Pillars of Eternity director thought it had a 50/50 shot before it crowdfunded in 27 hours

Pillars of Eternity hit success by crowdfunding in 27 hours, far exceeding the 50/50 odds expected by director Josh Sawyer.

: Pillars of Eternity surpassed expectations by successfully crowdfunding in just 27 hours. Director Josh Sawyer, initially skeptical of its success, believed there was only a 50/50 chance of reaching the funding goal within a month. The idea was to blend elements from various Infinity Engine games, tapping into nostalgia for isometric CRPGs. Ultimately, it became a major success story for Obsidian Entertainment.

Before the launch of Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian Entertainment faced uncertainty despite their confidence in the concept's potential. Director Josh Sawyer thought there was a 50/50 chance it would succeed in crowdfunding within a month, willing to take a significant risk, even contemplating leaving the studio to pursue it. However, the project remarkably achieved its funding goal within just 27 hours, far exceeding the team's expectations.

Josh Sawyer's ambition was to bring together the best aspects of the classic Infinity Engine games, creating a fresh take on the isometric CRPG genre. This vision was spurred by nostalgia, similar to what Double Fine achieved in the adventure game revival. The sense of urgency among Obsidian's team was fueled by the belief that if they didn't capitalize on this nostalgia, another studio would.

As of today, Pillars of Eternity stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry, where even seasoned veterans cannot always foresee commercial success. Feargus Urquhart, then-owner of Obsidian, was initially cautious about crowdfunding, but Sawyer's determination led to a pivotal moment for the studio. Looking back, Sawyer remains astonished by how quickly the game secured over $2 million in funding, solidifying its place in CRPG history.

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