In the wake of Baldur’s Gate 3’s triumphant success – in case you’re not tired of hearing about that yet – and the universal praise from both critics and fans, some believe that Obsidian Entertainment might just have the leverage it needs to coax Microsoft into loosening its purse strings for a sequel to Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire.
Josh Sawyer, the RPG maestro behind titles such as Fallout: New Vegas and the two Pillars of Eternity games, recently set the gaming community alight with a cheeky tweet in response to speculation about an RPG-rush due to Baldur’s Gate 3 becoming such a trend setter.
“Waiting for Xbox to call and tell me they want Pillars 3 with a $120M budget. Any day now, I’m sure.” Though it’s evident that the tweet was shared in a playful tone, it has fueled passionate discussions among fans online.
Sawyer’s jokes aside, any prospect of a Pillars of Eternity 3 is shaky, no matter how much we wish it were to be. Despite the critical acclaim showered upon the first two installments, with both games receiving glowing scores, Deadfire’s sales were underwhelming and fell short of expectations.
This led Obsidian Entertainment to pivot away from immediately developing a sequel, even if they are not abandoning the universe. In the wake of Baldur’s Gate 3 standing testament to the undying allure of well-crafted CPRG titles, the prospect doesn’t seem too far-fetched anymore.
However, the waters are murky, and the currents unpredictable. With Avowed, another upcoming title by Obsidian set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, the likelihood of a sequel to Deadfire hinges precariously on the new Skyrim-em-up’s performance.
Should Avowed bask in the spotlight and garner acclaim, Microsoft might just channel its energies and resources into developing a sequel for Avowed instead of revisiting the world of Eora with a new Pillars of Eternity installment. Conversely, if Avowed fails to dazzle and captivate, Microsoft might be reluctant to tread the soils of Eora anytime soon.
The community’s fervent response to Sawyer’s tweet is solid indication that interest in the IP is definitely present in force. Perhaps, just perhaps, the veteran director might see his whimsical wish for a big-budget Pillars of Eternity 3 come to fruition.
As the dice rolls, the future of Pillars of Eternity is up in the air, with many gamers holding their breath, eyes twinkling with hope and anticipation. Whether Obsidian will embark on another journey through the mystical, enchanting world of Eora is a tale yet to be unveiled, a chapter yet to be written.
For now, all we can do is wait, speculate, and possibly lose our minds in the “what ifs” of a future that no one can predict.
