Warren Spector’s OtherSide Studio Cancels Multiplayer Immersive Sim Argos: Riders on the Storm, Lays Off 17 Staff

Thick As Thieves Developers OtherSide Entertainment Announces Layoffs

OtherSide Entertainment, the developers behind Thick As Thieves, have recently made the difficult decision to lay off 17 employees. This unfortunate move comes in the wake of the cancellation of their multiplayer immersive sim game, Argos: Riders on the Storm. Led by industry veterans Warren Spector and Paul Neurath, known for their work on acclaimed games like Deus Ex and System Shock 2, the studio expressed regret over the cancellation, believing that Argos had the potential to be a major success under different circumstances.

According to a spokesperson for OtherSide, the layoffs were effective as of the end of May, directly following the decision to scrap Argos. Interestingly, the studio had just released their other game, Thick As Thieves, on May 20th, shifting focus from PvPvE gameplay to solo and co-op modes in a last-minute adjustment.

The spokesperson acknowledged the challenging state of the current gaming industry, stating that continuing development on Argos was not financially viable at this time. They also emphasized the high skill level and expertise of the affected employees, recommending them to any studios looking to hire new talent.

Although details about Argos were scarce, with only a brief description mentioning Warren Spector’s involvement in creating a multiplayer Immersive Simulation with diverse playstyles in a unique world, the project has now been removed from the studio’s website. Additionally, Underworld Ascendant, OtherSide’s crowdfunded spiritual successor to Ultima Underworld, faced criticism upon release for technical issues that impacted its reviews.

Our thoughts are with the employees affected by the recent layoffs at OtherSide Entertainment. We wish them solidarity and the best of luck in their future endeavors.