Arkane Studios nearly became the developer behind Thief 4, according to co‑directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith. Bethesda approached the studio with a choice: revive the classic Thief franchise or tackle a Blade Runner‑inspired project. Both directors recalled the excitement of being offered “two bags of catnip,” with Colantonio leaning toward Thief and Smith championing Blade Runner.
The internal debate never materialised into a finished title. Bethesda eventually told Arkane to continue their work under a new banner, leading the team to rebrand the effort as Dishonored. The studio’s partnership with Bethesda solidified when ZeniMax, Bethesda’s parent, acquired Arkane in 2010.
Thief 4 later arrived from Eidos Montreal, but it failed to capture the series’ former glory, and a recent spiritual successor, Thick as Thieves, has drawn similar lukewarm reactions. The anecdote underscores a lingering “what‑if” for fans of classic stealth games, highlighting how a different decision could have reshaped Arkane’s portfolio.
