A New Studio Called Black Pony Will Continue a Dishonored and Deus Ex Designer’s Focus on Immersive Sims

A new studio called Black Pony, also referred to as Black Pony Immersive, is being built around a designer associated with Dishonored and Deus Ex. Former Arkane developers Harvey Smith and Ben Horne are part of the team, which will continue focusing on immersive sims.

According to IGN’s report on Black Pony, the studio is continuing that creative focus rather than moving away from the genre. The announcement connects the new team to the design work found in both Dishonored and Deus Ex.

Horne said the studio would rather commit to a creative vision than try to predict the industry’s next major trend. In an interview with The Game Business, he said, “Our best shot is to rally around a creative vision that excites us as developers.” Black Pony Immersive plans to make a project its team genuinely wants to build, trusting that players who want that kind of experience will be interested.

In the same interview, Smith pointed to Dishonored as an example of what a sensible budget can accomplish. He said the game was made with a budget many triple-A developers would have liked to have, but described it as sensible rather than excessive. Smith put its return on investment at roughly four or five times the total spend.

Black Pony’s first game, platforms, and release timing have not been announced. For now, the studio’s identity is clear: it is a new home for more immersive-sim development from a designer with experience on two of the genre’s best-known games.

What do you think about another studio staying committed to immersive sims? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow along on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.