Immersive Sim Heist Game Thick As Thieves Ditches PvPvE for Single-Player and Co-Op Focus

Thick As Thieves, the ambitious stealth project spearheaded by legendary Deus Ex and Thief designer Warren Spector, is undergoing a major creative shift. Originally unveiled as an asymmetrical immersive sim defined by tense PvPvE encounters, developer Otherside has announced that the title will pivot away from competitive multiplayer to focus exclusively on the single-player and co-op experience.

First introduced to the public at The Game Awards 2024, the game is set in a reimagined 1910s Kilcairn, Scotland—a hauntingly atmospheric setting where arcane magic and industrial technology collide. The initial vision emphasized high-stakes heists where players navigated the city to secure intelligence and manipulate the environment, all while contending with rival human-controlled thieves. True to the pedigree of its developers, the game was designed to prioritize creative problem-solving and systemic depth, drawing clear inspiration from genre staples like Dishonored.

In a recent update posted to Steam, the team at Otherside explained that the decision stems from their own playtesting sessions: “As development progressed, we found ourselves gravitating toward the solo and co-op portions of the game, finding them significantly more engaging.”

This strategic redirection allows the studio to double down on the title’s core mechanical strength: its intricate, dynamic stealth systems. The developers noted that streamlining the focus has already bolstered the quality of the moment-to-moment action, ensuring that every heist feels polished whether you are tackling it alone or coordinating with a partner.

While the studio has not yet clarified if this change in scope will impact the current release window, Thick As Thieves is still slated for a 2026 arrival on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Fans can expect further details during the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April 9.