Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed, a highly anticipated first-person RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, has been making waves in the gaming community. As fans eagerly await its launch, some have expressed concerns that the game may fall victim to what many refer to as “woke” culture a perceived overemphasis on political correctness, social justice, and diversity at the cost of storytelling, gameplay, and immersion.
What Is the Concern?
In recent years, certain games and media have been criticized for prioritizing inclusivity and representation over core elements like plot coherence, character development, or gameplay mechanics. Skeptics worry that Avowed might be heading in the same direction based on early previews, trailers, and interviews with the developers. Some specific points of contention include:
- Diversity as a Selling Point
Promotional materials for Avowed have highlighted diverse characters and cultures within the game. While diversity itself isn’t inherently negative, the fear is that it may be shoehorned into the narrative to meet modern expectations rather than naturally integrated into the worldbuilding. - Forced Ideologies
Gamers often enjoy RPGs for their ability to explore complex, morally ambiguous worlds. Concerns arise when social or political messaging feels preachy or one-dimensional. Fans hope Avowed maintains the depth and nuance Obsidian is known for rather than defaulting to over-simplified ideological takes. - Character Archetypes
Some worry that the characters introduced so far seem to lean heavily into modern archetypes such as the strong, independent hero or the rebellious outcast at the expense of the rich, multifaceted personalities that the Pillars of Eternity series is celebrated for. - Tokenism vs. Authenticity
Obsidian’s world of Eora is vast, with cultures and histories that have always been diverse in their own way. The fear is that an overt focus on ticking representation boxes could undermine the authenticity of this established universe.
What Fans Want
The gaming community isn’t opposed to diversity or representation in games. In fact, many praise Pillars of Eternity for its inclusive approach, including LGBTQ+ characters and cultural richness. However, fans hope Avowed will:
- Prioritize storytelling and gameplay over modern social commentary.
- Allow diversity to feel organic, not forced.
- Focus on creating deep, immersive characters and lore rather than relying on stereotypes or shallow portrayals.
- Avoid making any specific ideology the centerpiece of the game’s narrative.
Lessons from Other Titles
The fear of “wokeness” derailing Avowed stems from a pattern seen in other games. Titles like The Last of Us Part II and Mass Effect: Andromeda sparked debates due to polarizing narratives and perceived sacrifices in gameplay quality. Many fans are wary of history repeating itself with Avowed.
On the other hand, games like Baldur’s Gate 3 have proven that inclusivity can coexist with masterful storytelling and gameplay. If Avowed takes a similar approach, it could become a benchmark for modern RPGs.
Final Thoughts
The gaming industry is evolving, and with it comes a push for more diverse and inclusive content. While this is a positive trend in many ways, fans hope developers like Obsidian can strike a balance between embracing modern sensibilities and staying true to what makes their games beloved.
For Avowed, the key will be delivering a story and world that feel genuine and compelling, without letting external pressures dilute the experience. If Obsidian can pull this off, they’ll have nothing to worry about—woke or not.
What do you think? Will “woke” culture affect Avowed, or are these fears overblown? Let us know in the comments below!
