greenie2600 on 18/9/2017 at 01:08
There's no point in posting this, since it'll never happen - but I'm posting it anyway.
It's amazing that the community still keeps the Thief series alive with fan missions and patches, after two decades. And The Dark Mod was an amazing fan production.
But you know what I really want? I want a modern version of the Thief 2 engine (the best of the series, IMHO), with identical gameplay, but modern production values. Remake the original missions, or create new ones - or just release the engine without any missions.
And when I say "identical gameplay", I mean: the blackjack swings the same. Arrows arc the same. Sound propagates the same. NPCs and Garrett move at the same speeds. Guard AI is the same. Etc. (As impressive as TDM was, stuff like this just felt off to me.) Eidos pretty much perfected it the first time around, so why change it? Sure, touch up a few rough edges, and improve the UI a bit - but don't mess with the core experience.
While I'm asking for ponies: let's have a version of DromEd that's actually usable. With a built-in asset browser that allows mission authors to share textures, sounds, scripts, and other assets online.
Basically, I just want the original Thief 2 engine with modern graphics and audio, fewer technical hassles, and a lower barrier to entry for new players and mission authors.
Of course, IP issues prevent this from ever happening as a fan production. Meh.
Starker on 18/9/2017 at 05:24
Quote Posted by greenie2600
Eidos pretty much perfected it the first time around, so why change it?
Eidos did what now?
gigagooga on 18/9/2017 at 05:27
Quote Posted by greenie2600
let's have a version of DromEd that's actually usable.
:cheeky:
zoog on 18/9/2017 at 07:55
Another one thinking modern graphic is better.
Bucky Seifert on 18/9/2017 at 08:25
I would love to see Thief 2 remade with modern graphics but the same gameplay, but yeah that would be a huge undertaking. The best we got are graphics mods like the Necroage, which makes the game look incredible still.
Yandros on 18/9/2017 at 10:56
Personally I think the NewDark Dromed is very usable, and with lots of new features NewDark it's really good enough of an upgrade for most folks. Sure we don't have some of the more modern things like dynamic shadows and pixel shaders etc. but honestly some of the NewDark FMs look superb even by today's standards, and besides great graphics aren't really at the top of the list for most people around here - it's stealthy gameplay and good storytelling.
Independent Thief on 18/9/2017 at 13:24
Quote Posted by Yandros
Personally I think the NewDark Dromed is very usable, and with lots of new features NewDark it's really good enough of an upgrade for most folks. Sure we don't have some of the more modern things like dynamic shadows and pixel shaders etc. but honestly some of the NewDark FMs look superb even by today's standards, and besides great graphics aren't really at the top of the list for most people around here - it's stealthy gameplay and good storytelling.
I agree 100%, Thief + Mods are already great and continue to showcase a huge amount of talent and creativity. I personally think that trying to redo thief with modern 'improvements' would be a retrogression (just think of the sci-fi movies, Alien vs Alien Covenant-the 1979 version is light years better!). Leave it as it is and let the community shape it into what they want to see.
PinkDot on 18/9/2017 at 13:29
While I also agree, that all the bells and whistles are not always necessary, I think certain things still could be improved with a benefit to story telling and immersion. Mostly the fixed number and structure of AI skeletons. For a better storytelling and immersion, we would need characters that have certain facial expressions, more flexibility in their bodies and could interact with environment (Inverse Kinematics). Lighting and shading improvements would be the second big one on the list. And better physics...
Oh, and building in Dromed could look like this:
(
https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/#!/content/69542)
(realtime brush BSP operations, vertex editing, grouping etc..)
And scripting could be done using a node editor...:
(
https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/Engine/Blueprints/)
Imagine all the time and gray hair saved!!!
This would make me get back to map making again! :)
MoroseTroll on 18/9/2017 at 14:08
Quote Posted by Yandros
Sure we don't have some of the more modern things like dynamic shadows and
pixel shaders etc.
AFAIK, NewDark already uses pixel shaders v2.0 - just search for "ps_2_0" in its executable file, I've found 14 entries or so. But I agree with your point :).
