Sneaky Devil Studios appears to revive Sly franchise ahead of PlayStation event
Sony Interactive Entertainment may be preparing to revive the Sly Cooper franchise as fans identify a series of clues linking a new independent studio to the dormant stealth-action series. Suspicion centered on Sneaky Devil Studios, a developer recently formed by former employees of Sanzaru Games, following a cryptic social media exchange between the studio’s leadership and the series’ original voice cast. The timing of these discoveries is particularly relevant as Sony prepares for a major PlayStation State of Play event scheduled for today, June 2, 2026.
While Sucker Punch Productions remains the original creator of the intellectual property, the franchise hasn’t seen a new mainline entry since 2013’s Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. That title was developed by Sanzaru Games, the very studio whose alumni now populate the leadership at Sneaky Devil Studios. Fans on the Sly Cooper subreddit first flagged the new studio’s name as a direct reference to a specific line of dialogue from Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves, where the character Bentley refers to the protagonist as a “sneaky devil.”
Chief Creative Officer Matt Kraemer further fueled speculation by mentioning the “high-caliber action-adventure classics like Sly Cooper” in a statement regarding the new venture. At one point, the voice of Sly Cooper responded to Kraemer on LinkedIn, to which Kraemer replied that they should work together again, accompanied by a winking emoji. The reply was later deleted, but it has left the community wondering if a new project is already in motion while players await major updates like the Grand Theft Auto 6 release date scheduled for later this year.
The professional lineage of Sneaky Devil Studios
The connection between Sneaky Devil Studios and the master thief is rooted in the history of Sanzaru Games, which Meta shuttered earlier in 2026. Shortly after the closure, former developers formed the new studio with a stated goal of “returning to our roots” on console and PC platforms. This shift suggests a move away from the VR-heavy focus they maintained while developing titles like Asgard’s Wrath.
Matt Kraemer emphasized that the team brings decades of experience from “genre-defining” titles. This expertise is orignally what led Sanzaru Games to take the reins of the franchise for the fourth entry and the remastered Sly Collection. While the Tekken 8 Baki crossover news shows how modern fighting games remain popular, Sony’s history with family-friendly platforming remains a significant part of its brand identity.
Industry insiders have recently reported that Sony is exploring avenues to revive and leverage its older, non-used IPs. Rumors from insiders like Nick Baker and NateTheHate indicate that titles including Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and even inFamous are being considered for potential returns. These reports align with a broader strategy to diversify the PlayStation software lineup through legacy revivals.
Internal perspectives at Sucker Punch Productions
Despite the fan enthusiasm, the original developers at Sucker Punch Productions seem divided on returning to the series. Studio head Brian Fleming stated in an October 2025 interview with VGC that their next project could involve “continuing Ghost or going back to Sly,” noting the studio only completes one major project every five years. However, creative director Nate Fox admitted in a separate interview that only about 10 percent of the studio would be “enthused” about a fifth game.
Given this internal split at the Bellevue-based studio, a partnership with a third-party developer like Sneaky Devil Studios would be a logical step for Sony. Sucker Punch still maintains the official SlyCooper.com domain, which saw a registration update in 2022. Keeping the IP active through external partners allows Sony to meet fan demand while Sucker Punch focuses on projects like the upcoming Ghost of Yotei.
Measuring fan interest through re-releases and cameos
Sony has quietly tested the viability of the Sly Cooper brand through a series of recent software and merchandise releases. In June 2024, the original Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus joined the PlayStation Plus Premium catalog. It quickly became the most popular classic game on the service, even surpassing high-profile titles like The Legend of Dragoon.
Building on this success, Sony added the second and third entries to the service in December 2024 as part of the PlayStation 30th-anniversary celebrations. These versions are natively downloadable on PS5 and PS4, providing a significant technical upgrade over previous streaming-only versions. The character also enjoyed a high-profile cameo in the 2024 title Astro Bot, further solidifying his place in PlayStation’s current marketing efforts.
Merchandising has followed a similar upward trend, with new official plushies and figures released through Fangamer and Youtooz during the 2024-2025 period. These items are officially licensed by Sony and Sucker Punch, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the brand visible to consumers. The combination of successful software re-releases and consistent merchandising often precedes a larger franchise announcement.
Future outlook for the thieving raccoon
The immediate future of the franchise may be clarified during today’s State of Play presentation. If Sony intends to leverage its back catalog, a new Sly Cooper title or a ground-up remake of the original trilogy would serve as a centerpiece for its family-friendly lineup. Fans have waited 13 years for a resolution to the cliffhanger ending of Thieves in Time.
Should the event pass without an announcement, the focus will likely shift to other major industry events later this month. However, the formation of Sneaky Devil Studios and the vocal interest of the original voice cast suggest that the series is closer to a revival than it has been in over a decade. Whether Sly Cooper returns under a new banner or through a classic partnership, the “sneaky devils” of the community remain watchful.