The developers of the immersive sim heist game Thick As Thieves have announced that they are abandoning the game’s PvPvE mode to focus solely on single-player and co-op experiences. This decision was made after the game’s community expressed concerns about the balance and overall quality of the PvPvE mode. According to Joe Fletcher, lead designer at the game’s development studio, “We began to see things differently” as the community’s feedback highlighted the need for a more refined and engaging single-player experience.
As of March 10, 2024, the game’s developers have shifted their resources to enhance the single-player and co-op modes, which are expected to be more stable and enjoyable for players. The game’s community has been awaiting the updates, with some players already noticing improvements in the game’s overall performance. For instance, the average player wait time for co-op matches has decreased by 30 seconds, and the number of reported bugs has dropped by 25% since the pivot.
Our primary goal is to create an immersive and challenging experience for our players, and we believe that focusing on single-player and co-op is the best way to achieve that, said Fletcher in a statement posted on the game’s official website.
The game’s development team has also announced plans to release new content, including three upcoming heist levels, which will be available for free to all players who own the game. These levels will introduce new mechanics and challenges, such as a 40-minute timed level and a stealth-focused level with a dynamic soundtrack. The levels are expected to be released over the next six months, with the first level scheduled for release on June 15, 2024.
We expect to see the impact of this change on player engagement over the coming months. The game’s community is already discussing the potential benefits of the new focus, with some players speculating that it could lead to a 15% increase in player retention and a 10% increase in positive reviews on the game’s storefront. As the game’s development continues, it will be interesting to see how the decision to abandon PvPvE affects the overall gaming experience and whether it will draw in new players. The game’s price will remain at $49.99, with a seasonal pass available for $19.99. What happens next will depend on the community’s continued feedback and the development team’s ability to deliver on their promises.