November 15, 2011November 15, 2011

Meet Ninja Master Rioichi Cooper from Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

It’s been quite a while since I posted to the PlayStation.Blog – after the busy summer tradeshow schedule we have hunkered down to concentrate on making Sly Cooper: Thieves in Times the best game of 2012! Over the summer, I spent a lot of time showing our progress on the game and talking about how we are making sure we stay true to the core of the Sly Cooper series – but now I want to start talking about the NEW things we are bringing to Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.

When we played the old Sly Cooper games on the PS2, we loved the stories about the Cooper clan ancestors and their various thieving abilities. Something that is really exciting and fun for Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is that you can not only travel back in time to meet these ancestors but you will also have the ability to play as the Cooper Clan ancestors! As you proceed through the game each episode you encounter features a new time period with a new playable ancestor. Each new member of the Cooper clan has their own unique and powerful abilities that opens up a whole new range of game play in the huge environments. This is one of the coolest aspects of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – meeting these characters, learning more about them, and then getting to experience a whole new set of kick-ass game moves and skills that you have never seen before. Each time a new character in production comes on line and is added to the game, they instantly become my new favorite character of the series!

The first ancestor we want to show off is Rioichi Cooper, the master of the Ninja Spire Landing! We were introduced to him back in the original Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus and learned about his cool Ninja ability. Now, when you get to play as Rioichi, you will see how much more powerful the original master’s techniques are. For instance, by focusing his energy Rioichi can execute his Leaping Dragon Technique and span great distances between spires.

Rioichi, it turns out, is not only an uber-Ninja but is also the inventor of sushi, his famous restaurant providing the perfect cover for a night-stalking ninja thief. We really wanted to explore the character of each of Sly’s ancestors (they are all very different in both ability and personality), and this leads to some very entertaining dialogue as they meet and get to know their descendant and his crew. But of course, once Sly is united with his ancestor he becomes one of the gang, hanging out in the hideout ready to venture out for some Ninja Thieving fun at a moment’s notice.

Keep your eyes peeled for the December issue of Game Informer magazine, Tim Turi stopped by the studio last month and took a look at Rioichi in action so you can get to read about his impressions of the game there. Anyway, that’s it for now, but don’t worry, I will be back soon to talk about new characters and other cool stuff in Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time as we head towards the new year!

Comments are closed.

136 Comments

20 Author Replies

Butters360
November 15, 2011 at 8:01 pm PST

Sanzaru Games, THANK YOU! Thieves in Time looks BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to play this. Your Sly Collection was the first time experiencing the games and I am hooked on the series. Sony needs to acquire you!
Pashmina626
November 15, 2011 at 8:22 pm PST

Will we get to see characters like Panda King , Penelope and the Guru again like in Sly 3?.
Pashmina626
November 15, 2011 at 8:23 pm PST

Also I know if this is a little bit much to ask but any ideas of when we will see this game in stores next year?.
ALPAH-OMEGA56
November 15, 2011 at 9:10 pm PST

GOOD LORD SANZARU YOU GUYS HAVE REVIVED MY CHILDHOOD AND IS RIOICHI THROWING NINJA STARS

p.s can you guys tell ign to update there thieves in time page, they haven’t updated it since E3
Zoidzerg
November 15, 2011 at 9:12 pm PST

“Yes, other members of the (now extended) gang will join you for certain jobs. And 60fps is definitely our goal, it is a hallmark of Sly Cooper gameplay.
Cheers”

I could kiss you. It looks pretty and a high frame rate! Excited for this game.

Also, loved Sly Collection.
PV2forlife
November 15, 2011 at 9:23 pm PST

Why is it that the collection is more expensive then buying the games individually? I mean i know it is only a couple of cents but come on.
iZalman007
November 15, 2011 at 9:53 pm PST

GLEN!!! I love what I’m seeing! Thank you so much for pulling this off!

However, there is still one thing that has been bugging me for a while. This game IS Sly 4, right? Because I don’t see why you would call it “Sly Cooper” instead of “Sly 4”. Is there any reason for that?

Also, sign me up for the collector’s edition talk! Should we expect more news before 2012?

Thanks for your time!
- Glen Egan
  November 16, 2011 at 10:16 pm PST
  
  I like to think that there are a lot of returning Sly fans that will love playing Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time but I also think we want to introduce Sly and the gang to a whole *new* audience on the PlayStation 3 that didn’t get to experience all the good raccoon thieving fun the first time round! So that is a big part of the reason for putting his full name in the title.
  As for CE I recommend making some online noise, if you all keep requesting it then I am sure Sony will make it happen!
  Cheers!
pscoolman
November 15, 2011 at 10:47 pm PST

Is there any chance you guys can release a sample of the main theme for thieves in time so we can relive the epic slyness just a little early?
slydaniels
November 15, 2011 at 11:15 pm PST

@ Motherboop Yes, all original voice actors have returned for Sly 4.
Elvick_
November 15, 2011 at 11:40 pm PST

Thanks for fixing Sly’s face from the first time we saw gameplay. xD

He (and everything) is looking great so far. I’m putting a lot of faith in you guys, don’t disappoint!
go_2010
November 16, 2011 at 1:11 am PST

heeey Glen, Is sly cooper thieves in time also playable in dutch language?
I’m from Holland so that’s why I asked :)
- Glen Egan
  November 17, 2011 at 2:41 pm PST
  
  It’s not something I am totally in charge of but I think it should be available in all the same European languages the first ones were.
zomby98
November 16, 2011 at 3:53 am PST

hey Glen, please respond. will the Ancestors stay with you through the episodes? for EXAMPLE: Feudal Japan is the first episode and you save Rioichi Cooper. then, when you complete Feudal Japan, you go for example in Egypt to meet Slytankhamen, but Rioichi still stays with the gang. just askin’
zomby98
November 16, 2011 at 3:57 am PST

by the way, will The Sly Collection be available on PSN in Europe? please….
- Glen Egan
  November 17, 2011 at 2:39 pm PST
  
  Yes, stay tuned for a date :D
Shin-Ra
November 16, 2011 at 6:19 am PST

Thanks for the answers Glen. Mmmm 60fps!
rodrigoflausino
November 16, 2011 at 7:08 am PST

Glen Egan, the PS-Move games with Sly Collection will also be released on PSN Store?
tonydamiani
November 16, 2011 at 7:45 am PST

Multiplayer? :D
zakdude100
November 16, 2011 at 7:59 am PST

1)Will Rioichi (and other ancestors) follow you to the next episodes or do you have to leave them behind?
2) if you take them with you and you complete the game, will the ancestor from the last episode be playable in previous ones?
3) what’s the status of “The Adventures of sly cooper #3” I did ask the last time you posted on psblog but you said there will be more info later on, so can you give us an update?
4) in the game informer article it says something about a Rioichi cut-scene, will you be releasing this?
5)when will we be seeing some more game-play?
6) I don’t know if you’ve answered this but why is it called Sly Cooper: TiT and not Sly 4:TiT
6) i know that this is not a sly 4 question but will you be fixing the music in the Mz Ruby boss battle of the sly collection, its terribly out of time and makes it horrible to play, and what about the missing mega jump gadget for the sly 3, will we ever get that, seen as there’s no gameshark for PS3, what about the missing extra movies and cheats from sly 2 and the documentary from sly 1, it can never be a complete collection without everything, but seriously i bet everyone whos commented here wants the sly 3 mega jump- all this could be a DLC pack or something

cheers
zakdude100
November 16, 2011 at 8:12 am PST

oh yea heres 2 other questions i forgot (this happens every time)
1)is rioichi a different type of raccoon cause his skin colour isnt like sly
2) why does he have one big cane instead of 2 smaller ones
cheers
King_KDawgg
November 16, 2011 at 10:39 am PST

The graphics (especially that first shot with the moonlight in the background) look gorgeous. And the idea of playing as Sly’s ancestors sounds really really cool.
I was hesitant about a developer other than Sucker Punch developing Sly 4, but it sounds like you guys have a lot of passion for the series, and every bit of info that comes out of the game makes me more and more optimistic. Plus you guys did a really good job with the Sly Collection (got the Platinum for the first game, will work on finishing up the others whenever I’m no longer addicted to Skyrim and Uncharted 3).

I can’t wait to see more of this game in motion, and right now I’m pretty optimistic that you guys will make a great entry to the series. Best of luck!
Spice_Weasel021
November 16, 2011 at 11:40 am PST

Oh man, I cant even begin to say how good the art design is. I personally think Sanzaru are the right people for this title. If only there was a video in this article :C Hopefully we’ll get to see one AND a release date soon.
Archer88222
November 16, 2011 at 1:31 pm PST

Sly was one of my favorite games back on the ps2…bought and platinumed the entire hd collection and needless to say, I’m stoked.
Nova_Snake
November 16, 2011 at 1:46 pm PST

I was just wondering, How does sanzaru like making the next Sly Cooper game? And also do you plan on making a sly 5 or is it to early 2 tell?
- Glen Egan
  November 16, 2011 at 10:23 pm PST
  
  We love it, it is an honour to work on!
  
  We are super busy on Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time – ask us about a Sly 5 next year!
HungrySoulEater
November 16, 2011 at 1:57 pm PST

Everything on comment 25 was entertaining lol. And a special thanks to harmony102 for giving you guys that idea.
indianajones7890
November 16, 2011 at 3:37 pm PST

Will u guys have do any thing with the PS move or vita and will the game have a build your own mission or build your own stage?
dany_cart
November 16, 2011 at 6:09 pm PST

Thank you so much Sanzaru for bringing back one of the best videogame icons of all time and keep up the good work with Thieves in Time and all.
Negatype
November 16, 2011 at 7:15 pm PST

Adding a bunch of side characters is precisely what [DELETED] up the third game. Oh well, I’ll keep a look out for this anyway.
sly_cooper17
November 17, 2011 at 3:57 am PST

@Glen Egan. You all are doing some amazing work on the game, and if you are thinking about a Sly 5; I have some amazing idea’s if you are looking for any ^_^ Hope you’ll consider; also will there be a demo that will be release on PSN anytime soon? Or is that a secret until further notice?
emil172a
November 18, 2011 at 5:15 am PST

How big is the chance that we will get a demo? :)
splashmanjv
November 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm PST

Dear Glen Egan, I am anticipating this game the most then anything else! It was the most classic series to me when i was just about i believe 9 or 10 now word has gone out that sly thieves in time is coming and not only will you play some of the old crew from the past sly games you will also get the chance to play as slys ancestors aswell… But i got acouple questions for you 1.) Will you by any chance make DLC story lines for sly 4 cause really that be great i mean when your done with the game you can buy and download stories to continue the adventure! 2.) Someone later explained about co-op and will that be a feature in the game where you can invite someone over to help you with some missions :P and 3.) this is more of a idea then a question for the CE i was hoping you would make the life like slys cane , a sly thieves in time walkthrough that looks like the thievius raccoonus book :P and if anything possible… the clue bottle and some other lil items too :P hope you answer n.n .
oOTranduilOo
November 21, 2011 at 2:28 pm PST

Hi Glen Egan, i must congratulate you and your team. I’m a big fan of sly cooper games and its perfect.
Every fan already thought how it would be playing sly ancestors and you brought it to us :).
I have some ideas for the game that i want to share i hope you like it.
For the CE you can include: a book (like thievius racconus), a mask like sly uses, the game, and maybe a statue of sly or a papar with the plan for the time machine.
For multiplayer missions: every level could include some missions that only playing multiplayer could be done, local play or online.
And a cut-scene, when the game ends, bentley uses one last time the “time machine” to prevent him staying on a wheel chair. (this was the idea that i most liked).
I hope you like it
marluxiaXI11
November 21, 2011 at 3:03 pm PST

here are a couple things
1) Can you make Sly Cooper Thieves in time available for download on Psn
2) Can you please make a collectors edition with a voucher to download the game
3) Is Clockwerk gong to be in the game?
andre-arkade
November 21, 2011 at 4:58 pm PST

SONY, WE WANT AN COLLECTOR’S EDITION!! With the game of course, there should be an “copy” of the thievius raccoonus with some artworks and stuff or an replica of sly’s cane, an voucher with some exclusive DLC (extra missions or skins?) and why not an ONLINE PASS? We all know that fans hope for multiplayer (online or not) in this game, or at least UGC, but thats something sanzaru has to decide.
andre-arkade
November 21, 2011 at 5:29 pm PST

What about an “copy” of the thievius raccoonus with some concept art, and some sort of information about sly’s ancestors, like they police files!!! And, one more last thing, will you create,like, an forum to assemble some ideas from the fans and use them in the game? That would really help to get confidence from the fans that don’t trust sanzaru making this game, and i’m sure fans like me have lots of good ideas : D
Nova_Snake
November 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm PST

Dear Glen,
Thanks so much for responding! I will defenetily ask about Sly 5 next year!! :D Anyways ive heard that some people have been getting Sanzaru T-Shirts and are you planning on making a Sly Cooper thieves in time t-shirt. I was wondering if i could get one. I am really looking for you to replie. N_S
zabraham
November 22, 2011 at 8:16 am PST

will the ansesters follow u too the next epiode for example will rioichi go too the next episode with u or will he stay in japan?
zabraham
November 22, 2011 at 8:32 am PST

i have been waiting for a new sly game since sly 3 came out, but the one thing that is bugging me is the wait just plz plz plz give us a hint/guss ;) of when the game is coming out and there r so many dates of wen its coming out its eating me alive plz give us a hint/ guss of when its coming out plz plz plz plz
wr515
November 22, 2011 at 6:43 pm PST

Dear Mr Glean Egan.

1-I just wanted to say thank you VERY MURCH all of Sanzaru Games.

& 2-is that I think that what I would like to see happen in the New game a kinda new twist on the beginning cutscene of the game.

So instead of the normal cutscene with a Montage by Kevin just like in the last 3 titles.

Have a very stylish animated cutscene showing off all of Sly’s past adventures from game’s 1 to 3.

So basically kinda like in God of War III http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94SAF-Gzdg0
I just think that it would be appropriate considering the 5 year gap from the third game.

BUT what about you-2??
andre-arkade
November 23, 2011 at 2:35 pm PST

Glen Egan, I don’t know if you are reading this but, are you planning to do an “New game +” ? Cause this would be awesome!!
renderosity
November 24, 2011 at 12:41 pm PST

Looks good so far. But here my question: What are you gonna do to keep Rioichi from being a Sly double?
Dragonht07
November 24, 2011 at 12:53 pm PST

Hey there Glen. I’m really impressed with the way how this game is turning out for sure especially that it’s staying true to the previous games in the Sly series. I have faith in you along with your developers that you are going to make this the greatest Sly game ever to date. For a game like this, it deserves to have a Collector’s Edition. If it happens, every Sly fan out there would get it in a heartbeat including me. I will continue my support in this series being a fan of it. Keep up the good work on this game, man. BTW, when do we expect to see the official box art for this game since I’m curious to know about it? ^^

Speaking of that, I thought of some good ideas that can work for a Collector’s Edition if it happens and here’s the following.

-Small book on the Art of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
-Free DLC add-on content for purchase of the Collector’s Edition(if there will be any DLC content on it which could be a first).
-Game itself
-Sly Cooper action figure about 3 to 4″ in height
renderosity
November 24, 2011 at 1:23 pm PST

Glen, what are you gonna do to keep Rioichi and other ancestors from being Sly doubles? Who’s gonna do Carmelita’s voice? I’m new here, but I know you guys at Sanzaru can do it! You can make this game better than Sly 2!
zabraham
November 24, 2011 at 10:00 pm PST

at pax 2011 u showed us a trphy case and wen u showed us the claw it said on the back “clockwerk was here” is he gonna be in a game also wen u showed us the claw ur voice got like u didnt want too tell us something and u also mentiond different aspects of gameplay now wat do u mean by that?????
zabraham
November 25, 2011 at 11:11 am PST

i have been waiting for a new sly game since i have beaten sly 3 wich was about4 or 5 years ago and , i will be onest i am sick of playing the same games over and over and over again so if your close too cmpleation of sly 4 can u let it come out december 31 2012 at 12:00a.m. cuzz that is 2012 or january 10 my birthday or in febuary

p.s. wheen will be seeing gameplay of rioichi

p.s.s. when will we see carmilita
zabraham
November 25, 2011 at 6:38 pm PST

i have seen clues for slai MacCooper is there a possibility he will play a role in the game please he is my favorite cooper
zabraham
November 25, 2011 at 6:41 pm PST

and wiil there be multiplayer
zabraham
November 25, 2011 at 6:48 pm PST

dear glen i got a good opinion for multiplayer if there even is multiplayer but anyways i was hopeing that for multiplayer we could have sorta like a teame deathmatch heres the thing they give u a choice of rather picking good or bad if u pick good u can have a choice of picking any good guy out of the game u want if u pick bad u can pick any bad guy in the game too play as

but its your game u decide
purpledragon209
November 25, 2011 at 7:08 pm PST

Game looks awesome, despite the art changes. Just wondering though, who is voicing carmelita, and can we decide on an accent this time? She went from being french in Sly 1 to being american in Sly 2, to being lord knows what in Sly 3. And also, can you give us any hints as to who the lizard guy is in the El Jeffe cinematic? The one who is given the little globe?
coopersham1
November 26, 2011 at 7:04 am PST

cmon glen how about a collectors edition and make something special.like no other collectors edition before!!
zabraham
November 26, 2011 at 5:49 pm PST

GLEN I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ GIVE US THE DATE I NEED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

or at least give us gameplay of rioichi plz glen i luv this game already plz
coleman112
November 26, 2011 at 5:57 pm PST

To be honest with you, Sanzaru, I have been waiting FOREVER for Bently and Murray gameplay. I make it a daily routine to go on Youtube to see if their gameplay footage has been released yet. I’m sure I’m speaking for many other folks out there when I say this. Hope you take my advice, bro. Thank you for reading.

P.S. I want the original voice actor for Carmelita Fox back. She was good. I’m not too fond of the Carmelita with an accent.