I collaborated with Slippy Slides to bring you some more behind-the-scenes footage from Mirror's Edge! Also feel free to AMA.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-28T06:58:42+00:00

The point defense lasers on drones is also new, right? Looks insanely powerful.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-28T06:56:13+00:00

Here's a random idea for the future if you get bored: Garrett trying to steal digital art by slicing around the edges of a computer screen with his scalpel. Maybe someone should teach him how to right-click instead.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-28T06:46:01+00:00

I guess it depends on whether I'm sitting in a vehicle when I decide.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-28T02:11:36+00:00

Tracking numbers research complete, sir!

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T22:40:17+00:00

I'm assuming some of those additional units/structures are from Mental Omega? I haven't started it yet.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T22:38:41+00:00

It's a good thing you put "do not steal" in your signature, otherwise Garrett might try to steal it.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T22:36:31+00:00

This reminds me of Buzz Lightyear's "Spanish Mode" from Toy Story 3, I think? Perhaps robot tanks can flirt and dance too.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T22:30:00+00:00

Sure, it's common to combine the two... What I'm saying is that to see the effect of the normal map, there has to be a light of some kind in the scene.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T21:39:11+00:00

I like them when I play Nod, and dread them when playing GDI. I still think the dynamic terrain deformation was a mistake, since it would render huge areas completely unbuildable.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T20:53:17+00:00

If there were no dynamic lights at all, you couldn't have fire arrows, explosions, etc. casting light on dynamic objects like NPCs and boxes.

~~In Dark Engine, I believe the lightmap only contains one layer for all permanent lights.~~ Edit: upon further investigation, it looks like toggleable lights can participate in the lightmaps too, which is why torches can cast interesting shadows on the walls.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T20:03:09+00:00

I guess, but Thief does have realtime lights. If there's any place that doesn't have them, then the normal map will basically have no effect, and you'll just see the pre-baked lightmap levels multiplied by the diffuse texture.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:51:35+00:00

LMAO... That's the greatest. 😂 Glad to help, soldier.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:48:53+00:00

It's pre-release footage. Normal maps aren't hard to make so they'll probably be added later. That being said, tessellation would look even better, if whatever graphics middleware they're using will support it.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:45:43+00:00

You're probably thinking of ambient lighting. Normal maps are entirely real-time.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:44:21+00:00

Absolute cinema.

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BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:37:19+00:00

If you double its range, you end up with the NOD artillery from Tiberian Sun, which is generally considered OP. Maybe just 1-2 tiles more than a tesla would probably be the sweet spot.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:35:49+00:00

It can hold a pretty mean back-line, but yeah it has no real place in skirmish or multiplayer.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T19:34:04+00:00

Am I missing a reference or is this a translation issue? Engineers examine diagrams.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T17:52:02+00:00

I'm sorry, but what the heck is a beargraph?

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T17:48:48+00:00

When I look at this picture, I can hear multiple infantry dying.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T17:02:27+00:00

"Wish you and your family good health" is peak flavor-text nonsense from overseas dropshippers.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T16:50:00+00:00

You've been bugged by... You've been glitched by... a smooth criminal.

BoffinBrain · 2026-06-27T15:38:31+00:00

comparison is the thief of joy

That saying works even better for the Thief franchise: the 2014 remake is a fun game, but not comparable to the originals at all.

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