Unstable at Launch? Top RPG Developer Shares Avowed Release Details
1Avowed: A Flop in the Making?
There’s only one week left until the highly anticipated release of Avowed on February 18, and this game promises to be the big RPG for Xbox in 2025. After years of hype and building expectations, it’s safe to say that this is a title many have been eagerly waiting for. The game is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the same studio behind The Outer Worlds franchise, as well as Fallout: New Vegas and other past projects that have left an indelible mark on gamers worldwide. These games brought joy to fans, offering a mixture of deep storytelling, expansive worlds, and RPG mechanics that kept players engaged for hours. Obsidian’s pedigree has ensured that Avowed is under close scrutiny, as it’s expected to live up to the studio’s long-standing reputation for delivering top-notch RPGs.
However, while expectations for Avowed are high, there’s something different about this project compared to Obsidian's previous games. Unlike the gritty, dark atmosphere of Fallout: New Vegas or the space-faring adventure of The Outer Worlds, Avowed seems to be a completely different game in terms of visuals, gameplay, and overall delivery. The game’s open world is visually stunning, with lush environments, vibrant colors, and a plethora of magical elements that make it seem more like a fairytale than the grim world of Fallout. Many fans of Obsidian’s earlier works were taken aback by the game’s colorful aesthetic, which feels like a departure from the darker tones that many had hoped for. While some might see this as a bold, fresh direction, others are questioning if this new approach is what RPG fans truly wanted.
But the visuals aren’t the only thing that’s raised eyebrows. The game has shown a sharp shift in tone and content compared to previous titles, and it’s clear that Avowed is positioning itself as an openly "woke" game.
For better or for worse, this has been one of the most controversial aspects of the game. A few months ago, Elon Musk took to social media to criticize the inclusion of pronouns on the loading screen and in the main character’s profile. He suggested that this was an unnecessary addition that was detracting from the experience. This sparked an intense debate, with Musk claiming that the inclusion of such elements in the game was a political statement that didn’t belong in a game. His criticism, however, was met with a response from one of the main developers at Obsidian, who took to Twitter to call Musk an idiot, labeling those who oppose such features as "idiots," and firmly stating that Avowed was indeed a "woke" game designed to push those ideals. This move only further fueled the fire of controversy, as fans began to realize that Avowed was taking a political stance that might alienate certain parts of the gaming community.
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It wasn’t just the pronouns that sparked outrage, though. As we’ve seen, the game is filled with colorful, whimsical elements that some fans feel don’t belong in a game that’s supposed to be a hardcore RPG. This vibrant approach to design has raised questions about whether Avowed can balance its tone and story with the expectations of hardcore RPG fans who prefer darker, more grounded narratives. It’s clear that Avowed is attempting to cater to a different audience, one that aligns with progressive ideals. The question is whether this shift in direction will lead to the game’s success or failure in the long run.
And if that weren’t enough, Avowed has yet another controversy swirling around it. Recently, the director of the game participated in an interview on a YouTube channel and made a shocking admission: Avowed will be unstable at launch. Yes, you read that correctly. The game’s director openly admitted that it would be buggy and that players should just accept the instability at launch. This admission is not only disappointing but also incredibly frustrating for fans who have been waiting for this game for years. The gaming community has grown tired of games launching in unfinished, buggy states, and hearing a developer openly admit to the flaws in their game before its release is a slap in the face to consumers.