Former Arkane Austin head Harvey Smith has embarked on an exciting new venture with the launch of his studio, Black Pony Immersive. As the name suggests, the studio will focus on creating immersive simulations, drawing inspiration from iconic titles like Deus Ex and System Shock. While this commitment to a niche genre raises questions about commercial viability, Smith’s track record offers a glimmer of hope.
A Legacy of Risk and Reward
Smith’s history with immersive sims is not without its challenges. His previous experience at Arkane was marked by a pivotal moment when the studio faced financial uncertainty. “There was a point in time when Arkane was about to go under,” he recalls. With only four months of funds remaining, the team was juggling multiple projects, including collaborations with EA and Ubisoft, while also exploring various game concepts.
However, rather than continuing to chase third-party projects for survival, Arkane made a bold decision to focus on their core vision. “At some point, we realised this is not the way. We are here to do a very specific thing. Let’s focus on that, and let’s go under if that’s what is going to happen,” Smith reflects. This pivotal choice ultimately led to the creation of Dishonored, a title that not only solidified Arkane’s reputation but also marked a significant turnaround in Smith’s career.
Embracing Creative Risks
With Black Pony Immersive, Smith is poised to continue this tradition of creative risk-taking. He has expressed a clear intention to avoid chasing industry trends, a misstep that led to Arkane’s less successful title, Redfall. Instead, Smith aims to cultivate an environment where innovative ideas can flourish, free from the pressures that often stifle creativity in the gaming industry.
As anticipation builds around Black Pony Immersive, the landscape for immersive sims appears to be revitalizing. Alongside Smith’s new endeavor, other studios are also contributing to this resurgence. Projects like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces from New Blood, as well as an unnamed first-person RPG from WolfEye Studios—co-founded by Arkane’s co-founder Raphaël Colantonio—signal a promising future for the genre.
With these developments, the immersive sim genre may be on the cusp of a renaissance, moving beyond the narrative of decline and into a new era of creativity and innovation.
