Thief 4 rumors reignited by Eidos Montreal teaser

What we heard: When Eidos Montreal announced that it was working on Deus Ex 3 in November 2007, many fans of the thought-dead sci-fi series rejoiced. Five months later, the same studio sparked rumors that it was working on a new version of Thief, another classic franchise created by now-defunct Looking Glass Studios and continued by the later-closed Ion Storm.

Now, one year after Eidos Montreal declared that its "AAA project" would begin with the letter "T," the soon-to-be-Japanese-owned British publisher's French-Canadian shop has posted a new teaser banner for the game. On the lower-left of its official site, the studio posted a small black-and-white notice that promises "Eidos Montreal's second project to be revealed soon."

Though no further details--such as a date--are available, the info vacuum was filled by a theory reminscent of The Onion column Fontly Speaking. One diehard fan on the dieharder Through the Looking Glass forums noticed that the font used in the teaser banner (center) is very similar to that used in previous Thief games (bottom).

The official story: Eidos reps have not responded to requests for comment.

Bogus or not bogus?: Though the font is a tenuous link at best, the not-so-subtle hints that the remake-happy Quebecois studio has dropped aren't exactly Garrett-level stealthy. Throw in the fact that Eidos' new corporate master Square Enix name-checked Thief as one of "the world's leading video game properties," and a fourth Thief is looking not bogus.