'Dishonored' video discusses the game's inception

Dishonored's developers at Arkane Studios believe they're making something unique, and in a behind-the-scenes video released today by publisher Bethesda Softworks, they sit down to discuss how they came up with its core concepts.

Dishonored's developers at Arkane Studios believe they're making something unique, and in a behind-the-scenes video released today by publisher Bethesda Softworks, they sit down to discuss how they came up with its core concepts.

"I believe there's never been any first-person game where you play the role of a supernatural assassin," says Raphael Colantonio, co-creative director on Dishonored at Arkane. Harvey Smith, the other creative director, says, "We wanted to make a game that supported the action player, supported the slow-paced exploration player, supported the super fast-paced guy."

Dishonored's protagonist is Corvo, the royal protector of the Empress who gets falsely imprisoned for her murder. He breaks out of jail and goes on a quest to clear his name and avenge the Empress. With Corvo's action and stealth mechanics set, Arkane focused on designing levels around different play styles, and on creating a distinctive Victorian steampunk world with Anglo-Saxon characters. Read our QuakeCon preview for details on Dishonored's game world.

Dishnored launches on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on October 9th, 2012. For more on Colantonio and Smith, and their 20-year history in the video game industry, check out our comprehensive feature on the "mirror men of Arkane."