Pillars of Eternity lives on
Obsidian Entertainment released Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire in May 2018, and it hasn’t given any news of another sequel to the Pillars series ever since. Now, studio design director Josh Sawyer said he would love to develop Pillars of Eternity 3 — under the condition the game receives the same budget as Baldur’s Gate 3. In a video interview with Touch Arcade about the anniversary of Pentiment, Sawyer said that, while he loved the first two Pillars games, he would love to make Pillars 3 if there weren’t any time or budget constraints.
A Matter of Budget
Sawyer clearly has a vision for the potential Pillars 3, but he emphasizes that it wouldn’t be possible without a budget comparable to Baldur’s Gate 3‘s. This is a significant ask, as Deadfire‘s budget was considerably lower. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire was funded through a crowdfunding campaign Obsidian launched on Fig in 2017 with the goal of raising $1.1 million. The goal was met in under 23 hours, with the funds further raised to $4.4 million by the end of the campaign. Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios, on the other hand, had a budget of $100 million, which is the same amount as any major Hollywood movie.
The Power of Turn-Based
Sawyer also revealed that he’d incorporate a turn-based combat structure in Pillars 3. This decision is likely driven by the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, which has proven that turn-based PC RPGs can find a mass audience. This shift in combat mechanics would be a significant departure from the real-time with pause system used in the previous Pillars games, but could potentially attract a wider audience. It’s a strategic decision that could make Pillars 3 more accessible while still maintaining the series’ core identity.
Looking Back at the Legacy
Both the original Pillars of Eternity games were adored by fans, but the sequel in particular struggled on the sales charts. The universe lives on in Avowed, though, which is slated to release sometime in 2024. It’s not quite an isometric RPG, but it’ll do for now. Avowed, while not a direct sequel, will be set in the same world and feature the same lore and mechanics. Avowed will build upon the world created by the Pillars series and offer players a new and exciting experience in the world of Eora.
The Future is Uncertain
While Sawyer’s enthusiasm for Pillars 3 is evident, it remains to be seen if the project will ever materialize. The significant budget requirement is a major hurdle, and Obsidian Entertainment has other projects in development. However, with the growing popularity of turn-based RPGs and the enduring love for the Pillars of Eternity series, there’s still a chance that we might see a third installment in the franchise in the future.
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