"Avowed Director Leaves Obsidian for Netflix's Oxenfree Studio After 13 Years"

Avowed director Carrie Patel has recently left Obsidian Entertainment, a renowned RPG developer, shortly after the launch of their latest game. Patel announced her departure via a LinkedIn update, revealing her new role as Game Director at Night School, a Netflix-owned studio known for the Oxenfree series.

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Game Director at Night School: A Netflix Game Studio!" Patel shared in her brief update. Although the specifics of her new project remain under wraps, her transition marks a significant shift in her career path.

Night School gained acclaim for its Oxenfree games, with the latest entry being Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals released in 2023. The studio also ventured into the Black Mirror universe with Thronglets earlier this year, amidst reports of layoffs. This follows Netflix's decision to close another of its studios, which was developing a AAA game led by Halo veteran Joseph Staten.

Patel, who spent 11 years at Obsidian, contributed to major titles like The Outer Worlds and the Pillars of Eternity series. She took the helm of Avowed after its early development reboot, steering it away from its initial darker, Elder Scrolls-like setting with multiplayer co-op, towards a brighter, single-player experience with multiple large maps.

Avowed - Xbox Developer Direct Screenshots

View 39 ImagesAvowed received mostly positive feedback upon release, with Patel expressing interest in expanding the franchise through expansions or a sequel. However, she will not be involved in these future endeavors.

A recent development roadmap for Avowed outlines several minor free updates over the next six months, including a Photo Mode and New Game Plus.

IGN's review of Avowed praised its worldbuilding and character writing, appreciating the essence of Obsidian's RPG charm. However, the review also noted that the game follows a familiar fantasy formula without significant innovation.

Obsidian's next major project, The Outer Worlds 2, is set to be showcased in detail at this year's Xbox Games Showcase in June.