NewApp Digest
search bot

Dishonored

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika's original RPG: 'Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth'
AppWizard
March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.
Once and for all, which game has the best art?
AppWizard
January 18, 2026

Once and for all, which game has the best art?

Videogame art captivates audiences, with enthusiasts collecting special editions, design works, and vinyl soundtracks featuring concept art. The Dishonored Soundtrack Collection exemplifies the artistic talent within the franchise. Iconic artists like Viktor Antonov have created striking visuals that blend gothic architecture with futuristic elements, contributing to the lasting impact of games like Half-Life 2 and Dishonored. Character art in Dishonored includes contributions from Cedric Peyravernay, Sergey Kolesov, and Piotr Jabłoński, enhancing the game's visual narrative. In Destiny, Rory Norris highlights the captivating concept art of a post-apocalyptic Chicago and the enigmatic Vex architecture illustrated by Jesse van Dijk. Tyler Colp admires Elden Ring's concept art, which translates into stunning visuals, showcasing detailed character designs. Ted Litchfield expresses excitement for Avowed, noting its comic book-style illustrations and inventive designs that evoke nostalgia. The artistry in gaming enhances gameplay and creates emotional connections with players.
Dishonored co-creator says it was 'a shock' when Microsoft closed Arkane Austin after Redfall's release: 'We were working on something really cool'
AppWizard
December 21, 2025

Dishonored co-creator says it was ‘a shock’ when Microsoft closed Arkane Austin after Redfall’s release: ‘We were working on something really cool’

Arkane Austin has closed, a decision that has impacted the gaming community, particularly fans of its legacy. The studio was known for innovative titles like Dishonored (2012) and Prey (2017). Former director Harvey Smith expressed sadness over the closure, especially for newer team members. He reflected on the studio's efforts to improve Redfall post-launch and acknowledged Microsoft's support in finalizing a significant patch. Smith hinted at unfulfilled projects, including a potential Blade Runner game and a shelved Thief game. The closure reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, marking a decline in immersive sims since the 2010s, although there are upcoming titles that may revive interest in the genre.
The best deals in the 2025 Steam Winter Sale
AppWizard
December 19, 2025

The best deals in the 2025 Steam Winter Sale

The Steam Winter Sale features a selection of games at all-time low prices, including newly released titles from 2025 and recommended favorites. The sale includes discounts on various genres, with guides available for RPGs, FPS games, strategy games, and survival games. Notable games and their prices during the sale include: - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - .99 (-50%) - Balatro - .74 (-15%) - Baldur's Gate 3 - .99 (-25%) - Elden Ring - .99 (-35%) - Valheim - .99 (-50%) - Death Stranding: Director's Cut - .99 (-60%) - Disco Elysium - .99 (-90%) - Into the Breach - .49 (-70%) - Divinity: Original Sin 2 - .99 (-75%) - Dishonored 2 - .99 (-80%) - Metal Gear Solid 5: Definitive Experience - .99 A Steam sale calendar is available for tracking upcoming sales.
Chinese Room co-founder wanted Paradox to drop the 'Bloodlines 2' name, because "no one would be happy" with the final game
AppWizard
November 25, 2025

Chinese Room co-founder wanted Paradox to drop the ‘Bloodlines 2’ name, because “no one would be happy” with the final game

Many players are disappointed with Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 due to performance issues, a lack of meaningful stakes, and disengaging RPG systems. The sequel does not maintain continuity with the original game, offering only scattered lore snippets. Dan Pinchbeck, co-founder of The Chinese Room, revealed that he advocated for a title change during development discussions with Paradox to reduce comparisons with the original game. He aimed to take over the development of Bloodlines 2 but noted the team wanted to infuse their own storytelling rather than simply finish Hardsuit Labs' work. Pinchbeck recognized the challenges of creating a true sequel within time and budget constraints and suggested aiming for a focused experience similar to Dishonored. He acknowledged the complexities of collaborative game development and the enduring legacy of the original Bloodlines game, which continues to overshadow its sequel.
The Blood of Dawnwalker's latest gameplay trailer starts out looking like a Witcher spinoff, then the main character starts walking on walls
AppWizard
November 17, 2025

The Blood of Dawnwalker’s latest gameplay trailer starts out looking like a Witcher spinoff, then the main character starts walking on walls

The Blood of Dawnwalker is a new vampire RPG developed by former CD Projekt Red developers, featuring a protagonist named Coen, a junior vampire cadet. The game showcases a medieval cityscape reminiscent of Novigrad and includes a parry combat system similar to Sekiro, with dismemberment kills. Coen's abilities change between day and night, allowing for different gameplay mechanics and quest paths. The game emphasizes stealth and agility, enabling players to bypass confrontations and alter the story by eliminating key characters early. Players can add the game to their Steam wishlists, with a full release expected next year.
RPGs make up more than 30% of PC Gamer's Top 100, so clearly we've settled on a favourite genre
AppWizard
October 21, 2025

RPGs make up more than 30% of PC Gamer’s Top 100, so clearly we’ve settled on a favourite genre

This week, the annual Top 100 games list was unveiled, created by over 30 writers and editors through extensive discussions and debates. The list features 31 RPGs, with six in the top 10, including Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium, The Witcher 3, Crusader Kings 3, Caves of Qud, and Elden Ring. The RPG genre showcases remarkable diversity, encompassing classic CRPGs, ARPGs, JRPGs, roguelikes, soul-likes, immersive sims, deck builders, and unique titles like one featuring a flawed cop with a chatty necktie. RPGs offer players agency through character builds and exploration, distinguishing them from passive entertainment. Notably, no MMORPGs are included in this year's list, indicating a shift towards games that do not require constant attention, as seen with the inclusion of Diablo 2 but not Diablo 4. This reflects a broader gamer sentiment for meaningful engagement without ongoing commitments.
The best deals in the 2025 Steam Autumn Sale
AppWizard
September 30, 2025

The best deals in the 2025 Steam Autumn Sale

This year's Steam Autumn Sale has started earlier than in previous years, allowing for a longer gap before the Steam Winter Sale. The sale features games at all-time low prices, including newly released titles from this year, with discounts typically around 20%, and some larger reductions like Doom: The Dark Ages at 33% off and Assassin's Creed Shadows at 40% off. The sale also highlights popular games from 2024 and a collection of Game of the Year winners from the past decade, with some prices remaining stable or increasing since the Summer Sale. Notable prices include Baldur's Gate 3 at .99 (25% off), Valheim at .99 (50% off), and Disco Elysium at .99 (75% off).
Dishonored 'sounded a little bit ridiculous' in the beginning, but came together with the help of the Sweeney Todd musical
AppWizard
September 8, 2025

Dishonored ‘sounded a little bit ridiculous’ in the beginning, but came together with the help of the Sweeney Todd musical

Lackrow Boulevard in Dunwall is home to The Black Friar hotel, which is associated with the Hatters Gang. At number 131, AudioLog produces audiograph players that capture and replay spoken words through punchcards, preserving the thoughts of various characters. Austin Grossman, a significant figure in the gaming industry, is the creator of the audiograph. He contributed to influential games like System Shock and Deus Ex and wrote the novel You, reflecting on his experiences at Looking Glass Studios. Grossman praised Dishonored 2 for its dual protagonist system and the transition from Dunwall to Serkonos. He expressed a desire to explore more islands in the Dishonored universe and suggested that the series could benefit from a lighter tone. He also noted that the island in Deathloop is part of the Dishonored universe, set in a distant future, and highlighted the narrative design differences between the two games. Grossman believes that the emotional depth of the stories distinguishes them from other titles like Prey. He considers writing for the Dishonored series a privilege and acknowledges the unpredictable nature of success in the gaming industry.
Search