Dishonored 3: Everything We Know So Far – Rumors, Leaks, and the Future of Arkane’s Beloved Stealth Series

Few modern stealth franchises have earned the same level of praise as Dishonored. Arkane Studios’ immersive sims became fan favorites thanks to their intricate level design, supernatural abilities, and the freedom to approach missions however players wanted. Nearly a decade after Dishonored 2 and several years after Death of the Outsider, fans are still asking the same question: Will Dishonored 3 ever happen?

While Bethesda has yet to officially announce a third mainline entry, there have been enough leaks, developer comments, and industry rumors to keep hope alive.

The Biggest Leak So Far

The strongest evidence for Dishonored 3 surfaced in 2023 during Microsoft’s legal battle with the FTC over its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Internal Bethesda documents leaked online, revealing an older publishing roadmap that listed Dishonored 3 alongside projects such as an Oblivion remaster and a new DOOM game.

However, there’s an important caveat. The roadmap appeared to have been created years earlier, and many of its projected release windows have since become outdated. Some games on the list have shipped, while others have clearly changed direction or been delayed. As a result, the leak confirms that Bethesda considered developing Dishonored 3 at one point—but not necessarily that the project remains in active production today.

Arkane’s Current Priorities

The biggest obstacle to Dishonored 3 is Arkane Lyon’s current workload.

Following the release of Deathloop, the studio announced Marvel’s Blade at The Game Awards in 2023. Arkane Lyon has devoted significant resources to that project, making it highly unlikely that the team is simultaneously developing a full-scale Dishonored sequel. Recent updates continue to indicate that Blade remains the studio’s primary focus.

Meanwhile, Arkane Austin—the sister studio behind Prey and Redfall—was closed by Microsoft during its 2024 restructuring, leaving Lyon as the sole Arkane team associated with the Dishonored franchise.

What Have the Developers Said?

Interestingly, Arkane has never declared the series dead.

Back in 2017, developers described Dishonored as “resting,” leading many fans to believe the franchise had been shelved indefinitely. Later, creative director Dinga Bakaba clarified that the statement had been overinterpreted. According to him, the original storyline surrounding Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin had reached its conclusion, but the franchise itself was not permanently finished. He also suggested that any future installment would likely feature new protagonists rather than revisiting the previous heroes.

That leaves plenty of room for a fresh story set elsewhere in the Empire of the Isles.

Where Could Dishonored 3 Take Place?

This is where speculation becomes especially interesting.

With the Outsider’s fate resolved in Death of the Outsider, Arkane would likely need to introduce new supernatural forces or explore unexplored regions of the Empire. Fans have long hoped to visit locations such as Tyvia, Morley, or Pandyssia—places frequently mentioned throughout the series but never fully explored.

A new protagonist, combined with fresh powers and an entirely new setting, could allow Arkane to reinvent the series while preserving the sandbox gameplay that made the original games so beloved.

Microsoft’s Influence

Another unknown is Microsoft’s long-term strategy.

Since acquiring Bethesda, Microsoft has reshaped several internal studios and projects. Recent restructuring has also raised questions about Arkane’s future, even though no official announcement has tied these changes to the Dishonored franchise itself.

Because Dishonored has always been more of a critical success than a blockbuster seller, Microsoft may prioritize larger franchises before greenlighting another immersive sim. On the other hand, Xbox has increasingly emphasized high-quality single-player exclusives, making a future return to Dishonored far from impossible.

So, Is Dishonored 3 Happening?

At this point, the honest answer is: probably someday, but not anytime soon.

There is no official announcement, release date, or gameplay reveal. The leaked Bethesda roadmap proves the sequel existed in internal planning, while comments from Arkane’s developers suggest the franchise still has a future. However, with Marvel’s Blade occupying Arkane Lyon and the studio navigating broader changes within Xbox, Dishonored 3 appears to be a long-term possibility rather than an imminent release.

For now, fans will have to remain patient. If Arkane returns to the world of whale oil, supernatural assassins, and intricately designed cities, expectations will be incredibly high—but the franchise has earned that anticipation.