Avowed is Going to Have “Distinct Differences” from The Elder Scrolls

People have understandably been very excited for Avowed since the moment it was announced, and that’s not just because it’s a new game by a studio as supremely talented as Obsidian Entertainment. It essentially looks like the new Elder Scrolls game that we haven’t had in a really long time, and as a first person fantasy RPG (not to mention the fact that Obsidian and Bethesda’s RPGs often have a lot in common from a mechanical perspective), those comparisons are basically impossible to avoid.

But according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, they’re not entirely accurate. Speaking with IGN (transcribed by Wccftech), Spencer said that Avowed is going to be more than just Obsidian’s version of The Elder Scrolls, and that the two properties are going to have some very distinct differences.

“I think the games are very different, so I would maybe struggle to say ‘This is our version of this’, knowing what Feargus [Urquhart, Obsidian CEO] and the team are going to do,” Spencer said. ” But when I think about our lineup, and I think about that more core fantasy RPG setting, I think Avowed is going to be an awesome entrance.”

Spencer went on to briefly talk about how upcoming Xbox fantasy RPGs Avowed, The Elder Scrolls 6, and Fable are all going to be unique from one another.

“Fable has never been that, it’s always been a little more lighthearted and a little more British I think I could say, and I think Playground will keep it there,” he said. “Elder Scrolls 6 is further out and when that comes out I think it’s going to be incredible. Avowed will be a core fantasy based RPG, but there’s going to be some distinct differences from what Elder Scrolls has done traditionally. This one obviously takes place in the Pillars [of Eternity] world.”

And when exactly can we play Avowed? Well, there’s no word on that yet. Spencer says that Microsoft wants to give Obsidian the time and resources it needs to make it the studio’s best game ever.

“Obsidian is such a fantastic studio,” he said. “I think Avowed will be fantastic when it comes out and I want to give them the time and the resources to build the most amazing game they’ve ever built.”

Obsidian Entertainment has previously said that they are looking forward to showcasing Avowed “soon”, but beyond that, there’s very little concrete information out there right now about when to expect the game. Recent reports have suggested that it’s not going to be out until 2023.