Dishonored Was a Last-Ditch Effort After Years of Fruitless Contract Work, Says Co-Creator: 'We Had Four Months of Money Left'

Summary

Harvey Smith, co-creator of Dishonored and former head of Arkane Austin, has announced the founding of his new studio, Black Pony Immersive, which will focus on immersive sims in the tradition of Deus Ex and System Shock. In a recent interview, Smith looked back on the difficult development of Dishonored, revealing that it was essentially a last-ditch effort for Arkane Studios after years of fruitless contract work. He admitted, "I think we had four months of money left." Fortunately, Dishonored's success not only saved the studio but also reinvigorated the immersive sim genre. Smith's new studio aims to continue that legacy, but there are concerns about the viability of such games in the current AAA market. For players, this could mean more games that emphasize systemic interactions and player freedom. For the industry, it highlights how great ideas often emerge from desperate circumstances, while also reminding developers of the constant pressure of commercialization. The formation of Black Pony Immersive offers hope for immersive sims, and the announcement has already sparked enthusiasm among genre fans, who are eager to see how a veteran developer navigates these challenges in a rapidly evolving market.