Raphaël Colantonio’s New RPG: A Blend of Fallout, Dishonored, and Prey from Arkane Studios’ Legacy

Raphaël Colantonio, the co-founder of Arkane Studios and the creative mind behind critically acclaimed games like Dishonored and Prey, has recently unveiled details about his next ambitious project at Wolfeye Studios. Although the game’s name and release date remain undisclosed, the excitement surrounding this first-person action RPG is palpable. Set in an alternate version of early 1900s America, the game promises to blend elements from Fallout, Dishonored, and even a splash of Obsidian storytelling, creating a unique and immersive experience for players.

This new venture marks a significant departure from Wolfeye Studios’ first game, Weird West, which was an isometric sandbox game. The upcoming title will feature a retro sci-fi aesthetic, taking inspiration from both Bioshock and Firewatch in its visual design. According to Colantonio and executive producer Julien Roby, the game will incorporate traditional RPG elements such as quests, dialogue choices, and multiple approaches to completing objectives. The world will be continuous, allowing players the freedom to explore, engage, and interact with the environment in myriad ways.

The development team, comprising former Arkane developers like lead visual designer Emmanuel Petit, is relatively small, with 55-60 members. This size is intentional, as the team aims to maintain a high level of control and coherence over the game’s development. Despite its modest size, the team is leveraging its extensive experience from previous projects to create a dense and detailed world, prioritizing quality over sheer scale. The studio plans to run a private alpha for the game next year, inviting community feedback to refine and enhance the gaming experience.

Colantonio encourages gamers to imagine a spectrum when thinking about this upcoming game. On one end lies Dishonored, known for its linear, mission-based structure, while on the other end is Fallout: New Vegas, celebrated for its open-world exploration. Prey 2017 sits in the middle, offering a blend of open-world elements and dense gameplay. This new immersive sim from Wolfeye Studios will fall somewhere between Prey and New Vegas, balancing freedom and structure to create a compelling and engaging experience.

The game is set in an alternate 1900s America, where a significant technological event has altered the course of history. This setting allows for a unique blend of industrial and futuristic aesthetics, with players encountering automatons, firearms, and even a magnetic rope for climbing. Supernatural abilities will also play a role, adding another layer of depth and strategy to the gameplay. The team is drawing inspiration from various sources, including Skyrim, Baldur’s Gate 3, and their own past work at Arkane Studios, to craft a rich and immersive world.

One of the standout features of the game is its commitment to density over size. Rather than creating a vast, sprawling world, the team is focusing on making each area detailed and meaningful. This approach ensures that players will always have something interesting to discover, whether it’s a hidden quest, a unique character, or a challenging combat encounter. The game will have no loading transitions between areas, creating a seamless and continuous open-world experience that enhances immersion and exploration.

Wolfeye Studios is keen to avoid the pitfalls encountered during the release of Weird West. The team has learned valuable lessons from their previous project, particularly regarding procedural quests, which they believe do not fit well with their style of game. Instead, they are focusing on handcrafted content that offers depth and replayability. Fans of Arkane’s previous games can expect a similar experience in terms of narrative richness and player freedom, with the added benefit of community involvement through the upcoming private alpha test.

The game’s development is currently in full swing, having recently moved from pre-production to production. Early visuals released by the studio show a tantalizing glimpse of the game’s retro sci-fi aesthetic, with images depicting workers tinkering with steampunk devices and skeletal drones reminiscent of Dishonored 2’s clockwork soldiers. These early teasers have already generated significant buzz among fans, who are eagerly awaiting more information and the chance to participate in the alpha test.

Despite the challenges faced by the gaming industry, including numerous layoffs and studio closures, Wolfeye Studios remains committed to carrying forward the legacy of Arkane Austin and the immersive sim genre. The studio is actively seeking a publishing partner to help bring this ambitious project to fruition. Players can sign up for updates and potentially participate in the limited alpha test next year through the studio’s official website, ensuring that the community plays a vital role in shaping the final product.

The game promises to be a unique and immersive experience, blending elements from different genres and building on the team’s past work at Arkane Studios. With its retro sci-fi aesthetic, continuous open world, and focus on density over size, the game is poised to offer something fresh and exciting for fans of immersive sims. As development progresses, the team at Wolfeye Studios is excited to involve players in the process, valuing their feedback and striving to create a game that lives up to the high standards set by their previous titles.

In conclusion, Raphaël Colantonio’s new RPG at Wolfeye Studios is shaping up to be a thrilling addition to the immersive sim genre. Drawing on the rich legacy of Arkane Studios and incorporating elements from beloved games like Fallout, Dishonored, and Prey, the game promises to deliver a dense, detailed, and engaging experience. With a dedicated team of former Arkane developers, a commitment to quality, and a focus on community involvement, this upcoming title is one to watch for fans of narrative-driven, first-person action RPGs.