Dishonored is a first-person Neo-Victorian stealth action video game being developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is scheduled to be released sometime in 2012 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.Harvey Smith, known for his past work on the Deus Ex franchise as well as Thief: Deadly Shadows, and Raf Colantonio, who worked on Arx Fatalis and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, are the lead designers on the game.
The game is set in a world that blends both the past, future, and things
in-between, of our reality. Nobles ride in carriages, masses of
man-eating rats lurk in the dark gutters, the sound of automated
factories can be heard in the distance, and towering war-machines prowl
the cobbled streets. The economy of the world, which is going well into
its industrial age, is booming with the success of a useful,
multipurpose fuel: Whale oil. Locations include the desolate Isles, the mighty Pandyssian Continent, and the city of Dunwall.
Adventage of Game
- First person
- Contains shooter and role playing elements
- Open, but contain & focused, world to explore
- Steampunk influences
- Strong use of intereaction with NPCs
Overview
You are the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress. Framed for her murder, you become an infamous assassin, known only by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is being besieged by plague and ruled by an oppressive government armed with neo-industrial technologies, dark forces conspire to bestow upon you, abilities beyond those of any common man – but at what cost? The truth behind your betrayal is as murky as the waters surrounding the city, and the life you once had is gone forever.
Comment From Author
The story seems intriguing and first person sword play is also a highlight for me. Gameplay with movement and Blinking (read teh Gameinformer articel and you'll understand) makes me curious on how teleoporting works in first person.
While I would love to see this game in 2012, I really hope they take the time they need instead of ttrying to meet an arbitrary date.
This game has a lot of potential.
Like someone previously said there are a lot of big name games coming this year and I honestly doubt Dishonored will have the weight to push them aside.
Rather what I think is that this ame will be something of a sleeper hit. Probably a slow start but with a steadily growing following, supported by reviews and the kind of "best low-profile games of" lists.. you know the kind I'm talking about.
But that's based on a really high quality game being put out, and that means taking the time needed to finish it.
Not for nothing but in my experience Bethesda as a publisher has a tendency to push developers to get games out sonner rather than later...
Some Question ??
Q: Who is developing Dishonored? I've heard that people from Arx Fatalis, Bioshock 2, Half-Life 2, Dark Messiah, and the original Deus Ex are onboard.
A: Our full team (with offices in Lyon, France and Austin, TX) is working on Dishonored. Many of our team members have worked on the titles mentioned above (in addition to others), and we all feel very lucky to be working together on this project.
Between now and the game’s release, we’ll share new details on our team and studios.
Q: And what about the involvement with Bethesda/Todd Howard/ZeniMax/etc/.?
A: Arkane Studios is now part of the ZeniMax family and our future titles, beginning with Dishonored , will be published by Bethesda. Todd and the rest of Bethesda Game Studios are not working on Dishonored -- as you know they’re putting the final touches on Skyrim (which we can’t wait to play!).
While we’re not working directly with BGS, it’s great that we’re able to regularly talk, share ideas, and trade feedback. Sometimes we even get to play their games a little early (nudge, nudge)!
Q: Viktor Antonov (the art director of Half-Life 2 and visionary behind City 17) is involved in the project. What's his role on Dishonored?
A: Viktor is our Visual Concept Designer, working side by side with our Art Director, Sebastien Mitton. Dishonored has its own distinct look and any similarities to other games is either coincidental or a byproduct of Viktor's very recognizable signature design style. Some elements of Dishonored's look are driven by the alternate industrial revolution in our fiction. Other aspects of the art direction are deliberately impressionistic, as a creative choice. Stay tuned for more screenshots and in-game video footage.
Q: Why doesn’t Dishonored take advantage of the idTech5 engine?
A: The game was in early development before we joined Bethesda. We’re certainly impressed by everything idTech5 has to offer, but Dishonored is being crafted with a custom version of the Unreal Engine, including plenty of features developed in-house.
Q: What is the mission structure for the game? Is Dishonored an open world game?
A: Dishonored is a mission-based game, with each location a living, breathing place in the city. These places have distinct identities, but also feel like part of an integrated world. Each mission will take you to a set of sandbox areas with multiple pathways encouraging exploration, in terms of both physical space, player style and game mechanics powers. The game also features a central hub that you revisit between missions. Incidentally, one of our core values is world cohesion, so we think about who lives in each place and how the area functions, realistically.
Q: What about the gameplay? Is it a stealth game or a “run and gun” FPS?
A: “Play your way” is one of our sayings at Arkane. In Dishonored, you will be able to find and exploit your own play-style. Whether you prefer several flavors of stealth, trickery or direct combat, the player will be able to make gameplay style choices throughout the game, second to second. However, the game is tuned so that direct combat is intense.
Q: Tell us about the game's perspective and the philosophy behind it.
A: The entire game is seen through the player-character's eyes as he moves through the world. (Not sticky cover system or third-person camera cuts.) You have a range of movement options from first-person point of view, including lean, sprint, slide and mantle. In addition, you have the opportunity to gain improved physical abilities throughout the game through one of our three character upgrade systems. Swimming, hiding in shadows and getting up onto rooftops are part of the fun.
Q: When are we going to get to play Dishonored?
A: We look forward to letting all of you play the game when it’s released next year.
