Fallout Creator Returns to Obsidian With a New Squirrel Companion
▼ Summary
– Tim Cain has returned to Obsidian Entertainment full-time, coming out of semi-retirement to work on an unannounced project.
– He is strictly bound by an NDA regarding his current work and advises fans not to guess what he is developing.
– Cain recently relocated to southern California and has formed a daily routine of feeding a friendly squirrel.
– Before returning, he did contract work for several games, including one upcoming title, but many projects from 2020-2025 were canceled.
– Cain is a veteran designer known for the original Fallout, The Outer Worlds, and other titles, rejoining a studio that released several major games in 2025.
The return of a legendary game designer to a major studio naturally sparks intense curiosity, but Tim Cain, the creator of the original Fallout, is keeping his cards close to his chest. In a recent personal update, Cain revealed he has rejoined Obsidian Entertainment full-time, though his current project remains a complete mystery. He began his announcement by sharing a charming story about a new, fearless squirrel companion that greets him daily at his new home in southern California, a lighthearted anecdote that preceded the bigger career news.
After relocating from Seattle, one of Cain’s first encounters was with a bold squirrel that approached him without hesitation. He described the moment, saying the animal simply sat and stared until he offered some walnuts. This daily ritual of feeding his new furry friend now bookends his workdays. Following this personal tale, Cain confirmed his official, in-person return to the studio. He clarified that an upcoming, unspecified game will still feature his name in the credits for contract work completed before this permanent move back to Obsidian.
Cain also reflected on the turbulent state of the industry over the past several years, noting he performed contract work for multiple other titles that will likely never see release. He characterized the period from 2020 to 2025 as a “weird time” when numerous projects were started and subsequently canceled for various reasons. The status of many games he contributed to remains unknown to him. Regarding his present role, he was unequivocal: details are forbidden by a non-disclosure agreement. He explicitly advised fans not to speculate, confidently stating, “you’re not going to guess right.”
With a foundational role in designing the seminal 1997 RPG Fallout at Interplay, Cain’s legacy is firmly established. His extensive resume includes work on Fallout 2, South Park: The Stick of Truth, and Pillars of Eternity. At Obsidian, he previously served as game director on The Outer Worlds and as a creative consultant for its sequel. Obsidian itself has had a prolific year, launching titles like Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2 throughout 2025. While the studio has not announced its next project, Cain’s return signals active development on something new.
This move marks Cain’s emergence from what he called “semi-retirement,” a period spent on contract work and producing content for his “Cain on Games” YouTube channel. He confirmed that his video series will continue, as Obsidian has placed no restrictions on this independent creative outlet. For now, the focus of his work inside the studio remains one of gaming’s most intriguing unanswered questions.
(Source: Gamespot)
