Interface

Avoid Switching Video Modes

Explanation:

I hope in the new engine, the game dosen't pause and switch screen modes to show you the letter's text. Instead it's either held out in front of you (only blocking a small portion of your view) or shown off to the side.

Points to bear in mind:

For ultra realism, holding it out in front of you could result in having to stand underneath a light source to be able to read it! No reading books in the dark

Yes! TRUELY holding the letter in front of Garret (like its done with the weapons)! This way Garret wouldnt be able to stand in the darkest corner and read a long letter with out a light source, such as a glow stick or torch.

TECH-ISSUES AND HOW TO FIX THEM: (1)Garret would have to be holding the note in a way that would never cover up the text, no matter how much was written. This is easily fixed with some guess&check work done by the modelers and testers, plus adding a ~1 in. margine area would help. (2) The text should only show when it is close to the players face. This would free up some un-nesassary used memory when looking at it from far away. (3) Each object used soul-ly to display text must have a 'hold' point attached to it when modeled. That way 'Garret' can successfully 'grab' and 'hold' each object to read.(4) Garret would have to have a 'dynamic grab' animation that would enable the Garret model to dynamicly REACH for the book, whare ever it may be located (if close enough to the sholder) and display the 'grab' animation. (NOTE-1) On the plus side, the text wouldnt have to be affected by light levels since its already black, but the paper would. (NOTE-2) I cant think of any more so I'll leave it at that.

Pausing for text is a good thing IMO. Not everyone reads as fast (especially when it's not your native language). Much of Thief's atmosphere in T1/T2 was provided through all the scrolls and books, and players should not be discouraged to read them.

Date Last Update: 12/6/1981

Return To Index

Vote For This Idea

Current Rating: 4Number Of Votes: 12