OtherSide Entertainment has laid off another 18 employees, reducing its staff to fewer than 10 people, according to a report from Game Developer. This follows a previous round of 17 layoffs that occurred just two weeks prior, stemming from the cancellation of a new game.
A studio representative stated that the remaining employees are focused on updates for Thick as Thieves, with no current plans for future game development. The company cited challenges in the immersive sim genre, noting that while Thick as Thieves' introductory campaign received positive responses, the studio's continuation in its current form was not commercially viable. The representative highlighted that immersive sims, known for their lengthy development cycles, are increasingly difficult to sustain in the current market.
Immersive sims often cater to a niche audience, limiting their commercial appeal, particularly in an industry that favors massive hits. Thick as Thieves itself faced development challenges, including a shift in direction from a PvPvE focus to single-player and two-player co-op shortly before its launch. While the game offered a distinct experience with room for growth, certain mechanics, such as mission time limits, were criticized by players.
Thick as Thieves was released with an estimated four hours of gameplay and priced at $5/£5/€5 to attract a wider audience and allow for content development based on player engagement. However, player counts on Steam suggest this strategy has not significantly boosted its reach.
This situation marks a difficult period for OtherSide Entertainment, particularly after the cancellation of its project codenamed Argos in June. The significant reduction in staff casts doubt on the studio's future prospects, especially given its historical focus on the immersive sim genre.