Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

 (original working title Project Louisiana  ) is a party-based role-playing video game created by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Versus Evil. It is the sequel to the original, and draws inspiration from Infinity Engine games (Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Icewind Dale, Icewind Dale II, and Planescape: Torment). The game was successfully crowdfunded via a Fig campaign, raising a total of $4,545,395 from 33,614 backers and private investors.

The game was released on May 8, 2018 for Windows, Linux and macOS, and is currently available on Steam, GOG , Humble Bundle , Origin , and the Mac App Store. On January 28, 2020 it was released to console platforms PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Titled as Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - Ultimate Edition, the console version includes all expansions, updates and free DLC. , It is available both digitally (via the associated store fronts) and physically, through a partnership with publisher THQ Nordic. The Nintendo Switch version is set to be released some time later in 2020.

Gameplay
The game follows the events of Pillars of Eternity with the same main player-designed character. The game play location changes to the Deadfire Archipelago of the world of Eora. Players travel the far-flung region of the titular Deadfire Archipelago by ship, where they will discover new races, visit exotic islands, defend their ships against pirates, and, most importantly, choose their allies carefully, as there are powerful factions to encounter at nearly every port.

See the Pillars of Eternity gameplay article for an overview of the returning style of gameplay and its companion article for new elements.

Plot
"Hunt a god. Save your soul."

- From the crowdfunding campaign wallpaper

Features

 * Character/Savegame import from Pillars of Eternity, part I
 * Multi-classing
 * Subclasses : each class can select from two sub-classes.
 * Level cap: 20
 * AI scripting customization
 * Similar to Od Nua, an area growing with the number of backers: Fulvano's Voyage
 * A new inventory slot for class-specific "trinkets"
 * Weapons and shields may be assigned to multiple weapon sets
 * Expansion of the skill system: many passive skills for dialogs and scripted interactions will be added – such as Religion, Metaphysics and Streetwise; points will be gained separately for active and passive skills; the player character will benefit from companions' skills
 * Returning companions: Aloth; Edér; Pallegina
 * New companions: Maia Rua, the sister of Kana Rua, with her ranger animal companion Ishiza; Serafen, an orlan cipher/barbarian, and a pirate; Xoti, a mixed human priest/monk; Tekēhu, an Aumaua godlike chanter/druid

Release
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire was released on May 8, 2018 (exactly 1 year, 2 months and 13 days from the completion of the Fig campaign) on Windows, Linux and macOS, via Steam, GOG, Origin and the Mac App Store.

Czech-based developer Grip Digital was sub-contracted to develop a port to console platforms (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One). The port would address adapting Pillars' traditionally mouse-based UI to work for touch and gamepad-based input, and would include a number of performance optimizations for the hardware. While the project was originally scheduled for completion in Q4 2018, it saw a number of significant delays. Upon the release of in December 2018, Obsidian announced that the game would ship to consoles some time in 2019. However this was eventually pushed back on December 9, 2019, when publisher Versus Evil announced that the game would finally be coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on January 28, 2020, with the Nintendo Switch version following "later in the year." This comes almost 2 years after the original PC release. The announcement detailed that the console version will be distributed both digitally via the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop, as well as physically through a partnership with publisher THQ Nordic. The physical release will come in the form of a Standard release and an Ultimate Collector's Edition, which bundles in a number of physical bonuses. As announced, the game was released to consoles on January 28, 2020.

Editions
On PC, Mac and Linux, three different editions of the game are available for purchase — Digital Standard, Deluxe, and Obsidian editions. These editions are only available on Steam and GOG, and provide additional digital and in-game content on top of the base game. The expansions, season pass, and the Explorer's Pack can also be purchased individually.

On consoles, the release is consolidated to a single "Ultimate Edition", including the base game and its expansions up to patch 5.0, but no digital bonus content. The console release also includes a "Ultimate Collector's Edition", which contains a few physical bonuses that were previously only available during the crowdfunding campaign.

Downloadable content
Unlike the previous title, there are multiple free content packs planned for release to increase the game's longevity, as well as three paid downloadable content pieces. The latter are functionally similar to The White March expansion pack, but providing a greater variety of environments, stories, and gameplay.

Free content packs

 * The first free DLC,, was released on May 9, 2018, alongside the launch of Deadfire and features new character portraits and voices from the web series Critical Role.
 * The second free DLC,, was released on May 25, 2018, and adds the sidekick Mirke, a number of new alcoholic drinks, and the "Drunk" personality.
 * The third free DLC,, was released on June 8, 2018, and adds 7 new hairstyles and beards, as well as the "Energetic" personality.
 * The fourth free DLC,, was released on June 22, 2018, and adds a number of ship upgrades, 3 new crew members, and the "Savage" personality.
 * The fifth free DLC,, released on August 2, 2018 alongside . It adds the ship The Deck of Many Things, and it's motley crew of merchants selling a variety of unique items.
 * A number of have been included as updates to the game alongside the releases of various expansions and DLCs:
 * , released on September 26, 2018 alongside . It adds the first mega boss, Belranga, as well as the Mythic quality to equipment.
 * , released on October 25, 2018 as an update to . It adds the second mega boss, Hauani O Whe - a mountainous ooze.
 * , released on December 14, 2018 alongside . It adds the third mega boss Sigilmaster Auranic.
 * , released at the same time adds the fourth mega boss Dorudugan.

Expansions

 * The first expansion, was released on August 2, 2018, and "takes the Watcher and their party to an island populated by a mysterious doomsday cult that hides an ancient secret. Players will get to experience adventuring in "The Beyond," a mysterious dimension populated by ancient souls and filled with devilish challenges".
 * The second expansion,, was released on September 26, 2018 , and "is a combat-focused expansion taking place on a previously undiscovered island that will challenge the martial prowess of your party, and your tactical skills as a commander, as you embark on a mission to rediscover ancient relics, and pit your party against Eora’s most skilled and savage".
 * The third expansion,, was released on December 14, 2018 , and "will test your party’s allegiance and morality in a quest to help (or obstruct) the great wizards of Eora. Will you befriend, betray or befuddle these venerable mystics as you uncover secrets lost to the generations? The consequences of your actions will be felt across the Deadfire Archipelago whatever you decide."

Other

 * The Captain's Footlocker: Made available to crowd-funding backers and pre-orders of the game. Includes three in-game items St. Drogga's Skull, a pet seagull-looking bird Beakhead, and a Black flag.
 * Explorer's Pack: Included with the Deluxe and Obsidian editions, and available for purchase separately. Includes a some in-game items (put in the player's inventory upon creation of a new game), and some digital content: Official Pillars of Eternity II Soundtrack, In-Game Pet, Special In-Game Item, PoE Pen and Paper RPG Starter Guide, High Resolution Game Map and Digital Guidebook Vol. II. The digital material can be found in the game directory:


 * Pillars of Eternity Owner's Bonus: Gaun's Pledge: Given to all owners of, adds the unique ring Gaun's Pledge to the players inventory on a new game.
 * Scavenger Hunt: A promotional event on the Obsidian website . Involved finding 55 codes hidden throughout promotional media to unlock in-game items and special rewards. Includes Scavenger's Lantern, Stinky Pete, Cloak of Berath, Sails of Berath and Cutthroat Cosmo.

News

 * February 1, 2018: The Backer Beta receives its monthly update.
 * January 25, 2018: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire's launch date is announced: April 3rd, 2018. Pre-orders are available on Obsidian, GOG and Steam. Three editions are available: the base game, a Deluxe Edition with digital goodies, and the Obsidian Edition with the season pass added. Pre-orders will contain the Captain's Footlocker, an item bundle that will be made available for backers of the crowd-funding campaign as well.
 * November 15, 2017: The Backer Beta is Live!
 * September 21, 2017: Obsidian Entertainment and Versus Evil announce Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Publishing Partnership.


 * February 25, 2017: Crowdfunding campaign successful with $4,407,598 and 33614 backers – PayPal available via the backer portal – Adam Brennecke says: "Thank You!"

Development
"We all have to wake up."

- Edér in the Campaign Launch Trailer

On November 14, 2017 the Backer Beta was released.

Current development stage: Production – During the "Production Stage", initial development of the software is underway and designs and characters are being brought to life.
 * February 19, 2017: Companion relationships are in the game, due to reaching the milestone of $3,000,000!
 * February 18, 2017: By reaching 25,000 backers, Fulvano's Voyage has been expanded again.
 * February 17, 2017: $2.8M reached – 5,000 followers on Twitter: Fulvano's Voyage expanded – $3.25M stretch goal announced: sidekicks
 * February 14, 2017: The next stretch goal is announced, together with the presentation of two new companions; for details see below.
 * February 13, 2017: $2.6M are reached, Berath's Blessing.
 * February 10, 2017: Information about visuals in the game and announcement (with video) of the next stretch goal ; for details see below.
 * February 9, 2017: The $2.4M mark is reached. In addition to the Korean localization and doubled voice-over the Pillars of Eternity Pen-and-Paper RPG is announced.
 * February 7, 2017: Similar to the Stronghold from Pillars of Eternity a "backer-unlockable" is announced, the island chain Fulvano's Voyage, which will be expanded step-by-step with each additional 1,500 backers from today. Furthermore: some insights into game lore and the next stretch goal ; for details see below.
 * February 7, 2017: The next stretch goal is hit, the developers say "Grazie!" For details see below.
 * February 2, 2017: The story continues; stretch goal #4 with $2,000,000 reached, and #6 announced ; for details see below.
 * January 31, 2017: Stretch goal #3 reached, #5 and further updates announced ; for details see below.
 * January 30, 2017: Stretch goal #2 is reached, one more revealed ; for details see below.
 * January 29, 2017: The next two stretch goals are announced ; for details see below.
 * January 28, 2017: The first stretch goal is reached, sub-classes are confirmed.
 * January 27, 2017: The crowdfunding campaign reached it's goal of $1,1M in less than 24 hours . Stretch goals have been announced which will introduce further features to the game, with the first one – at reaching $1,4M – being Sub-classes.
 * January 26, 2017: The backer campaign starts on Fig: Video Game Crowdfunding.
 * Link to campaign
 * Goal: $1,100,000 on February 25th, 2017
 * Several different editions, partly limited, are made available with varying possibilities of backers' involvement in the game, starting from being credited, up to the creation of a Soulbound item.
 * Estimated release: First quarter of 2018
 * January 26, 2017: Obsidian Entertainment announces the sequel in the official forum.
 * May 16, 2016: Development on the game had begun by May, 2016. Feargus Urquhart has speculated that it will once again use Kickstarter to obtain funding.

Crowdfunding campaign
The campaign launched on January 26, 2017 on the crowdfunding platform Fig, with a funding goal of US$1.1 million with US$2.25 million open for equity. The funding goal was achieved in under 23 hours. Over the remaining period, Obsidian raised a total of $4,545,395, made up of $2,157,598 of backer pledges, $2,250,000 from "Fig Funds" / private investors, and $137,797 of post-campaign preorder pledges. The campaign closed on February 25, 2017.

During the campaign, various goals were set which promised the addition content to the game upon reaching certain levels of funding.

Content, created by the backers
Partly limited, or made available again, backers can invest certain amounts and benefit from one of several goodies.
 * Name a pet
 * Create an item
 * Portrait in-game
 * Be an NPC
 * Create a super-pet
 * Create a spell
 * Build a pirate party
 * Create an inn
 * Own an island
 * Top backer (meet the team, amongst others)

Backer tiers
These were the reward tiers available via the crowdfunding campaign. .
 * Obsidian Initiate ($5)
 * Digital Download ($29)
 * Premium Digital ($45)
 * Physical Box ($59)
 * Ultimate Digital Edition ($65)
 * Complete Pillars Bundle ($79)
 * Early Access + Credits ($99)
 * Early Access + Credits + Box ($109)
 * Collectors Edition ($149)
 * Elite Collector's Edition ($199)
 * Signed Elite Collector's Edition ($249)

Click "Expand" to show legend
 * * Digital material 1 includes:
 * Digital Guidebook Volume II
 * Digital Soundtrack
 * "Cooking with Tim, Vol. 1" Digital RPG Cookbook
 * Pillars of Eternity Pen & Paper Starter Guide.


 * ** Digital material 2 includes:
 * High-Resolution Digital Map of the Deadfire Archipelago
 * Additional Desktop Wallpapers
 * 10 Pieces of Digital Concept Art
 * Pillars of Eternity II Phone Backgrounds
 * All-new Pillars of Eternity II Novella
 * Collected Pillars of Eternity I Novellas Omnibus Version
 * Pillars of Eternity Digital Deluxe Soundtrack (includes The White March OST)


 * *** Physical material 1 includes:
 * Cloth Map
 * Mousepad
 * Patch
 * 8x10 Concept Art Print
 * Space Pig Pin


 * **** Physical material 2 includes:
 * 10"/25cm Od Nua Statue
 * Hardcover Guidebook Volume II
 * Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Game Manual


 * † See: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire backer created content

Gallery

 * Promotional images from the crowdfunding campaign on Fig

Videos

 * Official trailers


 * Official Q&A sessions


 * Developer's corner

Stores

 * Steam
 * GOG
 * Humble Bundle
 * Origin
 * Mac App Store
 * Microsoft Store
 * PlayStation Store

Social media

 * The World of Eternity on Twitter
 * Obsidian Entertainment's Twitter
 * The World of Eternity on Facebook
 * Obsidian Entertainment on Twitch
 * Obsidian Entertainment on YouTube

Other

 * Pillars of Eternity 2: story, setting, companions and more - everything we know – Interview with Josh Sawyer on PCGamesN
 * Pillars of Eternity - The RPG Files - Pillars of Eternity II: Welcome to the Deadfire - MMORPG.com – Interview with Josh Sawyer on MMORPG
 * Obsidian announces Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire | PC Gamer – Article on PC Gamer