Obsidian's Commitment to Game Preservation
In a welcome announcement for fans, Obsidian Entertainment has confirmed that the original survival adventure, Grounded, will continue to be fully supported and playable even after the upcoming release of its sequel. This commitment highlights Obsidian's broader philosophy of ensuring their games remain accessible to players for years to come.
Speaking with Eurogamer, Executive Producer Marcus Morgan stressed the studio's genuine desire to create projects that stand the test of time. "We want our projects to withstand the test of time," Morgan stated, citing Obsidian's dedication to maintaining its older titles. He pointed to a recent patch for Pillars of Eternity, a game now over a decade old, as a prime example of their ongoing support.
The same approach applies to Grounded. The game received an update (version 1.4.7) as recently as April, and the development team intends to keep it operational. Morgan clarified that while new story content and major expansions will be exclusive to Grounded 2, the original game will remain supported with maintenance and updates for as long as players want to experience it.
Why Grounded Will Endure
This pledge from Obsidian comes at a time when many online-focused games face the risk of server shutdowns, rendering them unplayable – a fate recently exemplified by titles like Anthem. However, Grounded is designed differently. Morgan explained that the game utilizes a peer-to-peer (P2P) multiplayer model. This means Grounded does not rely on central dedicated servers to function. Players can even share save files via cloud services, ensuring the game can continue to exist and be played cooperatively even without direct official server support from the developer.
This technical design offers a significant peace of mind for players, guaranteeing that their investment in Grounded will not be nullified by future server closures. It underscores Obsidian's focus on player experience and game longevity, rather than a fleeting online-only model.
Looking Ahead: Grounded 2
While the original Grounded receives continued backing, Obsidian's primary focus for new content and story progression will be Grounded 2. The sequel is set to launch in Early Access on July 29th, transporting players from the familiar backyard setting to a much larger environment: Brookhollow Park. This new adventure promises expanded gameplay mechanics, new biomes to explore, and even player mounts.
The original Grounded is currently available on PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store), Xbox consoles, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, and is also included with Xbox Game Pass. Obsidian's commitment means players can dive into or revisit the acclaimed survival title without fear of it disappearing, cementing its place as a lasting part of their gaming library.
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