Obsidian Entertainment announces coop survival adventure Grounded for Xbox Game Preview and Steam Early Access
During today's Xbox X019 edition of Inside Xbox, Xbox Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment announced Grounded, a survival adventure game launching into Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview in Spring 2020. It is the first Obsidian developed title to be published under Xbox Game Studios since the studio was acquired by Microsoft late last year. Grounded will also be available through Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Grounded takes place in a suburban back yard, where players are shrunk to the size of insects and must survive in a surprisingly perilous environment. There is a focus on co-operation and crafting, where up to four players must work together to venture further into the environment to undertake increasingly dangerous threats.
Grounded seems to be a little bit of a departure from the norm for the stalwart RPG studio. It's not explicitly described as an RPG at all, but rather as a survival adventure title, albeit with RPG elements. Situating Grounded as an early access game is also new for the studio -- Obsidian has had some similar experience with pre-release backer betas for both Pillars of Eternity and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, but never specifically with either Steam's or Microsoft's public pre-release offerings. It will also be the rare Xbox Game Preview title available on Xbox Game Pass (other Xbox Game Preview titles are on the service, but not typically until after their 1.0 release.)
A description of the game from Microsoft along with the title's first screenshots can be found below.
In Grounded, you are shrunk to the size of an ant and must survive in the beautiful yet perilous micro-world of a suburban backyard. This harsh and dangerous landscape can be navigated solo or with up to three additional players in co-operative multiplayer, as you work together to progress through thrilling story-based missions or explore the farthest reaches of the intricately detailed game world.
You must gather, craft and build bases with everyday objects, searching for life-saving resources such as the dew off grass to quench your thirst or transforming an acorn shell into body armor to defend against a host of unpredictable creatures. Can you thrive against the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard?
"Grounded is a true passion project for the team," said Feargus Urquhart, CEO at Obsidian Entertainment, "We pride ourselves as being a creative studio and can't wait to bring our expertise to the survival genre."
"Grounded offers our unique take on survival games, creating an unforgettable experience," said Adam Brennecke, Game Director at Obsidian Entertainment "It's a perfect setting to flex our creative muscles. We want to create a versatile sandbox where players can create their own memorable experiences."
"We first saw Grounded in development last year when Obsidian Entertainment joined our team. The game exemplifies the innovation we're excited to see from them in the years ahead," said Matt Booty, CVP of Xbox Game Studios.
Grounded will be available in Spring 2020 on Xbox One digitally through Xbox Game Preview and with Xbox Game Pass, and for PC through Xbox Game Pass for PC, the Microsoft Store, and on Steam.
