Many studios find ways to connect their games even if they don’t belong to the same series, and Arkane Studios is now one of the developers that have joined this growing group. After the confirmation last year thatDeathloopwas in fact in the same universe as Arkane’s olderDishonoredgames, fans now have reason to wonder if and how the developer will connect its upcoming titleRedfallas well.Redfallrepresents a new phase for the studio as its first open-world FPS to have both single-player and multiplayer, but it could still contain links to Arkane’s previous releases as well.
Tying games together despite their lack of surface similarities can entice fans of other titles to try new ones, and it will help a studio likeArkane establish a cool kind of multiversethat other franchises seem so fond of. TheDishonoredgames were already admired for their design and the complexity of their worldbuilding, and associating the upcomingRedfallwith the series in even a few small ways could only help it. It’s also always enjoyable for fans of games likeDishonoredto spot links in the world of another seemingly unconnected game, whichRedfallcould definitely take advantage of.
RELATED:Redfall’s Character Customization Will Give It a Chance to Stand Out
Redfall And The Dishonored Universe
Arkane finally confirmed after much player speculation thatDeathloop, the studio’s stylish time loop escapade, was in the same universe as its belovedDishonoredfranchise. According to Creative Director Dinga Bakaba,Deathloopwas “one of the futures of theDishonoredworld,” and Arkane later provided timelines to show how the two IPs could match up. This has led some fans to ask if the same could be true for the upcomingRedfalland if Arkane’s vampiric sci-fi shooter could also bea possible future timeline forDishonored’s Empire of the Isles. After all,Redfallalso presents a reality where science and the supernatural coexist, and some non-intrusive references toDishonoredmight actually feel right at home.
Redfallmay not take place in the same geographical space or time period asDishonored, but there are lots of ways the games could be connected. Like the studio’s other games,Redfallwill have its own unique storyand introduce its own original characters and setting, but clues that link back to Arkane’s previous work like character names, weapon designs, or even powers could be subtle reminders ofDishonored. This way, Arkane’s games can remain unique while maintaining the same feel and interconnectivity throughout each release as they explore new genres, styles of gameplay, and narratives.
Connecting Arkane’s Games
Introducing players to a brand-new world like thepreviously idyllic titular town of Redfall, Massachusetts is always exciting, and with an open world infested with vampires to survive, players will have a lot on their plates. Peppering elements from previous games not only helps to groundRedfallin the familiar, but it’s also fun for fans of titles likeDishonoredandDeathloopto spot the callbacks and references. Connecting the games establishes Arkane’s legacy for years to come as it continues to expand its universe, and it makes each of its worlds feel more vibrant, expansive, and deep.
Making the references to older games likeDishonoredand its sequelsmore substantive than just hidden Easter eggs is also a far more interesting avenue to take, with links that mean the universes follow on from each other rather than just acting as throwaway clues or meaningless similarities. Making the newer titles possible futures, likeDeathloopis forDishonored, also doesn’t limit Arkane’s storytelling or require any retconning.Redfallshould be in dialogue with Arkane’s previous work, and making it another part of the expanding multiverse is one way to achieve this.
Redfallreleases in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
