Dishonored Director’s New Studio Fans Will Be Excited

While the fate of the Arkane Studios remains uncertain, a dedicated group of creators is determined to keep the spirit of immersive gaming alive. Veteran game director Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have launched a new studio, Black Pony Immersive, dedicated to designing and developing first-person action-RPGs that emphasize expressive, emergent gameplay systems.

This new venture is not just a name change; it’s a deliberate focus on the immersive sim genre—a style of gameplay that prioritizes player interaction within complex, well-realized worlds where emergent gameplay is king. The studio aims to craft experiences that echo the masterful designs of titles like Dishonored, Prey, and Deathloop.

The foundation of Black Pony Immersive is built on a long history of collaboration. Smith and Horne have worked together for decades, developing a shared vision aimed at pushing the limits of player immersion. Horne, who will serve as the COO and executive producer, emphasizes that this group is purpose-built to create the ambitious games they love.

The studio is set to operate out of Austin, Texas, mirroring the successful base of the original Arkane Austin. While the broader Arkane structure faces uncertainty, the Arkane Lyon branch, responsible for the game Deathloop, remains operational.

This focus on immersive design taps into a rich history of game design. Immersive sims, which include classics like Thief, System Shock, and Deus Ex, have seen a relative decline in prevalence over the last few years. This shift contrasts with Arkane’s most recent major project, Redfall, which leaned toward co-op gameplay rather than the single-player immersive experience fans often associate with the genre.

The dedication to these complex systems is rooted in the past. When co-director Raphaël Colantonio left Arkane to found WolfEye Studios, he took the immersive sim concept and applied it to a unique top-down Western setting with his first game, Weird West. This history demonstrates a persistent desire among creators to explore dynamic, interactive worlds where player choices have tangible, emergent consequences.

With Black Pony Immersive, Harvey Smith and Ben Horne are positioning themselves to bring that immersive philosophy to the forefront, ensuring that the spirit of interactive, emergent gameplay continues to evolve and thrive.