Raphaël Colantonio, a driving force behind the critically acclaimed Dishonored series and founder of the now-defunct Arkane Studios Austin, has expressed a personal willingness to dive back into the stealth-action world of masked assassins and arcane powers. Speaking recently, Colantonio stated that he could envision himself working on a third main installment in the franchise right now.
Colantonio, who co-created Dishonored during his time at Arkane Studios, shared his thoughts on the Quad Damage podcast. He revealed that the idea of a Dishonored 3 isn’t entirely absent from the minds of those who shaped the series. According to Colantonio, both he, his former Arkane colleague Harvey Smith, and the current head of Arkane Lyon, Dinga Bakaba, have independently jotted down ideas and concepts for a potential sequel.
“I’d love to,” Colantonio commented, acknowledging the hypothetical nature of the discussion. “We’re talking totally hypothetically at this point. I could see myself working on Dishonored 3 right now because it’s been so long that, you know, why not? I would revisit that.”
This expression of readiness from a key creative figure is bound to ignite hope among fans who have been yearning for a return to the richly detailed, clockwork-punk world of Glimmering Falls and its intricate, choice-driven gameplay. The Dishonored series, known for its innovative approach to stealth and player agency, garnered a dedicated following across its two main entries and standalone expansion.
However, eager fans should temper their expectations. Colantonio’s enthusiasm exists alongside significant hurdles that make a Dishonored 3 an unlikely prospect in the immediate future. Colantonio himself is no longer with Arkane Studios, having departed to form WolfEye Studios, which released Weird West. Similarly, Harvey Smith was associated with Arkane Austin, a studio that was recently closed by Microsoft. Arkane’s Lyon branch is currently focused on the development of Marvel’s Blade.
Furthermore, reports have indicated that Dishonored 2, while critically lauded, did not meet publisher Bethesda’s sales expectations, a factor that often influences decisions regarding future installments. The dispersal of key creative talent who contributed to the series’ unique identity across different studios also presents a challenge.
While the existence of informal design documents among the series’ original architects is a fascinating peek behind the curtain, Colantonio’s statement appears to be more of a personal reflection on his connection to the franchise rather than an indication of active development or concrete plans. For now, Dishonored remains a beloved series, and the prospect of a third game, while personally appealing to one of its creators, resides in the realm of possibility rather than certainty.
Orange Man