The Outer Worlds 2's Boldest Potential Release Date Could…

Summary

The upcoming Xbox Games Showcase Direct on June 8 will reveal new details about The Outer Worlds 2 and possibly its release date.
The Outer Worlds 2 has been anticipated since 2021 and is expected to deliver on new gameplay mechanics and narrative components.
Obsidian could consider surprising fans by shadow dropping The Outer Worlds 2 in a player-friendly move like Oblivion Remastered to similarly good reception.

First announced in 2021, Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds 2 is on track to release sometime in 2025. The sequel to the developer's satirical sci-fi FPS RPG from 2019, the follow-up is set to expand on the world, characters, and gameplay in some major ways. Obsidian itself has been on something of a roll, as it also released its highly-awaited fantasy adventure, Avowed, earlier in February, making The Outer Worlds 2 the second of two releases from a widely popular AAA studio in the same year, something that doesn't often occur.

The next big news and updates about The Outer Worlds 2 will be coming during the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase, set to be followed immediately by a new Direct presentation for TOW2. While many are hoping that it nails down a firm release date at the event, there's actually a chance for Obsidian to take it one step further by following the lead of another recent major first-party Xbox release: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered being shadow dropped.

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By J. Scott Thurlow

The Outer Worlds 2 Could Follow in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered's Footsteps With its Release Strategy

Oblivion Remastered's Shadow Drop Was One of the Best and Most Welcome Surprises of the Year So Far

While it was no secret beforehand that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered technically existed, with the project having come to light as a consequence of the legal proceedings that Microsoft was involved in with the FCC a few years earlier, the timing of its official reveal and immediate shadow drop was a hugely pleasant surprise. After much speculation during the lead-up to Bethesda Game Studio's presentation on April 22, the studio delighted fans by casually ending the showcase with the reveal that Oblivion Remastered was available at that very moment. It was perhaps an expected decision, but embraced by audiences as a player-friendly one.

Obsidian Shadow Dropping The Outer Worlds 2 Right After its Direct Like Oblivion Remastered Would Be Another Winning Move

While it may not have the same weight and nostalgic history behind it as TES 4: Oblivion, The Outer Worlds 2 still has some big expectations to live up to and is one of 2025's most highly-anticipated games. The first title was generally well-liked, and is currently rated Very Positive overall on Steam, with an 83 critic average on OpenCritic. But it was noted that there were some spots with room for improvement. The forthcoming showcase on June 8 will likely delve more into these aspects, showing off expected items like The Outer Worlds 2's new stealth mechanics, locations, skill trees, and other designs.

The annual Summer Games Fest hosted by Geoff Keighley is also scheduled to take place just two days before the Xbox Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, on June 6.

All of this will no doubt be welcomed by fans, but if Obsidian decided to ride the same wave as BGS did with Oblivion Remastered, and stealth release The Outer Worlds 2 to close off the event, it could make for great fuel for the fire to keep Xbox Game Pass' hot streak going strong into the Summer. Obsidian potentially delivering the title much sooner than expected, in a similar manner to Oblivion Remastered, would surely garner the same goodwill. It would also fill the usually quieter time of the year with one of the biggest games that has been on the horizon for a few years.

One other interesting note is that, despite Obsidian being acquired by Microsoft in 2018, and most of its titles having been day one concurrently on Game Pass, The Outer Worlds 2 will also be launching on PS5. This speaks to Microsoft's evolving release strategy for its first-party games, and it's at least something to keep in mind for how it might be considering its plans for TOW2. While obviously nothing suggests at this time it is planning a shadow drop, the studio pulling the same move for it as Oblivion Remastered would be an excellent way to please fans and bring a lot of positive attention to ensure it makes the most out of its launch.