Obsidian Director Blasts People ‘Running Their Mouths’ About How the Studio Has Changed Following Xbox Layoffs
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler has publicly defended the studio on social media, pushing back against speculation about how the company has changed following recent Xbox layoffs. In a LinkedIn post, Adler criticized what he called “cold take artists” who are “running their mouths” about the studio’s direction and culture, expressing frustration with external commentary that he views as uninformed.
Adler, who directs The Outer Worlds 2 and oversees a new unannounced project at Obsidian, acknowledged that the week has been “extremely difficult” for the team. He noted that he spent time saying goodbye to colleagues affected by the layoffs. Despite acknowledging these departures, his public statement suggested that external speculation does not reflect the actual reality on the ground at Obsidian.
The remarks come amid broader industry layoffs affecting Microsoft’s gaming division, which have impacted both Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment. While the full extent of Obsidian’s layoffs was not detailed in Adler’s available statement, his public defense of the studio indicates that significant departures have occurred.