Thief (2014): Where to Begin

May the Sunflower
4 min readAug 19, 2021

Thief is an obscure video game that came out in 2014, was critically panned and commercially lackluster, and hasn’t been talked about much since. Well, I’ve been talking about it. I’ve been talking about it this whole time. I’ve been writing here for over three years now about it.

I understand this Thief project can be daunting, in both its scope and its bizarre topic. That’s why I’ve created a list of pieces of writing that I think exemplify, explain, and explore the idea behind this project. Reading these pieces will give you a good overview of what I’ve used this project to do, and will let you know if you’re interested in reading any of the other pieces. Please enjoy!

Thief (2014): A New Beginning

In which I introduce the project and set the stakes. Pretty important to even standing a chance understanding anything to follow.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/thief-2014-a-new-beginning-a5e80ecc3bc4

“A Day in the Life”

In which I break down time in the (Day? Night?) of a thief.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/a-day-in-the-life-2a0d0f404c34

Wondering

In which my mind wanders on my nightly filch.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/picking-the-5th-apartment-that-night-clean-of-its-silverware-1825918996af

Reload Save

In which I attempt to rejoin a story already in progress. It can be so hard to remember what I was thinking.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/reload-save-6289f34353e8

It’s The End Of The World And I Feel Fine

In which I gallop on rooftops.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/its-the-end-of-the-world-and-i-feel-fine-8b8df1fc4f11

A Day in the Life of a Guard

In which a guard speaks to himself about his life.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-guard-f3c5e04eb910

Up high no one can see me…

In which I lament that no one looks up these days.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/up-high-no-one-can-see-me-bec25d6d8435

Poppy

In which I hallucinate.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/poppy-7d147c207829

Food

In which my hunger compels me.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/food-c46bd9cf7521

The Wrench

In which I examine a frustration I have with the wrench mechanic in the game, and what it can teach me.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/the-wrench-52a12db3e2d1

Building

In which I argue both for and against argumentation.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/building-417521bfb1f5

Found on the Side of a Bar

In which I’m struck by the speed of months.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/found-on-the-side-of-a-bar-f25ff815e250

Eye Contact

In which I address the loneliness of Garrett.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/eye-contact-def406462064

Another Unsolved Case

In which we see the aftermath of a burglary.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/another-unsolved-case-319591cc838b

Developer Update #1

In which I rally my energy and set off ahead.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/developer-update-1-ef54e0837107

I’m Getting Away With Something

In which I complain about how much I enjoy this stupid game.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/im-getting-away-with-something-e70761df1fd2

Developer Update #2

In which I find myself Thiefless.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/developer-update-2-6b34bb0f8451

Jupiter Ascending

In which I explore my love for works of grand failure.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/jupiter-ascending-2052966b9db1

The Man Who Gives You Wire

In which we meet a man with a tool and a grudge.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/the-man-who-gives-you-wire-fb47b4c2a562

First of the Month

In which I question Garrett’s motives.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/first-of-the-month-702283c1ad65

Blue on Blue

In which I reset my objectives.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/blue-on-blue-c8bd68d0f2cf

How to Write a Poem

In which I share some helpful advice to any young writers out there.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/how-to-write-a-poem-a403eb6e6498

Developer Update #3: What Do Games Have To Teach Us About Me?

In which I expand the scope of the project, and commemorate my growth.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/developer-update-3-887ba13a0ac4

Capuchin Pilferer

In which we meet a little scamp.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/capuchin-pilferer-8be960169c14

Prey (2017)

In which we enter Lorenzo Calvino’s office.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/prey-5764fbfce22

20/1/4

In which I miss a milestone, in more ways than one I’m afraid.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/20-1-4-35e23386da7b

A Prayer for a Lockpick

In which Garrett displays a moment of superstition.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/a-prayer-for-a-lockpick-7692e9e07bcf

Document: Caged Birds

In which a Lieutenant billows.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/document-caged-birds-bb6370b5c326

Ector’s Emporium

In which a new (Ally? Threat?) is discovered.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/ectors-emporium-bd634effe532

Tone, Corrections, and The Gloom

In which I interrogate my means, if not my meaning.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/tone-corrections-and-the-gloom-e89b1453b8a9

Elias Baxter

In which we meet a young boy of no importance.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/elias-baxter-72e56cf280de

The Crippled Burrick

In which this boy meets a man of no repute.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/the-crippled-burrick-eea1ae0cfd7b

{0124}

In which I learn a new way to write.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/0124-50fdba88c533

Starting Over

In which I ramble about my desire to start over.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/starting-over-8d79b81bfd6d

Alien: Isolation

In which I share my time alone with you, the reader.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/alien-isolation-a8a5fcbcee30

What I Like About Lists

In which I list.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/what-i-like-about-lists-c67eac176660

Yearning

In which I stretch and yawn and dream of greatness.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/yearning-cca6e75e391e

5 AM

In which we all cannot sleep.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/5-am-b41f6b5beb5

1/23/21

In which … well, I guess I’m just not sure.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/1-23-21-da9ce8db2521

Developer Update #4

In which I start over.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/developer-update-4-11fc9b8ce3bd

Day By Day

In which I find myself untethered from the linear passage of time.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/day-by-day-86f7c74228e5

Signs of the Sojourner

In which I remember a complicated experience shared with my mother.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/signs-of-the-sojourner-4ee8f1e30de7

Legacy

In which I negotiate what I will leave behind.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/legacy-b893bcc94604

Projection Into the Looking Glass

In which I talk a lot more about myself than I meant to.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/projection-into-the-looking-glass-287e60fd5cb9

The City is Built on the Previous City

In which a rope falls past all of history.

https://hardheadtur.medium.com/the-city-is-built-on-the-previous-city-e066a56292c4

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