addone on 23/5/2009 at 18:39
One problem I had with the previous Thief games is, well, mostly T3 (because even with updating graphics and so on) enemies armour didn't look like it could actually protect them. It looked like they were wearing thin cloth that had been stuck to them, or plasticine clothing. It'd be nice to actually see the chainmail, make it look heavy and protective. Let it have a sound when the enemies moved, make it sway slightly. Make armour seem clunky, make the cloth have animations so it looks like cloth and possibly make it distinguishable from the metal clothing.
I don't have a reason to believe this won't happen, with today's graphics and so on. But it's always been something that irritated me in games.
Jilly The Taffer on 28/5/2009 at 13:45
Nice picture of the guards Beleg :thumb:
I really liked the variety of clothing differents guards wore in DS. It made it slightly more realistic.
However, it is true that the detail of the clothes were not real enough. It did indeed just look like fabric.
We want cluncky armour for the City Watch, armour which actually LOOKS like it will protect them from vagabond attacks and the unsuspected arrowshot/backstab from Garrett the Master Thief.
Beleg Cúthalion on 28/5/2009 at 13:53
Frankly, with a surcoat/tunic over it (which was quite common according to G. Embleton's fancy books) it wouldn't look like heavy armour. That's what could be the most "realistic" interpretation of the TDP/TMA guards.
fraten on 28/5/2009 at 19:07
Quote Posted by addone
... It'd be nice to actually see the chainmail, make it look heavy and protective. Let it have a sound when the enemies moved, make it sway slightly. Make armour seem clunky, make the cloth have animations so it looks like cloth and possibly make it distinguishable from the metal clothing...
Well, I don't really see the point in a guard with a heavy armour since every guard would prefer a clothing in which he can walk easily. Especially if guarding is his everyday's (-night's) work. He would not be living in constant fear to be slaughtered. A light chainmail, helmet and sword would do.
Beleg Cúthalion on 28/5/2009 at 20:30
Usually you cannot seperate armour from arms or military use. That's why two-handed swords came into use with increasing numbers of plate armour parts etc.; and that's what a lot of fantasy universes ignore. The guard-like guys Embleton shows usually have a brigantine, helmet and maybe a few plate armour pieces. That's not too much and still quite safe. Again, that's about what the TMA City Watch guards wear, except maybe for the out-dated (comparted to the rest) chain mail legging.
TheGrimSmile on 28/5/2009 at 20:49
I agree, the armor does look a little flat, but I think the only ones needing real beefiness are the ones you're not suppose to bash over the head, like the guards that wear metal helmets (blast the things...)
It could be cool to see a nice, imposing figure once in a while.
Jah on 29/5/2009 at 08:30
Quote Posted by Jilly The Taffer
We want clucky armour for the City Watch
*imagines the City Watch walking around in chicken suits* :p
Petike the Taffer on 29/5/2009 at 09:32
I think most guards should wear something light, primarily leather-based, like the usual brigantine mentioned by Beleg. Their more heavily armoured pals should wear some "standard" chainmail (a mail shirt with sleeves and mail "hood" piece for the head) and maybe occasionaly some leg- or hand- guards as well. Also, I really liked the "walking in chain mail" sound effect used in some FMs - why not incorporate it into Thief IV ? It could give you some basic hints on what type of guard is approaching at the moment... Also, the type of armour used should (at least) slightly affect the guard NPC's speed.
Beleg Cúthalion on 29/5/2009 at 09:57
What's so remarkable about Brigantines is that they're in fact hidden plate/scale armour combined with the comfort of a gambeson. If I was a Thief guard, I'd wear one of them. :p
On the other hand, it's true that real knights or soldiers are stil a rarity in the Thief world.
