Avowed’s 2025 Roadmap: A Bold Plan to Revive a Struggling RPG

In the ever-evolving world of gaming, few titles have sparked as much debate in 2025 as Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s ambitious first-person fantasy RPG set in the vibrant world of Eora. Launched on February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, Avowed promised a rich narrative, deep player choice, and immersive combat, building on the legacy of Pillars of Eternity. Yet, despite a strong initial reception and a peak of nearly 20,000 concurrent players on Steam, the game has faced a staggering decline, with reports suggesting that up to 99% of its player base has abandoned it within months. In response, Obsidian has unveiled a comprehensive 2025 content roadmap, packed with fan-requested features like New Game Plus, Photo Mode, and enhanced customization, signaling a desperate yet determined effort to win back its audience. But can these updates turn the tide for a game struggling to maintain its foothold? Let’s dive into the story of Avowed’s rise, fall, and bold plan for redemption.

A Promising Start in the Living Lands

When Avowed hit the market, it was met with high expectations. Obsidian, renowned for critically acclaimed RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, positioned Avowed as a spiritual successor to Pillars of Eternity, offering a first-person perspective in the lush, mysterious Living Lands. The game’s launch was bolstered by its day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass, making it accessible to millions of subscribers at no additional cost. Early reviews praised its engaging companion system, where relationships felt like evolving stories, and its vibrant world-building, with sprawling landscapes and intricate lore. SteamDB reported a peak of 17,171 concurrent players on launch day, and by February 23, 2025, this number climbed to 19,198, reflecting a solid debut.

The game also made waves commercially, hitting the number-one spot on Steam’s US Top Sellers chart and number three globally, driven partly by the $89.99 Premium Edition, which offered four days of early access starting February 14. Estimates suggest Avowed attracted nearly 5.9 million players in its first month, surpassing Xbox’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (4 million players) and cementing its status as one of Xbox’s biggest 2025 releases. This success was remarkable, especially given competition from heavyweights like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Civilization 7. The modding community also embraced Avowed, with players creating quality-of-life mods to enhance immersion, signaling a dedicated fan base eager to shape the game’s future.

The Alarming Player Drop

Despite its promising launch, Avowed’s player retention has been a cause for concern. By May 2025, Steam Charts reported a drastic decline, with concurrent players plummeting to just 478—a 98% drop from its peak of 19,198. While the claim of a 99% player loss may be an exaggeration, the numbers paint a troubling picture. On X, sentiments echoed this decline, with users noting that Avowed failed to sustain engagement, often described as a “Game Pass title you play for a month and never touch again.”

Several factors contributed to this sharp drop. First, Avowed’s availability on Game Pass, while a boon for accessibility, may have diluted its long-term engagement. Many players, lured by the low cost of entry, sampled the game but didn’t commit to its 40–60-hour campaign, especially in a crowded release window alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Monster Hunter Wilds. Second, the game faced criticism for its “generic” world and lackluster story, with some players on Steam forums calling it a “5/10” title that lacked the soul of Obsidian’s earlier works. Complaints about repetitive combat, limited stealth options, and a lack of replayability further eroded its appeal.

Moreover, Avowed struggled to stand out in a genre dominated by titans like The Witcher 3 and Skyrim. On Reddit, users compared it unfavorably to these classics, arguing it felt like a “paint-by-numbers RPG” with no distinct identity beyond its Pillars of Eternity roots, a niche series with limited mainstream appeal. The game’s $69.99 price tag (or $89.99 for the Premium Edition) also drew ire, with players balking at paying full price for a title perceived as mediocre when Game Pass offered it for free. These criticisms, combined with the natural churn of single-player RPGs, where players often move on after completing the story, led to a steep decline in active users.

Obsidian’s Response: The 2025 Roadmap

Recognizing the need to revitalize Avowed, Obsidian has rolled out a series of updates and unveiled a 2025 content roadmap designed to address player feedback and rekindle interest. The roadmap, announced on May 16, 2025, via posts on X by @AvowedtheGame and @klobrille, outlines quarterly updates through the year, with features aimed at enhancing replayability, accessibility, and immersion. Here’s a breakdown of the key additions:

Spring 2025 (Patch 1.4)

The latest update, Patch 1.4, went live on May 16, 2025, introducing several fan-requested features. An arachnophobia mode transforms spiders into floating orbs, making the game more accessible to players with phobias. Mouse and keyboard support was added for Xbox players, improving precision for console users. The fog of war mechanic was tweaked to clear more easily, aiding exploration, while critter loot drops and Soul Pods for dispelling illusions added depth to the world. These changes reflect Obsidian’s commitment to polishing the game based on community input.

Summer 2025

The upcoming summer update promises to tackle some of Avowed’s most criticized aspects. New active and passive abilities, unique weapons, and armor will diversify combat, addressing complaints about repetitive mechanics. Players will also gain the ability to mark locations on the map, a feature sorely missed at launch that hindered exploration. These additions aim to make the Living Lands feel more dynamic and responsive, encouraging players to experiment with new builds and strategies.

Fall 2025

The fall update is the most anticipated, headlined by a New Game Plus mode that allows players to carry over weapons and abilities into a fresh playthrough, enhancing replayability. This is a direct response to players’ frustration with the endgame, where the lack of post-story content left completionists with little to do. A Photo Mode will let players capture the game’s stunning visuals, from towering mountains to ancient ruins, while new character presets and the ability to change appearance mid-game will deepen customization. A new weapon type is also slated, promising fresh combat dynamics.

Ongoing Localization

Obsidian is also working on French, Korean, and Japanese translations to broaden the game’s global appeal, though no specific timeline has been provided.

Can the Roadmap Save Avowed?

The 2025 roadmap is a bold step, but its success hinges on execution and player reception. The New Game Plus mode is a significant draw, as it addresses the core issue of replayability, a critical factor for RPGs. By allowing players to explore multiple endings and wield late-game weapons from the start, Obsidian is giving fans a reason to return. Photo Mode and enhanced customization options cater to the community’s desire for creative expression, while combat and exploration tweaks aim to fix the “generic” feel that turned some players away.

However, challenges remain. The roadmap doesn’t mention a story DLC or expansion, which director Carrie Patel has expressed interest in but hasn’t confirmed. Without new narrative content, Avowed may struggle to compete with expansive RPGs like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which boasted a peak of 89,418 Steam players. Additionally, the game’s reputation as a “flop” on platforms like Reddit and Steam forums could deter new players, even with discounts expected to drop the price to $24.99 within months.

Obsidian’s track record offers hope. The studio has a history of turning around troubled launches, as seen with The Outer Worlds, which grew into a beloved franchise through updates and DLC. Microsoft’s faith in Obsidian, evidenced by their simultaneous development of The Outer Worlds 2, suggests Avowed will receive ongoing support. If the roadmap delivers on its promises and word-of-mouth improves, Avowed could follow a similar redemption arc.

The Bigger Picture

Avowed’s struggles reflect broader trends in the gaming industry. The Game Pass model, while revolutionary, can undermine player commitment, as subscribers jump between titles without fully engaging. The high cost of AAA development—Avowed reportedly had an $80 million budget—also raises expectations, making even solid performers seem like failures if they don’t hit blockbuster numbers. Yet, with nearly 6 million players in its first month, Avowed isn’t a total washout. Its challenge now is to convert casual players into dedicated fans.

Looking Ahead

As Obsidian rolls out its 2025 updates, Avowed stands at a crossroads. The roadmap’s focus on replayability, accessibility, and player-driven improvements shows a studio listening to its community. Whether these changes can reverse the 99% player drop remains to be seen, but the Living Lands still hold untapped potential. For fans of Obsidian’s storytelling and RPG enthusiasts craving a fresh adventure, Avowed’s future updates could be the spark that reignites its flame. Keep an eye on the Living Lands—this RPG’s story is far from over.