The gaming industry has witnessed its fair share of trend-chasing, with many studios feeling pressured to create games that are ‘in’ rather than ones they genuinely care about. One such example is Arkane Austin, which was once known for its immersive sims but was later forced to venture into uncharted territory with the live service shooter, Redfall.

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However, the legacy of Arkane Austin lives on in the form of Black Pony Immersive, a new studio founded by Harvey Smith, co-creator of Dishonored, and Ben Horne, a seasoned Arkane veteran. In an interview with The Game Business, Horne and Smith shared their vision for Black Pony Immersive, which is to create games that are true to their passion and not driven by the whims of trends.

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A Shift Away from Trend-Chasing

Horne emphasized that Black Pony Immersive is committed to getting away from trend-chasing, which he believes is a major issue in the gaming industry. He pointed out that the industry is growing rapidly, with a large number of players having varied appetites. This diversity in player preferences makes it challenging for studios to keep up with the latest trends, and instead, they should focus on creating games that they themselves would love to play.

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Smith concurred with Horne’s sentiments, citing the example of Dishonored, which had a relatively modest budget compared to other triple-I developers but still managed to achieve a return on investment of four or five times the total spend. He stressed that this success was not due to trend-chasing but rather to the studio’s commitment to creating a game that was true to their vision.

The duo also highlighted the importance of being cautious of industry trends and predictions. Smith recalled being told by well-paid executives that first-person games don’t sell, RPGs are a niche market, and live-service free-to-play games are the future. However, as history has shown, these predictions have been proven wrong, with many of these genres continuing to thrive.

Black Pony Immersive’s approach is a refreshing change in the gaming industry, where studios are often under pressure to create games that are ‘in’ rather than ones they genuinely care about. By focusing on creating games that are true to their passion, Black Pony Immersive aims to make a meaningful impact in the gaming world.

Lessons from the Past

Smith and Horne’s commitment to creating games that are true to their passion is a valuable lesson for the gaming industry. It highlights the importance of staying true to one’s vision and not getting caught up in the latest trends. By doing so, studios can create games that are not only successful but also meaningful and impactful.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is essential for studios to learn from the past and focus on creating games that are true to their passion. By doing so, they can create a lasting impact in the gaming world and leave a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

Black Pony Immersive’s approach is a beacon of hope for the gaming industry, where studios are often under pressure to create games that are ‘in’ rather than ones they genuinely care about. By focusing on creating games that are true to their passion, Black Pony Immersive aims to make a meaningful impact in the gaming world.

A New Era for Gaming

The gaming industry is at a crossroads, where studios are being forced to adapt to the latest trends or risk being left behind. However, Black Pony Immersive’s approach offers a refreshing change, where studios can focus on creating games that are true to their passion rather than following the latest trends.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is essential for studios to learn from the past and focus on creating games that are true to their passion. By doing so, they can create a lasting impact in the gaming world and leave a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.