Exploring the Evolution of Immersive Sims
In a recent conversation with PC Gamer, Warren Spector, co-founder of OtherSide Entertainment and a veteran of the immersive sim genre, shared insights into the studio’s innovative approach to its upcoming multiplayer title, Thick as Thieves. This game marks a significant departure from the traditional single-player experience, embracing a live service PvPvE multiplayer format.
Spector articulated a vision that has been years in the making, stating, “For years, I’ve been thinking the next logical step for immersive sims was multiplayer.” He reflected on his long-standing desire to capture the essence of collaborative storytelling that he first experienced while playing Dungeons & Dragons. “Though there are solo adventures, typically, you don’t play D&D alone,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences in gaming.
The notion of blending tabletop roleplaying freedom with the immersive qualities of a digital environment is a tantalizing prospect. Spector believes that immersive sims have the potential to create surprising and emergent narratives, a hallmark of the genre that the OtherSide team aims to highlight in Thick as Thieves. “One of the other things that I love about immersive sims is surprise,” he explained. “I love it when players are clever and smart and use their wits to solve problems in unpredictable ways that surprise them: ‘Hey, that worked!’ Or if they fail, they understand why they failed.” This focus on player agency and creativity is central to the game’s design philosophy.
Project lead Greg LoPiccolo echoed Spector’s sentiments, emphasizing the magic that occurs when players surprise the developers with their ingenuity. “It happens all the time in these games,” he remarked, highlighting the dynamic interactions that can arise in a multiplayer setting.
As anticipation builds for Thick as Thieves, the development team’s pedigree instills confidence in the game’s potential. However, the challenges of maintaining a live service model cannot be overlooked. The success of the game will hinge on the ability to provide ongoing support and cultivate an engaged player community—an area where many developers focused on single-player experiences have faced difficulties.
What sets Thick as Thieves apart is its clear alignment of live service mechanics with the studio’s overarching design ambitions, contrasting sharply with the mixed results seen in titles like Anthem, Redfall, and Suicide Squad. While a release date has yet to be announced, players eager to join the heist can already wishlist the game on Steam or Epic, signaling a promising future for this ambitious project.
