‘Prey’ director Raphael Colantonio departs from Arkane Studios

By Garrett Hulfish June 27, 2017

prey director departs raphael colantonio

After 18 years with Arkane Studios, president Raphael Colantonio is stepping down from his position. With the studio, Colantonio acted as co-director of Dishonored and director of the recently-released Prey.

“The last 18 years have been an amazing adventure,” said Colantonio in an announcement post on Bethesda Softworks’ website. “From starting Arkane in 1999, to making our first game, Arx Fatalis, to joining ZeniMax Media in 2010 and releasing the Dishonored series and Prey to critical acclaim — it is time for me to step out to spend some time with my son and reflect on what is important to me and my future.”

Related Videos

Stepping up to oversee the team in Austin is Colantonio’s longtime friend Harvey Smith. Colantonio will stick around for as long as needed to provide a smooth transition to the new management team. Smith was co-director alongside Colantonio for the original Dishonored and directed Dishonored 2.

“I’ve lived many magical moments,” continued Colantonio. “I’ve also been through the hard times. But, I can say that joining ZeniMax took things to the next level and gave Arkane the opportunity to emerge as a world-class studio. ZenIMax enabled us to make the best games that we’ve ever made. And I know there is even more to come.”

Arkane Studios really made a name for itself with the release of the first Dishonored title. This fast-paced stealth game proved successful with its sandbox-style levels. Users across the internet grasped onto the ability to use the game’s mechanics in unintended ways. Due to the success of the first game, a sequel was released late last year. A standalone add-on, Death of the Outsider, is scheduled for release later this year.

Earlier this year, Bethesda rebooted the Prey franchise with Arkane Studio’s Prey. This sci-fi shooter launched with issues but has since become a fun, sandbox-style sci-fi shooter.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest people in the industry, and I feel extremely lucky to have been part of this journey with everyone at Arkane,” said Colantonio. “I wish the best to everyone at Arkane, Bethesda, and ZeniMax. Without a doubt I will miss everyone.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Gaming

New 'Prey' trailer chronicles the life of a spacefaring banana

prey mimic trailer headphones

The latest trailer for its upcoming first-person shooter Prey focuses on the game's "mimic" mechanics, which allow players to assume the form of everyday objects like coffee cups, snack foods, and one well-traveled banana.

The mimic ability will play a significant role throughout the game and players will need to carefully pick which inanimate objects they inhabit while attempting to slip past alien enemies and their futuristic security measures.

Gaming

‘Prey’ preview: Arkane Studios’ reboot turns everyday objects into interstellar horrors

prey recommended specifications bethesda interview screens 04

When Arkane Studios finally announced its upcoming adaptation of Prey, the studio said it wanted to try its hand at sci-fi after leaning so heavily into the “Steampunk” aesthetic of the Dishonored series. What Arkane didn’t say was that, in addition to changing settings, Prey would transpose its well-refined mechanics onto a new genre, horror.

And Prey is definitely a horror game. The first hour or so, which the studio showed off at a preview event in Los Angeles, is filled with jump scares and musical stingers. Like Arkane’s Dishonored games, players gain special powers and a variety of weapons to use for their survival. Those mechanics, however, are paired with a slowish pace, and a foreboding space station filled with empty rooms that might not be so empty. Prey gives players what they need to survive, but at least in its opening moments, it’s weighted so you won’t always be sure that you’ll be able to do so.

Gaming

‘Prey’ gets a release date: It’s gonna be May

Prey Screenshot

No more delays, reboots, and cancellations. No more speculation. No more waiting. Bethesda and Arkane Studios' Prey is nearing completion, and we won't have to wait very long to play it. The game is out this May across both consoles and PC.

The release date announcement brings with it an all-new gameplay trailer, giving us plenty of nitty-gritty details on everything from protagonist Morgan Yu to the various guns Yu (you) will have at his (your) disposal throughout the game.