10 Years Ago, Pillars of Eternity Began New Era for Obsidian Entertainment

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of “Pillars of Eternity”, which was unveiled on March 26, 2015. Conceived as a modern spiritual successor to acclaimed CRPGs like “Baldur’s Gate” and “Planescape: Torment”, the origins of “Pillars of Eternity” are deeply rooted in the philosophy and design ethos of developer Obsidian Entertainment. Despite having already established a strong reputation, particularly within the RPG community, with games such as “Fallout 2”, “Icewind Dale”, and “Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords”, the road to the announcement, development, and launch of “PoE” was more challenging for the studio.

Before the birth of Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian was facing closure. With limited options, they opted to crowdsource the project through Kickstarter. This represented a significant risk given that it was a new fantasy IP primarily funded by fans, but it also offered a potential way forward for the developer. As Game Director Josh Sawyer later remarked, “We thought, if someone isn’t going to Kickstart an isometric 2D game with 3D characters, real-time with pause, fantasy role-playing game, then we might just miss out on a golden opportunity.” Fortunately, Pillars of Eternity prospered, enabling Obsidian to stabilize and establish itself in its current strong position.

10 Years Ago, Pillars of Eternity Put Obsidian Entertainment Back on the Map

Pillars of Eternity Was a Bold Move That Paid Off in Spaces for Obsidian

For several years, Obsidian Entertainment’s major shareholders and collaborators were grappling with financial troubles and other challenges. This predicament left the studio in a difficult position, compounded by additional issues. However, the developers were brainstorming potential solutions, one of which would ultimately serve as the basis for Pillars of Eternity. Faced with some apprehension, they chose to proceed with the project and test fan enthusiasm through crowdfunding, initiating the campaign on September 14, 2012.

The game “Pillars of Eternity” was successfully crowdfunded via Kickstarter. It surpassed its initial 1 million dollar budget target within a day, eventually closing the campaign with nearly 4 million dollars raised, making it the highest-funded video game on Kickstarter at that moment. With funds securely in place, Obsidian Entertainment found a publishing partner in Paradox Interactive, ensuring the studio’s survival and allowing them to concentrate on developing an engaging gaming experience within their specialized field.

The board game adaptation titled “Pillars of Eternity: Lords of the Eastern Reach,” jointly developed by Zero Radius Games and Obsidian, was unveiled soon after the initial release of Pillars of Eternity on May 19, 2015. Remarkably, it surpassed its Kickstarter target in just a single day.

How Pillars of Eternity Paved the Road to Obsidian’s Resurgence

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over the success of Pillars of Eternity. Released to widespread acclaim, it boasts an impressive Top Critic Average of 89 and Player Rating of 80 on OpenCritic. The game’s success paved the way for a sequel in 2018, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, which managed to surpass its predecessor’s impressive fundraising figures. Fast forward to late 2018, Obsidian Entertainment found itself under the wing of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios. This strategic move has seen Obsidian churn out a series of noteworthy releases since Pillars of Eternity, all under the supportive umbrella of Microsoft.

  • The Outer Worlds (2019)
  • Pentiment (2022)
  • Grounded (2022)
  • Avowed (2025)

It has been pointed out that someone is planning to launch an isometric 2D background featuring 3D characters, with real-time play and pause options for a role-playing fantasy game. If we fail to act on this, we risk letting a fantastic opportunity slip through our fingers.

-Josh Sawyer, Pillars of Eternity Game Director

The game “Pillars of Eternity” significantly turned around Obsidian’s situation, moving them out from a vulnerable position they found themselves in, largely not due to any mistakes on their part. This series introduced the world of Eora, and the newest installment in the franchise, “Avowed“, which was released in February, has received positive sales and reviews. The studio is also planning to launch “The Outer Worlds 2” later this year.

Ten years ago, the initial Pillars of Eternity title served as a significant milestone and turning point for Obsidian. By boldly venturing with a strategic risk, Pillars of Eternity enabled Obsidian to rebuild its reputation and consistently produce high-quality games since then. Consequently, the studio’s future has never looked more promising.

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2025-03-26 13:27