Harvey Smith and Ben Horne launch Black Pony Immersive after Arkane Austin closes

In brief

• Harvey Smith and Ben Horne have founded Black Pony Immersive after Arkane Austin’s closure in 2024.
• The new studio is focused on developing immersive sims, inspired by classics like Deus Ex and Thief.
• Black Pony Immersive was formed a year after Arkane Austin shut down, where Smith and Horne previously worked on successful titles.

GAME-scanner analysis

The founding of Black Pony Immersive by Harvey Smith and Ben Horne marks a significant shift in the games industry, especially for fans of immersive sims. After Arkane Austin was closed by Microsoft in 2024, there was plenty of uncertainty about the future of the developers and their projects. Smith, known for his work on genre-defining titles such as Dishonored and Prey, now has the chance to reshape his vision of immersive gameplay. The studio aims to immerse players in richly crafted worlds, signaling a return to the core principles of the genre.

What does this mean for players?

For players, the creation of Black Pony Immersive opens up new possibilities for innovative and immersive experiences. Fans of Smith and Horne’s genre-defining games can look forward to new titles that promise the depth and creativity of their earlier work. A renewed focus on immersive sims could also spark fresh interest in a genre that has been somewhat in the background in recent years.