Obsidian reportedly set to be acquired by Microsoft

Microsoft is on the verge of acquiring RPG specialists Obsidian Entertainment, according to a report.

The claim comes from sources speaking to Kotaku, with ‘three people briefed on negotiations’ filling the site in on the deal. According to said sources, the deal is around 90 per cent done and ‘is a matter of when, not if’.

Obsidian has carved a niche for itself over the past 15 years since its formation, both for specialising mostly in RPG development, and for providing employees and fans alike with rollercoasters of near-bankruptcy, bug-riddled games, and stone-cold classics.

There’s no word how a potential deal would impact Obsidian’s work with Take-Two’s ‘premium indie’ label Private Division, for which the studio is currently working on an RPG.

The acquisition, if it turns out to be true, would see Microsoft’s stable of existing developers taken under its wing increase further in 2018 after the company announced the likes of Playground Games and Ninja Theory had entered the fold.

Obsidian has had a tumultuous relationship with publishers over the years, with its major output from the last few being based on crowdfunded titles. An exclusive Xbox One RPG from the studio, Stormlands, was cancelled in 2012 with the project reportedly lacking focus – but now, six years later, it seems Microsoft is ready to try again. Just with a slightly different tack.