# What Should Obsidian Make Next?

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJFjvKhwN0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ENJFjvKhwN0
Generated: 2026-02-08T17:33:59.009+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The hosts discuss what game Obsidian Entertainment should develop next, speculating that while they have proven they can release three games in a year, the studio should focus on a new IP or a sequel to a successful title like Fallout 2, rather than immediately rushing a third Fallout game, as suggested by Todd Howard's previous comments.

**Key Points:**
- Obsidian released three major games in 2023: Grounded, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2, which is considered an impressive accomplishment (0:02-0:07).
- The host reading the card suggests that releasing three games in one year is on fire and causes context to be missing between them (0:16-0:56).
- The consensus among the hosts is that Obsidian should not make Fallout 3 next, despite the success of Fallout 2, due to the risk of burnout and lack of new IP development (0:26-0:52, 5:53-6:06).
- The director Josh Sawyer reportedly told Bloomberg that spacing out releases helps the company manage resources and avoid burning everyone out (0:41-0:48).
- The host suggests Obsidian should focus on making a smaller, weirder game in the Fallout universe, like Pentiment, or focusing on other IPs (3:34-3:46).
- The hosts point out that Todd Howard previously stated that Obsidian would not make Fallout 3 immediately (1:42-1:45, 5:55-5:58).
- The guest (Lucy) suggests Obsidian should focus on developing a new IP or a sequel to a game like Fallout 2, or even a New Vegas remaster (2:56-3:00, 6:17-6:19).

![Screenshot at 0:04: Kurt reads a card stating that Obsidian Entertainment had a massive 2023, releasing three major games, which prompts the discussion on what they should develop next.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-00-04.jpg)

**Context:** The video features hosts Kurt and Lucy discussing a card prompt regarding the future direction of Obsidian Entertainment's game development pipeline, specifically addressing whether they should make a new Fallout game following the success of Fallout 2. The discussion revolves around managing development resources, avoiding burnout, and prioritizing new creative projects versus sequels to existing successful franchises.

## Detailed Analysis

The segment centers on speculating about Obsidian Entertainment's next project following their busy 2023, which included the release of Grounded, Avowed, and The Outer Worlds 2 (0:02-0:07). The host reading the prompt notes that releasing three major titles in one year is impressive but suggests it might lead to context being missed between releases (0:16-0:56). The main consensus is that Obsidian should avoid making Fallout 3 immediately, despite Fallout 2's success, to prevent studio burnout and allow for new IP development, referencing comments from director Josh Sawyer about managing resources (0:26-0:48). The hosts argue that releasing three games in a year is taxing, and they would prefer Obsidian focus on smaller, weirder projects like Pentiment or sequels to other IPs, rather than immediately returning to Fallout (3:34-4:05). The discussion confirms that Todd Howard previously indicated Fallout 3 would not be immediate (1:42-1:45). Lucy suggests that if Obsidian were to make a Fallout game, a New Vegas remaster or focusing on smaller, weirder concepts within the universe would be preferable to simply jumping to Fallout 3 (2:56-3:00, 6:17-6:19). The segment concludes with the hosts agreeing that Obsidian is doing good work and that they should be given space to pursue creative endeavors outside of immediate sequels.

### Obsidian's Release Schedule & Burnout

- Obsidian released three major games in 2023 (Grounded, Avowed, Outer Worlds 2)
- This rapid pace risks burnout and resource mismanagement, as noted by director Josh Sawyer
- The hosts feel releasing three games in a year is intense (0:02-0:52, 3:22-3:24).

### Future Fallout Strategy

- The hosts agree Obsidian should not make Fallout 3 next, despite Fallout 2's success
- They suggest focusing on smaller, riskier projects like Pentiment or sequels to other IPs (3:34-4:05, 5:53-6:06).

### Ideal Next Moves

- Lucy suggests a New Vegas remaster or focusing on original IPs
- The hosts agree that giving smaller teams chances to create 'cool stuff' in the Fallout universe is better than pumping out sequels (6:23-6:27, 6:50-6:55).

### Podcast Credits

- Hosts are Kurt James and Lucy Indovina
- Producers are Jean-Luc Seipke and Spencer Gilbert
- Editor is Emilio Fornatora (7:23-7:26).

![Screenshot at 0:01: Kurt and Lucy sitting across from each other at their podcast desk, ready to begin the discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:17: Kurt reacting strongly after reading a fact about Obsidian's performance, exclaiming "Holy smokes!" \(0:16\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-00-17.jpg)
![Screenshot at 0:42: Studio director Josh Sawyer is quoted on screen via a card read by Kurt regarding resource management \(0:41-0:44\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-00-42.jpg)
![Screenshot at 1:07: Lucy gesturing emphatically while sharing her prediction about the future of Obsidian.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-01-07.jpg)
![Screenshot at 2:00: Lucy takes a sip from her mug while Kurt discusses the success of Josh Sawyer's YouTube channel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ENJFjvKhwN0/00-02-00.jpg)