Full Breakdown
Thick as Thieves: Low-Cost Launch, Initial Campaign, and Plans for Ongoing Content
4/30/2026, 1:46:38 AM
Launch Details and Pricing
OtherSide Entertainment announced Thick as Thieves will launch on Steam for PC on 20 May 2026 at $4.99 USD (? €4.99/£4.99). The release includes a single-player and co-op experience described as an initial campaign. The price positions the game among the most affordable new releases on Steam.
Setting and Development Context
Thick as Thieves is set in Kilcairn, an early-1900s alternate-history city that the developers designed to support narrative expansion beyond a single story, a goal highlighted during the Triple-I Initiative.
Key Personnel and Partners
The project is led by director Jeff Hickman, with Warren Spector (studio director) and Paul Neurath (CEO) providing oversight. OtherSide, founded in 2016, partners with Megabit Publishing, the publishing arm of Aonic. Both Spector and Neurath have previously shaped the immersive-simulation genre.
Content Overview
The initial campaign offers 16 missions across two replayable maps, six unlockable gear pieces, and an estimated playtime of at least four hours. Both solo and co-op modes are supported.
Future Plans and Impact
OtherSide plans to expand Kilcairn with new story missions, gear, and map variations after launch. Early player feedback will guide these updates, allowing the studio to align content with community preferences.
Official Statements & Responses
Paul Neurath said the introductory campaign gives “a meaty taste of a world worth returning to.” The press release added the pricing aims to “bring players into the world sooner, and to give the team flexibility to develop additional content informed by how players engage with the game.”
Criticism & Opposition
Eurogamer notes that the cost of future expansions has not been disclosed, prompting questions about potential additional fees. Observers suggest the low launch price could signal a longer-term monetisation approach. The lack of a clear roadmap for pricing may affect player expectations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources confirm the $4.99 launch price, but none specify whether later content will be free or paid, leaving the pricing model for future updates unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kilcairn is an early 1900’s alternative history city setting we've always wanted to explore beyond a single story. Releasing this introductory campaign gets players into the world of Thick as Thieves and gives them a meaty taste of a world worth returning to.” — Paul Neurath
- “This decision reflects the team's desire to bring players into the world sooner, and to give the team the flexibility to develop additional content informed by how players engage with the game.” — OtherSide Entertainment
- “having more fun” — OtherSide Entertainment
- “introductory campaign” — OtherSide Entertainment
What’s Next
A developer walkthrough released with the pricing announcement shows the stealth mechanics and Kilcairn’s locales. The studio says post-launch updates will be announced via official channels, with community feedback shaping new missions and gear.
