Bilawal Bashir 
A new report indicates that Xbox might have delayed Avowed to 2025 to make more room for another open-world RPG on the release calendar.
Microsoft has a jam-packed holiday season planned for Xbox Game Pass this fall. With big hitters like Black Ops 6 hitting the service on day one, fans will also have their hands full. The company is also set on releasing highly anticipated first-person post-apocalyptic RPG Stalker 2 in the fall.
Avowed has yet to set an official release date, even though the developers have hinted at a 2024 release. An official Avowed blog post mentioned a November 12 release date for the Obsidian RPG, but that was removed as quickly as it was posted. With no date formally announced, the field is open for Avowed to release next year.
Is Avowed delayed to 2025?
According to Tom Warren of The Verge, Xbox might delay Avowed to early 2025 to give more room to other Game Pass exclusive titles coming this fall.
Tom Warren suggests that with Stalker 2 delayed to November because Xbox feels the Game Pass offerings this fall might be too stacked. With big games releasing close to each other, the chances of the games cannibalizing each other’s success is high. So the delay is meant to give more breathing room to other titles, rather than for additional needed polish.
The game has received less than ideal reception from gamers. While initially announced as a dark fantasy title, the latest gameplay reveals have fans scratching their heads rather than getting excited. Obsidian seems to be taking that feedback in stride and aims to improve the game before its eventual release.
Fall 2024 release schedule is stacked with games
Avowed, if released in November, would compete with Stalker 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Assassin’s Creed Shadow, and potentially Dragon Age: Veilguard.
With Dragon Age: Veilguard set to release later this year, Obsidian might want to avoid another expansive, big-budget fantasy RPG running against it. A new IP going against a well-established series on its fourth installment is likely not a good idea. Another huge Game Pass title based on the Indiana Jones franchise is also set to release this year.
Avowed is a relatively small game, especially compared to titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a smaller, more contained experience that is more akin to Obsidian’s take on space RPGs, The Outer Worlds. Xbox aims to deliver more single-player RPGs to players, with Indiana Jones and Fable releasing soon.
