In the latest interview with Strategy Informer, producer Stephane Roy has directly reassured the PC crowd that the PC version of Thief "isn't just a copy of the console version". He further goes on to state:

"No doubt on our side the PC version is extremely important. Just playing Thief with a keyboard and mouse it's different so we must make sure we support that well. For making the PC version we think like a PC gamer, for consoles it's a different type of beast. It's one of our goals to make sure that the PC version isn't just a copy of the console version."

So - lip service, or actual promises? Well, it is Square Enix, and they have been known to produce good console ports (although this does not save some of the titles they have released from the dreaded disease of consolitis). We know that they are experienced enough to at least change the UI and control scheme. On the other hand, the recent disheartening news and reorganization occurring at Square may just cause this to overlook it as they choose to focus on the console market.

Another pressing concern is brought up in the interview, where Roy stated:

"For this one we decided not to be too magical, instead we talked more about mystical. On our side it's really important to see players connect with the games and the realistic believable aspect is important for this, but that said we are going to have some stuff that looks weird and is mystical. But we will not have zombies in this one."

No magical elements? No fantasy creatures? I don't know about you, but what really enamoured me to Thief's crazy Magical Steampunk world is well... the magic. Taking it out, they may be inching closer and closer to a bland grey paste - again, proving theories that they're copying Dishonored right.

Still, hope springs eternal. As with most of the news coming out about Thief, they're setting the bar pretty high not only for the expectations of the general gaming community, but also for its long-time fans. They know full well the consequences should they fail to deliver on these promises - let's just hope they are actually able to keep them.