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Bethesda’s and Todd Howard’s lineup of popular franchises like Fallout, Starfield, and the elusive Elder Scrolls 6 need a lot of focus and resources. But the shadow cast by these titles could block other fan-favorite series’ likeDishonoredfrom ever seeing the light of day.
Despite previous rumors of aDishonored 3, the recent closure of Arkane Austin, the primary studio behind the original games, casts doubt on its release. As Bethesda and its parent company, Microsoft, redirect resources to their more “high-impact” titles, the future ofDishonoredlooks bleaker than ever.
Todd Howard And Bethesda May Have Forever DoomedDishonored 3
Bethesda’s ownership by Microsoft hasn’t been without its controversies. Microsoft shut down several studios earlier this year. One of these included Arkane Austin, the developer behind Redfall,a title that was not received wellfor many reasons.
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Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, part of a broader purchase of ZeniMax in 2020, initially gave fans hope for the revival ofDishonored. Arkane Austin had even shown interest in revisiting the franchise. But as Microsoft changed its strategy, Arkane Austin became one of several studios cut from Xbox’s lineup.
Arkane Studios’ Founder and Co-creator of Dishonored and Prey Has Unveiled Plans For a New First-Person Action RPG
Arkane Austin, the studio known forPreyandRedfall, was reportedly exploring a potential return to theDishonoredseries. The intent was driven by a desire to revisit the studio’s original immersive sim style, one that definedDishonoredas an iconic stealth-action game.
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Yet, just as this possibility started to gain traction, Microsoft decided to shutter Arkane Austin to streamline its portfolio. Reports at the time noted that the team had not started full development onDishonored 3, which, if true, means the project never advanced beyond being an idea.
Xbox head Phil Spencer and Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, made it clear that Microsoft would be focusing on its flagship franchises, such asElder ScrollsandFallout, aiming for the mass-market appeal thatDishonoredmight not bring.
Gamer Could Have So Much More If Not For Companies Only Wanting Big Hits
The Microsoft-ZeniMax merger initially held great promise for developers under Bethesda’s umbrella, with resources to create ambitious projects. But that optimism began fading afterthe disastrous launch ofRedfall, which underperformed commercially and critically.
Even thoughRedfall’s failure wasn’t cited as the reason behind the studio’s closure, it undoubtedly contributed to a more risk-averse strategy at Microsoft. The reluctance to greenlight anotherDishonoredin a post-Redfalllandscape highlights just how much weight publishers place on commercial success.
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The future of theDishonoredfranchise now rests with Arkane Lyon, the team behindDishonored 2andDeathloop. But Arkane Lyon’s current project,Blade, is in active development. So it may be years before they could even consider picking up theDishonoredseries.
In a crowded market of studios under the Xbox banner, developers like Arkane are compelled to compete for a shrinking pool of resources. Projects are now greenlit based on the potential to become “high-impact” releases, a category that may exclude niche, story-rich titles likeDishonored.
Some fans speculate that ifBladeunderperforms, Arkane Lyon might face a fate similar to its sister studio in Austin. And given that most of the originalDishonoredteam members have moved on, any future project might struggle to replicate the original games’ unique essence.
Do you think we’re ever getting another Dishonored game? Let us know in the comments!
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1370
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. you may also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
