Dishonored director Harvey Smith has launched a new studio, Black Pony Immersive, with fellow Arkane alumnus Ben Horne. The studio's name itself is a deliberate statement of intent, signaling a clear focus on the immersive sim genre that Smith and his colleagues are known for. This move aims to prevent the kind of external pressures that previously led Arkane to work on projects outside its core expertise.
Smith explained that during Arkane's independent days, the studio frequently received offers to work on games outside their wheelhouse, such as third-person action shooters. Despite potential financial incentives, Arkane often declined these opportunities, believing it was crucial to stick to what they knew and did best. This dedication to their niche allowed Arkane to build a strong reputation as a premier immersive sim developer.
He recalled a period of financial strain when Arkane took on work for BioShock 2. While this project was completed successfully thanks to the efforts of their level design director Christophe Carrier and his team, Smith emphasized that it only happened because Arkane was already associated with that style of game. This highlights how crucial maintaining a clear identity was for their survival and subsequent success.
However, Arkane eventually ventured into a different genre with the vampire-themed multiplayer shooter Redfall. Smith expressed regret over this decision, stating, "That was a game that did not come together, and we never should have been working on a games-as-a-service game, to be honest." The challenges faced with Redfall led to the closure of Arkane Austin and have left Arkane Lyon in a precarious position, reportedly "hanging on by a thread" following recent industry shifts.
As an independent entity, Black Pony Immersive is positioned to avoid such detours. Smith believes that "specialising in what you love is not a bad path" for success, and the studio's name underscores their commitment to this philosophy. The intention is to create games that align with their passion and expertise, ensuring a focused and authentic creative direction.