The first two Dishonored games have been announced for Xbox Game Pass as part of a 20-game lineup of Bethesda games coming to the service. Some major Bethesda titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass, including games from The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom series. This is a big win for gamers who use Xbox Game Pass, with the addition of these acclaimed games being a big step forward in the Bethesda and Microsoft relationship. Of all the titles being added, some stand out more than others as big winners of this new Xbox Game Pass update.
The Dishonored series so far has received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. The supernatural first-person games have been praised for unique action and a well-realized world. The games have somewhat flown under the radar for some fans, and while the spin-off game, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, won't be coming to Xbox Game Pass, the first two games are. This could be a great opportunity for gamers to explore the franchise, but for Bethesda, this could present a new lease on life for the Dishonored games and perhaps positively influence its upcoming release, Deathloop.
A Prelude to Deathloop
Deathloop is the next game coming from Arkane Studios, a timed-exclusive title for PlayStation 5. Bethesda has gone on record stating that the acquisition by Microsoft won't impact the development and release of Deathloop, which is good news for PlayStation fans. The new attention the Dishonored games could receive might mean there'll be more spotlight on Deathloop, despite launching on another platform. Fans looking forward to the new Arkane Studios game might check out previous games, and potentially lead to more Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Conversely, this could be mutually beneficial, with Dishonored fans gaining more interest in Deathloop.
This is good news for Bethesda and Arkane Studios in general, but for players, there might be some cohesion between Deathloop and Dishonored. Deathloop looks like it's bringing a fresh take on the Arkane brand of action-adventure, with some of what came before in Dishonored. Some of the abilities players will be able to use look as though they could have easily been in Dishonored. The director of Deathloop, Dinga Bakaba, has stated the game will even bring back some powers seen in Dishonored. This cross-brand familiarity could go a long way to bolster interest in both Deathloop and Dishonored.
A New Lease of Life for Dishonored
The first Dishonored game received critical acclaim and strong sales and provided a promising start for the new IP. Dishonored 2 enjoyed similar critical acclaim, but its sales didn't match those of the first title. It was only when Dishonored 2 received a price cut that its sales started improving, but this was probably less than ideal for Arkane and Bethesda. Now that the first two Dishonored games are joining Xbox Game Pass, they'll be available to millions of subscribers at no extra cost. With the buzz around the Bethesda acquisition, the stars might have now aligned for Dishonored to receive the attention that Arkane Studios was hoping it would get originally.
The Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda has been a major news item in the gaming industry since the buyout was first announced. Gamers understood quickly that this could mean that big franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls will receive priority on Xbox systems, in addition to lesser-known Bethesda franchises. Dishonored always seemed primed for mainstream success to some gamers, thanks to its big budgets, unique visual identity, and versatile gameplay. Now that the series will have more exposure to millions of players, this could be the time for the games to enjoy a second run at success, but also pave the way for the future.
The Future of Dishonored
The possibility of Dishonored 3 is exciting for many existing fans of the franchise, and with the possibility of a new slew of fandom on Xbox Game Pass, this could encourage Arkane Studios to work on a sequel. There have been various reports over the years about the series, claiming that it's on ice for the moment until the developer wishes to get back to work on it. With a new chance of success, this could prove to be the opportunity that Arkane has been waiting for to develop a new Dishonored game. Player statistics and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions could hold the key to unlocking the future of the franchise.
Arkane Studio's new game, Deathloop, could lay the groundwork for a new Dishonored game. Deathloop is the developer's first foray into working on next-generation systems, and what Arkane learns from this experience, could be brought into a new Dishonored game. While the studio has had access to AAA budgets in the past, the Microsoft acquisition could potentially open more doors.
With Microsoft's marketing capabilities, a new Dishonored game could be a smash hit if the player interest is there, based on how the first two games do on Xbox Game Pass. There's a lot of potential for the series waiting to be unlocked through renewed interest in Arkane's titles and weighty backing from Microsoft.
Dishonored is primed for a large boost in players with its addition to Xbox Game Pass. The well-liked action-adventure games could be thrust into the more mainstream gaming consciousness with this clever move from Bethesda and Microsoft. Arkane Studios is getting ready for their next slate of games, with Deathloop and a new project from Dishonored creator Harvey Smith, but Dishonored specifically has a lot to gain from this new arrangement. The previously-overlooked series has a new lease of life on Xbox Game Pass and with that, it opens up opportunities for the future of the series as well.