- Solo developer Anoft, a sci-fi physics-based cooperative heist game developed over several years
- From stealth to chaos, a physics-based crime sandbox shaped by player choices
- Top Steam Wishlist Highly Anticipated Title… Next-Generation Cooperative Robbery Game Powered by a Physics Engine
A play demo of ‘Loot List: Thief Sim’, a physics-based cooperative heist simulator being developed by Latin American independent developer Anoft, was unveiled at Steam Next Fest.
It is characterized by combining sophisticated stealth with unpredictable sandbox gameplay centered around a ‘Loot List’ that is dynamically generated for each Geamun mission.
It is attracting attention with its unique premise of having to steal not only valuables like gold bars but also bizarre items like banana peels and rubber ducks, and is emerging as a highly anticipated title, ranking high on Steam wishlists even before its release.
A constantly changing ‘Route List’, an unpredictable robbery operation
Players start as novice criminals at the level of pickpockets and grow into legendary thieves as they gain experience. The settings vary widely, ranging from shabby roadside diners to tight-knit banks and the mysterious government facility ‘Area 67’. A notable feature is that a newly generated list of routes determines the objective each time.
The Route List is a core system that goes beyond a simple collection list and changes the very way you play. Some missions require thorough planning and stealth, while others unfold in completely different directions due to unexpected situations on the ground or the client’s bizarre demands.
Various situations unfold, such as a broken toaster causing a fire in a haunted mansion, a masked client asking you to steal a rubber duck, or using equipment reminiscent of classic heist movies to move through the sewers and infiltrate a casino vault.
The chaos wrought by the physics engine… The choice between stealth and destruction
The game’s most significant feature is its physics-based interaction. You can climb to high places by stacking trash or stealthily infiltrate by hacking security systems. Conversely, it is also possible to choose a frontal assault using explosives.
All strategies depend on the player’s choice, and the game supports not only single-player but also online co-op play for up to four players. As more people participate in the operation simultaneously, unexpected variables increase, leading to even more dynamic gameplay.
Loot obtained through missions can be sold to purchase new equipment or upgrade the hideout. The hideout gradually develops into a base for the criminal organization through various NPCs and growth elements.
Immersive crime scenes rendered with Unreal Engine 5
Root List: Thief Simulator is being developed based on Unreal Engine 5.
Each map, such as a dimly lit bank vault, a dusty roadside diner, and the mysterious government facility ‘Area 67’, possesses a distinct atmosphere and character. Furthermore, as physics-driven environmental objects react in real-time, the background is utilized not merely as decoration but as a strategic tool and variable.
These elements naturally combine the cinematic tension of a heist with the comical chaos characteristic of a sandbox game, completing the game’s unique atmosphere.
Developer Anoft… The culmination of years of one-man development
Anoft is a solo independent developer who has been developing ‘Root List: Thief Simulator’ for several years. The core goals of the development lie in the player’s freedom of choice, immersive sandbox gameplay, and the unpredictability that creates new situations with every playthrough.
According to the Steam publisher page, in addition to ‘Root List’, Anoft is also developing a colorful first-person platform game called ‘Reflection’ and a story-driven adventure game.
In addition, we consider communication with players an important element of the development process, such as by directly running playtests via Discord and actively incorporating community feedback.
Entering the top ranks of wishlists… Expectations rise after demo release
Since the release of the demo, ‘Root List: Thief Simulator’ has been garnering attention by climbing to the top of Steam wishlists. The developer expressed gratitude to users through the community, stating, “Each and every item on the wishlist is a sign that we are creating something meaningful.”
The reveal trailer was also introduced at the ‘Latin America Game Showcase: Summer Game Fest 2026 Edition’.
Overseas gaming media also took note of the unique concept. Virus.hr noted that “the diverse targets to steal, ranging from gold bars to banana peels and rubber ducks, are impressive,” while Worthplaying selected it as a highly anticipated Steam Early Access title, citing up to four-player co-op and diverse map configurations as its main strengths.
Meanwhile, feedback continues to come in from the Steam community regarding some bugs found in the demo version’s root list collection system. The development team plans to actively incorporate user feedback and continue making improvements.
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Anoft (solo independent developer) |
| Genre | Immersive Sim / Heist Simulation / Sandbox |
| Release platform | PC (Steam, Early Access 예정) |
| Player count | Single Player / Online Co-op (2~4 players) |
| Game engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Release Schedule | Undetermined (TBA) |
| core system | Dynamic route list, physics-based interaction, hideout upgrades, character growth |
| Official Channel | Discord · Developer Website (anoft.com) · Official Game Site (thiefsimulator.com) |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
