Pathfinder Dev Hints at Epic Comeback After Heated Internal Clashes

Owlcat Games is now working on Warhammer 40k stories with Dark Heresy as the main focus but some players wonder if it will bring back Pathfinder in the future.
Pathfinder Dev Hints at Epic Comeback After Heated Internal Clashes
I want to share a story about how much I love role playing games and how they have shaped the way I spend my time and energy. For many years I have been deeply connected to games that are built around imagination and storytelling. My connection to this world began with something very simple. I started listening to a podcast called Not Another DnD Podcast. This podcast became a very important part of my life. I even say that it is the main reason I was able to survive flights that lasted 10 hours or more. While sitting in an airplane seat with nothing to do except wait for the plane to reach its destination I found that the stories and characters of this podcast gave me energy and comfort. They gave me something to think about and something to imagine. Without this podcast the flights would have been boring and painful but with it the time passed quickly.

At home my life also shows the same passion. My partner and I have a bookshelf that is completely full of Dungeons and Dragons books. We have monster manuals that describe hundreds of different creatures. We have adventure modules that contain ready made quests and stories. Every time I look at that shelf I see proof of how deeply I am invested in this world. Some people may call it an unhealthy obsession but for me it is a beautiful part of who I am. I love exploring new characters new adventures and new challenges. It is not just a game for me it is a way to feel free and creative.


Because of this love it is no surprise that games like Dragon Age and Baldurs Gate 3 are at the top of my most played games list. These games are digital versions of the role playing experience. They take the rules and ideas of tabletop games and bring them to the computer screen. Dragon Age gave me unforgettable characters and stories. Baldurs Gate 3 showed me how modern technology can make a tabletop inspired adventure feel alive. Along with these I also played Neverwinter Nights which was one of the earliest computer role playing games based on Dungeons and Dragons rules. I also enjoyed Pathfinder which is another system very close to Dungeons and Dragons but with its own unique ideas and rules. Pathfinder gave me endless hours of adventure and discovery.

One studio that made Pathfinder games even more special is Owlcat. This developer created Pathfinder Kingmaker and Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous. Both of these games were filled with detail and passion. They allowed players to lead parties through dangerous lands make difficult choices and shape the outcome of huge stories. Wrath of the Righteous was released in 2021. The reviews were very good. On Metacritic it earned a score of 83. On Steam it still holds a very strong rating of 82 percent. Players around the world agreed that this was a game worth playing. For me it was also one of the best fantasy role playing experiences I had in recent years.

However Owlcat did not stop with Pathfinder. The studio decided to explore a completely different universe. They moved into Warhammer 40k which is a setting known for its dark atmosphere and endless war. In 2023 they released Rogue Trader. At launch the game had some struggles. There were issues and challenges. But very quickly it grew and improved. For me Rogue Trader became one of my favorite role playing games ever. It combined deep storytelling with the grim universe of Warhammer 40k. I loved it.

Now the team is working on more projects. One of them is Dark Heresy which again takes place in the Warhammer 40k world. It is another grim dark adventure full of mystery and danger. Owlcat is also developing The Expanse Osiris Reborn. This is set in the science fiction universe created by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. It shows that the studio is not afraid to experiment with different worlds and different types of stories. They are proving themselves as one of the most creative developers in the role playing game space today.

Still there is a big question in the minds of many fans. With the success of Baldurs Gate 3 and the growing popularity of Dungeons and Dragons inspired games will Owlcat ever return to Pathfinder. Pathfinder has a loyal fanbase and many people want to see more adventures in that world. I also wanted to know so I asked executive producer Anatoly Shestov about it. His answer gave me both hope and curiosity.

He said that the team is very proud of what they created with Pathfinder. Inside the studio many creative people would be happy to return to that world. Some would love to continue the stories they started. Others would like to build something completely new using the Pathfinder lore. The important part is passion. Whenever the studio chooses its next project they always ask themselves what are they most passionate about. They do not just pick projects because of money or popularity. They follow what excites them the most.

At the moment their biggest passion is for Dark Heresy. This passion is stronger than any other inside the studio. So they are fully focused on finishing and polishing Dark Heresy. But once the game is complete they will sit down and discuss what to do next. Shestov explained that these internal discussions are not simple. They are full of arguments and debates. People fight for their ideas. Some people are very stubborn. They will push strongly for what they believe in. Among them are developers who want to see Pathfinder return. They are ready to work very hard to make it happen. They will try to convince everyone else that Pathfinder should be the next big project.

Still Shestov did not make any promises. He said that they always consider good options. Pathfinder is one of the best options they have. It is something they talk about seriously. But he cannot say for sure if it will happen. All he can say is that it is possible. For fans like me this little spark of hope is enough. Even the thought that we may one day get another Pathfinder game makes me happy.

For now players have many choices. If you want a fantasy adventure there are many wonderful fantasy games to explore. These games allow you to travel to magical lands fight monsters and make heroic choices. If you are more interested in science fiction there are also great space games available. Some of these are connected to Warhammer 40k with its dark and violent setting. Others are brighter and more hopeful showing what humanity can achieve among the stars. No matter what you prefer there is a game that fits your taste.

So the story of Owlcat is still being written. They moved from Pathfinder to Warhammer 40k. They are exploring The Expanse. And they may one day return to Pathfinder. Fans like me will continue to watch and hope. In the meantime we will enjoy the adventures they give us. Whether it is fighting demons in Wrath of the Righteous exploring the stars in Rogue Trader or waiting for the mysteries of Dark Heresy there is always something to look forward to. This is the beauty of role playing games. They never end. They just keep giving us new stories and new dreams.

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