Arkane Studios hasn’t had the best outings lately. Deathloop, while a GOTY nominee in 2021, came with a caveat – it’s a PS5 exclusive and it came out in a relatively weak year. On the other hand, its more recent co-op title, Redfall, is close to becoming irrelevant that the only reason why people are still talking about it is because Arkane Austin is still updating it.
Perhaps sensing that it needed to re-establish itself as one of the industry’s marquee developers, Arkane Lyon, which is the studio responsible for Dishonored and Deathloop, stepped up to the plate at this year’s The Game Awards to let us in on a secret that pretty much nobody saw coming – not even the earlier leaks guessed it right – Marvel’s Blade.
The upcoming video game adaptation of one of Marvel’s most iconic B-list superheroes is likely part of Disney and their increased interest in the gaming industry, which, so far, is currently being led by Insomniac Games with its Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise.
Blade, otherwise known as the Daywalker, finds new dimension in Arkane Lyon’s vision. It’s currently in development as a single-player, third-person action-adventure, a departure from Arkane’s traditional first-person perspective seen in its previous titles. The cinematic trailer, while lacking gameplay footage, has created considerable buzz, suggesting an intense and immersive experience set in Paris.
Dinga Bakaba, the studio director of Arkane Lyon, emphasized the game’s genre as an “immersive third-person action-adventure.” This choice of genre is intriguing, considering Arkane’s expertise in blending stealth mechanics with their penchant for dynamic gameplay elements in an immersive sim environment. The studio’s track record suggests that a promising future awaits the Blade game, as it could potentially combine Arkane’s signature gameplay style with the rich lore of the Blade universe.
The game is described as a mature adventure, hinting at a darker, more intense narrative befitting the Blade franchise. Blade, known for his vampire-hunting prowess and dual heritage, offers a rich canvas for Arkane to paint an enthralling story. Set against the backdrop of Paris, the game promises to deliver a unique experience that blends the fantastical elements of the Blade universe with the city’s inherent charm.
Arkane Lyon’s expertise is likely to translate into the Blade game, offering players a deep and engaging experience. Its approach to world-building and character development, coupled with its knack for creating atmospheric settings, sets the stage for an intriguing rendition of the Blade story.
However, with Arkane Lyon falling under the same umbrella as Arkane Austin, the failure of Redfall, which ironically is a game about the vermin that Blade hunts for a living, casts a long shadow over the game. On the more positive side, its venture into the Marvel universe represents a fresh opportunity to explore similar themes with a new perspective and renewed vigor.
Arkane Lyon has just begun the development of the Blade game, indicating that its release might still be some time in the far away future. This presents an opportunity for the studio to refine its vision and deliver a game that’s capable of meeting the expectations set by its previous titles and the Blade franchise.
The fan anticipation for the upcoming video game adaptation is further heightened by the live-action reboot of Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring the ageless Mahershala Ali, slated for release in November 2025.
As for Blade’s release platforms, details remain unconfirmed. But, given Arkane’s history with multiplatform releases and its incorporation into Microsoft’s expansive gaming empire, a wide release across various platforms, including potential Xbox exclusivity, is plausible. This speculation is underpinned by Arkane Lyon’s position as part of Bethesda Softworks, which falls under the Xbox umbrella following Microsoft’s acquisition.
Ultimately, these are all details that we likely won’t find out more about until Arkane is ready to reveal more.
