Why Avowed’s Delay Isn’t About Quality, Says Xbox’s Phil Spencer

Microsoft recently clarified that Avowed’s delay to February 2025 wasn’t due to quality issues with Obsidian’s much-anticipated RPG. Initially expected this year, the release was pushed back to give players some room to tackle their growing game backlogs, especially with a packed Xbox lineup already on deck for late 2024.

In an interview with Game File, Xbox head Phil Spencer delved into the reasons behind the delay, explaining it wasn’t because Obsidian “needed the time,” though they’d certainly make use of it. Instead, the choice came down to pacing Xbox’s upcoming releases strategically to avoid overwhelming fans. Spencer explained,

“We can afford it when we have the Diablo expansion, then Black Ops, then Indy [and the Great Circle]. We didn’t move it because Obsidian needed the time. They’ll use the time.”

He added that Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty and the Game Pass team were involved in scheduling Avowed’s new release date, aiming to create a better rhythm for players and avoid crowding the calendar.

Avowed, which was first announced in July 2020, is set in Eora, the same world as Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity series, and promises a first-person fantasy adventure with the choice-heavy narrative style of The Outer Worlds. According to director Carrie Patel, players can expect a game with over 10 unique endings, allowing for a highly personalized experience.