Kotaku's sources say that the deal is "90%" finished, while another suggested that the deal was more of a matter of "when" and not "if."
Obsidian, best known for its work on critically acclaimed role-playing games like Knights of the Old Republic II (2004) and Fallout: New Vegas (2010), has been independent since it was founded in 2003. The Irvine, California-based studio has long been beloved by RPG fans, but has often faced financial strains, nearly going out of business in 2012 before it signed a deal for an online tank game and launched a Kickstarter for the isometric throwback that would become Pillars of Eternity.
One compelling argument for the sale is that being owned by a company with deep pockets will offer Obsidian stability and resources the likes of which it has never had before.
One compelling argument for the sale is that being owned by a company with deep pockets will offer Obsidian stability and resources the likes of which it has never had before.
A spokesperson for Microsoft said that they "do not comment on rumors or speculation."
A spokesperson for Obsidian said, "unfortunately, we don’t comment on rumors or speculation other than to say that the Rumors album by Fleetwood Mac still holds up." That is perhaps the most amazing "no comment" I've ever seen.
Over the years, Obsidian has earned the reputation for creating amazing stories that are often wrapped up in enjoyable, albeit buggy, gameplay experiences. They have earned quite the following but often failed to reach a level of success where they could comfortably develop games without the constant worry of if they would be financially secure.
Obsidian has developed such memorable titles as Alpha Protocol, Fallout: New Vegas, the Pillars of Eternity games, and the one and only Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II. Obsidian was working on an Xbox exclusive title prior to the release of the Xbox One, entitled Stormlands, but Microsoft cancelled it in 2012.
