OtherSide Entertainment and publisher Megabit announced that the stealth-action heist game Thick as Thieves will launch on PC on May 20, 2026 [1].

The announcement comes via a "Welcome to Kilcairn" gameplay overview video. The project is notable for its leadership under creator Warren Spector and its departure from its original design goals to prioritize a more intimate player experience.

Set in Kilcairn, an alternate-history Scottish city during the 1910s [2], the game emphasizes stealth and heist mechanics. While the title was first announced in December 2024 [3], the development team has since pivoted the game's core structure. The title is no longer a PvPvE experience, instead focusing on single-player and two-player co-op play [4].

This shift in direction was a response to the evolution of the game world during production. "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," a spokesperson for OtherSide Entertainment said [5].

Warren Spector clarified the decision to remove the competitive multiplayer elements to better suit the atmosphere of the setting. "We decided to drop the PvPvE mode and focus on single-player and two-player co-op because it feels more natural for the Kilcairn experience," Spector said [6].

The gameplay overview showcases the atmospheric design of the city and the mechanics players will use to execute heists. By narrowing the scope to co-op, the developers aim to refine the stealth elements, and narrative delivery within the 1910s environment [4].

“"We decided to drop the PvPvE mode and focus on single-player and two-player co-op because it feels more natural for the Kilcairn experience."”

The decision to abandon PvPvE in favor of co-op indicates a strategic pivot toward narrative cohesion and mechanical polish over the volatility of competitive multiplayer. For a stealth-heavy title, removing unpredictable human opponents allows the developers to create more intricate, curated puzzles and environmental storytelling within the alternate-history setting of Kilcairn.