Dishonored 2 Gets Surprise Update 9 Years After Launch

Summary

• A small, unexpected update for Dishonored 2 has been released on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
• This minor patch appears to focus on bug fixes and language updates.
• Arkane Lyon, the developer, is currently working on Marvel's Blade.

Dishonored 2, a critically acclaimed Bethesda title from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 era, has received a surprise update. Released in late 2016, the game introduced Emily Kaldwin as a playable protagonist, captivating players with innovative gameplay and richly detailed environments, particularly in missions like "The Clockwork Mansion" and "A Crack in the Slab."

While Arkane Lyon developed Dishonored 2 and later created the acclaimed Deathloop (2021), its sister studio, Arkane Austin, was unfortunately affected by the 2024 Xbox studio closures, alongside Roundhouse Studios, Alpha Dog Games, and Tango Gameworks (though Tango was later revived). Arkane Austin was behind the original Dishonored, Prey (2017), and the less-well-received Redfall (2023). Fortunately, Arkane Lyon continues to thrive, currently collaborating with Marvel Games on Marvel's Blade.

Recently, Dishonored 2 players discovered a small update across Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam platforms. SteamDB indicates this update primarily addresses language files and bug fixes. The patch is only 230MB, but on Xbox, it necessitates a full 40GB game re-download.

Dishonored 2 Receives a Surprise Update (But Not 60 FPS)

The purpose of this unexpected update remains unclear, disappointing many who hoped for performance enhancements. Unlike most other Arkane titles, Dishonored 2 remains locked at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Even the original Dishonored and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider benefit from 60 FPS boosts on these consoles. While a 60 FPS patch for Dishonored 2's tenth anniversary in 2026 is possible, it may not be substantial enough to warrant such a long wait.

Many fans eagerly anticipate a third mainline Dishonored game, but its development, if at all, would likely be years away. The closure of Arkane Austin significantly impacts Arkane's overall output. Currently, Arkane Lyon's focus is on the third-person action game Marvel's Blade, with no confirmed release date.