Thief
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"It felt like we had needed couples therapy": Dishonored devs Arkane making Thief or Blade Runner games sounds ace, but might have sparked a creative director scrap
Arkane Studios co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith discussed the development of Dishonored, which combined their initial concepts for Thief 4 and a Blade Runner game. The directors revealed that the process of deciding which project to pursue led to creative friction, likening the experience to needing couples therapy. Ultimately, Bethesda Softworks merged their ideas to create Dishonored.
Before Dishonored, Arkane was tapped to make Thief 4, and my heart weeps for what might have been: 'We had an…
Arkane Studios co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith revealed that Bethesda initially approached the studio to develop Thief 4 or a Blade Runner game before Dishonored. While both directors were passionate about the franchises, neither project materialized, leading Arkane to develop Dishonored instead. The studio was later acquired by ZeniMax Media.
Dishonored co-creators were working on Thief 4 and a Bladerunner game before Bethesda let them make an imsim classic
Dishonored co-creators Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith revealed that Arkane Studios was initially slated to develop Thief 4 and a new Blade Runner game before Bethesda greenlit their original immersive sim. Both Colantonio and Smith expressed strong interest in these projects, which ultimately fell through, leading to the development of Dishonored.
Arkane's Dishonored always felt like a secret Thief sequel, and that's because it started life as one
Dishonored originally began development as Thief 4 before publisher Bethesda offered Arkane the choice between that franchise or Blade Runner. Directors Raphaël Colantonio and Harvey Smith discuss the project's evolution into Dishonored and their experiences co-directing the game.
The director of the best Splinter Cell game reckons that modern lighting engines are making stealth games 'so much…
Clint Hocking, director of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, believes modern lighting engines make stealth games harder to read. He argues that the realistic, diffuse shadows in contemporary games obscure player visibility compared to the clear, baked lighting of older titles like Thief. Hocking suggests that developers aiming for pure stealth experiences with modern graphics need to carefully consider how to implement lighting.
There is no discovery on this earth more pure than a closet full of your dad's '90s big box PC games
A Reddit user's discovery of their father's extensive collection of '90s big box PC games has resonated with many, sparking discussions about physical media and shared gaming experiences. The collection includes classics like System Shock 2 and Diablo, alongside more eclectic titles, highlighting a bygone era of PC gaming.
Stealth-Action Heist Adventure Thick as Thieves with Co-Op Mode Drops on PC
The stealth-action heist game Thick as Thieves, developed by OtherSide Entertainment and published by Megabit Publishing, has launched on PC via Steam. The game features solo and two-player online co-op modes, set in an alternate-history 1910s Scotland where magic and technology collide. Players take on the role of a Thieves' Guild member undertaking heists with shifting security layouts and dynamic difficulty.
Splinter Cell veteran says realistic modern lighting has screwed up stealth games: "it gets very hard to tell what’s light, what’s shadow, what’s dark, what’s safe"
Designer Clint Hocking believes that realistic modern lighting has made stealth games harder to develop and play. He argues that the sophisticated rendering and diffusion in current games obscure the clear distinctions between light and shadow that were present in older, "baked lighting" titles. Hocking, who has worked on games like Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, suggests that developers need to rethink how they communicate visibility to players in modern titles.
Embracer Group cuts itself into pieces, this is its last resort: Bifurcation, new listing—licensing out Kain and…
Embracer Group is splitting into two separate companies to improve focus and value creation. One entity, Fellowship Entertainment, will house studios like 4A Games and Crystal Dynamics, managing IPs such as Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings. The remaining Embracer will include THQ Nordic and other studios, with properties like Biomutant and Wreckfest. CEO Lars Wingefors indicated a more active exploration of external partnerships for IPs like Saints Row and Legacy of Kain.
Franchises Like Deus Ex And TimeSplitters Might Just Have A Future
Embracer Group will split into two companies in 2027, with Fellowship Entertainment retaining major video game intellectual properties. The company is seeking partners to develop titles such as Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and Saints Row, while also exploring collaborations on franchises like Metro and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Dark Horse Comics will also play a role in utilizing Embracer's IP.
Franchises Like Deus Ex And TimeSplitters Might Just Have A Future
Embracer Group will split into two companies in 2027, with Fellowship Entertainment retaining major video game intellectual properties. The company is seeking partners to develop titles such as Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and Saints Row, while also exploring collaborations on franchises like Metro and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Dark Horse Comics will also play a role in utilizing Embracer's IP.
Embracer Plans On Letting Licensing Out Saints Row, Deus Ex, Timesplitters And More
Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors announced plans to explore external partnerships for licensing out several of the company's intellectual properties, including Saints Row, Deus Ex, and TimeSplitters. This strategy aims to revive dormant franchises and expand their reach beyond gaming into other media. A new entity, Fellowship Entertainment, will focus on major franchises like Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings.
Embracer is splitting in half again, sending Fellowship Entertainment on its merry way
Embracer Group is splitting into two segments, creating a new company called Fellowship Entertainment to house major IPs like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider, with an IPO planned for 2027. This move aims to better communicate Embracer's diverse operations and unlock the potential of its undervalued assets. The company has undergone previous splits and significant layoffs following financial difficulties.
Deus Ex, Saints Row and TimeSplitters might be lent out to external partners, Embracer say, possibly paving the way for new entries
Embracer Group is exploring licensing out major IPs like Deus Ex, Saints Row, and TimeSplitters to external partners, potentially leading to new game entries or media adaptations. This strategy is part of the company's recent corporate restructuring into two main entities, Embracer and Fellowship Entertainment, with CEO Lars Wingefors highlighting the potential for these well-known franchises.
Deus Ex and TimeSplitters games teased as Embracer Group does more restructuring
Embracer Group is restructuring and exploring external partnerships for its less prominent game franchises, including Deus Ex and TimeSplitters. This comes after the company previously cancelled new installments in these series and shut down studios like Free Radical Design. The conglomerate aims to capitalize on IPs such as Saints Row, Legacy Of Kain, Red Faction, and Thief, while its core AAA IPs like Tomb Raider and The Lord Of The Rings will be managed by a new entity called Fellowship Entertainment.
Embracer Will Spin-Off 'Fellowship Entertainment' Into Its Own Company
Embracer Group plans to spin off its Fellowship Entertainment division into a standalone company in 2027. This move aims to increase management focus on its intellectual properties, including franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Tomb Raider, and Metro. CEO Lars Wingefors believes the IPs are undervalued and will thrive independently, potentially leading to industry-leading profitability.
Embracer Group split again spinning off their biggest IP, along with plans for IP partnerships
Embracer Group is undergoing another significant restructuring, splitting off Fellowship Entertainment, which will focus on publishing and IP licensing, including major franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider. The remaining Embracer Group will focus on its owned IPs and selective M&A. This move aims for sharper management focus and clearer accountability, with plans for Fellowship Entertainment to list on Nasdaq Stockholm by 2027. The company also plans external IP licensing for titles such as Saints Row and Deus Ex.
Embracer Group Will “Actively” Explore External Partnerships for Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, Thief and More
Embracer Group is exploring external partnerships and licensing opportunities for its older intellectual properties, including Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, and Thief. This move is part of a larger strategy involving the spin-off of its development arm into Fellowship Entertainment. The company aims to leverage these IPs through collaborations with game developers, as well as TV and movie producers.
Warren Spector's Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I'm not convinced it'll steal my attention long-term
Thick As Thieves, developed by OtherSide Entertainment and led by Warren Spector, offers a compelling heist experience with a unique blend of magic and early 1900s technology in Kilcairn. While the stealth mechanics and gadgetry are well-implemented, the article suggests the game may not hold long-term attention due to a somewhat simplistic AI and a story that overstays its welcome, despite its low $5 price point.
Thick as Thieves Review – The work of a cat burglar
Thick as Thieves is a stealth adventure game that fails to live up to the legacy of its genre pioneers. Despite an interesting setting in 1910s Scotland, the game suffers from a lack of content, repetitive mission design, poor AI, and clunky controls, making it an underwhelming experience.
