Arkane Studios: Before Dishonored, They Were Working on Thief 4 and a Blade Runner Game

Before creating Dishonored, the developers at Arkane Studios were very close to working on two projects: a new chapter of Thief and a video game set in the Blade Runner universe. This revelation comes from the studio's former co-directors, Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith, during a lengthy conversation about the studio's history.

According to Colantonio, Bethesda had proposed to Arkane to develop a new chapter of the Thief series, convinced that the studio was perfect to carry on its legacy. For the developers, it was an irresistible offer: both Thief and Blade Runner were among the works that had most influenced their creative vision.

Smith recounted that the team had already prepared a very advanced concept for Thief 4, complete with demonstration videos and gameplay ideas. Meanwhile, Arkane was experimenting with combat mechanics for a possible Blade Runner game, even working on the “unnatural” movements of replicants, drawing inspiration from the advice of Doug Church, a historical designer of immersive sims.

The idea was to create an intense and immersive experience, faithful to the dark and futuristic atmospheres of the film. Smith described the story conceived for Blade Runner as “extraordinary,” while Colantonio admitted that the team was so enthusiastic that they had difficulty focusing on just one project.

In the end, however, neither of the two games was realized. Bethesda suggested instead that Arkane continue to develop the studio's original project, which would eventually become Dishonored. According to Colantonio, the foundations of Dishonored derive directly from the prototype of Thief 4.

Yet, even though those games never saw the light, their legacy clearly survives in the style of Dishonored: stealth, freedom of approach, and atmospherically dense settings. A legacy that has made the title one of the most beloved immersive sims in recent years.