Microsoft Buys Bethesda: EVERY Studio Xbox Now Owns
3. Arkane Studios
Notable Games: Dishonored series, Prey (2017)
A French-based studio founded in 1999 by EA alumni, with their biggest title (Half-Life spin-off Return to Ravenholm), being an infamously canceled one, Arkane Studios had to wait a long time to get their big break.
Then Bethesda approached them to create a stealth-game based in feudal Japan. This spun off into the concept of Dishonored, the innovative and mechanically rich action/stealth game that released in 2012. It was a rare case of a game's promise of giving the player the choice to 'approach a situation in any way you want' actually lived up to its wealthy potential.
During the game's development ZeniMax bought them up, and it has been a productive and colorful relationship since. Dishonored 2 was a slick and polished sequel, whilst the Prey reboot took Arkane's unique gameplay style and placed it in a sci-fi/horror setting.
Their latest, Deathloop, takes their individual approach but mashes it into an enticing package of Grindhouse action with off-kilter time travel. Weirdly enough, it is a timed PS5 console exclusive... but who knows how long that agreement will last now?