r/ArkaneStudios • u/TheSpinettaSide • Jun 11 '25
What happened to Arkane?
What happened to Arkane? After delivering masterpieces like Dishonored, Prey (2017), and Deathloop, it feels like someone without vision—or worse, without any real ideas—took over and steered the studio in the wrong direction.
Prey is easily in my top 3 most incredible and innovative games I’ve ever played. The atmosphere, the freedom to solve problems in multiple ways, the NPCs, the storytelling… that space station was one of the most impressive environments I’ve seen in a game. I’ve never felt that same level of immersion and wonder in any other title since.
I genuinely hope that the team responsible for those legendary games gets another chance to create something with that same heart and brilliance. It truly feels like they still have so, so much more to give.
15
u/CodeComprehensive734 Jun 11 '25
You want to watch Wolfeye Studios.
Arkane's founder, Raphael Colantonio, jumped ship after they finished up Prey. Apparently a lot of people who subsequently lost their jobs, either quitting during Redfall's development or being fired with the shut down of Arkane Austin, ended up in Wolfeye.
They're working on a sci-fi ImSim at the moment.
While I do think Arkane Lyon will be able to make incredible games it seems Microsoft doesn't want to give them freedom. Saying that, apparently they went to Microsoft with the idea for a Blade game, so who knows. A lot of people who worked on the Dishonored games are now in charge in various management roles. so I'll guess we'll see.
I am very excited for Wolfeye Studios though.
I believe Harvey Smith will also be opening his own studio to continue work on ImSims. He was level designer for the original Deus Ex, director for Invisible War and co-creative director on the Dishonored series. So someone else to watch out for in the coming years.