This page is for the 1998 game. For the 2014 reboot, see Thief.
Key points
- TFix helps run the game on modern systems.
General information
- TTLG Forums - Thief Series
- TTLG Forums - modding & mission design
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
- An updated version of the original demos is available.
Version differences
- Thief: Gold includes extra missions and some other enhancements.
- You can "downgrade" an installation of Thief: Gold to Thief: The Dark Project if you want to play the game as originally published by using GoldToDark.
Essential improvements
Unofficial Patches
NewDark is an fan-developed update patch to the Dark Engine that let Thief: The Dark Project / Thief: Gold runs on modern systems.
- Can be applied alongside TFix for additional improvements. Later versions of TFix also have NewDark pre-installed.
GoldToDark is a "downgrade" community patch that will convert Thief Gold into the original Thief: The Dark Project.
- This must be used on a clean installation of Thief Gold.
- TFix can be installed thereafter and should correctly detect that you are using The Dark Project instead of Thief Gold.
TFix is an "upgrade" patch that updates the game with NewDark, which improves compatibility for modern systems.
- Features many mission fixes and optional texture mods.
- The GOG release has an out-of-date, stripped-down version of this patch. It's highly recommended that you download the latest version of TFix.
- Restart the current mission (or progress to the next one) after patch installation. Otherwise you may encounter various issues, such as torches that don't properly go out when extinguished.
Skip intro videos
Tell intro not to play[citation needed]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Open
cam.cfg using Notepad.
- Add the line
skip_intro to the file and save it.
|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- Configuration files are:
cam.cfg
(basic settings, resolution), cam_ext.cfg
(NewDark advanced settings), cam_mod.ini
(Mod and fan mission options), install.cfg
and user.bnd
(key bindings).
Save game data location
- Fan mission saves are kept in the mission's folder.
Video
In-game video settings (GOG.com version).
In-game resolution settings (GOG.com version).
In-game general video settings (retail version).
In-game advanced video settings (retail version).
Set FOV[citation needed]
|
- Install TFix and set the resolution you want in-game.
- If your FOV is not detected correctly go to the installation folder and edit
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
;fov 90 to fov ## with the FOV you want.
- Save your changes and relaunch the game.
|
Set windowed mode[citation needed]
|
- Install TFix.
- Go to the installation folder.
- Edit
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
;force_windowed to force_windowed .
- Save your changes and set your chosen resolution in-game.
- For borderless fullscreen windowed mode choose the desktop resolution in-game.
|
- Installing TFix enables Vsync by default. Vsync can be disabled.
Disable Vsync[citation needed]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Edit
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
;vsync_mode 0 to vsync_mode 0 and save your changes.
|
Set frame rate and correct game speed[citation needed]
|
- Go to the installation folder.
- Edit
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
framerate_cap 100.0 to framerate_cap ### with the FPS you want.
- Change
;phys_freq 60 to phys_freq 60 and save your changes.
- For more than 250 FPS change
SlowFrame 4 to ;SlowFrame 4
|
Input
In-game control settings.
In-game key map settings (1/4).
In-game key map settings (2/4).
In-game key map settings (3/4).
In-game key map settings (4/4).
Audio
In-game audio settings (GOG.com version).
Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
Separate volume controls |
|
Master volume and ambient sound (usually controls background music in addition to atmospheric sound effects, like machinery). |
Surround sound |
|
See EAX support. Up to 7.0 output.[1] May require DirectSound 3D restoration software for non NewDark versions. |
Subtitles |
|
Supported since NewDark 1.22. Simply update the game with the latest TFix, go to this page, and follow the instructions. |
Closed captions |
|
|
Mute on focus lost |
|
|
EAX support |
|
A3D 1.0, EAX 1[2] |
EAX support
- Thief features enhanced 3D sound effects that originally required a Creative sound card with special EAX drivers. To use EAX effects on modern systems, do the following:
Install patch and OpenAL[citation needed]
|
- Install NewDark using TFix.
- Install OpenAL 2.1.0.0.
- In the game go to Options, Audio, and change Hardware Acceleration to OpenAL. EAX can now be used.
|
Localizations
VR support
Issues fixed
- A detailed forum thread for technical difficulties is available on the Through The Looking Glass forum.
Crashes on multi-core systems
Install TFix[citation needed]
|
Install NewDark via TFix.
|
Videos do not play
Install TFix[citation needed]
|
Install NewDark via TFix.
|
Set game in compatibility mode for Windows 98 / Windows ME
|
Gamma slider has no effect on gamma/brightness
TFix and config tweak[citation needed]
|
Install NewDark via TFix.
If you still can't change gamma:
- Go to the installation folder.
- Open
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
;d3d_disp_no_rgb10_buf to d3d_disp_no_rgb10_buf .
- If running in windowed or borderless fullscreen mode, change
;d3d_disp_sw_cc to d3d_disp_sw_cc
- Save the file.
|
Retail version won't install
- Owners of the original disc version may encounter problems when attempting to install on modern operating systems.[3]
Copy files manually
|
- Copy the THIEF folder found on the first disc to a non-protected folder (e.g. C:\Games\)
- Copy the THIEF folder found on the second disc to the folder you have previously created, overwriting the first folder.
- Install TFix.
|
Low frame rate in fullscreen mode
- Thief has frame rate issues in fullscreen mode on Windows 8 and later.
Install TFix[citation needed]
|
Install NewDark via TFix.
|
Lag on strong PC's
TFix and config tweak[citation needed]
|
Install NewDark via TFix.
- Go to the installation folder.
- Open
cam_ext.cfg .
- Change
d3d_disp_no_rgb10_buf to ;d3d_disp_no_rgb10_buf .
- Save the file.
|
Laggy/jittery mouse input
Use MarkC's Mouse Acceleration Fix
|
- Go to this website.
- Follow the instructions on the site.
|
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
6, 9 |
DirectX 9 requires NewDark/TFix. |
Software renderer |
|
|
Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware
|
Middleware |
Notes |
Audio |
DirectSound, OpenAL |
OpenAL requires NewDark/TFix. |
View bob
- By default, Thief: The Dark Project has view bob that may cause motion sickness.
Edit the configuration file[citation needed]
|
- Open
<path-to-game>\cam_ext.cfg with a text editor.
- Find the line ;bob_factor 0.3.
- Remove the semicolon and set the value to 0.
bob_factor 0.0
|
Mods
- Standalone FM loader where you can manage, install, and play all of your FMs in one place.
- Supports Thief 1, Thief 2, Thief: Deadly Shadows and System Shock 2.
- Well maintained and open source.
Fan Missions
A large number of Fan Missions, many of very high quality, have been produced for the Thief games.
- A categorised list is available here.
- Some of the older FMs for Thief Gold and the Dark Project suffer compatibility issues when played with TFix/NewDark. An ongoing effort to preserve, test and fix these missions has resulted in a series of patches.
Running Fan Missions[citation needed]
|
- Install TFix and ensure the installer option to create a shortcut to the FM Selector is checked. If you did not check this option, add the command line argument
-fm on a Thief desktop shortcut or in the Steam interface.
- Start FM Selector using this shortcut.
- Select a folder for installed missions and an FM .zip archive path when prompted. Do not put the archive path inside the FMs folder or vice-versa, otherwise things will not work correctly.
- To install a mission, drop its .zip file (do not extract it) into your chosen archive path, start the selector, double click the mission/zip file name and select 'Ok'. It has now been extracted to the installed missions folder.
- Launch the mission by double-clicking the name again. To launch the original game select 'Skip FM' in the lower-left corner.
|
Texture mods
Enhancement Pack 2.0
The Enhancement Pack 2.0 is an updated version of the original Enhancement Pack (which is included in TFix and is much less comprehensive). This contains higher-quality reproductions of original textures and objects. Also works with Thief II: The Metal Age.
The Necro Project
The Necro Project pack is very similar to the Enhancement Pack 2 but focuses on giving the game a slightly darker, noir look. Somewhere between the EP2 and HD Mod in lore accuracy. Also works with Thief II: The Metal Age.
Thief Gold HD Texture Mod
The Thief Gold HD Texture Mod adds new textures, effects and enemy skins to all original missions. Significantly alters the game's graphical style (far more than the two packs above). The mod is compatible with Thief: The Dark Project and Thief Gold. Includes a tool to configure advanced graphics settings (Anti-Aliasing, Bloom, etc.). An FAQ with installation steps is available.
Thief Gold ESRGAN Texture Pack
Thief Gold textures upscaled 4x using AI, more accurate to the original textures than other texture packs, but of less resolution than other alternatives.
It is far higher in resolution and detail than the original textures however. Provides a more vanilla but HD look for the game.
Can be found at this Through the Looking Glass forum post or at ModDB.
Thief Gold HQ Paintings Pack
Standalone addition of the ESRGAN mod for Thief Gold and Thief II: The Metal Age. All paintings from the game being manually recreated using real-life originals from online galleries in HQ 1024x1024 resolution. Could be used with any other modifications.
ModDB Link or TTLG Forum
Additional mods
Sound effects enhancement pack
This mod provides cleaned-up and resampled sound files for Thief Gold and Thief II: The Metal Age. The quality difference is particularly noticeable when wearing headphones.
Upscaled Cinematics pack
ESRGAN Video Pack provides AI upscaled cinematics with 320x240->640x480 size enhancement and 15->30 fps conversion with filtering compression artifacts of the original videos. Requires TFix to work. ModDB link to Upscaled Cinematics
There is also 60 FPS version version from another modder.
It's a part of the Thief Gold ESRGAN Texture Pack, but can be installed standalone.
Thief Gold Fresh UI.
This mod provides a new UI for Thief Gold.
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
95 |
98 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 166 MHz
| Intel Pentium 266 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
32 MB |
64 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
210 MB |
230 MB |
Video card (GPU) |
SVGA video card 1 MB of VRAM DirectX 6 compatible
| SVGA video card and a 3D accelerator card 4 MB of VRAM |
Sound (audio device) |
100% DirectX 6.0 compatible sound card |
Aureal Vortex for A3D 1.X EAX 1 compatible device like SoundBlaster Live!, Audigy or X-FI |
Other |
4x CD-ROM drive |
8x CD-ROM drive |
- The system requirements for NewDark/TFix- and by extension those for the GOG.com release- are higher than the original requirements listed here.
Notes
References