The Blade Runner Immersive Sim We Never Got: Arkane’s Heartbreaking Reveal
The closure of Arkane Austin in May 2024 sent shockwaves through the industry. Known for the masterpiece Prey, the studio stumbled with Redfall, leading to a swift shutdown by Xbox.
Now, Harvey Smith, co-creator of Dishonored, is breaking his silence. Speaking on the My Perfect Console podcast, Smith revealed painful details about the closure and dropped a massive bombshell: the studio once worked on a Blade Runner immersive sim.
Learn about the closure of Arkane Austin, and more studios in 2024 and the backlash
The Human Cost of Arkane Austin’s Closure
Smith didn’t mince words regarding Microsoft’s decision. He described the announcement as a “shock” to the team, disagreeing fundamentally with the choice to shutter the studio.
According to Smith, the team had just exited a period of intense crunch. They were tight-knit, with some developers having worked together for decades.
The loss of institutional knowledge is what hurts him the most. But his deepest sympathies lie with the junior staff. For many, Redfall was their first shipped title. Smith described their experience as “heartbreaking,” watching their careers stall just as they began.
For our final interview of 2025, a wide-ranging, intimate conversation with acclaimed game designer @Harvey1966.
— My Perfect Console Podcast (@myperfectcnsle) December 12, 2025
Harvey discusses his long, storied career, from designing classic series like Dishonored to the sudden closure of Arkane Austin. He also opens up about how the… pic.twitter.com/QXxPEHBEaI
Saving Redfall: The Final Push
Despite the looming shutdown, the team refused to give up on Redfall. Smith credits a massive internal mobilization for pushing out Update 1.4.
This update wasn’t just a patch; it was a rescue mission. It added a much-requested offline mode and significant gameplay improvements.
Smith noted that Microsoft allowed them to finish this work only after “much insistence.” He believes if the game had launched in its v1.4 state, the narrative—and perhaps the studio’s fate—might have been different.
Arkane’s Lost Blade Runner Project
The most stinging reveal for fans came when Smith discussed canceled projects. Before Dishonored put them on the map, Arkane Austin spent significant time developing a Blade Runner game.
“We worked on a Blade Runner game for a while, which was extremely exciting for me,” Smith recalled. “What we could have done with Blade Runner…“
The studio also briefly worked on a Thief project before Eidos reclaimed it. These cancellations highlight a history of “what ifs” that now feels even heavier with the studio gone.
Verdict: Is Arkane’s Legacy Safe?
While Arkane Austin is no more, the torch passes to Arkane Lyon. They are currently deep in production on Marvel’s Blade, announced in late 2023. Prey remains a technical marvel, and the fixed version of Redfall is finally playable via Game Pass without the launch-day headaches. The studio may be gone, but their “cool” ideas live on in the DNA of their surviving sister studio.
Which lost game hurts you more: the Blade Runner immersive sim or a proper Thief sequel?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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