Obsidian Entertainment Confirms Pet System in The Outer Worlds 2

In a move that is certain to delight fans and fuel pre-release excitement, Obsidian Entertainment has officially confirmed the inclusion of a comprehensive pet system in the highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, The Outer Worlds 2. Responding directly to a long-standing request from the community, the feature not only allows players to acquire various alien and robotic companions but also delivers on the most important promise: Yes, you can pet them.

This addition is a testament to Obsidian’s commitment to providing deep player personalization and injecting humor and warmth into the corporate-dystopian setting of the game’s universe. Set to launch on October 29, 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 promises to build upon the foundation of the original, with the pet system adding an entirely new layer of charm to the player’s experience aboard their starship, The Unreliable II (or equivalent vessel in the new Arcadia system).

More Than Just Cosmetics: The Role of Companionship in the New Galaxy

While the first Outer Worlds featured a rich cast of human and robot companions who joined the player in combat, the new pet system introduces a different type of ally. These creatures and automechanicals are designed to be residents of your ship, adding a dynamic, lived-in feel to your home base between missions across the new star system of Arcadia.

The development team has confirmed that pets will not join the player in combat, ensuring that their role remains purely one of companionship and atmosphere, without the stress of managing their survival in the hostile alien environments. Critically, the developers have confirmed that the pets are unkillable, offering players emotional safety in their quirky intergalactic home.

Players will be able to collect a variety of pets throughout their journey, although only one can be active and roaming the ship at any given time. This encourages players to cycle through their collection, keeping the ship environment fresh and personalized.

Acquisition and Variety: Alien Fauna and Robotic Friends

The developers have outlined three primary avenues for players to acquire these sought-after companions, integrating the system into both the exploration and narrative elements of the sci-fi RPG:

• Quest Rewards: Loyal companions can be earned by completing specific quests, intertwining pet acquisition with the game’s unfolding narrative and your relationship with various NPCs and factions.
• Exploration and Discovery: Adventurous players who thoroughly explore the new biomes of Arcadia may stumble upon creatures in the wild that can be befriended and brought aboard the ship. This encourages thorough open-world exploration.
• Vendor Purchases: True to the franchise’s theme of rampant consumerism, a selection of pets will be available for purchase from various vendors across the new colony, offering a straightforward, transactional route to pet ownership.

The roster of potential pets is already tantalizing, with early confirmations including a beloved, fluffy alien creature and, in a nod to the game’s corporate satire, a “neutered” Protectorate Drone. This variety promises a blend of organic alien charm and the franchise’s signature brand of tongue-in-cheek robotic humor, ensuring every player can find a creature that resonates with their unique Commander’s aesthetic.

The Power of a Simple Interaction: Why “You Can Pet the Dog” Matters

The confirmation that players can interact and, specifically, pet their companions is more than a simple gameplay mechanic; it’s a crucial emotional touchstone in modern Role-Playing Games. The ability to perform this small, wholesome action provides a momentary break from the corporate-fueled chaos and moral ambiguity that defines the Halcyon and Arcadia systems. It deepens the player’s connection to their virtual world, adding a layer of simple, relatable humanity—or alienity—to their experience.

In a galaxy ruled by cutthroat megacorporations and existential threats, having a loyal, unkillable friend waiting to be petted on the ship offers a valuable sense of sanctuary and emotional anchor. This feature perfectly encapsulates the unique tone of The Outer Worlds—a universe where deep, consequential choices are set against a backdrop of bizarre, lighthearted elements.

As Obsidian Entertainment prepares for the October 2025 launch, this feature, along with new companion dynamics, expanded skills, and a bigger focus on action, positions The Outer Worlds 2 as a major contender for the year’s most anticipated new video game release, promising an even deeper and more personal journey through a corporate-controlled future.

Source Note: Information is based on recent official announcements, developer interviews, and confirmed details from the The Outer Worlds 2 previews and trailers released in 2025.