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 meticulously crafted environments, particularly in missions like "The Clockwork Mansion" and "A Crack in the Slab."

While Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored 2 and the acclaimed Deathloop (2021), continues its work on Marvel's Blade, its sister studio, Arkane Austin, was unfortunately impacted by the 2024 Xbox studio closures. This also affected studios like Roundhouse Studios, Alpha Dog Games, and Tango Gameworks (though Tango was later revived by Krafton). Arkane Austin's portfolio included the original Dishonored, Prey (2017), and the less-well-received Redfall (2023).

Recently, Dishonored 2 players discovered a small update across Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam platforms. SteamDB indicates the update primarily addresses language files and bug fixes. Weighing in at a mere 230MB, the update surprisingly requires a full 40GB re-download on Xbox consoles.

Dishonored 2 Receives a Surprise Update—But Not 60 FPS

The purpose of this unexpected update remains unclear, disappointing many who hoped for a performance enhancement. 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 might not be enough to satisfy long-waiting fans.

Many Arkane enthusiasts eagerly anticipate a third mainline Dishonored installment, but its development, if even planned, is likely years away. The closure of Arkane Austin further complicates matters, significantly impacting the studio's output. Currently, Arkane Lyon's focus is on the third-person action game Marvel's Blade, with no release date currently announced.