All articles tagged with #immersive sim
Black Pony Immersive, a new studio founded by Harvey Smith and Ben Horne with Deus Ex designer Ricardo Bare, aims to keep immersive sims alive in 2026, arguing the genre can be financially viable even as the industry cools; born from Arkane Austin's closure and operating secretly since Aug 2025 with a 26-person team, they haven't revealed their first game beyond immersive sim but intend to stay nimble and independent.
Warren Spector, the designer behind immersive-sim pioneer Deus Ex, announced his retirement in a LinkedIn post after nearly 44 years in the industry, saying age and health prompt a shift toward writing, lecturing, reading, and consulting. He suggested three potential future games but noted the business has changed and isn’t as fun for him anymore. Spector’s career spans Ultima titles, Disney's Epic Mickey, Thick As Thieves, and involvement with System Shock 3, whose future remains unclear under Tencent's oversight.
Veteran designer Harvey Smith (Deus Ex, Dishonored) has launched Black Pony Immersive with Ben Horne after Arkane Austin’s 2024 closure, aiming to build immersive-sim games with minimal top-down interference in a tough funding climate. The 26-person US-based studio, with remote contractors, seeks to reunite Arkane collaborators and indie talent to create narrative-rich, single-player experiences while prioritizing staff benefits and independence over fast, external funding.
Warren Spector, the veteran designer behind System Shock, Deus Ex, and Epic Mickey, has announced his retirement from game development after more than 40 years, citing age and health and his desire to write, lecture, and consult. He reflects on a career spanning Origin, Looking Glass Austin, Ion Storm, Junction Point, and Otherside Entertainment, with highlights including Deus Ex and Epic Mickey and recent work on Thick As Thieves.
Legendary game designer Warren Spector, known for Deus Ex and System Shock, says he’s retiring from game development, citing age and shifts in the industry that have sapped his enjoyment. At 70, he plans to write, lecture, and perhaps consult, highlighting a career that helped define immersive sims and left a lasting impact on game design.
Veteran game designer Warren Spector announces retirement after nearly four decades shaping immersive-sim classics, including Deus Ex; he says he’s ready to write, lecture, or consult, hopes to mentor the next generation, and hints he might return in the future but that it’s time for new talent to take the spotlight.
Nightdive Studios is remastering Thief: The Dark Project, packing the original game with Thief Gold content, upgraded textures/models/animations, a weapon and item wheel, mission selector, built-in achievements, and 4K/120fps, with PC and console release planned for this winter across PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
The jailed lead developer behind Fortune's Run, known as Dizzie, has been released on parole after about a year in prison and plans to resume work on its Deus Ex–style immersive shooter, including finishing missing story levels and targeting a 1.0 release. She notes she wrote a roguelike in C++ on paper while imprisoned and details team dynamics and future milestones, with a cautious timeline of releases over the next year.
The article highlights the top PC games of 2025, including diverse titles like Megabonk, Ooo, Blue Prince, Old Skies, Peak, Dead Take, The Roottrees are Dead, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Skin Deep, and The Seance of Blake Manor, showcasing a range of genres from roguelikes and puzzle-platformers to immersive sims and narrative adventures, emphasizing innovation, storytelling, and gameplay depth.
Deus Ex, considered one of the greatest games of all time, celebrated its 25th anniversary, highlighting its innovative gameplay, narrative depth, and lasting influence on the gaming industry, remaining highly playable and relevant today.
Variable State, known for narrative-adventure games like Virginia, has announced Deepest Fear, a first-person horror-action game inspired by 1980s horror films and games like Metroid Prime and System Shock 2. Set in an underwater facility, players must survive against unpredictable monsters emerging from water sources, utilizing a "real-time fluid simulation" for dynamic encounters. The game will initially release on PC, with potential future platform announcements.
Arkane Austin's final update for Redfall pays homage to its immersive sim roots and the legacy of Looking Glass Studios with a reference to the iconic '451' code. The update, which includes an offline mode and other enhancements, marks a poignant end for the studio following its closure by Xbox.
Nightdive Studios' acclaimed remake of System Shock, the cult-classic sci-fi horror game, is set to release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One on May 21st, following its successful PC launch last year. The remake faithfully recreates the original game with updated visuals, an overhauled interface, and all-new sounds and music, alongside additional enhancements for consoles, including redesigned controls for gamepads and a revised ending. Console players can expect HD visuals running at up to 60fps in 4K on next-gen consoles, as well as the option to play as a female hacker protagonist.
Despite receiving positive reviews and being hailed as one of the best games of 2023, Robocop Rogue City is not receiving the attention it deserves on Steam. The tie-in game, developed by Teyon, offers a unique blend of immersive sim gameplay inspired by titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored. While it has garnered over 90% favorable reviews from players, the game's player count on Steam remains relatively low. However, those who have played it praise its engaging narrative, intelligent writing, and satisfying combat, making it one of the most exciting games of the year.
Space Wreck is an indie RPG that pays homage to old-school isometric RPGs like Fallout. The game features immersive sim elements, where every choice has consequences. Players must navigate through challenges and make strategic decisions based on their character's skills and stats. Combat is optional, but failure to invest in certain abilities can lead to locked progression and missed opportunities. Space Wreck offers a refreshing and challenging experience for fans of classic RPGs.