Summary

• Dishonored 2, a critically acclaimed Bethesda title, received a small, unexpected update across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
• This minor patch primarily addresses bug fixes and language updates.
• Arkane Lyon, the studio behind the update, is currently developing Marvel's Blade.

Dishonored 2, a celebrated title from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 era, has been surprisingly updated. Released in late 2016, this sequel introduced Emily Kaldwin as a playable protagonist, expanding upon the original's acclaimed gameplay and intricate level design, exemplified by missions like "The Clockwork Mansion" and "A Crack in the Slab."

While Arkane Lyon, the developer of Dishonored 2 and the acclaimed 2021 title Deathloop, continues its work, its sister studio, Arkane Austin, was unfortunately impacted by the 2024 Xbox studio closures. Arkane Austin's contributions included the original Dishonored, Prey (2017), and the less-well-received Redfall (2023). However, Arkane Lyon remains active, collaborating with Marvel Games on the upcoming Marvel's Blade.

Recently, Dishonored 2 players noticed a small update on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. This update, approximately 230MB, appears to be a bug-fix patch, with SteamDB indicating language depot updates. Interestingly, on Xbox, this 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 a performance boost. Unlike other Arkane titles that run at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, Dishonored 2 remains locked at 30 FPS. Even the original Dishonored and its standalone spin-off, Death of the Outsider, benefit from 60 FPS enhancements 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 fans' long-standing desires.

The absence of Arkane Austin significantly impacts the potential for a third mainline Dishonored entry, pushing any future installment further into the unknown. Currently, Arkane Lyon's focus lies on Marvel's Blade, a third-person action game without a confirmed release date.