Black Pony Immersive: new studio from Arkane veterans focused on first-person RPGs

In brief

• Black Pony Immersive has been founded by Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, both with a long history at Arkane Studios.
• The studio is focused on developing first-person action-RPGs that push the boundaries of player immersion.
• Based in Austin, Texas, the studio already has plans for an as-yet-unannounced game.

GAME-scanner analysis

The founding of Black Pony Immersive marks an exciting new chapter for Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, two prominent figures in the games industry. Smith, known as co-creative director of the popular Dishonored series, and Horne, who played a key role in the development of Redfall, are combining their expertise to create a studio focused on the immersive sim genre. This genre, known for its deep narratives and player choice, has seen renewed interest in recent years, especially with the rise of indie developers offering innovative experiences. Black Pony Immersive’s focus on first-person RPGs could bring a fresh breeze to the genre, especially in light of the recent closure of Arkane Austin.

What does this mean for players?

For gamers, the founding of Black Pony Immersive opens up new possibilities for innovative and immersive experiences. With Smith and Horne’s experience in creating complex game worlds and narratives, players can look forward to titles that are not only visually impressive, but also offer deep gameplay. The studio has already said it wants to distance itself from current industry trends such as NFTs and focus on authentic gameplay experiences.