Remember Thick as Thieves, Deus Ex creator Warren Spector’s new immersive sim with a PvEvP twist? It’s undergone some significant changes since its reveal in December 2024, namely a shift to single-player and two-player co-op.
As developer OtherSide Entertainment explained on Steam, “When we first revealed Thick as Thieves, we intended to focus on PvPvE gameplay. However, as development progressed and the world of Kilcairn has come to life, we found that we were having more fun with solo and co-op play.” Thus, the decision to pivot to those modes.
OtherSide also believes that it allows for “doubling down” on what makes the game “truly special – dynamic stealth gameplay.” “We’re already seeing how this has strengthened the moment-to-moment action, whether you’re playing solo or with a partner in co-op. We’ve had some fantastic moments while testing the game. Now we’re putting all our energy into making things even better as we build up to launch.”
Fortunately, it seems we’ll see how this works on April 9th during the Triple-I Initiative showcase. Thick as Thieves will receive a new gameplay trailer, and the development team promises other “well-guarded secrets.” Which may include a release date or a playtest announcement of some kind, but time will tell.
For now, this new approach looks more fitting for the 1910s alternative history setting that OtherSide is going for. The story is all about becoming a master thief; the hook is that every night offers new challenges courtesy of emergent gameplay.
As in Thief, you’ll need to observe different opportunities, avoid guards, and use your skills to pull off the perfect crime. One has to wonder if there’s any deeper plot – after all, the earlier premise involved building your “own personal storyline, mission by mission.” But the aesthetic is still pretty killer, and any new immersive experience from former Looking Glass developers and Spector is worth checking out.
Thick as Thieves is planned for this year and will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
