Anticipation for a new Sly Cooper game has been brewing among PlayStation fans, fueled by recent rumors and speculation. However, authoritative voices within the gaming industry have now stepped in to separate fact from fiction, putting to rest the whispers of the mischievous raccoon’s imminent return.
The rumor mill kicked into high gear when Jeff Grubb, a prominent figure at Giant Bomb, shared his “pie in the sky” speculation that Sucker Punch Productions, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, might be working on a Sly Cooper revival alongside the highly anticipated sequel to their samurai epic.
Grubb’s off-hand comment ignited a frenzy of speculation, with fans and media outlets eagerly latching onto the possibility of a new Sly Cooper title. However, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, a respected gaming journalist known for his insider knowledge, swiftly debunked these rumors.
“No truth to this one, sorry to say. Sucker Punch is a one-project studio,” Schreier stated categorically on Twitter, addressing the Sly Cooper speculation directly. He further explained that the reason for the delay in the Ghost of Tsushima sequel’s release is simply due to the extended development cycles common in modern AAA game production, which can span 5-7 years.
No truth to this one, sorry to say. Sucker Punch is a one-project studio. The reason Ghost of Tsushima 2 isn't out yet is because AAA video games now take 5-7 years to make. (Also, Sucker Punch is smaller than most other AAA game developers) https://t.co/5dlR5fcgZo
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) May 12, 2024
Schreier’s remarks echo Sucker Punch’s own statement from nearly two years ago, where the studio unequivocally stated that they had “no plans to revisit Infamous or Sly Cooper right now,” and that “no other studio is currently working on projects related to those franchises either.”
The Sly Cooper series, which follows the adventures of a charismatic raccoon master thief and his gang of mischievous companions, has been dormant since the release of “Thieves in Time” for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in 2013. While the franchise holds a special place in the hearts of many PlayStation fans, Sucker Punch’s focus appears to be solely on their current project, widely believed to be the highly anticipated Ghost of Tsushima sequel.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, with development cycles becoming increasingly lengthy and resource-intensive, it seems that Sucker Punch has chosen to concentrate its efforts on delivering a high-quality follow-up to their critically acclaimed samurai adventure.
While the idea of a new Sly Cooper game undoubtedly holds appeal for many gamers, the clarifications from authoritative sources within the industry serve as a reminder to approach rumors and speculation with a healthy dose of skepticism. For now, the Thievius Raccoonus remains closed, and Sly Cooper’s return remains a distant dream for his loyal fans.
