Blade: everything we know so far

By Jesse Lennox December 16, 2023

We’re in the golden age of superhero video games with the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and an upcoming Wolverine game, but even some lower-profile heroes are starting to get some love. The vampire hunter Blade is one of the next Marvel characters to get the spotlight, and the game will be brought to us by none other than Arkane Lyon. Known for the Dishonored series and the recent hit Deathloop, this team has the potential to give us a very different style of game that suits the character perfectly. Time to sharpen your teeth, don your coat and glasses, and stalk the streets of Paris for all the details on the upcoming Blade.

Contents

Release date speculation
Platforms
Trailers
Gameplay
Pre-order

Release date speculation

A barber shop in Paris. — Arkane Studios

It will probably be a while before Blade sees the light of day. Not only was there no date or even window given, but Studio director Dinga Bakaba posted the following on X (formerly Twitter): “We’re going to stay silent for a while …” Expect to wait until at least 2025 for this one, if not longer.

Recommended Videos

Platforms

A barber turning up the radio. — Arkane Studios

Despite no platforms being confirmed in any marketing material thus far, we know that developer Arkane Lyon is under Bethesda, and thus Xbox Games Studios, which at least heavily implies that it will be an Xbox console exclusive. A PC version is almost certain as well, but PlayStation players are more than likely going to be left out of the vampire-killing fun.

Trailers

Marvel’s Blade | Announcement Trailer | The Game Awards 2023

The reveal trailer for Blade was a surprise announcement at The Game Awards 2023. It sets the scene in Paris, where Blade is relaxing while getting a shave during a lockdown. When the siren goes off, he suits up with his glasses, knives, guns, grenades, and, most importantly, his sword. The teaser ends with Blade remarking, “the night’s just getting started.”

Gameplay

Thank you so much for watching our announcement!

"Let's do a single player immersive sim hybrid with all the shit we love!"

"Ok, and let's make it a Blade game, in 3rd person, in our own crazy version of Paris!"

And somehow this fever dream fucking happens?! This is surreal.

— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) December 8, 2023

The reveal was purely cinematic, but once again, Bakaba shared some more info on the development of Blade. According to him, Blade will be a “single-player immersive sim hybrid with all the shit we love!” The trailer showed it will take place in Paris, but we also know it will be a third-person game, which will be a first for the studio. The immersive sim component suggests an open world, or at least a large hub world, which we will be able to explore however we choose. We can reasonably predict to use Blade’s iconic sword, plus various firearms and other vampire-slaying tools, but until gameplay is officially shown, it is pure speculation.

Pre-order

Blade's belt with guns and grenades. — Arkane Studios

Blade has no release date, so we will need to wait before we can sink our teeth into any pre-order details.

Topics

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…

Computing

Steam Deck 2: everything we know so far

Steam Deck held between two hands.

It's a matter of when we'll see the Steam Deck 2, not if we'll see it. Valve has talked publicly multiple times about its plans for a next-gen Steam Deck, which shouldn't come as a surprise given that the original is easily the best handheld gaming PC you can buy.

Although the Steam Deck 2 is still a few years off, Valve has been dropping hints about the handheld for a while. Here's everything we know about the Steam Deck 2 right now, from the possible release date to details on specs and performance.
Steam Deck 2: release date speculation

Gaming

The Sims 5: everything we know so far

After over a decade of support and expansions with The Sims 4, we were all ready for the next entry in this hit life-simulator series. Rumors of a Project Rene were our first signs that EA was working on some sort of follow-up, which many assumed was The Sims 5. There was even a preview video detailing a few of the new features this next step in the Sims franchise would take. However, late in 2024 EA detailed the future plans for the series and, sadly, The Sims 5 is not a part of it. If you're a bit lost on whether The Sims 5 is canceled, what's going on with Project Rene, and what will happen with The Sims 4, we'll explain the entire story.
Is The Sims 5 canceled?

Technically The Sims 5 was never officially confirmed to be in development so it isn't clear whether it was canceled, but we do know that EA and Maxis are not currently working on a new installment in the franchise. EA's statement on the matter reads: "We’re focused on creating a variety of games and experiences that will touch different categories across the simulated life genre including cozy games, social and collaborative based gameplay, mobile narrative games and continued depth, improvements and modernization of The Sims 4, which will continue to be a foundational Sims experience."

Gaming

Project Rene: everything we know so far

Confused Sims.

Originally, we were thoroughly convinced that Project Rene was just a code name for what would evolve into The Sims 5. However, EA has shot down that idea by explicitly telling us that there will not be a true sequel and that support will continue for the ongoing Sims 4. But it didn't say that Project Rene was canceled, either. Instead, Project Rene is going to live on and be its own experience alongside The Sims 4. This whole situation is somewhat complex and nebulous, but we've gathered all the solid information we could about Project Rene.
Release date speculation

Project Rene has no release date or window at this time. It has been in the works since at least 2022 and has had playtests in the past, another is scheduled for fall 2024. This does point to it being at least in a somewhat presentable state, but it could easily be another year or more until it is fully complete.