Dishonored 2: Surprise Update After Nine Years

Surprise Patch for Dishonored 2: Bug Fixes and Language Updates

Dishonored 2, a critically acclaimed Bethesda title for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, has received an unexpected small update across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The update, weighing in at a mere 230MB (though requiring a full 40GB re-download on Xbox), appears to focus on bug fixes and language file updates. This comes as a surprise, given Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored 2, is currently engrossed in the development of Marvel's Blade.

Released in late 2016, Dishonored 2 introduced Emily Kaldwin as a playable protagonist, expanding upon the beloved gameplay and intricate level design of its predecessor. Missions like "The Clockwork Mansion" and "A Crack in the Slab" remain highlights for many players.

While Arkane Lyon continues its work on Marvel's Blade, the closure of Arkane Austin in 2024 (part of broader Xbox studio cuts) has impacted the Arkane ecosystem. Arkane Austin was responsible for the original Dishonored, Prey, and the recently released Redfall. This loss of studio capacity likely contributes to the lack of a highly anticipated Dishonored 3.

The recent Dishonored 2 patch has unfortunately disappointed some fans who hoped for a performance upgrade. Unlike other Arkane titles, Dishonored 2 remains locked at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, despite the availability of 60 FPS modes for other games in the franchise, including the original Dishonored and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. A potential 60 FPS patch for the game's tenth anniversary in 2026 remains a possibility, though it's unclear if this is a sufficient incentive to hold off on such an upgrade.

With Arkane Lyon fully dedicated to Marvel's Blade, and the absence of Arkane Austin, the prospect of a new mainline Dishonored title remains uncertain and likely years away.