LittleTaffer on 16/2/2006 at 04:10
Dear taffers,
My apologies if this subject has ever been brought up, please bear with me.
Does anyone know precisely what sort of architectural influences the Thief environment uses? I've heard from somewhere long ago that it's loosely based on Tudor England, but I see traces of Gothic as well (esp. in the churches, tombs and several stone carvings/pillars). Also, the clothes worn by game characters seem to suggest Tudorian era as well...or perhaps Elizabethan? (did I get my history all wrong *mutters*)
Yours,
Little Taffer
Musitektus on 16/2/2006 at 09:29
As an architect in training and soon to be profession, and as a huge fan of the Thief games, the title of this thread combines my two favorite words into one beautiful phrase :D
Not much time to write right now, though. Indeed you are right. Much of the games architecture (and clothing) seems inspired directly from Tudor and Elizabethan England. I would argue that some of the levels (and even more-so the FMs) tend to show influences of the architecture of Normandy, France.
However, one of the cool things about the Thief games is that they seem to have quite a variety of different architectural treatments given to each era or culture within the Thief universe that have similarities to different regions in the real-world.
For example, anything from the "Precusor" or "Lost City" areas of the Thief universe have a strong Egyptian and occasionally ancient Roman feel to them. Anything relating to the City Police or docks in Thief 2 seems to have a strong Victorian feel to it. The Mechanists' architecture has an uncanny resemblance to 1920s and 30s Art Deco from Northern Europe (and soon later crossing to America). The Hammerites are flat-out gothic-medieval with a totally cool superimposing of steampunk industrial meshed right over the top of it (which is why the Hammerites, with a little Spanish inquisition thrown in, are infinitely cooler foes than the Mechanists ;) ).
Underground crypts often have a very early-Byzantine catacomb look to them, which is always nice and spooky. Generally the City itself seems to have an all-around central-European medieval essence to the buildings with a few Elizabethan highlights whenever you come across a more wealthy-looking mansion -- I'll let someone from Britain with some expertise determine whether it's Elizabethan or Jacobean. I've been hoping to come across an FM that incorporates some Italian-medieval or even a little Italian Rennaissance as it's primary architecture, but nothing seems to have shown itself. Anybody aware of a good Italian influenced FM? :)
Basically, the architecture was the first thing to draw me into the Thief games. That, and the fact that they are the single most immersive experience I've ever come across in computer gaming (I'm open to finding others -- suggestions? ... S.T.A.L.K.E.R. looks amazing to me, but I'm getting really tired of waiting).
I'm sure there are dozens more related architectural influences in Thief. Writing this has got me kind of excited to go play and see what else I can find... :)
LittleTaffer on 17/2/2006 at 07:31
Dear fellow Taffer Musitektus,
I found your reply very informative. Indeed, just last night I was on my 'rounds', and made entry into St. Edgar's Cathedral. O fellow taffer, how wondrous the sights were!
My favorite spot in that sacred place is just around the corner, in the shadows of the East Wing, where one may look up and see several massive flying-buttresses extending out across the twilight sky. The shadows in that courtyard are blacker than ink, and, if not for the lone patrol of a Hammerite watchman, that place might indeed even be romantic.
Yours,
Little Taffer
Dia on 17/2/2006 at 15:15
Can I come visit? Absolutely breathtaking! Thanks for sharing Fragony! :thumb:
jay pettitt on 17/2/2006 at 17:50
Quite a bit of american gothic revival influence I think. Maybe if you imagined american gothic to be old and higgeldy-piggeldy like in europeland you'd be getting somewhere.
Dia on 17/2/2006 at 18:43
It amazes me that the oldest buildings in the US are considered still young by Europe's architectural standards. Face it; I've never seen towns here in the states with architecture such as that in Amersfoort (or such deliciously winding old lanes). I haven't been to Europe since I was a child, so I don't remember all that much, but I know I will definitely return one day. (With my black cloak & acoutrements!) Thanks again, Fragony!
sorcerykid on 2/3/2006 at 21:55
Oh my it's like I stepped into a photo album of Thief! ~rubs eyes in disbelief~
All of these pics are so absolutely breathtaking. I can't believe that some people have the fortune to merely walk out their front door and witness such beautiful architecture. It's like being right in the game just less the patrolling hammerites. :)
