Publishers are eying Thief again...

Gambit on 7/9/2007 at 16:57

Well, even if they dumb down the story...

If they make a Thief 4 it will certainly have a better AI, phisics and graphics compared to the first Thief. So even if it flops people will at least be able to make new FMs with an up to date editor.

Just look at The Dark Mod as an example, they managed to improve the mantling and the rope arrow phisics. The AI is also more complex. Much better editor than Dromed and more beautiful maps.

And they can really make it enjoyable for everyone. If you want to play it like rambo or killing everybody then go for the easy setting. If you´re into ghosting and no killing then go for the Expert mode, that´s how it´s aways been.

SubJeff on 7/9/2007 at 17:12

But for improved FMs we will have TDM so we don't need a Thief 4 for that. Plus id will release the source code for the D3 engine in a few years.

I think people are underestimating what TDM is capable of. I'm not going to give any specifics but let's just say that from what goes on in the official forums there is a lot of scope for some amazing stuff.

I don't think there is any current engine that would make the physics or graphics appreciably better. It might look a bit shinier, have a few more physics features but so what? If that is what you really want give it 5 years when there are some really amazing game engines that can simulate much, much more.

nicked on 7/9/2007 at 19:18

To be honest, the only decent reason I can think of to make Thief 4 would be to do a cool, unique multiplayer game in the official Thief world. With three games forming a completed character arc, and over 600 fan missions, do we need more single player Thief? I for one would be very interested in some kind of co-op multiplayer game in the Thief world.

Goldmoon Dawn on 7/9/2007 at 21:54

Quote Posted by nicked

To be honest, the only decent reason I can think of to make Thief 4 would be to do a cool, unique multiplayer game in the official Thief world.

The official Thief world? Again, Thief: The Dark Project came at a time when gaming was on the cusp of a revolution. For many of us, the game represents an era now gone. Warm fuzzy memories of playing Thief at Christmas time knowing you had something on your screen that few others were keen to. Unfortunately, no matter how rabid our fanaticism, the reapings were not quite what we had expected and the game faded into minor obscurity. Then Thief: Deadly Shadows came along and introduced the series to you fine people. Understand that while Thief: Deadly Shadows may bear many "resemblances" to Thief I and II, it is *not* Thief III. You know, it kind of reminds me of Ultima IX and Might Magic IX. Two revered series that ended on a rather insultingly humorous note. Knowing what I know about Thief, I couldn't keep a straight face through the first half of the damn thing. The only thing a future Thief multiplayer would be good for is the old fans going back and somehow playing the first title with all of us being the Guards and whathaveyou. Maybe all the newbies could take turns being Garrett, and we could show you firsthand what Thief is really all about...

:ebil:

SubJeff on 7/9/2007 at 22:27

Nah, no Guards vs Thieves - there is already Thievery and the incoming NightBlade (or whatever they will call it now).

Any MP should be story led Co-Op!

Goldmoon Dawn on 7/9/2007 at 22:42

There you have it, nicked old pal. Thief multiplayer is sturdily covered. :)

Lord Dalar on 7/9/2007 at 22:59

A new Thief...
Uhmmmmm...

As for the singleplayer it would really be nice to have a complete city in one level with sections that will be "opened" only with certain "keys" so that the storyline continues.

I can quite imagine the New keeper order trying to gain back knowledge by remembering what they have so long studied and transcribed and try to apply that to the real world...

What about the master builder himself claiming his own heritage, we had pagans in dark project we had mechanists in metal age and.... oh yeah....Rocky guards in the final scenes of deadly shadows, running apart from those fishy lizardfolk of a parallel to the lost city without any connection; I think it's time for the hammers to show themselves as they really are.

I would like to see more "undercover" style missions, casing the place and then giving you the chance to make your way undetected through the level.

What about some coming back missions...like, what is lord bafford's manor today? Imagine it done with a new engine, more detailed and without the visual bugs of stairs in the air, towers with about 5 meters between the interior of the walls, what is like get it down so that we can hide "in" the walls and make noise as the guards won't imagine the walls are empty and so on...

And Finally: thief has to mantain it's original concept, no freacky medieval historical thing, Thief's universe is unique, not a simple fantasy game neither a historical....

Oh, and I want my sword back, and rope arrows and any arrow that can give me the chabce to be creative with the enviroment; i'd probably never use it, i would just sneak around the corner but i want the chance to proove myself...

Again, garret isn't Through with heroics, he's not done, he has an apprentice...a new betrayment? who knows...and what about "old friends"?

All open questions that would make a new thief episode an excellent challange...

Let's hope it wonì't get Xboxed with portals and minilevels, a thief level has to be huge, sophisticated, stylish! ;)

SubJeff on 7/9/2007 at 23:06

Someone remind me of what happened to the Keepers at the end of TDS. I was thinking that a Thief 4 could be about the rise of the New Keepers who are just really thieves. And Garrett has to stop them!

That's the way to complete it! Thief has so far been about balance.
Thief 1 was nature out of control.
Thief 2 was technology out of control.
Thief 3 was the controllers out of control.
Thief 4 should be a Garrett introspective - by the end of the game he should come to realise that stealing is wrong. Even Jack Thompson will be happy!

Dussander on 8/9/2007 at 10:22

I'd like a Thief 4 to be like TDS (Don't shoot me!), but without missing elements and faults...

The city was a good idea, but make it more sprawling, with a well-developed thief's highway and layout similar to what the people in the mapmaker thread came up with, and more Things to See and Do™...

The level design was good, but make them larger, make entrances/exits smarter and add secrets & hidden loot...

The idea of do-it-yourself fencing was good, but have less fences, remove any annoying mannerisms the fences have, add anonymity (they shouldn't know who you are), have a % of loot going to costs of living, dealers shouldn't have all special items to sell (gas bombs, oil bottles, etc) and should have a limited supply of weapons and items...

The AI was good, but add the ability for them to chase you up things, remove bugs (like random ability to see you in pitch black from a distance), keep AI in character (e.g. a Keeper assassin should be stealthy and not a murderous thug with telepathy), improve the catch stats so AI don't blame you for other people's work...

The loot was err..., but make it look valuable and remove any glint, add it in more secret locations, make loot more variable, most body-loot should be obtainable without knocking someone out or mugging them...

The end boss was fine, but make it so they cannot be manipulated (like being pushed into the dock water or slip up on oil), make it less Resident-Evily....

The items of stealth are fine, but give us rope arrows and gas mines...

Body awareness concept ok, and mantling in particular was good, but make general improvement to awareness, unconscious/limp body movements, give us back the feeling of control over the thief's body and make leaning less pointless...

There's probably more :ebil:

Huckeye on 8/9/2007 at 18:45

I want someone to pick up the Thief series and go George Lucas on it!

I want a T1 remake, T2, remake, T3 remake, Trilogy Gold Edition, Make a T4 - 6 and then remake all of those too. (plus expansion packs and mod tools for each). Then I want to buy a matching Thief toilet seat cover and toothbrush!

Bethesda could do great IMO, parts of Oblivion made a great Thief atmosphere.