Immersive Sim
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Harvey Smith and fellow Arkane Austin veterans announce a new studio, Black Pony Immersive
Former Arkane Austin veterans Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have announced the formation of a new studio, Black Pony Immersive. The studio, founded in August 2025, aims to create ambitious immersive sim games, drawing on the team's experience from Arkane and other studios like Insomniac and Epic Games. Black Pony Immersive is currently working on an unannounced single-player narrative-rich game.
"Think Deus Ex, think Dishonored, that's what we're doing": Former Arkane devs reveal new studio dedicated to making single-player immersive sims
Former Arkane developers Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive, dedicated to creating single-player immersive simulation games. The studio aims to recapture the spirit of titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored, bringing together a team of experienced developers who were affected by recent industry layoffs.
Former Arkane Studios leads Harvey Smith & Ben Horne launch Black Pony Immersive game studio
Former Arkane Studios leads Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have launched a new game studio called Black Pony Immersive, which will focus on developing immersive simulation games. The studio aims to push the genre's limits, drawing on their experience with titles like Dishonored and Prey. Despite acknowledging challenging market conditions, the team is committed to creating ambitious games.
Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word 'Immersive' in the name
Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith and executive producer Ben Horne have launched a new studio named Black Pony Immersive. The studio, comprised of developers from Arkane, Insomniac, and other major companies, aims to create singleplayer first-person action RPGs with emergent gameplay systems, drawing inspiration from classic immersive sim titles.
Dishonored, Deus Ex Designer Stars New Studio to Continue Focusing on Immersive Sims
Veteran game developer Harvey Smith, formerly of Arkane Austin, has founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. The studio will focus on the immersive sim genre, continuing Smith's work on titles like Dishonored and Deus Ex. The team includes several former Arkane Austin developers.
Dishonored Director Announces New Studio, And Fans Should Be Very Excited
Veteran game developers Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have announced the formation of Black Pony Immersive, a new studio focused on creating first-person action-RPGs in well-realized worlds. Smith, a co-creator of the Dishonored series, aims to continue the legacy of immersive sims, a genre that has seen fewer releases in recent years. The studio will be based in Austin, Texas, the same location as Arkane Studios.
"We chose the worst time in history" – Harvey Smith on starting his own studio after Arkane
Former Arkane Studios director Harvey Smith has co-founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with Ben Horne, aiming to create immersive sim games. Smith acknowledges the challenging timing for starting a new studio due to the current game business landscape but expresses a desire to build games their way, focusing on player-driven experiences and creative tools. The studio has already reunited several former Arkane colleagues and is working on its first project.
"Through the looking glass": as Arkane fight for their future, Dishonored veteran Harvey Smith reveals new studio dedicated to immersive sims
Harvey Smith, a veteran developer from Arkane Studios, has announced the formation of Black Pony Immersive, a new studio focused on creating imaginative first-person action RPGs and immersive sims. The studio, which includes other former Arkane developers, aims to build single-player games that reward player creativity and exploration. This announcement comes during a period of industry volatility, with Microsoft having recently closed Arkane Austin and currently negotiating the future of Arkane Lyon.
Immersive sim Retrospace, aka '70s System Shock, gets an October release date plus a trailer full of funky guns and sentient black holes
The space horror immersive sim RetroSpace, developed by The Wild Gentlemen and published by Kwalee, is set to launch on October 1st, 2026. Players will take on the role of a clone janitor on a space station consumed by a sentient black hole, utilizing stealth, combat, and unique 'mutamods' to survive against mutated creatures and security systems.
Warren Spector, founding father of immersive sims, has retired from game development
Warren Spector, the acclaimed creator of the immersive sim genre and the influential game Deus Ex, has retired from game development. Spector's career spanned decades, leaving a significant mark on the industry with his innovative design philosophies.
Industry legend Warren Spector is retiring: 'I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do'
Industry veteran Warren Spector, known for his work on immersive sims like Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement from game development after nearly 44 years. While he has mixed feelings and ideas for future projects, Spector feels he has accomplished his goals and is ready to pursue writing, lecturing, and consulting. He also cited changes in the industry and a desire to make way for new talent as reasons for his departure.
Deus Ex And Immersive Sim Founding Father, Warren Spector, Retires From Game Development
Warren Spector, a pivotal figure in the creation of the immersive sim genre known for his work on Deus Ex and Thief, has announced his retirement from game development after a nearly 45-year career. While he has mixed feelings, Spector, aged 70, feels it's time for a new generation to innovate and plans to focus on writing books and consulting. His final game, Thick as Thieves, was released earlier this year.
RetroSpace gets Nintendo Switch 2 release date, new trailer
Kwalee and The Wild Gentlemen have announced that RetroSpace will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 1. This disco-punk space horror game allows players to choose between stealthy survival or action-hero mutant gameplay aboard a space station consumed by a black hole. A new trailer was also released alongside the announcement.
After 44 years, legendary Deus Ex and System Shock developer Warren Spector announces his retirement from game development: "Wouldn't change a thing even if I could"
Legendary game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement after 44 years in the industry. Spector cited his age as the primary reason for stepping down, expressing mixed feelings but stating he wouldn't change his career. He plans to pursue other interests like writing books, lecturing, and playing the piano.
Warren Spector retires from game development, at least he thinks so
Veteran game developer Warren Spector has announced his retirement from the industry, citing age, health, and a diminished enjoyment of the business. Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex, Thief, and the Ultima series, expressed a desire to still make three more games, including one large, one small, and one he's unsure how to create. He plans to focus on writing books, reading, and consulting in his post-retirement career.
Deus Ex director and immersive sim legend Warren Spector is retiring, despite having "three games in particular" he'd still like to make
Legendary Deus Ex director Warren Spector has announced his retirement from game development after a 44-year career. While he has "mixed feelings" and three specific games he'd still like to make, Spector feels the industry has changed and it's time for a new generation. He plans to write books, lecture, and possibly consult, but leaves the door open for a potential return.
"I'm pretty sure I mean it" - Legendary game developer Warren Spector announces retirement
Legendary game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex and the founding of the immersive sim genre, has announced his retirement after a 44-year career. Spector expressed mixed feelings but cited the changing game industry and a desire to pursue other interests like writing and lecturing as reasons for his departure. He encouraged the next generation of developers to continue innovating and experimenting in game design.
You can now play the secret best immersive sim in coop thanks to this mod
A new mod called Prey Coop allows up to 16 players to experience Arkane Studios' immersive sim Prey together on PC. The mod synchronizes campaign progression, story choices, and world physics, though it is still in alpha with some known issues. This unofficial addition enables cooperative play for a game traditionally designed for solo experiences.
Snabbkollen: Vilka typer av förstapersonsskjutare spelar du helst?
A survey reveals player preferences for different types of first-person shooter games. Story-driven FPS titles are the most popular choice, followed by looter shooters and immersive sims. Arena shooters and extraction shooters received the lowest engagement.
"I think that might be a misread": Thief designer on why making a triple-A immersive sim doesn't really work
Randy Smith Evergreen, a designer on Thief: The Dark Project, suggests that the immersive sim genre may not be suited for triple-A development due to its niche audience. He proposes that a triple-I or double-A approach with smaller budgets and passionate teams could be more viable for creating successful immersive sims, citing the original Thief's modest budget as an example.
