Oh the tangled webs we weave...
Obsidian Entertainment has really stepped in it these days... Known for hits like The Outer Worlds and (now infamous for) their upcoming Avowed, they're facing significant backlash after their former co-owner and Creative Director, Chris Avellone, has now publicly called for legal action against the company over alleging some discriminatory hiring practices. This comes amidst discovering some troubling behavior by a current director, Matt Hansen - suggesting that the studio may be headed for a SERIOUS legal (and potentially even harder hit reputational) disaster.
A Whistleblower’s Warning
Previously, I covered how a former Obsidian employee came forward and reached out to me directly as a whistleblower, sharing just how far the company had fallen under Microsoft’s ownership:
Once celebrated as a creative haven for developers, Obsidian has now become mired in corporate politics, DEI-driven hiring policies, and a hostile/toxic work environment for anyone who doesn’t align with its increasingly divisive ideology. My report highlighted the internal struggles within Obsidian's walls and just how Microsoft’s oversight exacerbated the issues. Seeing what happened next... proves exactly what the whistleblower’s warnings were - and how on point it really was.
"Crusty Old White Dudes" and Hiring Bias
The current storm centers around Obsidian Art Director Matt Hansen, whose inflammatory statement on X (formerly Twitter) blew up social media as of late:
Hansen openly stated his goal to “remove crusty old white dudes” from the video game industry, a sentiment he doubled down on by specifically offering priority access to black artists seeking jobs or advice...
This sentiment was retweeted by his coworker at Obsidian - Josh Sawyer - another "Director" at Obsidian - this tine, a "Studio Design Director" there. This shows everyone just how deep the rot goes at Obsidian...
Many logically based folks—including Chris Avellone—viewed these comments being shared by Josh Sawyer and Matt Hansen as clear and blatant discrimination. Right out in the open, for all to see. Just wild stuff...
Hansen has openly mocked those who criticized him, including Elon Musk, claiming their objections “would only embolden” him.
His brazen defiance not only reflects EXTREMELY poorly on Hansen... but also raises serious questions about the broader hiring practices at Obsidian. How is this attitude not only allowed to exist in a company, but flourish, is beyond me. Seems like a serious lack of leadership over there.
Avellone Speaks Out
Chris Avellone, a revered figure in the gaming industry, didn’t mince words.
For those unaware of his background in all this, Chris Avellone is a prominent video game writer, and he faced Me Too allegations in 2020 from two deranged women, Karissa Barrows and Kelly Bristol. They accused him of sexual misconduct, leading to his eventual removal from projects and gigantic damage to his career. In 2023, the accusations were conveniently retracted, with both women 'apologizing' and clarifying that their claims were misinterpreted. Avellone received a substantial 7-figure undisclosed settlement and was cleared of any wrongdoing, showing everyone the impact of how unverified allegations on careers and reputations can backfire spectacularly.
But anywho - He took to X to encourage anyone who was rejected from an art position at Obsidian in recent years to consider legal action.
Avellone pointed out that Hansen’s comments might constitute clear evidence of hiring discrimination, particularly for a studio owned by Microsoft, a company subject to intense scrutiny as one of the largest tech giants in the world.
“This has nothing to do with my personal politics, but I believe strongly that hiring discrimination for any reason isn’t something the industry should tolerate” Avellone stated.
He added that the courts should examine Obsidian’s hiring practices, and that the burden of proof would fall on the company to show valid reasons for rejecting candidates.
Potential Legal Fallout
Avellone isn’t alone in his criticism.
Elon Musk chimed in, noting that Hansen’s statements could be interpreted as a confession of illegal behavior, warning, “Won’t end well for him.”
More come forward...
Then we have John Draisey, Game Director at Unity jumping in with:
And he's right—similar hiring practices have already been successfully challenged in court. Companies engaging in these kinds of discriminatory practices, even under the guise of inclusivity, risk massive lawsuits that drain any of their financial resources and tarnish reputations even more.
Microsoft’s Involvement
As the parent company of Obsidian, Microsoft’s liability in this matter can't be overlooked here, either. If legal action moves forward, it exposes Microsoft to significant scrutiny over how it oversees its subsidiaries. This could be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to turning the tide.
The tech giant has often positioned themselves as a leader in "diversity and inclusion", but these accusations of discrimination within one of its studios directly undermine those 'efforts' and create a public relations nightmare.
Obsidian's Troubled Future
Obsidian Entertainment was once a beacon of innovation and creativity in the gaming industry. But no longer is that the case - now, under Microsoft’s management and amidst internal cultural shifts, they're crumbling from within. Hansen’s comments are just the latest example of how the company has alienated not only potential employees in the future - but also its core fanbase and customers RIGHT NOW.
With Avowed on the horizon, this controversy couldn’t come at a worse time. The game's already under heavy scrutiny due to its shift toward obviously appealing to DEI-focused narratives rather than delivering the rich storytelling Obsidian used to be known for. If these legal challenges materialize, they would absolutely further delay projects and cause internal turmoil to spiral further.
Bye Bye, Obsidian...
Obsidian Entertainment finds itself at a crossroads. The fallout from Hansen’s comments, combined with Avellone’s rallying cry for legal accountability has left the company completely exposed. If Obsidian doesn’t take immediate action to address these concerns, they risk not only their reputation - but its future as a major player in the gaming industry.
For now, all eyes are on whether affected individuals will take Avellone’s advice and bring their cases to court. One thing is clear: Obsidian is in deep trouble, and the consequences of its actions are just now beginning... to unfold.
~Smash
I don't know Chris Avellone personally, although we did once share a brain.
For decades I'd been saying that the job of a Gamemaster is not to tell a great story that the Players sit back passively and listen to. Their Job is to create an amazing world that the Players then tell their OWN stories THROUGH.
Imagine my Surprise when I found years later, he'd said almost the exact same thing.
Anyway, one would think that of anyone in the Industry, he would get how dangerous this worldview can be. Even after those two little 'Bunts' said they were 'misinterpreted' (all but admitting to lying), there were actually defenders of theirs who claimed Chris threatened them with Hitmen!
That's…
He has nothing left to protect in the situation so you get the direct honest take, love it.