History of The Outer Worlds 2 in Timeline

The Outer Worlds 2, slated for a 2025 release, is an action RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. As a sequel to The Outer Worlds (2019), the game is set in the Arcadia star system, a colony ruled by megacorporations. Players control an Earth Directorate Agent, investigating the cause of reality-altering rifts that threaten the colony amidst a factional war. The game promises a new storyline and setting within the established universe.

1901: Alternate Timeline Divergence

In 1901, the timeline of The Outer Worlds diverged from our own when U.S. President William McKinley was not assassinated, leading to a hyper-corporate society in the distant future.

1997: Fallout Production Notes

Tim Cain recalled production notes from creating the original Fallout in 1997 and assisted staff in identifying "pitfalls" in the game's overall quality for The Outer Worlds 2.

November 2018: Obsidian Entertainment Acquired by Microsoft

In November 2018, Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment, integrating it as a first-party developer for Xbox Game Studios.

September 2019: Sequel Enters Development

In September 2019, two months before the launch of The Outer Worlds, development on its sequel had already begun.

2019: The Outer Worlds 2 Development Started

Following the release of the first game in 2019, development began on The Outer Worlds 2.

2019: The Outer Worlds Released

In 2019, The Outer Worlds, the first game in the series, was released, which is a standalone sequel set in the Arcadia star system.

2020: Tim Cain Leaves Obsidian

In 2020, Tim Cain, The Outer Worlds director, left Obsidian and considered himself retired from the games industry.

May 2021: Microsoft Acquires Publishing Duties

By May 2021, Microsoft had acquired all publishing duties for "future iterations" of The Outer Worlds from Private Division.

2021: The Outer Worlds 2 Announced

The Outer Worlds 2 was announced at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase during E3 2021, slated for release on Windows and Xbox Series X/S as a console-exclusive. The game had just entered full production and the announcement trailer broke the fourth wall.

January 2024: Tim Cain Remains Creative Consultant

In January 2024, Tim Cain revealed he remained attached to The Outer Worlds 2 as a creative consultant, praising the team's solution to a problem he had struggled with in previous titles.

August 2024: Production Update

In August 2024, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart provided an update on The Outer Worlds 2, saying it "is looking incredible" despite conflicts with the game's planned production timeline.

December 2024: Full Trailer Unveiled at TGA

In December 2024, a full trailer unveiling gameplay and story details was presented at The Game Awards (TGA), confirming a 2025 launch window and a simultaneous multiplatform release including PlayStation 5.

June 8, 2025: Special Direct Presentation Aired

On June 8, 2025, a special Direct presentation about The Outer Worlds 2 aired immediately following the Xbox Games Showcase.

July 23, 2025: Price Adjustment Announced

On July 23, 2025, it was announced via the official Outer Worlds Twitter/X account that The Outer Worlds 2 would cost $69.99 USD instead of the originally planned $79.99 USD.

October 29, 2025: The Outer Worlds 2 Release Date

On October 29, 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is scheduled to be released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.

2025: The Outer Worlds 2 Release

In 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 is set to be released, where players will control an Earth Directorate Agent to uncover the source of emerging rifts that threaten to destroy the colony amidst a factional war.