Obsidian director exits for Oxenfree studio after 13 years

Avowed director Carrie Patel has left Obsidian Entertainment, the renowned RPG studio, months after the launch of their latest title.

Patel updated her LinkedIn profile confirming her move to Netflix-owned Night School Studio, creators of the Oxenfree narrative adventure series.

Patel Joins Night School Studio

"Excited to announce my new role as Game Director at Night School: A Netflix Game Studio!" Patel shared in her LinkedIn update. While her specific project remains undisclosed, she'll resume her directorial position at the narrative-focused developer.

Night School's Recent Projects

Night School gained recognition for the Oxenfree franchise, including last year's Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals. The studio recently released Black Mirror spin-off Tronglets while facing undisclosed staff reductions. Netflix previously shuttered another internal studio working on a major title under Halo veteran Joseph Staten.

An Obsidian Veteran's Legacy

During her 11-year tenure at Obsidian, Patel contributed to acclaimed RPGs including The Outer Worlds and Pillars of Eternity series. She assumed leadership of Avowed following its early development reboot.

Avowed's Transformation

The project evolved significantly under Patel's direction, shifting from its original dark fantasy vision (resembling The Elder Scrolls with multiplayer components) to its final form – a vibrant, single-player adventure with distinct explorable zones.

Avowed - Xbox Developer Direct Screenshots

View 39 Images

Avowed's Reception and Future

The RPG received generally favorable reviews, though our analysis noted: "While showcasing Obsidian's trademark worldbuilding and character writing, Avowed delivers a fairly conventional fantasy experience rather than pushing boundaries."

Obsidian recently outlined post-launch content including Photo Mode and New Game Plus arriving within six months – developments Patel won't oversee following her departure.

The studio's upcoming showcase will feature The Outer Worlds 2 at June's Xbox Games Showcase.