SlyFoxx on 2/2/2020 at 03:23
Ben's contributions to the community can't be overstated. The TUT that launched a 1000 fan missions, the keep site. I can still remember fetching my FM discs from the mail box. Firing up Calendra's Legacy soon after! So long ago.
Hit Deity on 2/2/2020 at 05:01
I emailed him. I'm curious to see what he's been up to lately.
Hullo, SlyFoxx!! Yes, I can remember those days, and fondly. We were part of that FM Disc Mailing system, free of charge, to whomever wanted to get copies of the then-current available FMs. Even back in those days, there were discs-worth of stuff, and it just kept growing. Dial-up for a lot of us, and in far reaches of the world.. I don't know how many I sent out on my own dime just to spread the legacy to everyone who wanted to get in on the fun.
I'll never forget going to the local post office and trying to mail stuff to Norway, Finland, Romania, Poland... it's a wonder I didn't get more strange looks...
Me: "Yes, sir, I need to send this to" —checks package— "Czechoslovakia. What? No, I'm not a Communist. I'm just helping a fellow gamer out. Er, how much? Wow, um, Airmail?? Uh.. can I send it 3rd class?"
Postman: "Well, it has to go Airmail overseas, unless you want it to take 2 months to get there...? And... is it fragile?"
Me: "Er, no, and yes. I don't think they want to wait that long." *sigh* "Good thing I've got a well-paying job. Yeah, go ahead, first class it is. It's worth it."
Komag on 2/2/2020 at 07:45
Got your email Hit Deity!
Yeah, I mailed out a ton of CD/DVDs over the years. Between 2001 and 2013 I sent 892 packages (consisting of 2937 discs, costing $1699 in postage) to 29 countries and 47 US States! There was always a completely free option (if people mailed me the blank discs and return packaging/postage, I would do the work), but many people opted to donate to the website instead which worked out pretty well to cover all the hosting and storage costs (which weren't cheap in the early years post dot com crash).
Anyway, back to The Great Tree, I'm amazed anyone is playing it all these years later! When I built that monster it started out with a bunch of somewhat organically places clusters of dodecahedrons being copy-pasted all over the place, which I then went back and tweaked the heck out of, carving out niches and such, then added the various trunk and branch sections, then the tree houses and other stuff. All the strange angles I think overwhelmed the internal game physics engine at times, leading to some bugs of getting stuck or falling through geometry in places. It was originally a lot worse and I fixed as much of it as I could, mostly by just moving a few things a little and trying again while crossing fingers. I placed fruit by playing the level and finding interesting locations and then going back and sticking a fruit there, so again, not a big premeditated plan, but more like I was discovering the layout myself. I always loved rope arrows ever since I first played Bafford's Manor, so I made sure to have lots of ways to enjoy them in the mission. It was a unique design process to say the least, problematic in many respects, but I liked the outcome.
2012-2015 I was somewhat heavily involved in Legend of Grimrock modding, made a few video tutorials, and contributed to some projects including making an updated version of the entire main game called "Master Quest" (in a bid to emulate the Zelda motif of having a second playthrough with changed dungeons and puzzles). You can see it here: (
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=132493547)
2014-Current I've been working on a hobby project programming a game from scratch for Roku (of all platforms!). You can see a (quite outdated 2016) preview of it here: (
https://youtu.be/OKOKN_t6_ps) It's come a long way since that vid, but still retains the overall vibe of looking like an ancient monochrome green PC game from the 80s. I've never programmed anything before (other than a few simple scripts for Grimrock projects), so it's been fascinating trying to learn best practices and deal with my ever growing spaghetti code base.
I don't have NEARLY the amount of free time I used to have 20 years ago! I have four young kids now between 3 and 10, and a busy job in Boston (where I've lived since 2003). Thief still has a big warm spot in my heart (even if I haven't played more than an hour of the 2014 game), so it's nice to see the forums still going strong! I typically check in every year or two.
Best wishes all!
<Username> on 2/2/2020 at 08:34
Quote Posted by Komag
Anyway, back to The Great Tree, I'm amazed anyone is playing it all these years later!
I'd argue it is a must play for fans of Thief missions because there is nothing quite like it among hundreds of releases. It is the only mission I know set entirely in a gigantic tree. :D
Hit Deity on 2/2/2020 at 20:42
Quote Posted by <Username>
I'd argue it is a must play for fans of Thief missions because there is nothing quite like it among hundreds of releases. It is the only mission I know set entirely in a gigantic tree. :D
And that's the final word: a must play for fans.
Without argument. Just an incredible accomplishment, full of fun, interesting places to find, and just the right amount of frustration, because you can see where you need to go, and you know you can do it... and you keep trying.. if you can just get that rope arrow to extend down... there!!! YES!!
Karras35 on 20/2/2020 at 00:37
Thank your for your reply Komag! For me it is very precious to hear how you built The Great Tree and that Thief has still a warm spot in your heart. It's also interesting for me to hear what you did during the years and what your are doing currently. I was never really active in the thief forums [I was active in a german forum called 'when-its-done' but it got closed 12 years ago] , usually I just read threads when I need help. Being a quiet bystander irregulary checking for new FMs or searching help. I never abandoned Thief for a long time. Of course there are other games, but Thief is special to me. My all-time-eternal favorite pc game. And here's my personal story behind The Great Tree: There was a period of time when The Great Tree was often on my mind, because I remembered playing this FM in my early thief days and I wanted to play this FM again so badly... But I could't figure out the name and therefore I couldn't find it for a long time. This drove me nuts for years, sporadically I was thinking about it and trying to find it. After years I finally asked in this forum for the name. I immediately received help and I felt kinda stupid that I didn't found it myself. :joke: Just wanted to let you know this little story. The Great Tree bothered me for years and for me it's a one-of-a-kind amazing unforgettable FM....
After all these years everytime when I play Thief it gives me peace inside and fills me with nostalgia. Last time I browsed through the TTLG photo album, even when I don't know these people. It made me smile to see these old pictures of people who might already have forgotten Thief universe. I can't ever forget Thief. Thief will always be Thief. It brings back good memories. It overwhelms me and I can't put it into the right words... I see the hundreds, thousands of FMs, Modders, Scriptwriters and a still so active community and I just wanted to use this opportunity to thank you all for this. Your work and contribution will be alive forever. I wonder if the FM authors who are not active anymore still remember Thief. And I wonder if they are aware that there are people like you and me who still play their FMs 15 years later... I would love to know. So again, thank you Komag for letting me know. Next I will play all your other missions.:cool:
I want to cheer up the community and the FM creators out there - even if the response and feedback to your FM-announcements might not always be so huge, be assured, there are people out there who appreciate your work and take quiet notice of your efforts and sooner or later will play your levels with great pleasure.:)
Tannar on 20/2/2020 at 05:09
@Karras35: Thank you for your wonderful post. It made me smile to read it, and I enjoyed your story of the search for this FM. Your love for the game shines through and it reminds me of my own. It was kind of you to take the time to encourage the authors and I'm sure all who read this will appreciate it.
@Komag: Thanks for taking the time to post. It's great to see you here, and I really enjoyed hearing about what you've been up to. Quite a departure from Thief. Good luck to you on the new project. Btw, I still use your discs : )
Hit Deity on 21/2/2020 at 02:34
@Karras35: There were so many great influences, some gone, some still here... too many to name them all. But Komag had to be the greatest influence on me, not just for what he has done through his tutorial and other creations, but just his positive attitude was instrumental in keeping me going when I was ready to just give up.
Not to slight anyone else who has influenced me positively, but my memory is horrible these days, and I keep saying I need to create a list..
Thank you to anyone who has helped me and who continue to help. It's incredible the great and wonderful talent that keeps this thing alive. You're all magnificent.
bbb on 21/2/2020 at 22:31
I was eating lunch at my desk one day and did a search on Thief. I was so depressed when Looking Glass blew up and I was never going to play new Thief missions.
Then the search came up with Komag’s site. I learned about FM’s. Started playing - I was in heaven. I then did his terrific tutorial and have been playing/building ever since.
Although there have been many influences and helpers along the way, I have a special place for KOMAG. Thank you Ben!!!!!!!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Ben in person with my 2 sons (both Thief fans). They thought he was a God.
Great to see he checks in now and then.
