Thief 2 FM - The Art of Thievery (Dec. 8, 2001)

Nightwalker on 2/7/2002 at 15:40

There aren't any keys that disappear after you use them in this mission. Could you have accidentally dropped it?? Either that or you've hit some sort of strange little glitch that no one else has encountered.

AfterDark on 2/7/2002 at 16:11

Quote:

Originally posted by Nightwalker
Either that or you've hit some sort of strange little glitch that no one else has encountered.

Probably, although I opened the bottom door from the inside without trouble. As it happens, my saves are usually done carefully and I only lost about 10 minutes, so no harm done. Although I did come running round a corner and smashed my nose into a door I know I had left open!:D

I suspect I am going to be well down on secrets by the time I finish this and my loot isn't looking too impressive at the moment either. Still, plenty of time yet!

This is just so much more fun than killing zombies.

Nightwalker on 2/7/2002 at 16:58

I'm glad you're enjoying RiCh's mission. It's incredibly well done and loads of fun. If you get fed up looking for secrets, after awhile, I've got a list available. :)

AfterDark on 3/7/2002 at 17:29

Well, 10 hours 33 mins and 21 seconds later The Art of Thievery is history! :D :D (Underarm punch to air, followed by kung-fu sound effect! Wipes sword and replaces in scabbard over shoulder.)

:cool: That was one mother of a mission! :cool:

Admittedly, I have not found all the secrets, nor all the loot or pockets picked. However, I have the whole place mapped out (on 7 bits of A4! This mission is vast!).

So, before I go back and do the whole thing again in 'optimisation mode', or even try to ghost it (am I man enough?), a few thoughts:

1. Just like my reaction to The 7th Crystal and Calendra's Legacy, I am in awe of people like Richard Cull. I get the impression that he did it all himself. If so, does anyone know how long it took him? Deceptively good game play, good layout and although it might seem it at times, you are not needlessly taken from one end of the mansion to the other. Basically, it holds together really well! :thumb:

2. I have to admit to being a bit of a blackjacker! Like a lot of people, I like the luxury of wandering around and checking out secrets without trouble and this was no different. However, this mission makes good use of guards with helmets, forcing you to ghost round them or use gas arrows. However, it occurs to me that with not much extra work, another difficulty level could be added where ghosting is the only option - no gas arrows & no blackjack supplied! Finishing that would be something to boast about!

3. Bruny mentioned about getting the Eye painting above the main door in the North Wing.[SPOILER]I laid down a moss arrow by the right hand guard and then jumped down from above using a slow-fall. Turned off the light, rope arrow up and got the picture.[/SPOILER] However, he referred to a well-hidden note. Is there a 'neat' way of getting it? To be honest, I don't like using slow-fall or invisibility potions - seams a bit of a cheat, if you know what I mean?

4. Speaking of invisibility potions, [SPOILER]I had to use one to get across (sprint!) the room underneath the vault, to get to the switch to turn off the 'eyes'.[/SPOILER] has anyone done it without?

5. If you want to know where the Lord goes to once he has come out of the guards room, [SPOILER]he goes to his bedroom and stands on his bed![/SPOILER]

And on an unconnected point, does Nightwalker ever sleep? I thought I kept odd hours, but answers come back at almost any time. :D

Well, I'm off to do some work. Wonder what my next FM will be...?

Nightwalker on 3/7/2002 at 19:19

Quote:

And on an unconnected point does Nightwalker ever sleep?

:joke: LOL!:joke: I'm a bit of a night owl sometimes, but I DO occasionally catch a few winks!

I can't say exactly how long it took Richard to make the mission, but it wasn't all that long. He had an undead mission almost all the way completed (that's a huge loss to all of us) when he ran into computer problems and lost the whole thing. After a small break, he started on "a small mansion mission" and we were gifted with the amazing "Art of Thievery". He's very talented and I'm looking forward to seeing what he produces for us from Thief 3.

You should try ghosting it! I'm a blackjacker, too, but I've ghosted a few missions. This mission was my very first attempt and it was amazing. If you think it's well designed now, wait until you've had to take advantage of every well placed shadow and you'll truly be amazed at the thought Richard put into it. (I used the Eidos forum rules, which don't allow anything more than a first level alert (Musta been rats, etc.) You can't let the watchers do more than turn yellow and no property damage is allowed.) Beware, though, ghosting can be addictive, if you have the time.

Getting the picture was tough. [SPOILER] I don't know how other people did it, but I found that if I sneaked up as far as I could on the right hand wall, laid down a moss arrow and RAN through the lighted spot to the corner by the light switch, the guard wouldn't register my presence, so that avoids using a potion. I'm sure some of the experienced ghosters have better solutions.[/SPOILER]

I must admit to using
[SPOILER]an invisibility potion to get across that room, too. I'm sure there is a way to do it without it, but I couldn't manage it.[/SPOILER]

Lachdanan on 3/7/2002 at 21:44

Hello Nightwalker!!!!

Thank you for your help about Manse.

But In Thievery there are 2 of 10 secrets missing.

Could you send me a list??

Thanks

Lachdanan

Nightwalker on 3/7/2002 at 22:36

I'll send them to you in a PM, Lachdanan. :)

RiCh E on 3/7/2002 at 23:06

I thought I’d better make an appearance and personally thank everyone who’s played and enjoyed “Art” And even if you didn’t enjoy it, at least it took your mind off T3 for a few hours :)

AfterDark I made “Art” in 2months and tested it for a further month before I let Nightwalker and Peter have it. Then I changed it further on the advice of my excellent beta testers then release it. Like Nightwalker said I did have another FM almost complete, which was even bigger and more complex than “Art” unfortunately a hard drive problem made sure no-one ever saw that FM :( In fact, Nightwalker you were the only other person to see any screenshots of that mission :(

I was working on another FM (60%complete), but I’ve now decided to call it a day and wait for T3.

Heres the only chance you’ll get to see it, unless I change my mind someday? You never know?

(http://www.culn01.freeserve.co.uk/01.jpg)
(http://www.culn01.freeserve.co.uk/02.jpg)

Anyway, many thanks everyone and I’ll see you when T3 arrives :)

PS I don’t think Nightwalker ever sleeps :) too much thieving to be done :D

AfterDark on 4/7/2002 at 07:32

Hi RiCh E,

Quote:

Originally posted by RiCh E
AfterDark I made “Art” in 2months and tested it for a further month before I let Nightwalker and Peter have it.

2 months? I think you meant 20, didn't you? Although since you describe your occupation as 'Lard arse', maybe not. Anyway, take a bow. Excellent FM.

As for those screen shots. Wow! No one that I have seen has made much use of fog, but I can imagine having it really thick, so that buildings are just eerie shadows that loom at you out of the mist. Noise wouldn't travel far, so you could just bump into a patrolling guard almost before you knew he was there. It would make orientation difficult and add a whole new dimension.

Anyway, like you I am waiting for T3, although I suspect we will be old and grey by the time it appears.

In the mean time.... Go on. Do another mission for T2. You know you want to!:D

Nightwalker on 4/7/2002 at 15:01
Nope, he didn't mean 20, meant 2! He works fast and does a beautiful job. :)