GAMES
Arkane Studios Almost Made Thief 4 and a Blade Runner Game Before Creating Dishonored
Dishonored co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith have revealed that Arkane Studios worked on pitches or early development for a Thief 4 and a Blade Runner game before those projects fell through, eventually leading to the creation of Dishonored. The directors reflected on the creative tension during that period, with Smith noting the experience felt like the studio needed 'couples therapy' to resolve directorial disagreements. The collapse of those licensed projects ultimately gave Arkane the freedom to build their own original IP.
First seen May 23 ago2 sources covering
Sources (2)
Click any to read originalEN-ORIGINAL (2)
"It felt like we had needed couples therapy": Dishonored devs Arkane making Thief or Blade Runner games sounds ace, but might have sparked a creative director scrap
Rock Paper ShotgunMay 26
If Bethesda made Thief 4 or a Blade Runner game with Arkane Studios, we never would've gotten Dishonored
PolygonMay 23
How sources are framing this
Polygon focused on the creative opportunity cost angle, while Rock Paper Shotgun foregrounded the interpersonal tension between the co-directors.
What we know
- Arkane Studios developed pitches or early work on both a Thief 4 sequel and a Blade Runner game before either project materialized
- Neither the Thief nor Blade Runner project came to fruition, clearing the path for Dishonored to be created as an original IP
- Co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith described significant creative friction during the period, likening it to needing couples therapy
- The story was discussed publicly by the Dishonored co-directors, offering rare behind-the-scenes insight into the game's origins
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