Garrett CAN fight like a guard (Thief Beta)

Ryan Smith on 2/10/2010 at 23:02

Apparently, way back in 1996, Garrett was able to fight like a guard. The user interface was different and so was Garrett's swordfighting. This video caught my attention as I was browsing youtube for Thief Beta videos.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-lLdhB1KuI&feature=related)

In this video, as you may notice, Garrett's swinging motions are very much like the motions a guard uses. I believe it would make a very popular Thief mod if someone could change Garrett's controls so that he can mimic a guard's fighting style, as featured in the video.

However, this was only an early beta, and so far, I've yet to see anything like it in the retail version.

When I first began using Dromed, I unsuccessfully tried to make Garrett fight like a guard, using a sword guard's AI (gotta start somewhere). Next, I tried replacing Garrett's game body with a guard's, again with unfavorable results.

This doesn't look impossible, but it can't be easy because someone would have to overhaul the arm movement system so that Garrett copies a guard's fighting style.

First-class kudos will go to any that can make this possible, and will be remembered by many when Thief players are dueling with guards, zombies, hammers, and just having fun.

One potential obstacle is source code. To my knowledge, it hasn't been released to the public yet (and I doubt it will be for a while).

Again, those who can successfully make Garrett's sword swings mimic those of a guard will be greatly appreciated my many.

jtr7 on 3/10/2010 at 00:57

That was back when Garrett wasn't Garrett, and he was evolving more and more away from being good Mordred from Dark Camelot.

theBlackman on 3/10/2010 at 05:56

Quote Posted by Keyla The Otter

I believe it would make a very popular Thief mod if someone could change Garrett's controls so that he can mimic a guard's fighting style, as featured in the video.
Again, those who can successfully make Garrett's sword swings mimic those of a guard will be greatly appreciated my many.

Not so many. The whole point of Garrett as a thief and in THIEF is NOT TO FIGHT, or BE SKILLED ENOUGH.

The idea is SNEAK and TRICK. Not be a KILL IT IF IT MOVES game play.

The idea is typical of juvenile shooter thinking.

From my point of view and, I am sure that of many real THIEF gamers, is that the idea of Garrett as a strong fighter SUCKS.

PS: You are entitled to your opinions even bad ones.

PotatoGuy on 3/10/2010 at 07:12

Ehm...tBm... he is just asking for those motions. Even though I most of the time do no damage when I play Thief, I would love to see those motions myself. Besides, not everyone ghosts Thief, and certainly not undead. Some early missions are really asking for sword-handling, to mind comes Deadly Darkness by Tomi. There have been enough FMs where you have to use the sword for some purpose - sometimes just for a puzzle. Why would these motions make Garrett suddenly a strong fighter anyway?

PS: You are entitled to your replies on opinions even bad ones.

Koki on 3/10/2010 at 07:26

Just name it Mass Murderer: The Dark Project. Problem solved

Herr_Garrett on 3/10/2010 at 12:21

Quote Posted by PotatoGuy

Well, you know, purists.
If Garrett had worn a pink tutu in DP, and someone would have pointed out that it's not exactly the sneakiest garb in the world, they would be screaming and flaming "WTF OMG how dare you it's canon he is the greatest master thief ever he can wear damn well what pleases go fuck yourself DS fanboy!!!!!"
Or something similar, anyway.

Alic on 3/10/2010 at 19:27

I dont think it would make all that much difference to how well you fight. They are just different animations, and at the end of the day it still boils down to swinging and successfully hitting the opponent, and blocking when he swings at you.

The only difference is that the motions in the beta video look a lot cooler :thumb:

and yes of course your not supposed to go looking for fights in thief, but really this is just a bit of fun! :joke:

theBlackman on 3/10/2010 at 20:25

I do agree better motions would enhance Garrett's "reality", but advancing his skills to that of a guard would not.

There are a number of things that could be improved from the original games. As long as these kept to the character of the main theme even the "purists", of which I am not a member, would not object.

All of the games in the video world have a specific theme. The theme Tomb Raider does not embrace the same theme as Call of Duty.

River Run (old Atari game) did not have the same theme as Zaxxon, and so on.

Many newer games have attempted, badly, to emulate the action and theme of THIEF, with poor success.

But a change that would put thief into the genre of a shooter is not an improvement.

The best example is TDS. The "improvements" in Body awareness etc. did nothing to increase immersion or improve the motion, action, or even the feel of the game. For the most part these so-called improvements degraded the game series.

Many FMs with better textures, movement, and objects have been done that are better than the original games, and far exceed the quality of the failed TDS while maintaining the "feel" and thematic impact of THIEF.

Bho on 4/10/2010 at 07:33

The simple solution would have been to keep the better animations, but make the guards have more hp/do more damage with their blows.

van HellSing on 4/10/2010 at 08:09

Quote Posted by theBlackman

real THIEF gamers

Quote Posted by theBlackman

"purists", of which I am not a member

Quote Posted by theBlackman

failed TDS

Failed YOUR MOM.

Seriously, the level of fundamentalism in some Thief fans approaches No Mutants Allowed levels...