Beleg Cúthalion on 17/10/2008 at 06:52

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Well, erm...poisoned. Thanks, jtr7, now that you mention it...

TafferMonkeys! on 19/10/2008 at 20:37

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Y'know, i've been thinking about this a bit since I last read the posts. I think there's alot of good ways this could realistically turn out (Even the RTS ideas, although I have my own opinions on units and buildings which don't entirely agree with others on here).

Although some of you probably consider it the "red-headed stepchild" of the Thief games, Thief DS (3) did introduce an interesting idea with the "Faction" ranking thing. I forget the exact name, but it was what made you a friend or foe of the Hammers and Pagans (and others, but those were the only real two that ever actually changed anything in a noticable way). With games blurring the definitive lines and lables of "Action" and "RPG" and ect. (Fallout 3 and it's FPS/Strategy mixed combat for example) -- it's entirely possible to combine the best of various genres into a unique Thief game.

You could add improvable stats which give Garrett new abilities, for example. It doesn't have to be anything off the wall like you'd find in D&D or any other high-fantasy game, just something useful in the places Garrett often finds himself. There could be an "Archery" stat in simple levels that not only improve your arrow's power and distance, but also give you new abilities like "Rebound Shot" which lets you shoot an arrow at a hard surface and have it bounce off that surface. Maybe have the ability to recover arrows because your skill is so improved you know how to shoot them without them breaking.

Of course, you'd still start with all the talents you had in the other Thief games so it's just to make things easier and access special secrets/areas/ect. throughout the game levels. I guess that's the CRPG/Sim aspect to it somewhat.

RTS and RPG-wise, you could maybe gain allies or hire other thieves/mercs/former keepers/whatever and have them do various things for you. They can help you collect loot; cause various kinds of distractions; ect. You can even bribe guards to "look the other way" at a cost to your overall loot. It's even possible to "raise hell" and turn guards and nobles against each other. Throw a wine bottle at a noble when one of his guards is standing next to the bar, and all manner of trouble can start up. Watch chasing you? Run into a tavern and start a bar fight. Thief is about avoidance, but there's also the idea of "Hiding in plain sight" and you'd have to REALLY plan out every little detail about a heist. You'd still have to see fences and suppliers, but it'd be far easier (and FAR more engaging and interesting) than in Thief DS.

Unless you want to just go it alone and can get by without ANY info on a job (VERY un-Garrett like) you'd have to invest some serious (but FUN) time in planning for the heist; employing or bribing help; and getting all the supplies together along with the best time to break in. That's just to begin the heist though -- but, of course, if you just want to PLAY the game you can select default "Quick Plan" options to get all the basic info and equipment you'd normally get in a Thief mission. It's just a way to give people who want to take time planning a bit of a bonus for the effort.

You could also buy hideouts and apartments of various quality too, with even the worst having advantages over others (A total dump might keep you well hidden from "unwanted visitors" better than higher-quality dwellings) and you can do all the usual furnishing/displaying/ect. like in other games (Maybe even displaying loot you want to keep instead of fencing) and there are random events that can happen at a hideout rather you're there or not (Or maybe just if you're there if the idea of randomly being robbed and getting a "get back your loot" special mission doesn't appeal to you) such as the Watch coming after you; other thieves trying to steal from you; messages and offers for employment and random mini-missions; and so on.

And, you can pretty much approach the game any way you see fit. There would be alternate paths which allow you to guide Garrett to his ultimate goal. Will he do as he always does and disappear after saving the world yet again? Will he accept his destiny and rebuild the Keepers in his own image? Maybe he'll become a manor lord or noble and build his own criminal underground? Several different endings that you can guide Garrett toward would be great too. I mean I do understand that Thief is a pretty linear storyline, but some player freedom to guide Garrett and his abilities as they see fit would be good too since we all see Garrett in different ways.

Of course, maybe all this would fit some "Thief 4" game better than something in the Thief world in general, but you can also just replace "Garrett" with a "build your own thief" character you create and have it work that way.


Yeah, my bad for the long banter here. :erm: It happens when my creative juices get flowing. But yeah, that's just my thoughts on this. Heh.

Petike the Taffer on 24/10/2008 at 16:04

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Oh, if you mean other "hero" figures with special abilities, I was thinking just the same thing - the 4 "heroes" I mentioned were only the main ones, with the strongest and most important special abilities. Plus, you can't let them perish, otherwise you'll lose the campaign for your chosen faction and have to start all over again from the last save. No resurrecting at an altar a lá Warcraft - although Thief has a fantasy setting, it's more down to earth and realistic (and it should stay that way)... 'Nuff said on my part. ;)