Obsidian faces turmoil with Bethesda merger, layoffs, and project cancellations, raising concerns about its creative future.
In a turbulent period for game development studio Obsidian, the announcement that the company will be folded into Bethesda raises questions about the future preservation of its creative identity. According to PC Gamer, this move follows significant upheaval within the company, including layoffs affecting roughly 25% of its workforce and the cancellation of multiple projects, among them a sequel to the game ‘Avowed’. This consolidation has sparked concern among fans and industry watchers who fear Obsidian’s innovative spirit might be stifled under Bethesda’s umbrella, despite assurances to the contrary.
Hardware News: Monitors and VR Headsets
On the hardware front, PC Gamer reports that Alienware is addressing an issue in its high-end 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor, the AW3926QW. Known for its impressive specifications and relatively modest price, the monitor suffers from a dimming issue at the panel’s edges, known as ‘vignetting’. Alienware’s work to resolve this aim to perfect what many see as an otherwise exemplary display.
Meanwhile, Meta’s new VR device, intriguingly designed as glasses rather than a traditional headset, has caught the eye as it was discussed at Meta Connect. These ‘Meta VR Glasses’, which include advanced features such as hand tracking and AI, aren’t particularly geared towards gaming—a shift that might indicate Meta’s broader ambitions within the VR space, as detailed by PC Gamer.
Upcoming Showcases and Releases
Fans of indie games and strategy classics alike have some excitement to look forward to. Coffee Stain Publishing’s Big Break Showcase, set for September 29, promises to highlight a range of indie titles, as noted by GamingOnLinux. Meanwhile, fans of Total War can anticipate the release of the ‘Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Complete Edition’ on October 13, which will bring both the classic gameplay and new modern updates, as per another GamingOnLinux report.
Successes and Upgrades in the Indie Scene
On a lighter note, the indie fashion game Dressmaker has captured players’ hearts, achieving an impressive 96% positive review score on Steam, a testament to its charm and broad appeal, as highlighted by PCGamesN. Additionally, the popular VR game SUPERHOT VR is receiving upgrades to become compatible with Valve’s upcoming Steam Frame hardware, further cementing its place in the evolving VR market, according to GamingOnLinux.
Finally, in the realm of indie horror, the newly announced game ‘Tumblebee’ combines alluring visuals with suspenseful gameplay, as players navigate the dual joys and terrors of a world filled with bees and oversized arachnids, reported by Rock Paper Shotgun.
