Avowed Not Being Open-World Is a Good Thing, Say Developers

The upcoming first-person RPG Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment is making waves for its decision to steer away from the open-world format that has become standard in modern RPGs. Instead, the developers have opted for a semi-open-world design, a move they believe will result in a more focused, immersive, and engaging experience.

In a recent interview, members of the development team explained why Avowed’s more compact approach is not just intentional, but beneficial for both storytelling and gameplay.

Why Avowed Isn’t Open-World

Obsidian Entertainment, known for The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity, made it clear that Avowed’s semi-open-world structure is designed to deliver a tightly crafted RPG experience. According to the developers:

1. Focused Storytelling: By narrowing the scope, the team can deliver a deeper, more intricate narrative. Instead of sprawling, empty landscapes, Avowed promises handcrafted locations rich with lore, characters, and meaningful quests.
   

   “We want every area to feel alive and purposeful, not just filler to make the world feel big,” one developer explained.

2. Player Agency: While the world won’t be fully open, players will still have freedom to explore interconnected hubs and make impactful choices. This balance ensures exploration remains rewarding without overwhelming the player.
3. Streamlined Development: Avoiding a massive open-world allows Obsidian to focus on quality over quantity, refining mechanics, environments, and storytelling elements without the burden of creating vast, empty spaces.

What Does Semi-Open-World Mean?

Instead of a continuous open map, Avowed will feature large, interconnected regions similar to those in The Outer Worlds. Each area is designed to offer a sense of discovery, but with clear boundaries that support a more curated experience.

• Dense Locations: Players can expect richly detailed areas filled with secrets, NPCs, and lore, rather than sprawling but empty environments.
• Dynamic Exploration: While exploration is encouraged, regions will be designed to guide players naturally through the story without sacrificing freedom.
• Replayability: This structure allows for diverse playthroughs, as choices and paths taken can significantly impact the experience in smaller, more controlled areas.