Creator Explains What So Many Games Are Missing

Key Points:

• Black Pony Immersive, founded by Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith and former Arkane production director Ben Horne, aims to create a new immersive sim inspired by classics like Deus Ex, Thief, Prey, and System Shock, despite challenges in the current gaming industry.
• After Arkane Austin's closure by Microsoft in 2024, Smith and Horne decided to start their own studio, facing significant funding hurdles and investor skepticism focused on quick returns and emerging technologies like NFTs and AI.
• The studio secured funding to build a 26-person, fully remote team with a limited budget, emphasizing creative freedom and a scrappy, passionate approach reminiscent of pioneering studios in the immersive sim genre.
• Harvey Smith is driven by creating games that leave a lasting emotional impact on players, exemplified by a unique Dishonored-themed wedding where custom voice lines from the game's iconic Heart were featured, highlighting the deep connection between creators and their audience.
• While details about their upcoming project remain under wraps, Smith aspires to craft a game that evokes mystery and lasting player stories, inspired by titles like Inscryption and Elden Ring, aiming for a magical experience that players will cherish and discuss for decades.