# Obsidian Entertainment

> American video game company

**Wikidata**: [Q629821](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q629821)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_Entertainment)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/obsidian-entertainment

## Summary

Obsidian Entertainment is a privately held company founded on June 12, 2003 and headquartered in Irvine. It is a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios. As of 2019, the company employed 200 people[1].

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for Obsidian Entertainment:

---

## Summary  
Obsidian Entertainment is an American video game developer founded in 2003, known for creating critically acclaimed RPGs like *Fallout: New Vegas* and *Pillars of Eternity*. It operates as a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios and specializes in narrative-driven, role-playing games. The company was co-founded by industry veterans from Black Isle Studios, including Feargus Urquhart and Chris Avellone.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: June 12, 2003, in Santa Ana, California.  
- **Headquarters**: Irvine, California.  
- **Parent Company**: Xbox Game Studios (acquired by Microsoft in 2018).  
- **Key Founders**: Feargus Urquhart, Chris Avellone, Chris Jones, Darren Monahan.  
- **Employees**: Approximately 200 (as of 2019).  
- **Industry**: Video game development and publishing.  
- **Notable Games**: *Fallout: New Vegas*, *Pillars of Eternity*, *The Outer Worlds*.  
- **Legal Status**: Privately held company before acquisition by Microsoft.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What type of games does Obsidian Entertainment develop?  
A: Obsidian specializes in narrative-driven role-playing games (RPGs), often featuring deep storytelling, player choice, and complex mechanics. Examples include *Pillars of Eternity* and *The Outer Worlds*.  

### Q: Is Obsidian Entertainment owned by Microsoft?  
A: Yes, Obsidian became a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios in 2018 after Microsoft acquired the company.  

### Q: Who are the key people behind Obsidian Entertainment?  
A: The company was co-founded by Feargus Urquhart, Chris Avellone, Chris Jones, and Darren Monahan, all veterans of Black Isle Studios, known for *Fallout* and *Baldur’s Gate*.  

## Why It Matters  
Obsidian Entertainment is a pivotal player in the RPG genre, renowned for its ability to craft immersive worlds and compelling narratives. Its games, such as *Fallout: New Vegas*, are often praised for their player agency and branching storylines, setting benchmarks for the genre. The studio’s acquisition by Microsoft underscores its importance in Xbox’s strategy to bolster its first-party RPG offerings. Obsidian’s influence extends beyond its titles, as its founders and developers have shaped iconic franchises like *Fallout* and *Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II*.  

## Notable For  
- **Critical Acclaim**: *Fallout: New Vegas* and *Pillars of Eternity* are widely regarded as modern RPG classics.  
- **Narrative Excellence**: Known for deep storytelling and player-driven choices.  
- **Industry Veterans**: Founded by key figures from Black Isle Studios, linking it to legendary RPGs.  
- **Crowdfunding Success**: *Pillars of Eternity* was one of Kickstarter’s most funded video game projects.  

## Body  
### Founding and Early History  
- Founded on June 12, 2003, by former Black Isle Studios employees.  
- Initial projects included *Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords* (2004).  

### Key Games and Milestones  
- **2004**: Released *Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II*.  
- **2010**: Developed *Fallout: New Vegas* for Bethesda Softworks.  
- **2015**: Launched *Pillars of Eternity*, funded via Kickstarter.  
- **2018**: Acquired by Microsoft/Xbox Game Studios.  
- **2019**: Released *The Outer Worlds*, a critically acclaimed RPG.  

### Corporate Structure  
- Subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios since 2018.  
- Operates as a privately held company prior to acquisition.  

### Technical and Creative Focus  
- Specializes in isometric and first-person RPGs.  
- Emphasizes player choice, branching narratives, and reactive worlds.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Obsidian Entertainment",
  "description": "American video game developer known for narrative-driven RPGs.",
  "url": "https://www.obsidian.net/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707860",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_Entertainment"
  ],
  "foundingDate": "2003-06-12",
  "founders": [
    "Feargus Urquhart",
    "Chris Avellone",
    "Chris Jones",
    "Darren Monahan"
  ],
  "parentOrganization": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Xbox Game Studios"
  },
  "location": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "address": "Irvine, California"
  }
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://www.gamereactor.eu/obsidian-entertainment-has-now-reached-200-employees/)
6. Quora
7. [Best Obsidian Entertainment Posts - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/t/obsidian_entertainment/)
8. Video Games Chronicle