Samantha1 on 23/8/2025 at 10:07
I disagree and love how there are full52 cards to find. I have replayed this mission time and time again and the challenge to find all the cards without a walkthrough or help, it's just so much fun :D besides, the objective is optional, so you can simply ignore it if it's too much a bother.
The only thing I'd change in this mission is that you can let all people present hang, because it'd really be satisfying to see raymund hang :D
nicked on 23/8/2025 at 10:46
It's a funny thing about a lot of players that they cannot ignore anything even if its a bonus side thing. So in my mind when making it, I'm treating 52 cards as an additional activity for the really diehard collectible fans or for someone who really loves the mission and wants an extra challenge maybe for a second playthrough, that will be safely ignored by anyone who just wants to play the story, because that's generally how I play.
But there are a surprising number of players who will feel a compulsion to complete everything even if they're not enjoying it, who will actually get less enjoyment from the mission simply because the extra content exists and they can't or won't ignore it.
This mission definitely taught me some interesting things about player psychology.
Stefan B. on 24/8/2025 at 12:49
For a completionist, "optional" is just a funny word.
chk772 on 28/8/2025 at 19:33
Quote Posted by nicked
It's a funny thing about a lot of players that they cannot ignore anything even if its a bonus side thing. So in my mind when making it, I'm treating 52 cards as an additional activity for the really diehard collectible fans or for someone who really loves the mission and wants an extra challenge maybe for a second playthrough, that will be safely ignored by anyone who just wants to play the story, because that's generally how I play.
But there are a surprising number of players who will feel a compulsion to complete everything even if they're not enjoying it, who will actually get less enjoyment from the mission simply because the extra content exists and they can't or won't ignore it.
This mission definitely taught me some interesting things about player psychology.
I think you're right about these things though. I also think such secrets are for the die hard people who play the mission for a third time, and really want to do everything. At least I gladly pass on those things, when they get too tedious for me anyway.
Samantha1 on 29/8/2025 at 10:55
A third time? I think I must have played this mission at least 10 times by now :D replaying it so much is only so much fun BECAUSE there are the 52 cards. It´s kinda sad that people see sth. like this as a negative point, just because they can´t ignore an optional objective.
Stefan B. on 29/8/2025 at 16:28
Quote Posted by Samantha1
... It´s kinda sad that people see sth. like this as a negative point, just because they can´t ignore an optional objective.
As I said, for a group of people, "optional" is just a funny / silly word. I should have said "meaningless".
You are obviously not one of them. But assuming your perspective is the only valid one and the other point of view is "sad" feels a bit offensive and exclusive.
There are a lot of different ways to enjoy Thief FMs, as this discussion shows. We should acknowledge that.
If you (or someone else) is interested in one of the possible reasons behind that mindset:
For me, if I do something, I want to do it fully. It's not only about the way, but the feeling of accomplishment. Having some "boxes not ticked off" diminishes the sense of fullfilment in a significant way.
It is about priorities and general mindsets. There is no right or wrong, just different ways of thinking, feeling and living.
