Light Gem

The light gem in the first two games.

The "Light Gem" or "Visibility Gem" indicates to the player how visible Garrett is by brightening or darkening according to the light level of his position and informs the player how well guards or other NPCs in the vicinity may be able to see Garrett if they are looking in his direction. It is a permanent part of the Heads Up Display at the bottom-center of the screen.

Appearance

In Thief: Deadly Shadows, the Light Gem is integrated with the Compass, while in the other games, Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age, the compass is a separate inventory item. Also in the third installment, the darkest shade is represented by a deep blue, while in the other games, the darkest shade is nearly black with a tinge of green, and there is a tiny secondary indicator on the right end of the gem, which changes from black for safety, to yellow for caution, to red for danger.

Thief: Deadly Shadows

Invisible

Camouflaged

Noticeable

Visible

See also

• Undetected Approach, using the Light Gem and Sound effects to remain unseen.