gaming community.