Xbox Elder Scrolls Competitor’s Director Leaves for Netflix Game Studio

by

The game “Avowed,” a competitor to Xbox Game Pass‘s “Elder Scrolls,” recently made headlines for its positive reception on the subscription service. However, in an unexpected twist reminiscent of a sitcom plot, something out of the ordinary unfolded, and it appears that Netflix may be responsible.

The leader of the game development team at Obsidian has moved on to work for a studio owned by Netflix, a surprising move given that Netflix hasn’t traditionally been a major player in video games. However, this news suggests that they might be preparing for a significant venture in the gaming industry. We’ll have to wait and see if it turns out to be advantageous or problematic.

Avowed Director Carrie Patel joins the Netflix-owned Night School after 12 years at Obsidian

In an unexpected move, Carrie Patel – the game director for “Avowed” – has decided to leave Obsidian Entertainment after 12 years and join Night School Studio, a game development company owned by Netflix. This studio is known for creating the popular “Oxenfree” series. She made this announcement on LinkedIn, assuring everyone that she will continue in her role as a game director.

Given her lengthy tenure at Obsidian and the renown of the studio, it’s surprising that she might choose to work for a Netflix-owned studio, as their main focus lies elsewhere, primarily outside video games. The reasons behind her departure remain unclear, but it could be that she received an attractive offer there. Keep in mind, this is the same studio that invested over $300 million into ‘The Electric State’.

It’s intriguing to note that Patel’s upcoming work bears resemblance to Obsidian at Night School, leading us to speculate that Netflix might be developing a new project. Whether it’s another Oxenfree game or an entirely fresh concept is yet unknown. Given Patel’s previous role as a narrative designer on The Outer Worlds, her next creation could potentially be an RPG for Netflix. So, let the anticipation build!

Previously serving as Netflix’s vice president of games, Mike Verdu moved into the role of vice president of generative AI in games last year. However, surprisingly, he departed from the company just four months later, leaving Netflix’s future gaming strategies somewhat unclear. Here’s to hoping they won’t botch their use of generative AI and instead leverage Patel’s expertise to create exceptional games.

What’s next for Obsidian Entertainment?

Following Carrie Patel’s departure to Netflix, it’s tough not to ponder about Obsidian Entertainment’s future moves. However, fear not, as they are gearing up for another eagerly awaited sequel this year – none other than “The Outer Worlds 2.” This exciting follow-up is expected to hit the shelves later in 2025, having been teased with a trailer at The Game Awards back in 2024.

Although the release date for the sequel hasn’t been announced yet, it’s expected to be unveiled during the upcoming The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, scheduled following this year’s Xbox Games Showcase on June 8. This means that even though Netflix appears to have acquired one of Obsidian Entertainment’s top projects, they seem to be managing quite well.

Recently, IGN shared an 11-minute sneak peek at the sequel, offering insights into the game’s combat and exploration aspects. It appears that The Outer Worlds 2 is gearing up to offer a significant improvement over its predecessor, suggesting that Obsidian is set to demonstrate their exceptional skill in crafting role-playing games once again.

Furthermore, t New Vegas, much like how Bethesda handled The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Given that the second season of the Fallout series will delve into the New Vegas narrative, such a move from Obsidian and Xbox would be a strategically smart decision.

Read More

2025-05-21 18:53