The Outer Worlds 2 Narrative Designer is “Really Happy” That Players Can Miss Story and Characters

by

As the release of The Outer Worlds 2 approaches, narrative designer Joe Fielder explained the reasoning behind Obsidian Entertainment’s design choices. In a PCGamer interview, Fielder stated that the game intentionally features a branching story where players won’t be able to experience every character and story path in a single playthrough – it’s a core part of the game’s design.

The game’s central feature is how characters and the story change based on player actions, explained Fielder. A key goal during development was to let players fully embody their characters and have their choices genuinely matter within the game.

From the beginning, our three directors have emphasized creating a game that adapts to the player’s choices, explained Fielder. When I work on the story for The Outer Worlds 2, I don’t focus on telling my own story. Instead, I’m creating opportunities for you, the player, to roleplay the character you’ve created and make your own decisions.

Fielder explained that players have a lot of freedom in shaping their characters through perks and optional flaws. He noted this can lead to unexpected outcomes, like humorous dialogue, access to new locations, unusual alliances, or unique quests they wouldn’t normally encounter.

Leonard Boyarsky, the creative director, emphasized that a key goal for The Outer Worlds 2 was to create experiences unique to each player. This meant including characters and locations that could only be discovered by those who played in specific ways or developed their characters in particular styles.

According to creative director Leonard Boyarsky, the game is designed with hidden areas and details that players will only discover through specific actions and choices. This focus on rewarding exploration really enhances the experience. I personally found the most enjoyable moments came from uncovering these secrets or using my character’s abilities in unique ways, which is why I prioritized developing my observation skill. These discoveries are like little rewards for curious players.

Obsidian Entertainment’s Ferlas Fielder shared that he was pleased the team could include content in The Outer Worlds 2 that players might not discover on their first playthrough. He explained that this approach would enhance the game’s replay value, especially considering the reactions of newer developers to the idea.

Recently, a new team member pointed out a concern: players might overlook an important option, potentially missing out on a great character and a lot of dialogue. According to Fielder, this actually makes the team happy, as it encourages replayability. The goal is to create a game where each playthrough offers a unique experience, and players can make different choices to discover new content.

Read More

2025-10-29 18:13