Dishonored 'sounded a little bit ridiculous' in the beginning, but came together with the help of the Sweeney Todd musical

Published: Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 4:00 pm

Dishonored: From "Ridiculous" to Acclaimed

The development of the critically acclaimed video game *Dishonored* was not without its challenges, according to writer Austin Grossman. Initially, the game's concept, featuring elements like whales, magic, and a dark setting, "sounded a little bit ridiculous" to Grossman. However, the team, led by co-creative director Harvey Smith, worked to bring the vision to life.

Grossman credits the musical *Sweeney Todd* as a key influence in shaping the game's tone and style. He drew inspiration from the musical's dark Victorian setting and black humor, which he felt perfectly aligned with the game's world.

The writing team also included Terri Brosius, known for her voice work in *System Shock* and her contributions to the *Thief* series. The team's efforts resulted in a rich and immersive world, with the audiologs, a recording device, adding depth to the characters and environments.

The game's success led to a sequel, *Dishonored 2*, which allowed players to choose between two protagonists and introduced new locations. Grossman expressed a desire for a third installment, exploring different tones and settings within the established universe. The writer also noted the connection between *Dishonored* and *Deathloop*, a later game set in the same universe.

BNN's Perspective: *The evolution of Dishonored highlights the creative process behind successful games. The willingness to adapt and find inspiration in unexpected places, like a musical, is a testament to the dedication and vision of the development team. The game's success demonstrates that even seemingly unconventional ideas can coalesce into a compelling and memorable experience.*

Keywords: Dishonored, Austin Grossman, Sweeney Todd, video games, Arkane, Deathloop, immersive sim, writing, game development, Dunwall, audiologs, Dishonored 2, Harvey Smith, Terri Brosius.

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