Well, well, well, what do we have here? Another veteran game developer jumping ship to start their own studio, because that’s exactly what the gaming industry needs – more studios and more promises of “immersive experiences.” Harvey Smith, the man behind the beloved Dishonored series and the original Deus Ex, has opened up his own shop, Black Pony Immersive, and I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that it sounds like a rehashing of his previous work. I mean, who needs originality when you can just rebrand the same old thing, right?
The Immersive Sim Genre Lives On
Smith’s new studio is focused on creating more “immersive sim” games, because that’s not a genre that’s been done to death already. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we see a game that’s basically Dishonored with a different coat of paint. But hey, who am I to complain? The man knows his stuff, and if he wants to keep cranking out games that are similar to his previous work, that’s his prerogative. After all, it’s not like the gaming industry is oversaturated with the same old genres and gameplay mechanics or anything.
In an interview with IGN, Smith waxed poetic about his favorite gaming memories, saying, “My favorite gaming memories come from seeing players approach challenges with creativity, deep-diving into our world building,” and “We try to reward players for their curiosity and exploration.” Wow, what a unique and innovative approach to game design. I bet it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s trying to appeal to his existing fanbase and tap into the nostalgia of gamers who loved his previous work.
The State of the Industry
Smith also had some choice words about the current state of the gaming industry, saying, “The entire industry is deeply hurting right now, Austin included.” Oh, I don’t know, Harvey, it seems like the industry is doing just fine, what with all the microtransactions, loot boxes, and live-service games that are somehow still a thing. But hey, I’m sure your new studio will be different, right? I mean, you’re not just going to churn out the same old games with a new coat of paint and expect people to eat it up, are you?
Smith continued, “I am just thrilled to be announcing Black Pony Immersive. Making another run at trying to create magic for players. Having the team we have, including Ricardo and people we worked with on Deus Ex, Dishonored, and Prey just feels like a dream.” Aww, isn’t that cute? He’s so excited to be making games again, and he’s got his old buddies along for the ride. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that this sounds like a recipe for disaster, what with all the nostalgia and familiar faces.
The Future of Black Pony Immersive
So, what can we expect from Black Pony Immersive? Well, according to Smith, the studio will be focused on creating single-player, narrative-driven, first-person games that are “highly hyphenated” and “immersive sims.” Wow, that sounds like a real mouthful. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we see a game that’s basically a rehashing of Dishonored, but with a few new bells and whistles to make it seem like something new and exciting.
As Smith so eloquently put it, he’ll be carrying the torch for the immersive sim genre “until he is dead.” Well, I’m sure that’s a comforting thought for all the gamers out there who are just dying for more of the same old thing. And with his trusty sidekicks Ricardo Bare and Ben Horne by his side, I’m sure we can expect great things from Black Pony Immersive. Or, at the very least, more of the same old thing with a new coat of paint.
In conclusion, the gaming industry is a wild and wacky place, full of veteran developers starting their own studios and promising the world. But hey, who knows, maybe Black Pony Immersive will actually manage to create something new and innovative. But I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. After all, as the great philosopher once said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” and Harvey Smith is definitely an old dog in the gaming industry. Still, I’ll be keeping an eye on Black Pony Immersive, if only to see how long it takes for them to announce their first game and how quickly it gets lost in the sea of similar games that are already out there.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
