Despite significant layoffs at OtherSide Entertainment, the studio is committed to keeping its recently released immersive sim, Thick as Thieves, playable. A small remaining team is working with publisher Megabit to transition the game from its current cloud-based servers to a peer-to-peer system for cooperative multiplayer.
This move comes after a difficult period for the developer, which saw a reduction in its workforce following the game's launch. Initially envisioned as a competitive multiplayer experience, Thick as Thieves was later scaled back to support solo and co-op play. The studio has stated that there will be no further content updates due to the reduced team size.
"This is not the outcome that any of us want, but we’re facing the reality that ongoing development of extra content, modes and systems is not a viable path," the studio explained in a blog post. The upcoming update aims to ensure that players can continue to enjoy the game with friends without reliance on dedicated cloud servers. Solo play will remain unaffected by this transition.
Once the peer-to-peer functionality is implemented, publisher Megabit will assume responsibility for addressing any remaining bugs or issues. This effort to maintain the game's accessibility stands in contrast to the frequent shutdowns of online titles, making it a noteworthy endeavor, particularly given the game's modest price point.