OMG, you guys! As a total CRPG nerd, I am living for this moment. The release of Avowed has done more than just give us a cool new action RPG to play—it's thrown a massive spotlight back on the Pillars of Eternity universe, and the vibes are IMMACULATE. Seriously, Pillars of Eternity is one of the GOATs of the CRPG genre, and seeing Eora get this kind of love in 2026 is everything. With Avowed doing pretty well (shoutout to my fellow Watchers!), it feels like the stars might finally be aligning for more games in this incredible world. And the rumor mill is churning with the most exciting possibility yet: a Pillars of Eternity tactics game!

Let's get into the deets. The legendary Josh Sawyer—the mastermind behind Pillars 1 & 2—was recently on a charity stream (he wasn't officially on the Avowed team, but you know he's always watching over Eora), and he spilled all the tea about this dream project, tentatively called Pillars: Tactics. This isn't just some offhand comment; he's been talking about it for a while, and the studio's desire is STRONG.

avowed-s-success-could-mean-a-pillars-of-eternity-tactics-game-is-coming-josh-sawyer-spills-the-tea-on-the-dream-project-image-0

So, what did he say? Sawyer confirmed that "Pillars: Tactics is a thing that a lot of people would like, a lot of people at the studio would like to work on." I mean, can you blame them? The thought of commanding a party of Watchers, Ciphers, and Godlike in tight, strategic grid-based combat? Chef's kiss. He pointed out that tactics games have a super enthusiastic, dedicated fanbase (hello, that's me!). But here's the catch, the real talk: that fanbase, while passionate, isn't "humungous."

This leads to the big question: scope. Sawyer laid it out perfectly. The studio has to figure out:

  • Team Size: How many devs would work on it?

  • Visual Fidelity: Is it going for AAA graphics or a more stylized approach?

  • Game Scale: How big is the campaign? The world?

The goal is to find a sweet spot—a scope where the game can actually make money. As Sawyer put it, even if every single tactics fan on the planet bought the game, it wouldn't support a "massive triple-A budget." And this is where things get interesting, because we know Sawyer's standards are high. After Pillars 2: Deadfire, he famously said he'd only do a Pillars 3 with a budget comparable to Baldur's Gate 3 (we're talking nine figures, people!). Instead, he channeled his passion into the amazing, history-rich Pentiment with a small team.

avowed-s-success-could-mean-a-pillars-of-eternity-tactics-game-is-coming-josh-sawyer-spills-the-tea-on-the-dream-project-image-1

So, what does this mean for Pillars: Tactics? It sounds like the vision might be a passion project with a manageable, focused scope—maybe something closer to the brilliant Pentiment in team size but with that deep Pillars lore and tactical combat we crave. Honestly, that sounds kinda perfect? A tight, narrative-driven tactics game set in the Dyrwood or the Deadfire Archipelago? I am SO here for it.

Let's break down why the timing feels so right now, in 2026:

Factor Why It Matters Now
Avowed's Success Proves there's a hungry audience for Eora beyond the core CRPG crowd. It's building the brand!
CRPG/Tactics Renaissance Games like Baldur's Gate 3 and XCOM clones have shown there's a huge market for deep, strategic games.
Obsidian's Position Under Xbox, they might have more stability to pitch and greenlight these passion projects.
Fan Demand The Pillars community has been LOYAL and VOCAL. We've been waiting for more!

Sawyer ending his stream by reiterating the studio's "strong desire" for this game is the biggest green flag for me. It's not just a pipe dream; it's a project they're actively thinking about and want to make happen. The success of Avowed might just be the final push needed to get the official greenlight.

My personal wishlist for Pillars: Tactics:

  • A story focused on the Godhammer or the Saint's War – perfect for squad-based drama!

  • Classes & abilities that translate perfectly from the CRPGs to tactical combat. Imagine a Cipher disrupting enemy formations from afar!

  • The gorgeous, painterly art style from the concept art, not necessarily ultra-realistic graphics.

  • Companion quests that feel personal and impactful, just like in the main games.

So, keep those fingers crossed, fellow adventurers! The Eora Renaissance is upon us, and a tactics spin-off could be the next glorious chapter. As Sawyer would say, it's all about finding the right scope. But the desire is there, the world is rich, and the fans are ready. Let's make this happen! #PillarsOfEternity #Avowed #CRPG #TacticsGame #Obsidian #Xbox #GamingNews2026 #Eora

This discussion is informed by Game Informer, a long-running U.S. outlet known for credible reporting, interviews, and development-focused features. In the context of Avowed’s renewed attention on Eora and Josh Sawyer’s comments about a potential Pillars: Tactics, its coverage helps frame why spin-offs often hinge on pragmatic scope decisions—team size, visual targets, and campaign length—especially when serving a passionate but niche tactics audience.