Immersive Sim Veterans Launch Black Pony Immersive
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Former Arkane Austin leadership forms a new Austin-based studio focused on narrative-rich first-person action RPGs.
Former Arkane Austin head Harvey Smith and longtime collaborator Ben Horne have launched Black Pony Immersive, a new studio dedicated to creating immersive sims, according to Engadget. Smith, known for the original Deus Ex and the Dishonored series, is joining forces with Horne, who previously served as production director for Redfall at Arkane Austin.
The Austin-based studio, which also employs remote workers across the U.S., has brought on Ricardo Bare—creative director of Dishonored, Prey, and Redfall—as its design director. Engadget reports that the team includes veterans from Epic, Insomniac, Volition, and Avalanche.
While the studio has not disclosed a specific project, Smith stated in a press release that the team is focused on single-player games that reward player curiosity, exploration, and creative approaches to challenges. The studio's website references Looking Glass Studios, the developer behind the Thief, System Shock, and Ultima Underworld series.
The announcement follows a period of instability for the industry. Engadget notes that Xbox shut down Arkane Austin in 2024 and is currently considering the closure of Arkane Studios and the cancellation of a project titled Blade, though the latter is subject to French authority review. Additionally, immersive sim pioneer Warren Spector announced his retirement from game development this week.