Harvey Smith, former creative director for Dishonored 2, has revealed a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. Based in Austin, Texas, the developer focuses on creating imaginative first-person action RPGs featuring expressive, emergent game systems where players build their own experiences through exploration and curiosity.
Quick Facts
- Founders: Harvey Smith, Ben Horne, and Ricardo Bare (all former Arkane developers).
- Studio Location: Centralized in Austin, Texas, with wider U.S. staff from studios including Insomniac, Epic Games, Avalanche, and Volition.
- Platform: PC (immersive sim focus).
- Current Status: Studio announced; no specific game revealed yet, with more details expected soon.
Player and Industry Impact
The formation of Black Pony Immersive marks a notable return for veterans of the immersive sim genre following recent industry shifts, including Microsoft's closure of Arkane Austin and ongoing restructuring at Arkane Lyon. Smith's new team brings together developers who worked on projects ranging from Fortnite to Saints Row, uniting them to build single-player games centered around player choice and environmental interaction.
While Black Pony has not yet announced a specific title or release window, the studio's leadership confirms they are actively building the ambitious first-person action RPGs their team is known for, with more details scheduled to arrive soon.