Why it's still worth making immersive sims ft. Harvey Smith & Ben Horne

Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, former Arkane collaborators, are launching Black Pony Immersive to create ambitious immersive sims without backing from major publishers like Zenimax or Microsoft. They argue that creativity and determination can sustain such projects even when financial analysts dismiss the genre as niche. The studio aims to recapture the spirit of titles like Dishonored, Prey, and Deathloop, emphasizing player freedom and systemic design. Their approach reflects a commitment to crafting games that prioritize depth and player agency over market trends.

Smith and Horne describe immersive sims as games defined by their ability to let players approach challenges in multiple ways, a philosophy they intend to uphold at Black Pony Immersive. They highlight the genre’s history of innovation, including Arkane’s contributions, as inspiration for their new studio. The co-founders stress the importance of maintaining the genre’s core principles while adapting to modern development challenges. Their vision centers on player choice and emergent gameplay as hallmarks of immersive sims.

The duo acknowledges the financial risks of developing immersive sims independently, noting the lack of large-scale publisher support. They argue that the genre’s loyal fanbase and critical acclaim justify the effort, despite industry skepticism. Smith and Horne emphasize the need for a dedicated team and a clear creative vision to succeed. Their goal is to prove that immersive sims can thrive outside traditional corporate structures.

The discussion of Black Pony Immersive’s founding and philosophy is featured on the latest episode of the Game Developer Podcast. Hosted by Bryant Francis, the podcast explores the challenges and triumphs of game development through interviews with industry veterans. The episode delves into the practical and creative considerations behind launching a new studio focused on immersive sims. It also highlights the broader lessons for developers navigating the complexities of game production.