Obsidian Entertainment has surprised fans by announcing a turn-based combat mode for the original Pillars of Eternity, slated for release in 2025. This marks a significant update for the decade-old RPG, which originally featured only real-time with pause combat.

Released in 2015 to critical acclaim, Pillars of Eternity was lauded for its immersive story, rich world-building, and engaging atmosphere.  While its sequel, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, eventually incorporated turn-based combat, the original game remained with its initial system.  This new update brings the original title in line with its successor.

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Now, a decade after its initial release, Pillars of Eternity is receiving this substantial combat overhaul. The developers have confirmed that the turn-based mode is currently in development, with a planned release sometime in 2025. The new system is expected to draw inspiration from the turn-based mechanics introduced in Deadfire.

In addition to this major update, Obsidian also recently released patch 1.3.8.0.87535, addressing various bug fixes within the game.

This isn't the first time Pillars of Eternity has received a post-launch update. Last year, the game received an unexpected patch that resolved visual, audio, and navigation issues. While some speculated that this was preparation for the release of Avowed, further updates were not anticipated.

The success of Avowed, set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, has revitalized interest in the franchise.  This raises the possibility of further updates for Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, though Obsidian has yet to confirm any plans. While the studio has expressed satisfaction with Avowed's sales figures, the future of the game, including potential sequels or expansions, remains unclear.

Currently, Obsidian's focus is on The Outer Worlds 2.  While a roadmap for future Avowed updates has been promised, details have yet to be revealed.