Fans of the stealth genre have long suspected a connection between the Dishonored series and the classic Thief franchise. Now, thanks to revelations from Arkane’s co-creative directors Raphaël Colantonio and Harvey Smith, we know why these games feel so spiritually connected.
The Secret Origins of Dishonored
In a recent interview with PCGamesN, the creators behind Dishonored revealed that the acclaimed stealth-action title actually began its development life as either Thief 4 or a Blade Runner game. This explains so much about why Dishonored has always felt like a spiritual successor to the beloved Thief series.
According to Colantonio and Smith, Arkane was initially approached with opportunities to work on established properties. The team had to choose between developing a new installment in the Thief franchise or creating a game based on the iconic Blade Runner universe.
Thief’s DNA in Dishonored’s Design
This revelation puts into perspective why Dishonored captured so perfectly what made Thief special. Both games feature shadow-based stealth, supernatural elements, rich world-building, and the emphasis on player choice in approaching objectives. The Victorian-inspired Steampunk aesthetic of Dunwall shares clear DNA with the steampunk-fantasy world of Thief’s The City.
What’s particularly fascinating is how Arkane took the core concepts they were developing for what would have been Thief 4 and transformed them into something entirely original. Instead of continuing someone else’s legacy, they created their own.
The Creative Freedom of Original IP
Ultimately, Arkane chose to forge their own path rather than developing someone else’s intellectual property. This decision proved fruitful, as Dishonored went on to critical acclaim and commercial success, spawning sequels and establishing itself as a major franchise in its own right.
The creative freedom that came with developing an original IP allowed Arkane to explore their unique vision without the constraints of existing lore. This resulted in the distinctive blend of magic, industrial decay, and political intrigue that defines the Dishonored universe.
If you’re inspired by this behind-the-scenes glimpse into gaming history and want to experience these masterpieces yourself, you can find Dishonored and other stealth classics at TURGAME.com, your go-to source for game keys and digital gift cards.
Source: PCGamesN