26-03-2013 23:50
A Focus on Focus
Have you visited the Official Thief forums lately? Since Thiefs unveiling a few weeks ago, theyve been buzzing with excitement and speculation, members new and old scrutinizing, searching, studying, analyzing each Thief update with the dedication, detailed eye and concentration of well, Garrett himself.
Except, Garrett has an edge.
In Eidos MontrealÔÇÖs upcoming Thief, that edge is due to an event that occurs earlier in the game that leaves Garrett with a highly increased ability to focus. This new focus ability has been a hot topic on the Thief forums of late, so I chatted with Game Director Nick Cantin for more information.
1. So, Nick, tell us: what is the focus system?
In the game, the Focus system is GarrettÔÇÖs ability to focus and speed up his reaction times. From a game design perspective, Focus is a layer that empowers the player and empowers Garrett. But, itÔÇÖs not something that youÔÇÖre forced to use. ItÔÇÖs something that you manage, something that is one of the tools at GarrettÔÇÖs disposal that he can use to tackle the various situations he is confronted with.
2. How does Garrett get his focus ability?
Garrett gets his focus ability as part of the main story due to an even that occurs early in the game ÔÇô but I donÔÇÖt want to spoil anything so canÔÇÖt say any more than that right now.
3. Can you tell us how the focus system works?
Focus is something that you have to manage, that you have to accumulate. The player will have to choose when the best time is to take advantage of GarrettÔÇÖs Focus, as he has many different ways and abilities that Focus can be used. ItÔÇÖs completely up to the player to decide and manage how Focus is used in the game.
4. What things besides combat and lock picking can you do with focus?
It depends on how you decided to use it, but for example some things like combat, marksmanship, lock picking and pickpocketing have the ability to be enhanced by GarrettÔÇÖs focus - if you choose.
![[Imagen: aWjyZFY.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/aWjyZFY.jpg)
5. So is the focus system related to navigation, does it tell players where to go?
No, not necessarily. We donÔÇÖt want to kill that exploration by giving the player too much information or too many hints. It is a tool that can help the player, but itÔÇÖs certainly not something that will hold your hand or guide you through the world.
6. Is focus an unlimited power?
No, Focus is limited and has a cost. As a player you will have to manage it wisely when you accumulate it, and really think hard about when the best time is to use it.
7. Is the focus system optional? Can it be turned off or left unused?
Presently, itÔÇÖs the completely the players choice to use Focus or not. If players want to challenge themselves to stick to GarrettÔÇÖs basic abilities, they can.
8. Some fans have been wondering if the inclusion of a focus system might remove the challenge found in the previous Thief games. Is this the case?
No, not at all! GarrettÔÇÖs Focus ability is there to empower the player when they need it, to give Garrett an edge over those surrounding him - but it comes at a cost. ItÔÇÖs all about giving choice to the player, but it will not break the game balance.
9. Is the focus system tied to object highlighting?
Presently, the object highlighting system uses a very similar mechanic to what was used in the classic Thief games. While you can use focus to add to that vision, if you choose to play without it, it still feels like a classic Thief game.
10. Can object highlighting be turned on/off?
All I can say now is that Thief purists will have options - those types of players will definitely be pleased.
Awesome! Thanks Nick!
community.eidosmontreal.com
Have you visited the Official Thief forums lately? Since Thiefs unveiling a few weeks ago, theyve been buzzing with excitement and speculation, members new and old scrutinizing, searching, studying, analyzing each Thief update with the dedication, detailed eye and concentration of well, Garrett himself.
Except, Garrett has an edge.
In Eidos MontrealÔÇÖs upcoming Thief, that edge is due to an event that occurs earlier in the game that leaves Garrett with a highly increased ability to focus. This new focus ability has been a hot topic on the Thief forums of late, so I chatted with Game Director Nick Cantin for more information.
1. So, Nick, tell us: what is the focus system?
In the game, the Focus system is GarrettÔÇÖs ability to focus and speed up his reaction times. From a game design perspective, Focus is a layer that empowers the player and empowers Garrett. But, itÔÇÖs not something that youÔÇÖre forced to use. ItÔÇÖs something that you manage, something that is one of the tools at GarrettÔÇÖs disposal that he can use to tackle the various situations he is confronted with.
2. How does Garrett get his focus ability?
Garrett gets his focus ability as part of the main story due to an even that occurs early in the game ÔÇô but I donÔÇÖt want to spoil anything so canÔÇÖt say any more than that right now.
3. Can you tell us how the focus system works?
Focus is something that you have to manage, that you have to accumulate. The player will have to choose when the best time is to take advantage of GarrettÔÇÖs Focus, as he has many different ways and abilities that Focus can be used. ItÔÇÖs completely up to the player to decide and manage how Focus is used in the game.
4. What things besides combat and lock picking can you do with focus?
It depends on how you decided to use it, but for example some things like combat, marksmanship, lock picking and pickpocketing have the ability to be enhanced by GarrettÔÇÖs focus - if you choose.
5. So is the focus system related to navigation, does it tell players where to go?
No, not necessarily. We donÔÇÖt want to kill that exploration by giving the player too much information or too many hints. It is a tool that can help the player, but itÔÇÖs certainly not something that will hold your hand or guide you through the world.
6. Is focus an unlimited power?
No, Focus is limited and has a cost. As a player you will have to manage it wisely when you accumulate it, and really think hard about when the best time is to use it.
7. Is the focus system optional? Can it be turned off or left unused?
Presently, itÔÇÖs the completely the players choice to use Focus or not. If players want to challenge themselves to stick to GarrettÔÇÖs basic abilities, they can.
8. Some fans have been wondering if the inclusion of a focus system might remove the challenge found in the previous Thief games. Is this the case?
No, not at all! GarrettÔÇÖs Focus ability is there to empower the player when they need it, to give Garrett an edge over those surrounding him - but it comes at a cost. ItÔÇÖs all about giving choice to the player, but it will not break the game balance.
9. Is the focus system tied to object highlighting?
Presently, the object highlighting system uses a very similar mechanic to what was used in the classic Thief games. While you can use focus to add to that vision, if you choose to play without it, it still feels like a classic Thief game.
10. Can object highlighting be turned on/off?
All I can say now is that Thief purists will have options - those types of players will definitely be pleased.
Awesome! Thanks Nick!
community.eidosmontreal.com