Former Dishonored 2 Creative Director Founds His Own Studio

August 20, 2026 - 19:55

Colantonio previously co-founded Arkane Studios and led it through its most celebrated period. After leaving in 2017, he spent time at Bethesda before moving on. Now, with Black Pony, he is returning to the genre that made his name known. The studio is small by design, with a team of around 20 people. That is a deliberate choice. He wants to keep production lean and avoid the sprawling, committee-driven development cycles that often bog down big-budget titles.

The first project is still in early stages, but the direction is set. Players can expect a game that leans into systemic gameplay, player agency, and reactive worlds. Those are the hallmarks of his earlier work. The team includes several veterans from Arkane and other studios, so the pedigree is solid.

Colantonio has been open about his frustrations with the industry's push toward live service models and endless monetization. Black Pony is his answer to that. A focused, story-driven experience that respects the player's time. No roadmap, no battle pass, just a complete game at launch. That is the pitch, and it is a refreshing one in the current climate.

There is no release window yet. The studio is still hiring for a few key positions. But for fans of immersive sims, this is a name to watch. The genre has been quiet for a while, and having one of its strongest voices back in the game is good news.