Harvey Smith Says Big Budget Immersive Sims Still Have a Future

Harvey Smith’s Vision for the Next Immersive Sim

Harvey Smith, the creative mind behind the award winning Dishonored series, recently shared his belief that the genre still has room to grow. He emphasized that when a project brings together a solid budget, a talented team and a clear design philosophy, the result can reach the heights of classics such as Deus Ex. Smith’s comments came during a panel discussion about the future of immersive simulations, a conversation that also featured veteran Thief designer Randy Smith.

What Makes an Immersive Sim Successful?

Immersive sims are defined by three core pillars: player agency, systemic interaction and emergent storytelling. When these elements blend seamlessly, players feel that every choice matters and that the world reacts in believable ways.

Agency – The player can approach any obstacle in multiple ways.
Systems – Game mechanics interlock, allowing creative problem solving.
Emergence – Unexpected outcomes arise from the interaction of systems.

These pillars were evident in the original Deus Ex and later refined in Dishonored. Both titles gave players the freedom to choose stealth, combat or a mix of both, and rewarded inventive play.

Budget and Team: Lessons from Deus Ex and Dishonored

Smith highlighted two practical factors that enable a studio to deliver a polished immersive sim.

Financial backing – A large budget allows for detailed level design, high fidelity assets and extensive testing. Without sufficient resources, the intricate systems that define the genre can become shallow.
Experienced talent – A team that understands how to balance freedom and direction can craft moments that feel both surprising and intentional.

When Bethesda funded the original Deus Ex, the studio could allocate time for deep world building and multiple playstyles. Similarly, Arkane Studios received the support needed to iterate on the complex magic and technology systems that make Dishonored memorable.

The Competitive Landscape: Randy Smith and the Thief Legacy

Randy Smith, known for his work on the iconic Thief series, is now leading a new project under the codename Evergreen. This development has sparked interest because both designers share a commitment to player freedom.

Industry observers note that Evergreen could push the genre in new directions, perhaps integrating modern AI or more open worlds. Smith’s track record suggests he will focus on stealth and environmental storytelling, a natural complement to Smith’s emphasis on budget and team scale.

Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Game Development

Creating a big budget immersive sim today involves navigating several hurdles.

Rising production costs demand careful financial planning.
Player expectations for graphical fidelity can limit resources for system depth.
Live service models dominate the market, making it harder for single‑player focused titles to secure funding.

Despite these challenges, new tools such as procedural generation and modular AI frameworks offer opportunities to reduce development time while preserving depth. A recent article in Polygon discussed how studios are leveraging these technologies to keep the immersive sim spirit alive.

What Players Can Expect in Future Immersive Sims

Based on Smith’s comments and the upcoming Evergreen project, several trends are likely to shape the next generation of immersive sims.

Greater narrative flexibility – Players will see stories that adapt more dynamically to their choices.
Enhanced environmental interaction – Objects, lighting and sound will respond in realistic ways, expanding the toolbox for creative solutions.
Balanced scope – Studios may aim for a sweet spot between open world freedom and tightly crafted level design.

For fans of the genre, the message is clear: the core principles that made titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored great remain relevant, and with the right investment they can still produce standout experiences.

As the conversation between Harvey Smith and Randy Smith demonstrates, the future of immersive sims will be shaped by both seasoned veterans and fresh perspectives. The industry’s willingness to fund ambitious projects will determine whether the next chapter lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.