Kaylyn Hohn 
Microsoft revealed this week that it has acquired two independent RPG developer studios, Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment.
The announcement came at Microsoft’s X018 event in Mexico city, known as a “global celebration of all things Xbox”. During the event, the company said that both studios would “continue to operate autonomously and bring their unique talents, IP, and expertise to Microsoft Studios as they build new RPG experiences for our players and fans”, according to GameIndustry.biz.
Obsidian Entertainment is responsible for titles such as Fallout: New Vegas (2010), Pillars of Eternity (2015), and South Park: The Stick of Truth. It was rumored last month that Microsoft was looking to acquire the RPG developer, in a report by Kotaku.
Microsoft’s acquisition of inXile Entertainment, on the other hand, came as more of a surprise. They are the developers behind the Wasteland 1, 2, and 3 (1998-2019), as well as The Bard’s Tale franchise (2004-2018).
Obsidian and inXile aren’t the only two studios that Microsoft has bought in the last year. It was announced at E3 of this year that the studios would be joining Microsoft: Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Hellblade), Playground Games (Forza franchise), Compulsion Games (We Happy Few, Contrast) Undead Labs (State of Decay series). The company also added The Initiative, an internally established studio, to its roster.
“The 13 distinct and diverse game development teams that form Microsoft Studios are focused on implementing new Microsoft technologies, delivering content for new platforms and services like Xbox Game Pass, and creating exclusive games that turn players into loyal Xbox fans. We are committed to expanding the Microsoft Studios franchises players already love, and investing in new, exclusive content for every type of gamer,” said Matt Booty, corporate vice president of Microsoft studios, in a statement.
RPG developer, inXile Entertainment, was founded in 2002, while Obsidian Entertainment came one year later, in 2003. Both developers have corporate offices in California.
Source: PC Gamer
