ZylonBane on 10/11/2017 at 15:48
Since almost everyone plays T1 via NewDark these days (which means it's basically running in the T2 engine), and any unique assets from T1 can be imported into T2, there is literally no rational reason anymore to develop T1 missions. Those who continue to do so are just engaging in mental masturbation.
trefoilknot on 10/11/2017 at 16:45
Preferences are 'rational' if they are complete and transitive. That is, give me any A and B, and I can tell you which I prefer (indifference and conditional preferences are a-ok). Furthermore, if in a given state, I prefer A to B, and B to C, then in that state I also prefer A to C. There is no notion that these preferences must be grounded in something fundamental in order for them to be 'rational.' Completeness and transitivity makes them rational, by definition. Therefore, "I work with T1 rather than T2 because I prefer T1 to T2" does not violate the principle of rationality.
But, if you want to ground it in some fundamentals that make more sense to you, here you go:
Importing unique assets from T2 into T1 requires a non-zero amount of incremental costly effort. Most people [rationally] prefer to avoid unnecessary costly effort, so they choose to work in T1 to make their lives easier.
Keep in mind, you could make your exact same argument the other way around: "T1 and T2 are both just NewDark. Why does anyone still use T2? Don't they know it's no longer superior? What idiots! Anyone who continues to use T2 is being totally irrational, there's literally no reason for it." This argument is logically equivalent to yours.
The only difference is that most *players* find T2 to be more convenient (simply due to path dependency; prior to NewDark, T2 was more stable, so most FMs were made for T2). Ultimately, someone will bear a cost. Either authors bear the [arguably quite small] cost of importing assets, or players bear the [definitely very small] cost of maintaining two separate FM folders. It's not remotely irrational for FM authors to choose to shift the cost onto someone else. This is perhaps the most rational thing a person can do.
Renault on 16/11/2017 at 01:48
Quote Posted by ZylonBane
Since almost everyone plays T1 via NewDark these days (which means it's basically running in the T2 engine), and any unique assets from T1 can be imported into T2, there is literally no rational reason anymore to develop T1 missions. Those who continue to do so are just engaging in mental masturbation.
So, what's the advantage of creating a T1 mission in T2? If T1 is using the same engine, and you can save yourself the trouble of importing assets or a gamesys, why not just make it in T1 in the first place?
The only reason I can think of is because maybe more people own Thief 2, but I have no idea if that's actually true.
Yandros on 16/11/2017 at 02:03
These days with NewDark it just comes down to which set of assets you want to be stock, and which dark.gam you want to start from. You can port assets either way for those not in the one you choose to work in.
Renault on 16/11/2017 at 02:33
That's what I thought, but ZB makes it sound like everything should be made for T2 ("no rational reason anymore to develop T1 missions"). I'm wondering why he thinks that.
trefoilknot on 16/11/2017 at 02:46
To be honest, I don't believe he actually thinks that. I'm guessing he just figured it'd offend people---seems to be his MO. If he actually had any justification, I'm sure he would have responded to my rebuttal with some snarky quip. He's rarely one to pass up an opportunity to demonstrate his right-ness. His silence speaks volumes.
Azaran on 16/11/2017 at 02:57
T1 has a wonderful dark grittiness to its graphics that T2 lacks. I think it's the lower bit depth
Squadarofl on 16/11/2017 at 09:15
TBP/TG ambiant is based on gamma while T2 is based on luminosity, hence the better atmosphere with lights.
caqo on 18/11/2017 at 23:36
also, HD enhancement pack for T1/Gold is way better than T2 one. it looks incredible.