News broke today that the Thick as Thieves campaign is set to be a relatively brief experience. Otherside Entertainment announced that the stealth-focused heist game, arriving this May, will launch with a permanent, undiscounted price of $5/£5/€5.
While the budget-friendly price is a relief, the announcement leaves some lingering concerns. After the underwhelming reception of Underworld Ascendant, many were hoping for a true redemption arc from the team.
The Legacy of Immersive Sim Legends
The developers behind this project, Otherside Entertainment, carry significant weight in the genre. Founders Paul Neurath and Warren Spector are considered "Great Old Ones" of the immersive sim community.
Neurath, in particular, holds massive credibility due to his time as managing director of Looking Glass Studios, the original architects of Thime. This pedigree makes the recent changes to the game even more unsettling.
Earlier this month, the studio revealed they had dropped the multiplayer PvPvE element. While many players prefer a solo thieving experience, the suddenness of that shift was definitely cause for concern.
Breaking Down the Thick as Thieves Campaign
The primary question following the $5 price tag is: why such a low cost? The answer lies in the limited scope of the initial release.
The upcoming Thick as Thieves campaign is intended to serve as an "introductory" experience rather than a massive, sprawling epic. According to the studio's recent update, the launch content includes:
- 2 playable thieves
- 2 dynamic and highly replayable maps
- 6 pieces of gear
- 16 contracts to take on
Otherside stated that this small-scope release allows them the flexibility to develop more content based on how players engage with the world.
A Strategic $5 Gamble
While some may find the "short" nature of the game disappointing, the pricing strategy is a calculated move by Megabit, the game's publisher. For the price of a bag of chips, the barrier to entry is virtually non-existent.
Megabit spoke to PC Gamer regarding the decision:
"We're confident that the $5 price point will entice players to experience the world of Kilcairn for the first time while fairly reflecting the fact that this initial campaign is an introduction to the world of Thick as Thieves. We also feel that the content included—16 contracts, two dynamic and replayable maps and a four-plus hour campaign—offers great value for money."
Ultimately, the goal is to welcome as many players as possible into the world of Kilcairn. Whether this business strategy proves to be a masterstroke remains to be seen, but at $5, it is certainly worth finding out.
Thick as Thieves is scheduled to launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store on May 20.
