The Mechanists' technology.

TTK12G3 on 11/6/2009 at 17:24

So far, natural, supernatural, and pagan fauna have been mentioned. However, I haven't seen that much about the Mechanists' old devices. The Iron Beasts as well as the hideous little screaming Golden Children have probably been scrapped and forgotten, but surely the Mechanists were working on something other than walking cannons.

Taking the level of sophistication of Garrett's mechanical eye, it would be reasonable to assume that they were probably working on something else before their abrupt downfall. It is also possible that certain individuals could acquire certain items through indirect channels. The Scouting Orb, likely being a modified lens of an Iron Beast, was probably acquired through "special order" as I cannot imagine anyone other than Garrett being able to use one. In the era when Hammerites dominated mass manufacturing, the Flashbombs found their way into the thieves' arsenal.

Would anyone here happen to have an interest in seeing a minor technological spike based on events in the future storyline? Perhaps a splinter faction of the Hammerites taking a renewed interest in the Mechanists' old work?

Stath MIA on 11/6/2009 at 19:10

I'd enjoy seeing some mech-tech make an appearance. Not as a splinter-faction (I'd rather avoid having Thi4f: The Second Metal Age) but more as scattered remnants. Let the player occasionally stumble on some of their gear, maybe a mace or two on a fireplace, a scouting orb in an out of the way closet or a noble with an old rusty Child of Karras or two on patrol. Also a mission taking place in the ruins of a Mechanist compound (e.g. Soulforge) might be interesting.

Namdrol on 11/6/2009 at 19:13

Good call

I missed that a little from TDS. The "alternate" industrial revolution.

I know it's a bit cliched, but maybe the Mechanists were working on a clockwork or hydraulic difference engine.
Again could be connected to the sentients. They could be a cpu at the heart?

Wormrat on 11/6/2009 at 19:23

Instead of a technological "spike," I'd much rather see a broadening of the technology in terms of plausible gadgetry. I mean, things were already getting pretty ridiculous with the Cetus Amicus and autonomous security robots; if anything, I'd like to see it dialed back a notch. The periscope-style spyglasses used in T2X are a good example of a "believable" technology that could add complexity to the mechanics.

I'd prefer to see more in the way of traps and alarms, interesting surveillance tools, or more "machine-like" environmental interaction. Thief had great object handling and decent physics for the time, but there's a ton of room for improvement, considering the importance of hidden loot, secret passageways, and puzzles. I don't expect Rube Goldberg contraptions, but I hope Thief 4 does better than the see-saw physics puzzles that Half-Life 2 popularized.

This is one reason why I think the Underworld engine is actually a good choice on the devs' part.

Beleg Cúthalion on 11/6/2009 at 19:54

Quote Posted by Wormrat

I'd much rather see a broadening of the technology in terms of plausible gadgetry. I mean, things were already getting pretty ridiculous with the Cetus Amicus and autonomous security robots [...]

Things were already getting ridiculous with mechanical eyeballs while there were men with chainmail and swords on the street. I'm not only for plausible and aesthetically-appealing technology but also for being very careful while using it.

Namdrol on 11/6/2009 at 20:08

But I liked that strange juxtaposition.
The way the tech tree has gone in our times, in our daily world, is not the only possible way.
Amongst many others Bryan Talbot has shown this brilliantly with his Luther Arkwright graphic novels.

There's got electric in Garretts city, the precursors had advanced tech beyond the current state of development.
And logical explanations seem a little redundant when it comes to elemental arrows:D

But, yes things need to retain some balance and proportion. Nothing beyond very rudimentary firearms. (bet that's gonna appear :()

Platinumoxicity on 11/6/2009 at 20:52

I'd like to see like "the last church of the Mechanists", ran by a "Brotherhood of Welders" or something. Like a hammerite chapel but filled with weird steampunk machinery all over the place. Not just a few machines in a corner of the room, but like... All the walls and ceilings, furniture, everything made of clicking clockworks, steampipes and gears. "Builders children" walking around, oiling the equipment... And instead of stairs, steam-powered escalators!

Man, I need to draw that. :cheeky:

TTK12G3 on 11/6/2009 at 20:53

Quote Posted by Stath MIA

Not as a splinter-faction (I'd rather avoid having Thi4f: The Second Metal Age) but more as scattered remnants.

That's kind of what I meant. However, I can imagine the Hammerites establishing a branch that researches devices under extremely close supervision. This could mean that Garrett could have access to some awesome toys, but they would be very expensive. They would be quick and easy to deploy, but noisy and fall apart easily (extremely important for balance) One-time use instant lock picks would be an example.

Quote Posted by Platinumoxicity

... And instead of stairs, steam-powered escalators!

Don't forget about steam-powered auto-turrets with FoF technology!

Jah on 12/6/2009 at 06:41

Quote Posted by TTK12G3

The Scouting Orb, likely being a modified lens of an Iron Beast, was probably acquired through "special order" as I cannot imagine anyone other than Garrett being able to use one.

It's been a while since I played the T2 OM's, but I'm pretty sure there are some scouting orbs that can be picked up during missions. If people other than Garrett have them lying around, there must be some other use for them.

TTK12G3 on 12/6/2009 at 13:41

Quote Posted by Jah

Would any of those missions happen to be in or around Mechanist facilities? :D