rainynight65 on 27/5/2009 at 05:57
I have to say that I have yet to find a lockpicking mechanic in any game that is actually satisfying. The discussion here is about lockpicking as a skill as well as part of the immersion. Here's what I think.
In games like Oblivion or Fallout 3, which were mentioned in this thread, lockpicking is an acquired skill, which can be improved over time (RPG mechanics). It is up to the player how they want to handle it - either buy more picks and risk breaking them, or increase the skill and be able to pick locks quicker and with less losses. Contrary to that, in Thief games lockpicking has always been an inherent skill. Garrett is a thief, we can safely assume he knows how to pick locks. So it comes down to watching him do his thing.
The lockpicking process has to be designed in a way that is neither too simplistic nor too frustrating. Oblivion had the latter kind. I never bothered with these tumblers, there were always other options that could be used. The mechanism in Fallout 3 is more interesting and less frustrating, but it does not readily translate to Thief. I don't want to sit with Garrett in front of a locked door and have to do trial & error. Failure to pick a lock is not an option for him, imho, and there cannot be a way to get into a dead end that forces you to start from scratch. I think it would imbalance the game too much and shift skill requirements from the character to the player.
TDS had pretty much the right idea, but the execution was possibly a bit simplistic. Having the option to remove the HUD and rely on sound cues sounds like the way to go for me. I would like lockpicking to be an interesting extra but no major hurdle in the game.
Springheel on 28/5/2009 at 03:12
Based on the comments here I can't wait to see what people think of TDM lockpicking. :)
The Juggler on 28/5/2009 at 13:31
My two cents:
I don't like the idea of a lockpicking "mode" - it should definitely be something you do with the mouselook always on. Some of my tensest moments are with my back to a corridor, pausing the picking to look over my shoulder to make sure there's not an archer drawing a bead on my neck. I like the idea of audio cues - gives an element of skill. Plus, the movement of the torque wrench as an indicator of progress. Having briefly perused the advanced lockpicking mechanism in Dromed 2 I like the idea of having mistakes spring the lock backwards a pin.
pwyll on 30/5/2009 at 04:00
I like both TMA and TDS way of picking locks. However, if Thief is in the Medieval Age the picks should NOT look like modern lockpicks:
Inline Image:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z6Do3cjJL.jpgHowever, some of those locks have not been invented yet:
* Bicycle lock
* Cam lock
* Child safety lock
* Combination lock
* Cruciform (or Zeiss) lock
* Cylinder lock
* Deadbolt
* Disc tumbler lock
* Electronic lock
- Electric strike
- Magnetic lock
* Keycard lock
* Lever tumbler lock
- Chubb detector lock
- Protector lock
* Magnetic keyed lock
* Padlock
* Pin tumbler lock
* Police Lock
* Rim lock
* Tubular pin tumbler lock
* Time lock
* Turner lock
* Wafer tumbler lock
* Warded lock
* Security door locks
Too Much Coffee on 30/5/2009 at 14:29
Whatever they decide to do with lockpicking, I just hope it's a new concept we haven't seen before. Sure, in TDS it was a mild improvement on the original. But I really don't want to see the exact same thing we saw in TDS put into IV. I would be like "gee EM, didn't you have the ability to think of something on your own?" In fact, I am very open for them adding new stuff. They just have to also keep most of the core elements that made the series a hit with the fans. Keep lockpicking, just make it in a way we haven't seen.
BrokenArts on 30/5/2009 at 15:43
Just wait for the dark mod to come out, which will be a hellavu lot sooner than Thiaf4, you'll get your challenge of lock picking. :sly::cool:
Chateau-boy on 12/3/2018 at 16:55
I purchased the Steam version of Thief: Deadly Shadows.....and installed the "Thief 3 Sneaky upgrade." Up until VERY RECENTLY, I had experienced NO problems or issues with this game. However, sometime after the "Clocktower Mission," an 'upgrade' becomes available: The acquisition of the 'gold colored lock.' I had never experienced ANY issues picking any of the PREVIOUS locks. However, I am ABSOLUTELY UNABLE to pick the 'gold colored lock.' I have researched EVERYTHING regarding this issue: I have 'googled' this subject, I have researched other online forums....I have tinkered with ALL of my settings in the actual game (V-Sync, monitor refresh rate, turning off certain settings, etc.) to no avail.
Does anyone ANYWHERE have ANY idea as to why I am unable to pick the 'gold lock' in Thief: Deadly Shadows?
To reiterate: It is ONLY the "gold colored lock" than I am unable to pick -in Thief Deadly Shadows- so far...
Yandros on 12/3/2018 at 19:56
@Chateau-boy: I deleted your previous post from this thread as you had already started a new thread for it, and there was no reason to resurrect this old thread which is only vaguely related. Please keep the discussion of the issue to your new thread.
Chateau-boy on 12/3/2018 at 21:45
I'm attempting to post this thread in as many areas of this forum as possible -so that as many people as possible may view my thread. I feel that this is NECESSARY -given that my issue is a VERY RARE ONE, and that the ONLY way it MIGHT be resolved is if as many people as possible view it: Very few people, if any, will likely have the correct solution to my problem. Perhaps YOU would like to attempt to solve my issue or might KNOW of someone who has the expertise to solve this issue of mine?