Eidos Montreal boss shoots down 'new Thief' rumor (Updated)

Update: The reference to a new Thief game was still in place on the Straight Up Films website when Anfossi tweeted about it, but it has now been removed. The sentence that previously referred to "a fifth sequel" now says only, "Thief is widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever created."

Original story:

A rumor went around last week, inciting joy or dismay depending on how you feel about these things, that a new Thief game might be in development. It came to us courtesy of the website of Straight Up Films, a production company working on the Thief movie that was revealed last year, which says, "Widely considered to be one of the greatest games ever created, a fifth sequel is currently in development to be released in step with this motion picture adaptation." 

Square Enix, which published the 2014 flop-ish Thief reboot, declined to be nailed down about it one way or the other, saying in an email, "We don't have anything to announce at this time." Eidos Montreal studio head David Anfossi was a bit more on the nose about it today on Twitter, however. 

The tweet leaves the door to a new game open at least a crack. A different studio could be making it (especially if it turns out to a free-to-play movie tie-in for mobiles), and "forget it" could be meant in the way that's usually accompanied by, "... if you know what's good for you." Also possible? That there's not actually a new Thief game coming at all. I will keep listening (like a thief) and let you know if I hear anything else, but right now is sounds like this particular rumor needs to stay on the "very iffy" pile.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.