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Arkane on Dishonored's future, next-gen, Prey 2, and multiplayer

N

Nirolak

Mrgrgr
RPS had a great interview with Arkane about the future of the studio.

There's a lot more at the link about storytelling and their philosophy and stuff like that.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/201...Feed:+RockPaperShotgun+(Rock,+Paper,+Shotgun)

Next-Gen:

RPS said:
RPS: Speaking of, we’re on the cusp of a “new” generation of hardware (except on PC, where things are always awesome all the time). How do you see the sort of game you make evolving? More scope? More depth per location? More sophisticated AI?

Colantonio: The next generation is mostly going to be all about memory. That’s gonna be the big difference for us, anyway. More memory means more entities, more density, more AI with more variations in their animations, bigger levels with less loading, etc. And also saving the state of things so that when you come back to an area, things are entirely [as they were]. Backtracking is actually embraced by the system as opposed to being a problem. It’s all good things for us.

But the values we hold will remain the same. It’s all about interactivity and choices, consequences to your choices, many ways to do things, exploration, verticality, and all kinds of player tools. The more kinds of tools we can give to the player in a very simulated environment, the better the experience is.

It’s all about players, not what the designer wants them to do. This is the base foundation of all our games from now on. The more power and memory we have, the more possibilities we can give to the player.
Click to expand...

Multiplayer:

RPS: I take you’re staying focused on single-player, then. Is multiplayer at all in the cards? I mean, Dishonored obviously didn’t need it, but is it something you’re at all interested in exploring?

Colantonio: We might be interested by multiplayer. And this would not necessarily be the traditional multiplayer approach. But primarily, we are storytellers. That’s the part we like. So as long as multiplayer does not go against that – which is unfortunately often the case with multiplayer because you have to remove any story bits because they go at odds with the strict values of multiplayer – [we're interested].

But yes, generally we’re more into single-player. Someone playing at their own pace, which is another thing that goes against multiplayer values. In multiplayer, there’s a group, so everyone has to worry about going forward or being shot at. But we’re also keeping an eye out for ways to do multiplayer the right way.
Click to expand...

Dishonored's Future:

RPS: Are there any places in particular that you’d like to visit in the next game? Or even time periods? I mean, I loved reading books in Dishonored. Are there any topics you explored in the lore where you were like, “Wait, why don’t we just make a game about this?”

Colantonio: Yeah, that’s actually how we designed Dishonored from the beginning. The lore is actually way bigger than the game itself. There are a few places we could go and explore given the opportunity. Definitely the islands around, but also all the big continents. Anything is possible.

RPS: For the series’ future, do you think you’ll go back to silent protagonists, or was Daud a test for characters with more personality?

Colantonio: We always come back to the same thing: both can work and be done well. It’s gonna be interesting. We’re thinking about this very exact topic right now, though. It’s at the heart of our discussions right now. Are we gonna go with a silent protagonist or not? Doing that with Daud was a way for us to test a little bit. See if people like it. So it will also depend on what we hear from players [after they finish Brigmore Witches].
Click to expand...

Prey 2:

RPS: So you guys and Prey 2? Definitely not happening? I already asked Pete Hines, but just to be absolutely sure.

Colantonio: No. We’ve been looking at where that rumor came from, and I really don’t know.

[Note: He's actually lying and they're making Prey 2.]
Click to expand...

Additional Note:

They mention they're still deciding whether or not the two studios will be working on one game or two games at the same time. This is apparently untrue and they are in fact becoming separate studios.
 
D

Dance Inferno

Unconfirmed Member
I would love to visit some of the outlying islands in Dishonored, hopefully they have different architectural styles and personalities. Dishonored was one of my favorite games of this gen, so I am definitely keeping an eye on their next project.
 
T

The Technomancer

card-carrying scientician
More memory means more entities, more density, more AI with more variations in their animations, bigger levels with less loading, etc
Click to expand...

Please please let the Dishonored successor really take advantage of this
 
D

DaBuddaDa

Member
RPS: Are you going straight into the development of another Dishonored?

Colantonio: I can’t say exactly what we’re working on yet, but I can say that it’s definitely going to be a similar type of game. Choices, multiple objectives, branching paths, and things like that. Those are our core values and they will stay that way.
Click to expand...

I don't see how it would make any business sense to make a game "similar in type" to Dishonored with "choices, multiple objectives, branching paths, and things like that" and have it not be Dishonored 2.
 
N

Nirolak

Mrgrgr
DaBuddaDa said:
I don't see how it would make any business sense to make a game "similar in type" to Dishonored with "choices, multiple objectives, branching paths, and things like that" and have it not be Dishonored 2.
Click to expand...

Right, but he just can't say it's Dishonored 2 yet since it's not an announced game.

That said, if they do end up doing two projects simultaneously, the second one will presumably not be Dishonored, but something with similar values.
 
S

Shrike_Priest

Member
DaBuddaDa said:
I don't see how it would make any business sense to make a game "similar in type" to Dishonored with "choices, multiple objectives, branching paths, and things like that" and have it not be Dishonored 2.
Click to expand...

While I'm sure it's just him not wanting to announce it prematurely, I'm all for them doing a "System Shock 2 -> Bioshock" type switcharoo.

Dishonored worked, but they're going to go up against a revitalized Thief franchise, which is visually very similar in terms of the whole steampunk/faux-victorian stuff and obviously a big influence on Dishonored.

It might be cool to see them do the same thing, but set it in say, Mafia-era Chicago, far future, or contemporary for that matter, a setting which is criminally underused for FPS-games of this type.

Then call it Disgraced or Disintegrate or something like that.
 
D

Dance Inferno

Unconfirmed Member
Shrike_Priest said:
While I'm sure it's just him not wanting to announce it prematurely, I'm all for them doing a "System Shock 2 -> Bioshock" type switcharoo.

Dishonored worked, but they're going to go up against a revitalized Thief franchise, which is visually very similar in terms of the whole steampunk/faux-victorian stuff and obviously a big influence on Dishonored.

It might be cool to see them do the same thing, but set it in say, Mafia-era Chicago, far future, or contemporary for that matter, a setting which is criminally underused for FPS-games of this type.

Then call it Disgraced or Disintegrate or something like that.
Click to expand...

More like Distracted.

Look, I'm all for developers branching out and trying new IPs, but let your existing IPs breathe and grow a little first. Dishonored was great, but let's get a Dishonored 2 utilizing the full capabilities of next gen consoles before we go trying new IPs.
 
S

Shrike_Priest

Member
ilnadmy said:
More like Distracted.

Look, I'm all for developers branching out and trying new IPs, but let your existing IPs breathe and grow a little first. Dishonored was great, but let's get a Dishonored 2 utilizing the full capabilities of next gen consoles before we go trying new IPs.
Click to expand...

90% of the gameplay could be replicated regardless of art-design. While I really liked the vibe they had in Dishonored, I'm not sure I necessarily need to see the same steampunk design in higher resolution with more polys.

Compare it to Final Fantasy switching worlds each installment.

New setting ≠ new IP.
 
D

Dance Inferno

Unconfirmed Member
Shrike_Priest said:
90% of the gameplay could be replicated regardless of art-design. While I really liked the vibe they had in Dishonored, I'm not sure I necessarily need to see the same steampunk design in higher resolution with more polys.

Compare it to Final Fantasy switching worlds each installment.

New setting ≠ new IP.
Click to expand...

I'm not even talking just about a setting. How about using the 10x increase in memory to improve AI, to increase the size of levels and give us more options for traversal/stealth, to improve the light/dark mechanic, to implement sound into the stealth mechanics, etc...

Dishonored was great, but I would like to see them flesh out the formula first and establish it is a true top-tier IP before they move onto something else.
 
NoPiece

NoPiece

Member
When I played through Dishonored, I thought the books that mentioned the continent Pandyssia were some of the best, and was really hoping the game would end up going there. Now's their chance, let me go set up a colony there in the sequel!

The few who have traveled to the Far Continent and come back to the Isles, those who have actually touched the soil there, have returned with notes that describe vast deserts, deep jungles, and outlandish creatures that defy belief.

Once in a generation, a great effort is mounted to build a colony there, in hopes of this someday growing into a port city to rival Dunwall itself. But to date, these attempts have all ended in madness and failure.
Click to expand...
 
O

Oni Black Mage

Neo Member
I thought Dishonored was practically the exact same game as Deus Ex: Human Revolution, just a different art style and lack of a yellow filter.

Thief 4 looks to be the same game as Dishonored too.

Hopefully, Prey 2 will be a thing (and a good thing, too), the trailer looked so very interesting.
 
A

A Serious Man

Member
DaBuddaDa said:
I don't see how it would make any business sense to make a game "similar in type" to Dishonored with "choices, multiple objectives, branching paths, and things like that" and have it not be Dishonored 2.
Click to expand...

It makes sense if they're working on an IP that's already popular (ex: Star Wars). Also, all of the things he mentioned can be done in virtually any genre, not just a first-person stealth action game like Dishonored.
 
T

Totobeni

An blind dancing ho
Yeah Pete Hines already said that about Prey 2, this is the 2nd time they said Arkane is not working on it.

waiting for Rebellion's Prey 2, It'll be glorious. :(
 
S

Shrike_Priest

Member
ilnadmy said:
I'm not even talking just about a setting. How about using the 10x increase in memory to improve AI, to increase the size of levels and give us more options for traversal/stealth, to improve the light/dark mechanic, to implement sound into the stealth mechanics, etc...

Dishonored was great, but I would like to see them flesh out the formula first and establish it is a true top-tier IP before they move onto something else.
Click to expand...

I honestly don't see how doing all the things you say require them to keep the steampunk setting.

With the Daud DLC, they've explored two different facets of the same story in Dunwall, why not set it somewhere else? I mean, say they go do it in "the continent", like he hinted. They'd still have to make lots of new concept art if they want to get it a distinct feel unless they want more of the same. Why not change the setting and have Dishonored be as unique as possible?

Hell, for all I care, they can call the game Dishonored 2 and then do another tale of betrayal in another setting. I honestly think that's an easier game to make than try to make Dishonored 2, in a Dunwall-replacement town, without actually being the same story all over again.

I think the obvious choice for a sequel is to have you play as
Emily in her 20s, surviving a coup and fighting her way back.
But that would be pretty predictable.
 
R

Remachinate

Member
ilnadmy said:
I'm not even talking just about a setting. How about using the 10x increase in memory to improve AI, to increase the size of levels and give us more options for traversal/stealth, to improve the light/dark mechanic, to implement sound into the stealth mechanics, etc...

Dishonored was great, but I would like to see them flesh out the formula first and establish it is a true top-tier IP before they move onto something else.
Click to expand...

Exactly, I see Dishonored as a proof-of-concept. It's an excellent game in its own right, but it also only hints at the ways its systems can be used to create even more compelling experiences. I really hope next-gen enables them to fully realize their vision of creating a modern immersive sim.
 
B

Barack Lesnar

Banned
It’s all about players, not what the designer wants them to do. This is the base foundation of all our games from now on. The more power and memory we have, the more possibilities we can give to the player.
Click to expand...
next
gen
 
D

Dance Inferno

Unconfirmed Member
Shrike_Priest said:
I honestly don't see how doing all the things you say require them to keep the steampunk setting.

With the Daud DLC, they've explored two different facets of the same story in Dunwall, why not set it somewhere else? I mean, say they go do it in "the continent", like he hinted. They'd still have to make lots of new concept art if they want to get it a distinct feel unless they want more of the same. Why not change the setting and have Dishonored be as unique as possible?

Hell, for all I care, they can call the game Dishonored 2 and then do another tale of betrayal in another setting. I honestly think that's an easier game to make than try to make Dishonored 2, in a Dunwall-replacement town, without actually being the same story all over again.

I think the obvious choice for a sequel is to have you play as
Emily in her 20s, surviving a coup and fighting her way back.
But that would be pretty predictable.
Click to expand...

Oh I'm not advocating keeping the same setting at all. As long as the gameplay feels like Dishonored (with improvements obviously) then I wouldn't mind them putting it somewhere other than Dunwall. In fact I'm pretty sure Dishonored 2 will be set in another city.
 
M

Miles Quaritch

Member
Huh, so Arkane aren't working on Prey 2? I guess that's good news as it means we might one day see Human Head's effort. Probably wishful thinking, but I'll hold onto whatever shred of hope, however small, that we might see it released one day/
 
C

Carcetti

Member
I just started the Brigmore Witches. There's a big pile of books in Daud's study reminding us that there are places in that universe that sound exotic and absolutely amazing. With Dunwall as alt-Britannia it would be great to see the empire and the colonies.
 
L

LonelyGreyWolf

Banned
It’s at the heart of our discussions right now. Are we gonna go with a silent protagonist or not? Doing that with Daud was a way for us to test a little bit. See if people like it. So it will also depend on what we hear from players [after they finish Brigmore Witches]
Click to expand...

Who wants a silent protagonist?

Who?
 
H

Hindle

Banned
I'd actually like them to leave the world of Dunwall behind. Maybe they could do a cyberpunk themed game within the Dishonored universe?

Either way, I think the only continuing aspect in Dishonored should be the Outsider. Everything else IMO should change. Like, just have The Outsider gifting people his power in different worlds.
 
O

Orayn

Member
It’s all about players, not what the designer wants them to do. This is the base foundation of all our games from now on. The more power and memory we have, the more possibilities we can give to the player.
Click to expand...

This statement encapsulates the differences between the mindsets adopted by between Arkane and the chuckleheads over at Eidos Montreal working on the Thief reboot. Arkane fucking get it.
 
M

matrix-cat

Member
There's so much talk about The Outsider only bestowing his powers on a select few 'every generation', that a different time period seems like an obvious choice for a sequel. I'd really love to see them embrace the more fantastical aspects of the setting and lore, and actually make it part of the main story rather than some neat stuff to read about during breaks from the grim and serious melodrama.

I still find it so crazy that they went to such trouble crafting the world and then just hid all that work away, even going so far as to hire really talented actors, at presumably ludicrous expense, and then not give them anything to work with. Hey, John Slattery, if you could tone down the wry charisma and deadpan hilarity for a moment, we're really looking for a straight-laced, utterly emotionless automaton here.
 
T

Totobeni

An blind dancing ho
Miles Quaritch said:
Huh, so Arkane aren't working on Prey 2? I guess that's good news as it means we might one day see Human Head's effort. Probably wishful thinking, but I'll hold onto whatever shred of hope, however small, that we might see it released one day/
Click to expand...

Not sure if that a good news or not, if Bethesda wanted to let other dev complete HH original work of Prey 2 we'll see it by now or at least hear about it from HH guys, my guess HH is taking the source code as a hostage or just sabotaged it and gave Bethesda code full of alien porn.
 
H

Hindle

Banned
The best levels in the first were when you had to assassinate someone IMO. If they can expand on those and add more complexity to the level design as well, then we could have a true spiritual successor to Hitman/Thief.
 
D

Deleted member 80556

Unconfirmed Member
I like the way that he describes how next-gen helps with design and improves the possibilities.
 
C

Curufinwe

Member
Daud talking is much better than the silly silent protagonist technique. Unless you're playing as a mute or someone without a tongue, it's just dumb.
 
M

Miles Quaritch

Member
Totobeni said:
Not sure if that a good news or not, if Bethesda wanted to let other dev complete HH original work of Prey 2 we'll see it by now or at least hear about it from HH guys, my guess HH is taking the source code as a hostage or just sabotaged it and gave Bethesda code full of alien porn.
Click to expand...

Heh, whatever is going on behind the scenes, I just want to play Human Head's version of Prey 2. I wish they'd just reach a settlement and get the game out, it seems insane to let all that hard work go to waste...

Nirolak said:
Feel free to ignore the Prey 2 quote in the OP: http://kotaku.com/leaked-e-mails-suggest-bethesda-misled-gamers-about-pre-1149092622
Click to expand...

Well shit. This generation has seen me go from a hopeful and optimistic guy to one who has become increasingly bitter and cynical. Even when I allow slivers of hope to penetrate the ever thickening shell of bitterness, I'm let down and only see the bitterness gain an even stronger foothold.

Gah.
 
T

Totobeni

An blind dancing ho
Jawmuncher said:
Came for Prey 2 news left dissapointment.
Hopefully that isnt actually dead. Don't much care about Dishonored.
Click to expand...

well there is new Prey by Arkane Austin, it most likely wont be the old Prey 2 but yeah still a new Prey (see the other thread look at Nirolak post for the link)

Miles Quaritch said:
Heh, whatever is going on behind the scenes, I just want to play Human Head's version of Prey 2. I wish they'd just reach a settlement and get the game out, it seems insane to let all that hard work go to waste...

.
Click to expand...

maybe 20 years from now when Zenimax shut down and can't sue anymore some HH survivors will leak it.
 
S

Samir Sedlar

Member
Dishonored was pretty amazing, Dishonored 2 on Next Gen can be pretty epic, bigger environments, more routs, higher buildings to Blink up to, more powers, bigger story, ........etc


Any I really hope they drop the whole Silent Protagonist thing, Corvo's story would have been alot better if he wasn't silent IMO.
 
3

3bdelilah

Banned
Has there been any new information about Dishonored 2? I mean, there's definitely one coming, but it's been awefully quite. I really enjoyed the first one, alongside Deus Ex HR and Skyrim my top 3 of this generation.
 
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