What's Happening?
OtherSide Entertainment has announced that its game, Thick as Thieves, will no longer receive content updates due to financial constraints and a reduced team size. The game, which launched with limited content and features, struggled to gain traction
in the market. Game director Jeff Hickman confirmed that ongoing development is not viable, and the team has been reduced to fewer than ten employees. Despite this, OtherSide and publisher Megabit are working to ensure the game remains playable by transitioning to a peer-to-peer server model for co-op play, allowing players to continue enjoying the game without dedicated servers.
Why It's Important?
The decision to halt further development of Thick as Thieves highlights the challenges faced by smaller game developers in a competitive industry. The game's initial pricing strategy and limited content may have contributed to its financial difficulties. This situation underscores the importance of strategic planning and market positioning for indie game developers. The transition to a peer-to-peer model reflects a commitment to maintaining player engagement despite financial setbacks, which could serve as a case study for other developers facing similar challenges.
What's Next?
With the transition to peer-to-peer servers, Thick as Thieves will continue to be available for players, albeit without new content updates. The game's future will depend on the continued support from publisher Megabit, which will handle bug fixes and maintenance. This development may prompt discussions within the gaming community about sustainable business models for indie games and the role of publishers in supporting smaller developers.
