Avowed: Senior Narrative Designer Discusses Game-Changing Choices and Consequences

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Known for critically praised titles such as Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Outer Worlds, developer Obsidian Entertainment has earned a name for crafting rich RPGs with significant decisions and player autonomy. Their upcoming game, Avowed, is nearly here, promising to uphold this tradition. This fantasy RPG places players as an Aedyr Empire Envoy, tasked with probing into a disease called Dreamscourge.

Game Rant recently spoke with senior narrative designer Kate Dollarhyde from Avowed to emphasize the significance of player choice and outcomes within the game. Offering players a multitude of dialogue and construction choices that shape the storyline’s direction is an idea that sits high on Obsidian’s agenda. Their dedication to empowering players is evident in Avowed from the very beginning.

Avowed Will Feature Several Game-Changing Choices for Players to Make

In the eyes of many gamers, role-playing games (RPGs) thrive or falter based on the degree of player autonomy they provide. However, it’s not uncommon for games within this genre to offer what seems like freedom through multiple choices during conversations and crucial story segments. Unfortunately, these decisions often prove insignificant by the game’s end, barely influencing the overall narrative. Titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and to some extent Detroit: Become Human, belong to this category, even though they each have their individual merits.

In terms of “Avowed”, Obsidian aimed to carry forward the similar style as the “Pillars of Eternity” series, both being part of the same universe. The “Pillars of Eternity” games provide players with significant choices that genuinely impact the storyline. Dollarhyde emphasized that player choice is a fundamental aspect in every Obsidian game. In other words, player decisions are always pivotal to the stories told by Obsidian.

”In line with the legacy of decision-making and consequence that defines the Pillars of Eternity series and all RPGs by Obsidian Entertainment, Avowed emphasizes player choice. Our games are built around this principle, and it’s central to the development of Avowed. If we, the team at Obsidian, were to select a single guiding value as game designers, it would undoubtedly be the importance we place on player choice.”

Some Choices in Avowed Will Have Bigger Consequences Than Others

In the expansive world of Avowed, it’s logical to anticipate a multitude of choices to be presented, some having greater impact than others. Dollarhyde clarified, “There are more nuanced choices than there are grand ones, but the player will encounter numerous decisions throughout the game, and classifying them can sometimes prove tricky!” This suggests that players should prepare for a variety of choices, from minor dialogue options with characters to significant, possibly game-altering decisions. Dollarhyde elaborated:

In the process of creating the primary and secondary missions for Avowed, we focused more on the effects, the magnitude of responsiveness rather than the quantity of options. We asked ourselves questions like: What does this quest alter immediately? Short-term? Medium-term? Long-term? Does a choice made early in the quest affect what the player can do later? Does it influence where the character who gave them the quest ends up? Is it connected to the main quest or resurface at the end of the game in some way? Some seemingly insignificant choices will have a significant impact. Small decisions accumulate over time, and these choices affect the options you have in the end.

Avowed’s Party Members Will Also Play a Part in Decision-Making

For enthusiasts of classic RPG games or fans of Obsidian Entertainment specifically, Dollarhyde’s statements may strike a chord. The freedom to engage with NPCs and quests according to one’s own preference could be a significant selling point for these fans, especially those who appreciate deviating from the conventional ‘good’ playthrough and instead exploring the darker aspects of the game’s universe. Games such as Dark Souls, for instance, offer players the opportunity to eliminate crucial NPCs permanently, altering the game world and limiting the player’s potential to obtain specific items or abilities. This unique mechanic often appeals strongly to many gamers.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the characters I’ll be teaming up with in Avowed will significantly influence my choices throughout the game. There’ll be several comrades who’ll tag along on my quest, and they won’t hesitate to voice their opinions about the decisions I make. Dollarhyde clarified this point further:

The companions of the Envoys originate from the Vital Realms, and they hold strong ties and obligations towards the diverse communities they represent. Consequently, they all have a personal stake in the Envoys’ actions while they are within the Vital Realms. They are engaged in the Envoys’ decisions. In other words, they have significant input, whether it’s during the decision-making process or later on, when they discuss things around the campfire. They are keen to understand the Envoys’ reasons for making certain choices and are eager to express their own perspectives – some more forcefully than others!

During the creation process of ‘Avowed’, the ‘Pillars of Eternity’ games served as significant sources of inspiration. To put it another way, when we started working on ‘Avowed’, the ‘Pillars’ series was our main point of reference. Owyn Dollarhyde, who is part of the team, stated that the ‘Pillars’ games were our starting point for designing ‘Avowed’. He also mentioned that they aimed to place the protagonist, the Envoy, in as challenging scenarios as they had placed the Watcher in the ‘Pillars’ series. Regardless of whether players are familiar with the ‘Pillars’ series or not, ‘Avowed’ is looking like a game that should be on everyone’s must-play list for 2025.

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2025-02-10 19:06