Among the many sequels that remain unmade, the prospect of Dishonored 3 stands out as a particularly tantalizing possibility. The original Dishonored holds a cherished place in the hearts of gamers, especially when considering its remarkable expansions. Following closely, Dishonored 2 is often hailed as one of the finest games ever crafted. However, the anticipated third installment has yet to materialize, primarily due to the second game’s sales falling short of publisher Bethesda’s expectations. The likelihood of seeing a new entry in the series soon appears dim.
Currently, Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored 2, is engrossed in developing a new title centered around the Blade franchise, led by director Dinga Bakaba, known for his work on Deathloop. Meanwhile, Arkane Austin, the sister studio, faced closure last year following the lackluster performance of Redfall. In a recent episode of the Quad Damage podcast, Raphaël Colantonio, a key figure in the creation of the Dishonored series, expressed his preference for exploring new concepts rather than revisiting established franchises. Reflecting on his experience, he noted, “After Dishonored 1, the last thing I wanted to do for the next four years of my life was Dishonored 2.” This sentiment led to Harvey Smith taking the directorial helm for the sequel, while Colantonio shifted his focus to Prey in 2017.
Fast forward thirteen years since the debut of Dishonored, and Colantonio now finds himself more open to the idea of returning to the beloved series. “I’d love to,” he remarked, acknowledging that discussions about a potential Dishonored 3 are still largely hypothetical. He mused, “It’s been so long that, you know, why not?” While this enthusiasm does not translate into concrete plans for the game, Colantonio revealed that the concept of Dishonored 3 exists in various forms. “I had a document about Dishonored 3. Harvey [Smith] has a document about Dishonored 3. I think Dinga has one too,” he shared, hinting at the multiple visions for the sequel. Yet, he cautioned that determining which version might eventually come to fruition remains a matter of speculation.
After departing from Arkane post-Prey, Colantonio established WolfEye Studio, where he is currently immersed in developing an unnamed first-person action RPG. This new project aims to embody the immersive qualities that fans of his previous work have come to appreciate. In a recent conversation with PC Gamer, he emphasized that the game will prioritize “density over size,” while still retaining the essence of the titles he produced at Arkane, including Prey and Dishonored. “We are even closer to that Fallout thing, [but] still with the values of previous games we’ve worked on,” he elaborated, hinting at an exciting future for both his new venture and the lingering hope for Dishonored 3.
