My fascination with tabletop role-playing games, particularly Dungeons and Dragons, runs deep—a fact evident from my overflowing bookshelf of monster manuals and adventure modules. This passion naturally extends to video game RPGs, with titles like Dragon Age, Baldur’s Gate 3, Neverwinter Nights, and of course, Pathfinder, holding prominent spots on my ‘most-played’ list. However, Owlcat Games, the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed Wrath of the Righteous and Kingmaker, have recently shifted their creative energies to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. With the successful launch of Rogue Trader in 2023 and the upcoming Dark Heresy on the horizon, I was curious: would the studio ever consider returning to the beloved Pathfinder series? I posed this very question to executive producer Anatoly Shestov.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Owlcat’s most recent fantasy epic, was released in 2021 to widespread critical acclaim, earning an 83 on Metacritic and holding an 82% positive rating on Steam. Following this success, the studio embarked on a new direction, immersing itself in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While Rogue Trader faced initial challenges, it rapidly evolved into one of my personal favorite RPGs. Currently, Owlcat is dedicating its efforts to Dark Heresy, another grimdark RPG, and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, set in Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck’s captivating sci-fi world.
Given the immense success of Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s clear that Dungeons and Dragons-inspired games and CRPGs are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This seemed like an opportune moment for a Pathfinder revival, so I pressed Shestov on whether Owlcat would ever entertain such a possibility.
Shestov expressed immense pride in their work on Pathfinder. He revealed that internally, many creative minds within the studio would gladly return to the series, whether to expand existing storylines or delve into new lore. However, he emphasized that the decision for their next project is fundamentally driven by passion. ‘This time,’ he explained, ‘the enthusiasm for Dark Heresy significantly outweighed any other passion within our studio.’ Looking ahead, he anticipates intense internal debates about what comes after Dark Heresy. ‘There will be some pretty heated discussions—some truly crazy arguments!’ he said with a laugh. ‘There will be stubborn individuals passionately fighting to influence the decision, and some of them will be working incredibly hard to steer the studio back towards Pathfinder.’ He concluded with a wry smile, ‘I won’t promise anything, but do we consider a new Pathfinder game? Yes, we consider every good option, and this is undoubtedly one of the best.’ It’s hard not to feel a glimmer of hope at such an answer, isn’t it?
For those craving fantastical adventures, many excellent fantasy games await. Alternatively, if the gritty, war-torn universe of the 41st Millennium holds your interest, explore a range of compelling space games, some of which offer a slightly less grim experience than your typical Warhammer 40,000 journey.
Would you be excited for a new Pathfinder game? What kind of story would you hope it tells? Share your thoughts!