With its tentative acquisition of ZeniMax Media, including subsidiary studios including Bethesda Softworks, Microsoft has delivered a message that it’s going to deliver more first-party games during the Xbox Series X generation than perhaps ever before. One developer primed to deliver on that message isArkane Studios.Arkaneis already hard at work on releasingDeathloopin 2021, but it also is preparing for what comes next, and apparently the co-creator ofDishonoredhas a new project in the works.
In an interview with Vandal,Dishonoredcreative director Harvey Smithspoke about the company’s ongoing work. First, Smith explains he’s not involved with Arkane’s upcoming gameDeathloop. He said that he is working on a new project, something else apart fromDeathloop. Arkane has no other officially announced projects in development right now, so Smith is effectively confirming another ongoing development at Arkane.
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Smith adds a bit of additional detail to what he’s working on, as he said he’s working with the team that madeDishonoredandPrey. The two Arkane studios include Arkane Austin, which is based in Texas, and Arkane Lyon, which is based in France. Arkane Lyon is currently heading theDeathloopproject under director Dinga Bakaba. Smith’s project is presumably being worked on in Austin.
Arkane spent time after the release of bothDishonored 2andPreysupporting other ongoing ZeniMax projects, includingFallout 76and bothWolfenstein: YoungbloodandCyberpilot. It seems that team has transitioned back to its own work during or following the development of those games. That said, it isn’t clear how long the unannounced game has been in development, as it may only have become a focus as thedevelopment ofDeathloopapproached its conclusion.
While no further details regarding Arkane’s new project have been revealed, fans are certain to speculate about two possibilities. Both theDishonoredand rebootedPreyfranchises are well-liked, and sequels to either project would be welcomed. Sales of those games may prevent Arkane from delivering on that, however. As such, a new IP or a spin-off of adifferent ZeniMax propertyis just as much, if not more.
Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media is unlikely to play a role in the situation. The project could have been in development for some time, and the acquisition has not been officially completed as of this writing. The direction thatZeniMax leadershipmay want for Arkane may not be the direction that Microsoft wants, and as such who knows what Smith’s project withArkanewill turn out to be.
