Hello everyone, and happy holidays. This is the first in a series of interviews with key community members. For this spotlight, I chatted with artist and long-time Thief fan Dominus.
How did you find out about Thief?
I think it was a Demo on a CD from a video games magazine back in ‘98. My mind was blown, not only by the amazing low-tech, medieval fantasy setting but also by the gameplay. It was so radical and new back then, sneaking and stealing instead of shooting in a first-person game. So strange, so awesome!
What was your first experience with the series like?
After playing the Demo I eventually acquired the game through taffer methods, because I couldn’t afford to buy games back then. I couldn’t even find video games in my hometown in Romania. I remember I was amazed by how Thief: The Dark Project felt and played.
It took me a long time to get past the second mission–those zombies scared the shit out of me–but I played a few more missions and loved the game. I beat it a couple of years later when I was really in the mood for Thief so I played it day and night. When I finished it, I got up, went outside to a video game shop nearby, bought Thief II: The Metal Age, got back, and finished that a few days later.
What is it about Thief that keeps you coming back?
Everything about Thief is so well crafted, the setting, the story, the gameplay, the atmosphere, the music, the voices, and the sounds. All these things are still some of the best in the industry and they left a good and deep mark on me. In that sense, the Thief series is quite unique and I always find myself referencing them in one way or another even now.
Which of the Thief games is your favorite?
I know Thief II is better designed and balanced but for me, the original Thief has the crown because of the darker atmosphere which sadly was a bit lost in the sequel. Thief II is still a solid and amazing game, hands down, but there is something about the first game–that medieval grunge low tech dark magic–that hits the right spots for me.
Thief: Deadly Shadows is also very good considering the limitations it was built on. They managed to make a wonderful game that still looks good and plays well today. We don’t talk about the missed opportunity called Thi4f.
Which missions are most memorable to you?
The Sword. One of the best levels ever designed in my opinion, also in the game context, introducing the player to the twisted Pagan faction. The transition from the classic mansion heist to the surreal world of the Trickster, the twisted architecture, Viktoria’s laugh at the manfool that I am; it just blew my mind. Sara Verrilli needs more praise for designing this fantastic mission.
Have you played any Fan Missions?
I played a few long ago. sadly I don’t have much time but I do watch playthroughs of fan missions on Youtube. I know, I should experience them, I wish the day had 48 hours.
I did contribute to Dana Nightingale’s The Circle of Stone and Shadow campaign, and I’m super excited about Skacky’s upcoming The Black Parade campaign for Thief: Gold. I was lucky to make the key art for it.
Any advice for someone new to the series?
I think if they have enough patience to discover the gameplay and setting and if they can see past the polygonal visuals (which to me have become a part of the Thief world aesthetic), they will be rewarded with some of the best gaming experiences ever made.
Any other media you’d recommend to fellow Thief fans?
Everyone should try Gloomwood! It’s a wonderful example of Thief fans who made a new game in the vein of Thief, but different and fresh. Regarding books or movies, I think The Name of the Rose has some Thief vibes in there, and the 1986 movie as well.
How does Thief inspire your Art?
Thief meant a lot for me in developing as an artist. I was and still am heavily influenced by the wonderful Thief cinematics crafted by Daniel Thron and the Looking Glass team. I think I experienced Thief at the right time when I was just learning about digital painting and of course, it influenced me, maybe not as much in the art style but definitely in creating atmosphere and mood in each piece I make.
This is something I still try to master, and thanks to a bunch of taffers who support me, now I have a Patreon page where I make Thief-related artwork and try to better my craft.
What’s your next creative project?
As some of you may know, a few years back I co-founded Shardstone Assembly together with a good friend of mine. We love making tabletop RPGs in our spare time. We created the world of Scavenger and successfully launched a Kickstarter to crowdfund the physical version of the game which is currently shipping to its backers. We have a lot more ideas for Scavenger and we are constantly working on this project. Go check it out!
Where can people find your art and merchandise?
People can find my artwork and a lot of links for various Thief fan merch on my website Pandemonium Art.