Dishonored: A Turning Point in Arkane Studios’ History

Harvey Smith, the co-creator of Dishonored, recently announced his new studio, Black Pony Immersive, which will focus on developing immersive simulations in the tradition of Deus Ex and System Shock. This commitment to the genre has sparked excitement among fans, but it’s not the first time Smith has taken a risk on an immersive sim. In fact, Dishonored was a last-ditch effort for Arkane Studios, and it’s a testament to the power of creative passion and dedication.

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Speaking to The Game Business, Smith revealed that Arkane was on the brink of collapse when they began working on Dishonored. The studio had taken on multiple projects to stay afloat, but it was clear that this approach was unsustainable. ‘People would come tell us ‘Man, to keep the business alive, you better take some contracts. You need to be working on whatever you can get.’ And for a while, we tried that, even though it felt wrong,’ Smith explained.

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At the time, Arkane was working on a cancelled Half-Life 2 episode, Boom Blox with EA, and pitching to Ubisoft. They were also developing a zombie shooter and farming out work to other teams. The studio was on nine projects at once, and it was clear that this was not a sustainable business model. ‘There was a point in time when Arkane was about to go under. I think we had four months of money left,’ Smith recalled.

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It was then that Smith and his team decided to take a risk and focus on developing a game that they truly believed in. They poured their hearts and souls into Dishonored, and the result was a game that not only saved the studio but also cemented Arkane’s reputation as a leader in the immersive sim genre.

Smith’s experience with Arkane has taught him the importance of following one’s passion and taking creative risks. ‘The best chance of succeeding in the games industry is to make what you’re truly passionate about,’ he said. This philosophy is reflected in Black Pony Immersive’s commitment to developing immersive simulations that push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that innovative studios like Black Pony Immersive will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gaming. With their focus on immersive simulations and commitment to creative passion, they’re poised to make a lasting impact on the industry.

The success of Dishonored has also inspired other studios to take risks and pursue their creative passions. New Blood’s ongoing development of Gloomwood and Fallen Aces, as well as the unnamed first-person RPG from WolfEye studios, are all testaments to the power of creative risk-taking in the gaming industry.

In conclusion, Dishonored was a turning point in Arkane Studios’ history, and it’s a testament to the power of creative passion and dedication. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that innovative studios like Black Pony Immersive will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gaming.

Key Takeaways:

• Dishonored was a last-ditch effort for Arkane Studios.
• Smith and his team took a risk and focused on developing a game that they truly believed in.
• The success of Dishonored has inspired other studios to take risks and pursue their creative passions.