Warren Spector, the legendary game designer behind iconic titles like Deus Ex and Thief, and his studio Otherside Entertainment have announced a significant change in the core concept for their upcoming ambitious stealth-action game, Thick As Thieves.
Initially revealed at The Game Awards 2024, Thick As Thieves was conceived as an asymmetric immersive simulator featuring PvPvE elements. Players would compete against each other while interacting within a richly detailed world set in an alternate 1910s Scottish city called Kilkearn, where magic and technology coexist. The original vision involved players conducting elaborate heists, exploring the city, gathering intelligence, observing non-player characters, and utilizing various abilities to bypass security, all while contending with rival player-controlled thieves pursuing similar objectives.
However, during the development process, the team found themselves gravitating towards and enjoying the single-player and cooperative aspects more. As a result, Otherside Entertainment has decided to completely overhaul the game’s direction. In an official statement, the developers confirmed that Thick As Thieves will now primarily focus on a dedicated single-player experience or two-player co-op.
This strategic pivot, according to the developers, will allow them to “double down” on refining dynamic stealth gameplay. They state that these changes have already brought positive improvements to the game, making each stealth scenario and overall gameplay experience more engaging and richer, whether playing solo or with a partner.
It remains unconfirmed whether this substantial shift in development will impact the game’s release timeline.