Thick as Thieves: Cheese Wars in Stealth Heists

In the evolving landscape of multiplayer gaming, few titles promise the blend of tension, creativity, and sheer absurdity that Thick as Thieves delivers. Developed by OtherSide Entertainment and spearheaded by industry veteran Warren Spector—best known for his work on Deus Ex—this PvPvE experience reimagines stealth mechanics in a world of magical intrigue and high-stakes heists. What sets it apart? A commitment to player-driven chaos, where something as mundane as a wheel of cheese can spark epic betrayals among teammates. Drawing inspiration from the playful exploits in games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Thick as Thieves elevates immersive sims into cooperative territory, all while embracing the ridiculous.

The Vision Behind the Mayhem

Warren Spector has long been synonymous with player agency. From the cyberpunk dystopias of Deus Ex to the supernatural narratives of Dishonored collaborations, his designs emphasize choice, consequence, and emergent gameplay. Now, with Thick as Thieves, Spector turns his gaze to a trio of thieves navigating enchanted, early 20th-century locales. Players must collaborate to pull off intricate Ocean’s Eleven-style capers, but the PvPvE structure introduces delicious unpredictability—friends can turn foes at any moment, often over the pettiest loot.

During a recent hands-off demo at Summer Game Fest, the game’s lead producer Samantha Stetler highlighted how internal playtests devolved into hilarity. Teams fixated not on jewels or artifacts, but on massive, throwable cheese wheels reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s infamous exploits. This isn’t accidental; it’s a deliberate nod to how immersive sims thrive on absurdity. Stealth here isn’t just hiding in shadows—it’s the core engine driving social deduction, clever traps, and opportunistic backstabs.

Core Mechanics: Stealth as the Ultimate Power

At its heart, Thick as Thieves is an immersive sim dialed up for multiplayer. Players control one of three specialized thieves, each with unique abilities tailored for infiltration:

• The Shadow: Master of illusions and invisibility, perfect for scouting and diversions.
• The Brute: Muscle for heavy lifting, lock-breaking, and intimidating guards.
• The Trickster: Gadgeteer with magical contraptions for traps, hacks, and escapes.

Missions unfold in sprawling, interactive levels filled with physics-based objects, environmental puzzles, and dynamic AI. Stealth dictates success: noise alerts patrols, sightlines demand perfect timing, and tools like smoke bombs or polymorph spells add layers of creativity. But the multiplayer twist shines brightest. Up to three players cooperate against AI foes and environmental hazards (the PvE element), while PvP betrayal mechanics allow grabbing loot—including that coveted cheese—and bolting for the exit.

Imagine coordinating a vault breach, only for your teammate to snag the cheese wheel and teleport out, leaving you to fend off enraged guards. This emergent drama mirrors real heist tension but infuses it with fantasy whimsy.

Cheese: The Unexpected Star of Heists

No discussion of Thick as Thieves is complete without addressing the cheese obsession. In demos, playtesters repeatedly clashed over these oversized wheels, hurling them as improvised weapons or hoarding them as ‘trophies.’ It’s a phenomenon straight out of Baldur’s Gate 3, where players have modded themselves into cheese forms to conquer bosses—smacking enemies with dairy fury while leveraging monk passives for viability.

Why cheese? Developers explain it as a symbol of the game’s physics sandbox. Every object is grabbable, throwable, and interactive. A cheese wheel isn’t just loot; it’s a blunt instrument, a distraction, or even a bargaining chip in teammate negotiations. This mirrors Baldur’s Gate 3‘s legacy of turning mundane items into legends—underwear barrages, barrelmancy, and now, cheese combat. Stetler noted that even pros abandoned million-dollar jewels for cheese supremacy, proving how player psychology fuels the fun.

Setting the Stage: Magical Early 1900s

The game’s aesthetic fuses Art Deco grandeur with arcane wonders. Picture heists in opulent mansions where gas lamps flicker beside glowing runes, or jazz clubs hiding vault entrances behind illusory walls. This alternate history amplifies stealth opportunities: enchanted fog for cover, golem guards with weak points, and spells that rewrite reality on the fly.

Progression systems reward creativity. Unlock new gadgets, upgrade thief skills, and customize loadouts based on past heists. Success metrics aren’t just loot value—they factor style points for non-lethal takedowns, zero-alert runs, or, yes, cheese-related shenanigans. Multiplayer sessions scale difficulty dynamically, ensuring solo practice modes ease newcomers into the chaos.

Betrayal Dynamics: Trust No One

The PvPvE core thrives on betrayal. A betrayal meter builds as teammates compete for high-value items. At critical moments—like reaching the exfiltration point—players vote to share or steal. Cheese wheels, being bulky yet valuable, often tip the scales, leading to frantic chases. This social layer echoes classics like Among Us but grounds it in tactile, sim-driven action.

Comparisons to Gaming Icons

Thick as Thieves stands tall beside giants. Its stealth sim roots link to Deus Ex‘s branching paths, while multiplayer heists nod to Payday and GTFO. Yet the cheese fixation and magical flair align closest with Baldur’s Gate 3‘s emergent absurdity. Larian Studios’ RPG proved players crave tools for idiocy—polymorphing into cheese wheels via mods, then monk-punching through campaigns. Thick as Thieves bakes this in officially.

Expect similar community runs: cheese-only challenges, betrayal montages, and speedruns exploiting dairy physics. With cross-play support and mod tools teased, the game’s longevity looks assured.

Development Insights and Release Hype

OtherSide Entertainment, fresh off System Shock remake success, pours immersive sim expertise into this project. Spector’s involvement ensures narrative depth—thieves’ backstories intertwine with heist lore, unlocking personal quests. Early 2026 release window has fans buzzing, especially post-Summer Game Fest buzz.

Challenges ahead? Balancing PvP fairness without frustrating newbies. Developers promise robust matchmaking, AI teammates for odd lobbies, and spectator modes for betrayal drama.

Why Thick as Thieves Matters for Stealth Fans

In a market flooded with battle royales, Thick as Thieves revives stealth’s soul: tension, ingenuity, and joy in the absurd. It’s not just a game; it’s a playground for stories born from cheese-fueled treachery. Whether you’re a Deus Ex purist or Baldur’s Gate 3 memelord, this title promises replayable magic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What platforms will Thick as Thieves release on?

PC via Steam, with console versions (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) planned for launch. Cross-play confirmed.

Is there a single-player mode?

Yes, full campaigns with AI companions, scalable to multiplayer drop-in.

How does the cheese mechanic work?

Cheese wheels are interactive props with high ‘fun value,’ throwable for damage/distraction and prime betrayal bait.

Will there be mods?

Official toolkit post-launch, encouraging community cheese variants.

Connection to Deus Ex?

Spector’s DNA: player choice, sim depth, emergent narratives in a fantastical twist.