Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

Yet another legal thread, Thief 1 and 2, the Enderal way


pyziroki

Recommended Posts

Yes, we worked with Square Enix after Thief4 was launched. Some of the people I talked to were very familiar with TDM.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The clever way I could see it done is if somebody created a converter script which took the Thief 2 .mis files and converted them to TDM .map files, either substituting best-fit textures and objects, or I guess the script could just outright import T2's textures and objects and other things (and convert anything it needs to), so T2 zip files go in and TDM .pk4 files come out, if we're pipedreaing this anyway. Then they could just release that script which people who own Thief 2 could run, pointing it to their T2 map folder, and get the TDM maps spit out. I think that'd be legal. Not only could we get Thief 1 and 2 maps out, but we could also get FM maps spit out as well, which would I think quintuple the number of FMs we have in one shot. Actually this is kind of an awesome idea, now that I think about it.

 

The thing is that Thief maps use negative geometry (cutting holes out) and TDM uses positive geometry (placing solid blocks). So it wouldn't be a simple conversion at all, and I'd think you'd have to cover a lot of exceptional situations that don't fit an easy mold that you might have to just hack in. But, like many things, we have the source for both games, so it's possible in principle. The question is just how much work someone is ready to put in to study up & do it.

  • Like 1

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The clever way I could see it done is if somebody created a converter script which took the Thief 2 .mis files and converted them to TDM .map files, either substituting best-fit textures and objects, or I guess the script could just outright import T2's textures and objects and other things (and convert anything it needs to), so T2 zip files go in and TDM .pk4 files come out, if we're pipedreaing this anyway. Then they could just release that script which people who own Thief 2 could run, pointing it to their T2 map folder, and get the TDM maps spit out. I think that'd be legal. Not only could we get Thief 1 and 2 maps out, but we could also get FM maps spit out as well, which would I think quintuple the number of FMs we have in one shot. Actually this is kind of an awesome idea, now that I think about it.

 

The thing is that Thief maps use negative geometry (cutting holes out) and TDM uses positive geometry (placing solid blocks). So it wouldn't be a simple conversion at all, and I'd think you'd have to cover a lot of exceptional situations that don't fit an easy mold that you might have to just hack in. But, like many things, we have the source for both games, so it's possible in principle. The question is just how much work someone is ready to put in to study up & do it.

 

Like this:

 

http://forums.thedarkmod.com/topic/15322-ultima-underworld-to-dark-mod-map-conversion-sample/

Please visit TDM's IndieDB site and help promote the mod:

 

http://www.indiedb.com/mods/the-dark-mod

 

(Yeah, shameless promotion... but traffic is traffic folks...)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the Dark Engine was originally built for UU and modified from there, his script would be the obvious starting point, if he ever released the source for it.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a bit surprised to see this renewed interest in wanting to remake Thief because in my opinion TDM has long ago surpassed Thief. I still however have many fond memories of playing Thief and I still occasionally play it for nostalgic reasons but lets be honest, it's now a very old and clunky game with some really outdated technology. For me, Thief can only offer old memories.

 

In addition to Thief, I'm also a big Unreal fan so a few years ago I went about recreating some of the old maps with the newest Unreal Engine, it was fun and it was kinda cool to play those old maps with new technology but it got old and so I stopped remaking the maps because for me, it's was really just an exercise of accomplishment rather than an actual desire to play an old game.

 

If this idea is actually building momentum then I'd suggest just rebuilding the Thief maps with Dark Radiant and redo everything, i.e. instead of Garrett, name the protagonist something different, use our textures, our resources etc... and so on and so forth so there are no potential issues. If Square Enix doesn't like what we are doing, they will let us know and we'll stop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought the best approach to answering this "commonly requested feature" would be to

hold regular contests where mappers made tribute FM's that resemble their favorite T1\T2 FM's without

violating copyright.

 

Then, after enough contests have been held, gather the best versions into a campaign pack and tweak it

be more cohesive.

  • Like 2

Please visit TDM's IndieDB site and help promote the mod:

 

http://www.indiedb.com/mods/the-dark-mod

 

(Yeah, shameless promotion... but traffic is traffic folks...)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the Dark Engine was originally built for UU and modified from there, his script would be the obvious starting point, if he ever released the source for it.

This idea of yours sounds like the only reasonable way to do Thief1/2 to TDM conversion, in case it can actually be made to work :)!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

???

 

https://github.com/hankmorgan/UnderworldExporter

 

Are we missing anything there?

 

Yes, I was too lazy to read through the relevant thread, so we were missing my initiative to even bother looking. ;)

 

Edit: For the record, I don't have any particular desire to see T1 or T2 remade. They're classics in their own right, and I wouldn't want to see them remade for the same reason I don't want to see classic black and white movies remade.

 

But I'm much more interested in seeing T2 FMs playable in TDM, and I like the idea of a script that could do that.

I have an idea TTLG FM makers might not be too happy about it though.

  • Like 1

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought the best approach to answering this "commonly requested feature" would be to

hold regular contests where mappers made tribute FM's that resemble their favorite T1\T2 FM's without

violating copyright.

 

Then, after enough contests have been held, gather the best versions into a campaign pack and tweak it

be more cohesive.

 

This.

 

IMO 1:1 import would be a waste of engine capabilities. Creative re-imagining would be much more interesting, as you can take a look at original design and learn from it. Tribute contests are a great idea.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Petike the Taffer  »  DeTeEff

      I've updated the articles for your FMs and your author category at the wiki. Your newer nickname (DeTeEff) now comes first, and the one in parentheses is your older nickname (Fieldmedic). Just to avoid confusing people who played your FMs years ago and remember your older nickname. I've added a wiki article for your latest FM, Who Watches the Watcher?, as part of my current updating efforts. Unless I overlooked something, you have five different FMs so far.
      · 0 replies
    • Petike the Taffer

      I've finally managed to log in to The Dark Mod Wiki. I'm back in the saddle and before the holidays start in full, I'll be adding a few new FM articles and doing other updates. Written in Stone is already done.
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
    • OrbWeaver

      I like the new frob highlight but it would nice if it was less "flickery" while moving over objects (especially barred metal doors).
      · 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...