Warren Spector's multiplayer Thief successor changes direction: Instead of PvPvE, it's now focusing on 2-player co-op and singleplayer

A few of my coworkers might yell at me for saying so, but I'm calling this good news. Otherside Entertainment says it's taking a "new direction" with Thick as Thieves, the multiplayer first-person stealth game it announced in 2024: Instead of being a four-player competitive multiplayer game mixing humans and AI enemies as it was originally envisioned, the studio says it is "now focused on two-player co-op and singleplayer."

"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," Otherside wrote about the change on Steam.

"This sharpened focus has allowed us to double down on what makes Thick as Thieves 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."

It's something of a surprising change in direction, given Otherside's previously expressed excitement for the multiplayer component, but as I said, I'm calling it a good thing. Otherside's top guys are Paul Neurath and Warren Spector, two groundbreaking immersive sim designers who, ironically, played key roles on pretty much every immsim of note in the '90s except Thief. To have them leading a modernized take on that series (which I dearly love, even the third one) is a tantalizing prospect, but I don't think a competitive multiplayer environment would really play to its strengths, and having to accommodate that aspect of the game would inevitably detract from the elements that could make it truly shine.

Some of my colleagues are disappointed by the change (which is where the yelling at me comes in), and admittedly, multiplayer Thief is an intriguing idea. Even so, I think the overall sense here is that this is probably a good idea. Going right back to when Thick as Thieves was first revealed, PC Gamer's Evan Lahti said he was "enthusiastic" about the game, but "also skeptical that it can attract millions and millions of players, even if it walks and talks like a modern service game, as OtherSide plans."

The fact is that immersive sims, despite being objectively the best genre, remain a niche interest, and making a successful live service game is notoriously difficult; put them together, and yeah, you've got a real challenge on your hands. A singleplayer Thief-style stealth-em-up isn't exactly purpose-built for mass market interest either, but given how so many live service games have struggled briefly and died in recent years, I think it's a safer bet overall—and I think it will also make for a much better game.

But for those who are disappointed about the change, there is hope: In a response to inquiries in the comments, a developer from Thick as Thieves publisher Megabit said "PvPvE may come further down the line, but at launch we're looking at singleplayer and co-op modes only."

Possibly the bigger news amidst all of this is that we're finally going to get a look at Thick as Thieves in action. Otherside has been pretty quiet about the project since that 2024 reveal, but a new gameplay trailer and "some other well-guarded secrets" will be shared at the upcoming Triple-I Initiative showcase, which will take place at 9 am PT/12 pm ET on April 9.