Chris Avellone, the legendary RPG designer and writer known for his work on some of the most beloved titles in the genre, is back in the game industry. He has joined Republic Games, the studio founded by Adam Williams, a former Quantic Dream writer, in late 2024. The duo is set to collaborate on a dark, mature fantasy RPG that sounds like the perfect fit for Avellone’s skillset.
Avellone’s extensive portfolio includes iconic RPGs like Fallout 2, Planescape: Torment, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, Neverwinter Nights 2, Alpha Protocol, Fallout: New Vegas, Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny, Torment: Tides of Numenera, Prey, Divinity: Original Sin II, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Wasteland 3, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Weird West, and Alaloth: Champions of the Four Kingdoms.
The announcement was made by Adam Williams on social media, where he shared his excitement about working with Avellone. He said, “Chris has written, created, and designed for some of the greatest RPGs of all time. He’s a master of interactive storytelling. On our list of people to work with, he was at the top. Chris was at the forefront of the golden age of RPGs. We are creating a dark fantasy story with immersive gameplay and a rich interactive narrative which aims to recapture that magic – and take it to the next level. Everybody at the studio is very excited – we’re building a dream team.”
Avellone himself expressed his enthusiasm in a statement, saying, “When Adam shared his vision and design for his upcoming title, I asked if I could collaborate, and Adam was more than willing to bring me on board as part of the team. I love the design principles he’s outlining for the game, and even better, I love the narrative construction he’s implementing as well. To be a part of it on the ground floor is pretty amazing, and it’s a rare opportunity in the industry.”
The game’s story will feature an intricate narrative where player choices will significantly influence the plot and the fate of both the player character and the world. Multiple endings are promised, ensuring a deeply engaging experience for players who crave replayability and meaningful decisions.
However, Avellone’s return to the industry has not been without controversy. In 2020, he faced allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, which led to the severing of ties with several companies, including Techland, Gato Salvaje, and Paradox Interactive. At the time, he was involved with projects like Dying Light 2: Stay Human, The Waylanders, and Vampire: The Masquerades – Bloodlines 2. Avellone later issued a detailed response to the accusations on Medium and filed a libel suit in California. The case was settled when the two women involved in the allegations retracted their claims and paid Avellone a seven-figure sum.
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