Avowed Heading to PlayStation, New Update Announced

Obsidian Entertainment has confirmed that Avowed is making its way to the PlayStation 5. The announcement was made during an interview on the New Game+ Showcase, revealing a release date of February 17, 2026. This date is significant as it marks the game's first anniversary and aligns with the launch of a major update across all platforms.

The upcoming update is packed with content that players have been requesting since the game's initial launch. It introduces a New Game Plus mode, allowing players to restart the adventure with their progress intact. A Photo Mode is also being added for capturing in-game moments. Furthermore, the update expands character creation by adding three new playable races: Aumaua, Orlan, and Dwarves. Players will also gain access to a new weapon type and a feature to change their character's appearance directly in the overworld. For those who already own the game on other platforms, this update will be available for free.

The port to PlayStation is a notable shift in platform availability and reflects a larger trend from Xbox Game Studios. The company has recently released other major titles, such as Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, on PlayStation consoles. This strategy appears to be yielding positive financial results, as reports indicate that six of the top ten best-selling games on PlayStation during one quarter of the previous year were published by Xbox. Company leadership has publicly stated that they view platform exclusivity as 'antiquated,' signaling a continued focus on multi-platform releases.

The decision to launch the PlayStation version of Avowed on February 17 is deliberate, as it coincides with the game's one-year anniversary. To celebrate, developer Obsidian Entertainment is releasing a substantial update for all players, regardless of their platform. This update addresses community feedback by introducing several highly anticipated features that enhance the core gameplay experience.

One of the most significant additions is the New Game Plus mode. This feature allows players who have completed the game to start a new playthrough while retaining their character's level, skills, and equipment. It provides an opportunity to experience the story again with increased difficulty or to explore different choices without starting from scratch. Alongside this, a Photo Mode is being implemented, giving players the tools to pause the game, adjust camera angles, apply filters, and take high-quality screenshots of their journey through the Living Lands.

The update also dramatically expands the options available during character creation. Three new races are being added to the game:

• Aumaua: Large, ocean-dwelling humanoids known for their strength.
• Orlan: Small, cunning humanoids with a reputation for being nimble.
• Dwarves: Stout and hardy people, often associated with resilience and combat prowess.

In addition to these cosmetic and gameplay loop improvements, the update introduces a new weapon type, though the specific type was not detailed in the announcement. A practical quality-of-life feature, the ability to change appearance in the overworld, is also included, removing the need to visit specific locations to alter the character's look. These updates will be free for anyone who already owns Avowed on PC or Xbox.

The arrival of Avowed on PlayStation 5 is not an isolated event but rather the latest step in a strategic pivot by Xbox Game Studios. Over the past year, Microsoft's gaming division has increasingly made its 'first-party' titles available on competing consoles. This list of cross-platform releases continues to grow and includes major franchises that were previously exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem.

Other titles that have made the jump to PlayStation include the popular racing simulator Forza Horizon 5, the action-adventure game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and the first-person shooter Doom: The Dark Ages. Even the iconic Halo franchise has seen titles released on other platforms. This indicates a fundamental shift in how Xbox views the market, moving away from using exclusive games to sell hardware and toward a model that prioritizes software sales and subscription services across as many devices as possible.

Leadership at Xbox has openly discussed this philosophy, stating that they believe consumers find platform exclusivity to be 'antiquated.' The financial data suggests this strategy is proving effective. In one quarter of the last year, reports showed that six of the ten best-selling games on the PlayStation network were published by Xbox. This demonstrates a strong market demand for these titles, regardless of the console they are played on. As hardware prices continue to rise, this approach may allow Xbox to maintain a large player base by focusing on software and services rather than console sales alone.

Avowed originally launched nearly a year ago to a generally positive reception. The game was praised for its immersive world and strong narrative elements. Critics and players alike highlighted the awesome worldbuilding and stellar character writing as standout features, which is consistent with Obsidian's reputation for creating deep, narrative-driven RPGs. The game's setting in the Pillars of Eternity universe provided a rich lore foundation for players to explore.

However, the gameplay was noted for being more conservative in its design. At the time of its release, the game was described as playing it 'quite safe with a by-the-numbers fantasy adventure.' While functional and enjoyable, it did not radically innovate on established first-person RPG mechanics. The game received a score of 7/10 in initial reviews, reflecting a solid experience that delivered on its promises but may not have broken new ground in the genre.

The upcoming anniversary update and the port to PlayStation provide an opportunity for Avowed to reach a new and wider audience. For players on PlayStation who have been waiting for a chance to experience Obsidian's latest RPG, the February 17 release offers the most complete version of the game to date, packed with the features and improvements developed over the past year.