The Lyon-based Arkane Studios is certainly one of the most consistent developers around, with most of its recent titles garnering near-universal critical and commercial acclaim. Currently a part of Xbox Game Studios after Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, the two studios are currently hard at work on two different projects.
Arkane Lyon is currently working on the time-bending PS5 exclusive Deathloop, due to release later this year. On the other hand, Arkane Austin is hard at work on its recently announced open-world shooter Redfall, exclusive to Xbox consoles. The two games are different in a lot of ways based on what's known, but are great showcases of what Arkane Studios is best at.
Arkane's Simulation Sandbox Roots
Over the years, Arkane Studios has carved out a unique reputation for itself in developing what can be described as "simulation sandbox" games. This isn't exactly surprising, however, since the founders of Arkane were previously developers who worked on titles such as System Shock. Arkane's Dishonored series is the culmination of everything the studio excels at: The myriad of buildings within Dunwall and Karnaca are industrial playgrounds teeming with possibilities, putting player freedom and creativity at its epicenter.
Arkane Studios pays immaculate attention to details, particularly in regards to the tools it offers to the players. If players have the ability to take control of animals using Possession, Arkane makes sure that every animal, including the fish in the water, is compatible with these abilities. This opens up a plethora of options for getting around the world and players are encouraged to bend such systems to their will, which is what makes playing these titles supremely fun.
Deathloop, Redfall, and Beyond
As mentioned previously, the developers are currently working on two projects at the same time. Arkane Lyon's Deathloop is one of the most heavily anticipated games releasing this year, a AAA title flirting with niche mechanics like time loops typically reserved for indie stories. It will be great to see the studio flexing its creative muscles within this new realm, and from what's known the game certainly looks promising.
Much isn't known about Redfall right now, except that it is a co-op shooter set in a fully explorable vampire-infested town. Arkane's previous titles have featured sandbox open worlds ripe with side activities and collectibles, and Redfall is looking to take it a step further. Both of these titles feature Arkane's signature abilities, with Deathloop's arsenal of them overlapping with its spiritual predecessors. Redfall is still shrouded in an air of mystery, but its cinematic reveal trailer did show telekinetic abilities, robotic companions, and custom weaponry which should fill in those shoes.
While Redfall is still a considerable departure from what the studio is known for, its gameplay might play out in the same vein as previous titles. Not a lot is known for what the future might entail for Arkane Studios, but it'd certainly be interesting to see how the studio performs when it deviates away from its usual formula.