The video game industry is abuzz with excitement as former Arkane Austin head Harvey Smith and his longtime collaborator Ben Horne announce the formation of Black Pony Immersive, a new studio dedicated to creating immersive first-person action RPGs.

Source: engadget.com

Smith, a renowned designer known for his work on the original Deus Ex and the Dishonored series, has assembled a team of industry veterans from Arkane, Insomniac, Epic, Avalanche, and Volition studios.

The studio’s focus on immersive sims, a genre Smith is particularly passionate about, is evident in the team’s title and website, which closes with the line, ‘Through the looking glass, we’re chasing a dream of mystery, meaning, and creative play.’

This not-so-subtle reference to Looking Glass Studios, a team that defined first-person action RPGs in the 1990s with the System Shock, Thief, and Ultima Underworld franchises, highlights Black Pony Immersive’s commitment to creating rich, original worlds with emergent gameplay.

Industry Veterans Join Forces

Ben Horne, Smith’s longtime collaborator, joins the studio as co-founder and has previously worked with Smith on several projects, including his most recent role as production director of Redfall at Arkane Austin.

Ricardo Bare, creative director of Redfall, Prey, and Dishonored, has also joined Black Pony Immersive as design director, bringing his expertise in narrative-driven game design to the table.

The studio’s leadership team is rounded out by industry veterans with a wealth of experience in game development, including staff from Insomniac, Epic, Avalanche, and Volition.

Black Pony Immersive is based in Austin, Texas, with remote workers contributing from across the United States, making it a truly distributed and collaborative team.

The new studio’s announcement comes at a tumultuous time for the video game industry, marked by a devastating round of layoffs and studio shakeups at Xbox in July.

As part of the purge, Xbox is considering shutting down Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade game it was working on, although the fate of the team remains uncertain.

Arkane Studios, which once housed Smith and Horne’s former crew, was shut down by Xbox in 2024, just three years after the acquisition.

Smith’s partnership with Warren Spector, the godfather of immersive sims, on Deus Ex is a notable highlight of his career, and Spector’s recent announcement of his retirement from game development only adds to the sense of loss in the industry.

With the formation of Black Pony Immersive, Smith and his team are poised to fill the void left by the departure of Looking Glass Studios and the recent studio shakeups in the industry.

Smith’s vision for the studio is clear: ‘During a time of industry volatility, I’m proud to announce the next step in my video game journey with the reveal of our new studio,’ he said in a press release.

‘This effort reflects everything we’ve learned, and all we hold dear. My favorite gaming memories come from seeing players approach challenges with creativity, deep-diving into our world building. We try to reward players for their curiosity and exploration.’

With a focus on immersive sims, rich original worlds, and emergent gameplay, Black Pony Immersive is poised to bring a new level of depth and engagement to the world of first-person action RPGs.

The studio’s commitment to creating games that reward player curiosity and exploration is evident in their website, which invites players to ‘join us on a journey through the looking glass.’

As the video game industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing market conditions, Black Pony Immersive is a beacon of hope for fans of immersive sims and narrative-driven game design.