Dishonored, the first-person stealth/action game released in 2012, was a game-changer for Arkane Studios, propelling the studio to stardom. Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, Dishonored was a remarkable success, capturing the hearts of gamers and press worldwide. Dishonored’s popularity lay in its unique gameplay mechanics, allowing players to wield supernatural powers, sneak up on enemies, and assassinate targets without being detected. Dishonored’s success led to calls for Dishonored 3, but the series has since gone dark, leaving gamers wondering if they’ll ever see the next installment in the series.
Arkane Studios is known for creating immersive and unique gameplay experiences. Dishonored was their first game after being acquired by Bethesda in 2010, and it was an instant hit. Players loved the freedom to choose their playstyle, with different choices leading to different outcomes. This added a level of replayability that was rare in games at the time. Dishonored’s powers were a significant part of the game’s appeal, with the player having access to abilities like Blink, which allowed them to teleport short distances, and Dark Vision, which let them see through walls. The combination of these abilities with the level design created a sandbox-like experience that was exhilarating to play.
The success of Dishonored led to a sequel, Dishonored 2, released in 2016. Dishonored 2 was a commercial and critical success, receiving praise for its refined gameplay mechanics, new characters, and locations. However, Dishonored 2 didn’t capture the same level of success as its predecessor, with some critics finding it to be more of the same. Dishonored 2 was also hampered by technical issues at launch, leading to some frustration among players.
Following the release of Dishonored 2, Arkane Studios moved on to develop new games and IP, leaving Dishonored’s future in limbo. The studio’s parent company, Bethesda Softworks, was purchased by Microsoft in 2020, further complicating matters. The question now is whether we will ever see Dishonored 3. With Arkane Studios busy developing new games and Bethesda Softworks being absorbed into Microsoft, it’s unclear if there is a future for the series.
Another factor that could be holding back Dishonored 3 is the question of exclusivity. Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda Softworks means that future games from the publisher could be exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms. This would be a significant departure for the Dishonored series, which has always been multi-platform. Making the game an exclusive would undoubtedly have a significant impact on its success and could affect the game’s development.
Dishonored’s success helped to put Arkane Studios on the map and cemented its place in the gaming industry. The series was a commercial and critical success, praised for its unique gameplay mechanics and immersive world. While the future of the series is uncertain, it’s clear that Dishonored’s legacy will continue to inspire developers and gamers alike. Only time will tell if we will ever see Dishonored 3, but one thing is certain: the gaming world is better for having experienced the first two installments.
Following the success of the first game, Arkane went on to release two more titles in the series: Dishonored 2 and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. Both games were well-received, with Dishonored 2 improving on the original in almost every way, adding more complexity and depth to the already intricate level design and power mechanics. Death of the Outsider acted as a standalone expansion, with players taking on the role of Billie Lurk, a former assassin and ally of the first game’s antagonist, Daud.
Despite positive reviews, Dishonored 2 and Death of the Outsider didn’t sell as well as their predecessor, which may have contributed to the series’ current state of limbo. It’s worth noting that while Dishonored 2 was released on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, Death of the Outsider was not released on the PS4, instead only being available on PC and Xbox One.
In 2018, Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, was acquired by Microsoft. As a result, Bethesda and its subsidiaries, including Arkane Studios, became part of Xbox Game Studios. This led to speculation about whether future games from Bethesda and its subsidiaries would be exclusive to Xbox and PC, or if they would still be multi-platform.
In an interview with Bloomberg in 2020, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said that Microsoft would honor existing agreements that Bethesda had made with Sony for timed exclusives, but also noted that “in the long run, [Bethesda games] either become first-party or [they] become independent.” This statement suggests that while future Bethesda games may not be Xbox exclusives, they may still be exclusive to platforms owned by Microsoft, such as PC or Xbox.
Given the current state of the series and the acquisition of Arkane Studios by Microsoft, it’s unclear whether or not we will ever see Dishonored 3. If the game were to be made, it’s likely that it would be an Xbox and/or PC exclusive, which may not sit well with fans who have played the previous games on other platforms.
There’s also the question of whether or not there’s even a demand for a third game in the series. While the first game was a critical and commercial success, the subsequent titles didn’t sell as well, and it’s possible that the series may have run its course. That being said, there are still plenty of fans who would love to see a continuation of the series, and it’s possible that Arkane Studios and Microsoft may be considering it.
The Dishonored series was a breath of fresh air in the first-person action/stealth genre, with its intricate level design, unique powers, and morally ambiguous world. While the series may have dropped off in popularity in recent years, it still has a dedicated fanbase who would love to see a third game in the series.
However, with Arkane Studios now owned by Microsoft, and the future of the series uncertain, it’s unclear whether or not Dishonored 3 will ever see the light of day. Only time will tell if we’ll ever get to see Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin return to Dunwall, but for now, we can appreciate the legacy of the series and hope for a bright future for Arkane Studios and its talented developers.