Known worldwide for crafting deep world-building and player choice, Arkane Studios built an unforgettable reputation as a master of the immersive sim genre.
Key Highlights
- Arkane Lyon leads Blade.
- Arkane Austin closed down.
- Black Pony studio formed.
- Dishonored legacy lives on.
About Arkane Studios
Arkane Studios is charting a new path with Marvel's Blade. Here is everything to know about the studio's latest projects, structural changes, and immersive gaming legacy.
Today, gaming fans across the globe are eager to know where the developer stands, what projects are in active development, and how recent changes shape its future.
The Current Ownership and Structure of Arkane Studios
To understand where the developer is headed, it helps to look at its corporate structure. Arkane Studios operates under the umbrella of ZeniMax Media and Bethesda Softworks, which are owned by Xbox Game Studios under Microsoft.
This corporate alignment brings powerful backing, but it has also led to major operational changes during recent Xbox reorganizations.
Arkane Lyon Takes the Lead as the Sole Active Studio
Following major changes across the parent organization, Arkane Studios now relies entirely on its famous French branch, Arkane Lyon. Arkane Lyon is currently the sole active studio remaining under the brand.
Based in France, this veteran team has consistently delivered critically acclaimed hits and continues to champion the developer's core design philosophy.
Inside Marvel's Blade: The Next Chapter for Arkane Studios
The biggest active project currently in production at Arkane Studios is Marvel's Blade. Departing from their traditional first-person perspective, the team is building a mature, single-player, third-person action game centered on the legendary vampire hunter, Eric Brooks.
The game takes place inside a quarantined zone in Paris during a sudden supernatural emergency. Studio Director Dinga Bakaba and Creative Director Sébastien Mitton are leading full-scale production at Arkane Lyon to bring this dark superhero adventure to life.
The Closure of Arkane Austin and the End of Redfall
The studio's journey has also seen painful developments. In May 2024, Microsoft made the decision to shut down Arkane Austin, the main US branch of Arkane Studios. Arkane Austin had earned high praise for developing the sci-fi hit Prey, but its final game, the co-op vampire shooter Redfall, struggled to find success.
Following final server updates and offline patches for Redfall, Microsoft dissolved the Austin branch as part of broader ZeniMax cutbacks.
Harvey Smith and the Birth of Black Pony Immersive
The dissolution of the US division inspired new independent efforts. Veteran game director Harvey Smith, co-creator of Dishonored and former lead at Arkane Studios, launched a brand-new game studio named Black Pony Immersive.
Joined by several former team members, Smith's new team is dedicated to creating original single-player immersive games that carry forward the spirit of player-driven gameplay.
The Gaming Legacy: Famous Titles from Arkane Studios
Over the past two decades, Arkane Studios has delivered some of the most influential titles in modern gaming. Their portfolio of acclaimed releases includes:
- Dishonored (2012) and Dishonored 2 (2016): Genre-defining stealth-action games known for high player agency, rich lore, and creative level architecture.
- Prey (2017): An atmospheric sci-fi space station immersive sim built by the former Austin team.
- Deathloop (2021): A stylish time-loop assassin shooter developed by Arkane Lyon that won multiple industry awards.
- Redfall (2023): A cooperative vampire-themed shooter that marked the final release from the Austin branch.
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What the Future Holds for Arkane Studios
Despite major structural changes and branch closures, Arkane Studios retains a powerful legacy and a clear path ahead. With Arkane Lyon leading production on Marvel's Blade, the studio remains focused on top-tier single-player design.
Gamers around the world can look forward to seeing how this acclaimed developer evolves in the coming years.
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