Dishonored the last-ditch effort for Arkane Studios
The games industry is often a battlefield of trends and contracts, but sometimes, the greatest victories come from knowing exactly what you want to build. That is the philosophy driving the latest move from former Arkane Austin head Harvey Smith, who has launched a new studio called Black Pony Immersive.
Named for a dedication to deep, immersive experiences, the studio is explicitly committed to the tradition of immersive simulations, paying homage to legendary titles like Deus Ex and System Shock. It’s a declaration that the focus will remain on crafting complex, engaging worlds, rather than chasing fleeting trends.
Smith’s journey through the industry has been marked by tough choices. When the financial pressures mounted, there were times when survival meant taking on contract work, even if it felt creatively draining. He recalled a period where the studio was juggling numerous projects, including pitching for titles like Boom Blox and other commitments, all while trying to maintain stability.
This necessity forced a reckoning. Smith realized that chasing external demands wasn’t the path to true creative success. Instead of simply surviving, the team made the bold decision to refocus entirely on what they were genuinely passionate about. This pivot eventually led to the breakout success of Dishonored, a project that redefined Arkane’s reputation and provided a monumental turnaround for Smith’s career.
That experience reinforced Smith’s belief that the industry rewards creative risk-taking. As such, Black Pony Immersive has made it clear that they are not interested in trend-chasing. They aim to ignore the industry’s aversion to creative risk, opting instead for a dedicated pursuit of authentic, deep game design.
Today, the studio is channeling this renewed commitment into exciting new projects. They are developing Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, alongside the development of an unnamed first-person immersive sim from WolfEye studios. This new title, co-developed by Arkane’s own Raphael Colantonio, promises to push the boundaries of the genre, focusing on density and depth rather than mere scale.
With this fresh, focused vision, the future of the immersive sim genre looks incredibly bright, steered by creators determined to prioritize genuine innovation over commercial expediency.
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