Obsidian's Avowed Director Joins Netflix's Night School Studio After 13 Years

Carrie Patel, former director of Avowed, has left Obsidian Entertainment, a renowned RPG developer, shortly after the release of their latest title.

In a recent LinkedIn update, Patel announced her new role at Night School, the Netflix-owned studio known for the Oxenfree narrative adventure series.

"I'm thrilled to share that I've joined Night School: A Netflix Game Studio as Game Director!" Patel posted. She will continue as a game director at Night School, though details about her current project remain undisclosed.

Night School is best known for its Oxenfree series, with the latest release, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, launched in 2023. The Netflix-owned studio also debuted Thronglets, a Black Mirror spin-off, earlier this year, coinciding with an undisclosed number of layoffs. Previously, Netflix shuttered another studio working on a AAA project led by Halo veteran Joseph Staten.

Patel, a long-time veteran at Obsidian, contributed to major titles like The Outer Worlds and the Pillars of Eternity series over her 11-year tenure, holding various senior roles.

More recently, Patel led the direction of Avowed after a significant overhaul during its development. Initially envisioned with a darker fantasy aesthetic similar to The Elder Scrolls, featuring a single expansive open world and multiplayer co-op, the game evolved under her guidance.

Patel ultimately shaped Avowed into a vibrant, distinctive single-player experience with multiple expansive maps for exploration.

Avowed - Xbox Developer Direct Screenshots

Avowed received largely positive feedback, with Patel initially outlining plans for its future, including potential expansions or a sequel. However, she will not be involved in these endeavors moving forward.

Last week, Obsidian revealed a development roadmap for Avowed, detailing minor free updates over the next six months, including a Photo Mode and New Game Plus feature.

"With exceptional worldbuilding and compelling character writing, Avowed captures why I adore Obsidian's RPGs," IGN's review noted. "Yet, it remains a conventional fantasy adventure, familiar rather than groundbreaking."

Obsidian's next title, The Outer Worlds 2, is set to be showcased in detail at this year's Xbox Games Showcase in June.