Hey everyone. This is the fifth in a series of interviews with key community members. For this spotlight, I talked with writer and Thief fan Paul Holland.
How did you find out about Thief?
I was a high school freshman in 2000. My friend had played the first game’s demo disc (I never did) two years earlier and had been talking about Thief non-stop ever since. I really wanted to play it, but our PC was ancient and couldn’t handle it, so I got into the game later.
What was your first experience with the series like?
It was an absolutely jaw-dropping experience. I ended up staying the night at my previously-mentioned buddy’s house. Now, look: we had dreamed of games like this since we were younger. We loved being stealthy, even pretending to be so in games where that really didn’t matter.
But this was a dream. Sneaky espionage-like missions in a medieval environment? Are you kidding me? The moment Garrett spoke in the pre-mission briefing, the thrill I felt simply overhearing guards chattering, unaware that I was eavesdropping… man. What an experience.
What is it about Thief that keeps you coming back?
Funny thing is I haven’t played the original trilogy since 2004, when Deadly Shadows came out. Yet, its world is still such a dear thing to me. Almost like a part of me, actually. I’m 37 now. I have had the voices, dialogue, music, and ambience of those games fresh in my mind for nearly a quarter century, you know? That world is real to me, and the “noir” narrative style continues to have a huge impact on how I tell my own stories.
Which of the Thief games is your favorite?
Thief II. I adore The Dark Project (though technically I only ever played Thief: Gold), but The Metal Age is just perfection for me. The moment I stepped foot onto Lady Rumford’s property in Running Interference, I knew I was in for a treat.
I did enjoy Deadly Shadows, but not like the first two… though The House of the Widow Moira has a special place in my heart. I also loved certain elements of Thief (2014). Despite the visuals it didn’t, in my opinion, hold a candle to the original trilogy.
Which missions are most memorable to you?
- Lord Bafford’s Manor and Running Interference are perfect openers that ease you into both their respective games.
- The Dark Project – Song of the Caverns, Assassins, The Sword
- The Metal Age – Life of the Party, Trail of Blood, Blackmail
- Deadly Shadows – The House of the Widow Moira, Robbing the Cradle
- Thief (2014) – The House of Blossoms, Eastwick’s Grand House
Have you played any Fan Missions?
I wish I had. The last gaming PC I had fizzled out in 2010. Before that, I had never played any fan missions. I’ve heard great things though, most recently about The Black Parade. I need to learn how to use GOG, and install, uh… drivers and stuff. I get the feeling I don’t know what I’m missing out on.
Any advice for someone new to the series?
Don’t look at it like a game, or even an experience. Don’t go in expecting to be blown away by the graphics if you’re a younger gamer and are used to flashy, modern-day visuals.
Play on the highest difficulty. My friend forced me to do it that way and I’ve never played anything lower. For me it was far more intense not being able to whip out a sword or put an arrow through a guard’s helm. Trust me.
Go in as Garrett. You are the Master Thief. Play in complete darkness if it’s not hard on your eyes. Sound and atmosphere are king, so use headphones. Soak it up. You’ll never play anything else quite like it!
Any other media you’d recommend to fellow Thief fans?
I think most folks will know this, but Arkane’s Dishonored series is considered to be the true “spiritual successor” to the original Thief trilogy. It’s a masterpiece in its own right.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is starkly different in genre but allows you to play stealthily and has a deeply immersive noir-style storytelling element.
I have not read it yet, but I’ve heard good things about The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Finch (2006). And I recently started reading The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks (2008), the first book of The Night Angel Trilogy. Loving it so far, very promising!
How does Thief inspire your Writing?
Thief did so many things perfectly. Deep atmosphere, rich lore. There’s so much depth that even with all we know, much of The City and its universe is still shrouded in mystery.
For writing, Garrett is one of the most iconic protagonists (some would say antihero) of all time for me. What really stands out is this: as skilled, mysterious, and dangerous as he is, he is not perfect and one slip-up can end it all. Or, you know, result in losing an eye.
So, having a main character who is not invincible is huge to me. Vulnerable characters, I think, are more important in storytelling than many people realize. That goes for both protagonists and antagonists.
Not really in the same vein, but the darkness in the Thief Series, literally and figuratively, is so enchanting to me. Garrett wears darkness like a blanket. Not many games have you, the player, feel safer in the shadows. You are the thing that goes ‘bump’ in the night. I have written multiple novels, original and fanfiction, but I am having the most fun I’ve ever had as an author writing Thief: The Midnight Veil. I think that says a lot.
Where can people read more of your work?
I have two novels available on Amazon, the first two books of The Finley Troy Saga, an original medieval fantasy adventure: Renegade’s Hollow (2022) and Winter’s Wake (2024).
On WattPad you can read my fan-fiction work for free! That’s where I’ll be releasing chapters of The Midnight Veil every Friday.