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Obsidian has outlined major 2026 update plans for Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2, with new features, DLC, and long-term support confirmed.
Obsidian is starting to look like one of the best purchases Xbox has ever made, with a run of releases that has been consistently strong. In 2025 alone, the studio has delivered not one, not two, but three genuinely great games.
It kicked the year off with Avowed, a game I am literally downloading as I write this. That was followed by Grounded 2, an Early Access sequel that builds confidently on everything that made the original special.
Avowed in 2026
Avowed
(Image credit: Windows Central)
Avowed launched in February 2025 and landed respectable reviews across the board, including a 4/5 here on Windows Central. It marked a strong start to the year for Obsidian and set expectations high for post-launch support.
Originally, Avowed was expected to receive an update at the end of this year. That update has since been pushed into 2026, where it will now arrive as a larger Anniversary update.
When it lands, fans can expect features like New Game Plus, a Photo Mode, a new Quarterstaff weapon, and more. It is a meaningful upgrade, especially for players looking for reasons to revisit the game.
I am genuinely torn on whether to finish my download now or hold off until that update arrives next year. Either way, there is some genuinely exciting stuff on the horizon here, with New Game Plus standing out in particular.
Grounded 2 in 2026
Promotional screenshot of players fighting a scorpion in Grounded 2
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
While still in Early Access, Grounded 2 is off to a stellar start and already feels bigger and better than its predecessor. The foundation is strong, and player reception so far has been largely positive.
Community feedback is central to how Obsidian is shaping Grounded 2, with the studio actively readjusting its plans based on player response. In particular, builders have been less impressed with the current offering, prompting Obsidian to accelerate its plans to improve building systems in the game.
Looking ahead, players can expect a community garden to be added to the park early next year as part of the Winter Update. A mid-sized update will follow that in Spring, and if all goes to plan, a major update is currently targeted for Summer, with more content planned beyond that.
Obsidian has also confirmed there is plenty more on the way, including new environments to explore, more buggies, additional armor and equipment, and even more mysteries to uncover as development continues.
The Outer Worlds 2 in 2026
The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian’s biggest release this year, expanding on everything the original game set out to do in a much bigger and more spectacular way. It is the studio’s most ambitious project of 2025, and the reception so far reflects that step up.
Compared to Avowed and Grounded 2, Obsidian is being more reserved about what is coming next for The Outer Worlds 2. What it has confirmed is that a couple of DLCs are currently in development for 2026, alongside ongoing improvements to the core experience.
While details remain limited, Obsidian has teased that it has no shortage of ideas. Those plans include new features and long-requested quality-of-life improvements, suggesting there is plenty more to come even if specifics are being kept under wraps for now.
Exciting times ahead for Obsidian
It is great to see that, despite having three games on the go, Obsidian is as committed as ever to providing updates and ensuring that fans have the best experience possible.
Now, I think that my Avowed download is done, so I’ll treat myself and see just what I’ve been missing out on. Which of these games are you most excited to dive back into — fantasy RPG, backyard survival, or sci‑fi adventure? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know where your hype is strongest.
Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.
Posted Friday 19 December 2025 at 12:21 pm AEST (my time).
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