Dishonored 2, acclaimed by critics and considered one of the best games in the immersive sim subgenre, did not achieve the expected sales figures despite its notable pedigree. And of course, this fact raised concerns at Bethesda, which compared the commercial results of the title with those of its phenomenon Skyrim, which was notably cheaper, raising questions about the future of Arkane Studios. According to former Arkane Lyon designer, Julien Eveillé, this situation led management to question the viability of continuing with the studio. Gulp.
With Honor
The legacy of Arkane as a producer of refined games has been crucial in preserving the trust in Bethesda’s high quality, despite the disappointing sales performance of Dishonored 2 or other titles like Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. Eveillé highlights that, while Skyrim offered a vast sandbox full of interaction, Dishonored focused on a more meticulous design with a stricter set of rules, yet still capable of generating chaos and creativity in unexpected ways.
Dinga Bakaba, the new studio director, has been instrumental in this context, promoting a focus on creating unique experiences instead of following trends like games as a service. His leadership has helped restore confidence in Bethesda’s management, highlighting Arkane’s intention to develop titles that stand out for their uniqueness.
However, the fate of Arkane’s studios has been uneven. While Arkane Lyon has found success with Deathloop, its counterpart in Austin faced difficulties following the failed launch of Redfall, leading to the studio’s closure. Eveillé, after leaving Arkane, has released his own immersive horror game titled Threshold, an experience that promises to leave players breathless.
