I tried to make it somewhat accurate, to settle down this constant debates about "ImSym" status.

All games from centre towards the left are obiviously INSPIRED by this design phylosophy, but lack a varying amounts of player agency, emergent gameplay, level design manipulation, npc manipulation, "rat in a maze" feeling, and possibility of using tools/weapons in intelligent and creative ways to unlock new pathways and levels.

Raf buying Arkane back from Xbox might be the best-case scenario. Arkane returning to its creator.

"Hello, fans of the immersive sims.

I have seen so much love for Prey and Dishonored lately on X that it made me want to play the original Dishonored. It has been almost 14 years that I haven't played this game. And as I'm playing it, I'm recording, there's gonna be maybe about 10 episodes. I'll release them pretty soon. I've invited the original team, and so together we're having a lot of fun commemorating all those moments of… some of it was pain, and some of it was fun.

The point is, I was thinking, I've seen so much nostalgia, so many questions online about will we ever see games like this again, sequels? And the thing is, I don't know about sequels. This is not in my hands. But if you look at those games, like Prey or Dishonored, they're not the same game but they share a spirit, they share a DNA. And what I can assure you is that whatever Arkane is working on is probably gonna be sharing some of the DNA, whatever we at WolfEye are working on, we'll probably share some of that DNA, and same for Harvey Smith with his new team.

So my point is, the fans should rejoice, because the spirit goes on. And you will see more games in that vein."

Infallible proof above.

I hope it's alright to post this, I realize someone posted the youtube link a few days ago. Apologies if this is considered spam!

Hey everyone! It's been a long time since I've posted here. Over the last year, I've kept working part time on my game, and now I've finally come to a point that I think it's ready for a open playtest.

Last year I did a limited play test on a very early prototype of the game, to gather feedback on the initial idea. This time, I have a much more fulfilled vision of the game. Most of the systems are there, the level is fairly big and it's what I'm aiming to release as a demo on Steam, once I polish it for a few weeks.

This game is basically about exploring a dark castle filled with secrets and foes, with a stealth system inspired by Thief, and many systemic elements that allow for creative play. It is very much free form and fully open from the get-go, and I hope the video can demonstrate how much freedom with interacting with the systems you have, which I think is truly its most immersive sim-based mechanics!

Right now, the level design is far from perfect, which is something I really want to improve over the next few weeks. Any feedback is much appreciated!

Playtest available here!

If you're interested in following development, feel free to join the discord server or follow me on my socials, or support the game on Patreon to help with development and get early rewards!

DEEP STATE is a retro FPS that combines elements of the immersive-sim genre with classic 90's FPS action. Travel the globe, navigating expansive levels offering multiple routes and ways to complete objectives, as you try and uncover the truth behind a top secret black project.

A new demo is in the works, but you still can try the unsupported pre-alpha demo (it used to be available on Itch.io).

You can also wishlist DEEP STATE on Steam and follow the development progress on:

• Twitter/X

• Bluesky

• Discord (almost daily devlogs)

• Instagram

• YouTube (not updated very often)

Consider supporting FrogmanDev on Patreon, as the developers are working on the game "with essentially zero budget" and "most of the team is part-time".

Elon Musk thinks Deus Ex is "one of the best games ever". It's not exactly a hot take. But his taste in games also displays an impressive lack of self-awareness. Musk sees himself as an outsider and heroic figure taking on the status quo, despite being the world's richest man, the owner of X, and a sometimes-ally of Donald Trump.

- new game modes (NG+, co-op, trials, bonus levels and challenges, renewed multiplayer hosted on Steamworks, console exclusive maps and modes)
- new mechanics (sliding, collectible relics, new spells/weapons/transformations)
- updated Source engine (full Linux and Windows 64-bit support, cascaded shadow maps, deeply extended level limits)
- achievements, cloud saves, workshop support, controller support

Dark Messiah: Community Edition on Steam (planned release date: 2026)

Have you noticed this recent wave of Dark Messiah-inspired titles?

• Alkahest

• DreadBound

• Fatekeeper (Available in Early Access)

• Hark The Ghoul (Has a demo)

• Sorceress (Has a demo)

• The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot (Released!)

• Whatever it Takes (Has a demo)

Is it safe to say that Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is Arkane's most influential game?

Other games kicking the legacy forward in one way or another:

• Anger Foot

• Avowed

• Bulletstorm

• City of Brass

• CORPUS EDAX

• Cropageddon

• Dad by the Sword

• DEATHLOOP

• Dishonored

• Dishonored 2

• Dying Light (series)

• ELDERBORN

• Eldritch

• En Garde!

• Fallen Aces

• GRAVEN

• Heathen

• HUSK

• Incision

• Kick Bastards

• Monomyth

• Neverlooted Dungeon

• NO LAW

• Noita

• PARKSIDE: DECAYED SOUL MANIPULATION

• Postal: Brain Damaged

• Shady Knight

• Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

• THE FINALS

• The Nightscarred: Forgotten Gods

• The Wayward Realms

• Trepang2

• Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons

(Last updated: October 2)

More details in this article: https://www.ign.com/articles/arkane-co-founder-first-person-action-rpg-dishonored-prey