We at NerdLeaks are tracking a fresh pushback from inside Obsidian after a wave of conjecture followed the revelation that the studio is working on an all-new Fallout title. Per Insider Gaming, a director at Obsidian publicly pushed back against what he called widespread misinformation — and we think readers should take those claims with a pinch of salt while remaining cautiously excited.
What Was Reported
According to Insider Gaming, the news that Obsidian is working on a new Fallout game sent fans into celebration, given the studio’s role on Fallout: New Vegas more than 15 years ago. That revelation, combined with reported mass XBOX layoffs and “other bouts of turbulence,” reportedly sparked a torrent of speculation about Obsidian’s recent performance and priorities.
Among the claims allegedly circulating in response were that the studio's stock had faltered over the years and that an Avowed sequel was canceled to make room for the new Fallout project. Insider Gaming says those are precisely the kinds of rumours that pushed a director at the firm to respond publicly.
Claims Being Challenged
In a LinkedIn post quoted by Insider Gaming, Brandon Adler — listed as “Game Director on Unannounced at Obsidian Entertainment” — called out what he described as “cold take artists” and accused many commentators of spreading “an enormous amount of misinformation.” Adler pushed back on the idea that Obsidian “isn’t who they used to be,” and argued the company’s lineage is “pretty clear” across its history.
Adler wrote that while “Is Obsidian the same as it was 20 years ago? No, of course not,” he insisted that “the DNA at Obsidian is the same as it always was.” He specifically tied that DNA to the teams that created KotOR, New Vegas, NWN2, and Stick of Truth. He also highlighted how hearsay finds its way into public discussion — mocking the archetypal “I heard from a buddy who knows someone who works in this office” chain of gossip.
The Source & Credibility
We’re treating this as a developing conversation rather than a closed case. Insider Gaming is the outlet reporting the pushback, and the quoted response came from Brandon Adler on LinkedIn, where he is named as a game director on an unannounced project at Obsidian Entertainment. The piece on Insider Gaming was by Grant Taylor-Hill, identified there as Senior Editor and Esports Lead.
How Much Weight To Give The Claims
- Adler is presented as a director at Obsidian, which lends the rebuttal a degree of internal credibility.
- That said, the LinkedIn remarks — as relayed by Insider Gaming — rebut broad rumours rather than providing documentary evidence about headcount, project cancellations, or corporate finances.
- We therefore recommend readers treat Adler’s statements as an insider’s perspective that challenges the prevailing chatter, but not as definitive proof that every circulating claim is false.
In short: take Adler’s pushback seriously, but take it with a pinch of salt until more concrete details surface.
What It Could Mean
If Adler’s framing is accurate, the immediate implication is that the leadership and creative “DNA” many fans associate with classic Obsidian projects remain influential inside the studio. That would bolster confidence — if true — that Obsidian could handle a high-profile series like Fallout in a way that respects the studio’s legacy.
Adler’s denial of the idea that the studio “isn’t who they used to be” directly challenges narratives suggesting an exodus of core talent or a loss of institutional capability. If we accept his argument, the rumours about a canceled Avowed sequel to prioritize Fallout might be exaggerated or unfounded. However, Adler’s post does not provide specifics on project timelines, staffing lists, or financials — only a forceful repudiation of what he characterizes as “hearsay and conjecture.”
Be mindful that the original revelation that Obsidian is working on a new Fallout title is itself the spark for the rumours; that fact, per Insider Gaming, is what set the chatter in motion. So even if the director’s claims cool the flames, the underlying excitement — and the questions — remain active.
Why This Matters
This matters for several reasons. For players, the prospect of Obsidian handling a new Fallout entry is a high-profile development because of the studio’s association with Fallout: New Vegas. Rumours about canceled projects or a decline in the studio’s capabilities can shape public expectation and investor sentiment, whether they’re accurate or not.
Equally, Adler’s public rebuttal — if true — is a reminder of how quickly offhand comments and corridor gossip can harden into “facts” online. We’re intrigued by Adler’s pushback and cautiously hopeful about what Obsidian might deliver, but we’ll continue to ask for concrete evidence rather than rely solely on rebuttals and counterclaims. For now, we’ll keep following this closely and encourage readers to treat circulating claims with a healthy dose of scepticism.
