Building Deus Ex style immersive sims

In a landscape often characterized by industry pessimism and relentless cuts, a group of heavyweight immersive sim veterans has decided to redefine the future. Two figures, Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, have channeled their experience and resolve to launch a new studio, Black Pony Immersive, determined to build the kind of ambitious, narrative-driven games that define the genre.

This move comes as many in the gaming industry grapple with challenging economic realities. With layoffs rampant and general optimism dwindling, the mood surrounding AAA development is anything but buoyant. Yet, Smith and Horne chose not to retreat. Rather than succumb to the “doom and gloom,” they decided to fall back on their core passions: working with the people they love and having fun doing it.

Their journey is rooted in the experience of major studios like Arkane. Following the closure of the Austin branch in 2024, Smith and Horne faced professional uncertainty. Instead of letting that uncertainty define their ambition, they found a powerful rallying point: a refusal to let their creative vision be extinguished.

This defiance fueled the formation of Black Pony Immersive. The studio is not just a continuation of past work; it is a deliberate effort to create something truly impactful. Their mission is clear: to forge a bloody good, single-player, first-person immersive sim, honoring the legacy of masterpieces like Deus Ex and Dishonored.

The team behind the studio is a rich collection of talent. They are alumni of Arkane, bringing with them a collective pedigree built on years of worldbuilding and design. Key members of the Black Pony ensemble include Ricardo Bare, who serves as design director, worldbuilding director Karen Segars, and lead level designer Jeremy Catlin. This group of veterans possesses the deep, practical knowledge necessary to translate grand concepts into compelling interactive realities.

The timing for this endeavor feels almost miraculous. As industry legends step away—such as the recent retirement of genre heavyweight Warren Spector—the door is opening for a new generation of immersive sim experiences. Black Pony Immersive is perfectly positioned to harness this shift, suggesting that the appetite for deep, complex, and creative single-player experiences is growing stronger than ever.

Harvey Smith and Ben Horne are not just developers; they are guardians of a specific kind of game design philosophy. They are proving that even in challenging times, focusing on what you love and collaborating with your community can yield groundbreaking results. Black Pony Immersive stands as a testament to the idea that passion and history can successfully navigate the turbulent waters of modern game development, paving the way for the next great immersive sim adventure.