Arkane Studios’ fortunes were significantly influenced by Dishonored 2, a game that, despite having a hefty development budget and modest sales, made a powerful impact with its high quality. This dedication to delivering a top-notch experience has led to Arkane’s continued success under the umbrella of Bethesda, paving the way for exciting new projects.
Even though Dishonored 2 didn’t quite match the sales figures of other major Bethesda releases, it still managed to play a crucial role in Arkane’s survival, as revealed by a former designer at the studio. As the sequel to the 2012 stealth action RPG Dishonored, it received considerable critical acclaim. While its financial performance wasn’t outstanding, the game managed to resonate profoundly with its audience, leaving a lasting impression that compensated for its sales numbers.
The legacy of Arkane’s fantasy assassin series is well regarded today, standing out as a favorite among both newcomers and seasoned fans of the stealth genre. While Bethesda’s other franchises, such as the Elder Scrolls, may boast higher profiles, Dishonored remains one of the most appreciated series for its genre-tight gameplay. Initially, Bethesda had its reservations about both the games themselves and the team behind them.
In a conversation with PC Gamer, former Arkane designer Julien Eveillé shared that Dishonored 2 essentially saved the studio despite its lower sales figures. He noted that while the game required a larger budget than Skyrim, it did not perform nearly as well financially. This raised questions at Bethesda about their partnership with Arkane. However, the game’s exceptional quality, described by Eveillé as among the finest in Bethesda’s lineup, assured the continuation of their collaboration. Given Bethesda’s reputation for releasing games with bugs, the polish of Dishonored 2 was a significant asset, even if it didn’t achieve the same level of popularity as some of its counterparts.
The game’s quality evidently paid off. Nine years since its debut, Arkane has continued its journey with Bethesda, releasing Deathloop in 2021 and delving into Marvel’s Blade with an eye on a 2027 release. Although these titles haven’t hit the commercial heights that Skyrim has enjoyed, Arkane’s dedication to quality and unique style has certainly been rewarded with sustained success under Bethesda.
However, not every subsidiary has shared Arkane’s luck. In 2024, Xbox closed Arkane Austin and several other Bethesda studios. Some, like Tango Gameworks, managed to survive the cuts, but Arkane’s Austin branch was officially shuttered. Despite this setback, the studio’s strong focus on high-quality output may still benefit its former team members outside of their time with Bethesda, as industry figures like Ken Levine of Judas have shown interest in hiring those ex-employees.
