Creators of Deus Ex and Dishonored Establish New Immersive Sim Studio Amid Industry Turmoil

Black Pony Immersive is the exciting new studio co-founded by industry veteran Harvey Smith and his former Arkane colleague Ben Horne, with the talented Deus Ex designer Ricardo Bare on board. Their mission is to push the boundaries of immersive simulations, even as many consider the genre too risky. With a pedigree that includes classics like Thief: Deadly Shadows, Dishonored, Prey, and Deus Ex, this team is well-equipped to take on that challenge.

Both Smith and Horne were part of Arkane Austin until its unfortunate closure by Microsoft. Their last project, the underwhelming Redfall, was a stark contrast to the impressive lineup of immersive sims they had previously developed. Smith and Bare’s journey in the industry dates back to the days of Deus Ex creator Ion Storm, and for Smith, it all began with the groundbreaking System Shock in 1994. While the closure of Arkane Austin left many wondering about their next steps, Black Pony has been quietly assembling its team since August 2025.

In a recent conversation, Smith and Horne defended their choice to create immersive sims in 2026, asserting that the Dishonored series was indeed a financial success, and emphasizing their extensive experience in the genre. Smith pointed out that declaring a genre as unviable often leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy, noting that studios chasing trends are more likely to stumble. As an independent studio, they enjoy the freedom to innovate without the overwhelming expectations of a giant like Microsoft. “We don’t have to seek much approval from anyone else, and that makes us very nimble,” Smith remarked.

Smith described the current climate as “the worst time in history” to launch a game studio, yet he believes that such challenging times can inspire bold moves: “When things are going pretty well, your impetus to do something crazy is very low.” Black Pony currently boasts a full-time staff of 26, many of whom hail from Arkane, along with some fresh talent. However, details about their first game remain under wraps, aside from its classification as an immersive sim.

In a landscape marked by numerous studio closures, many industry veterans have attempted to establish AA studios, often with disappointing results. Yet, given the impressive backgrounds of Smith, Horne, and their team, there’s reason for optimism. They seem to be approaching their new venture with humility, reflecting on the lessons learned from their challenging experiences at Microsoft and their own past missteps, alongside their successes.