‘Help! I’ve been spotted!’ Terry Pratchett on Thief, his favourite video game

In the early 2000s, the Discworld author frequented a forum dedicated to the Thief series of stealth games. His posts provide a fascinating insight into his fondness for gaming

In November 2001, Terry Pratchett was in Chester, famed for its Roman ruins and well-preserved medieval architecture. Staying at a hotel in the city centre, Pratchett opened the window of his room, and looked across the historic skyline. I realised I could drop down on to a roof," he wrote later. And from then on there was a vista of roofs, leads and ledges leading all the way to the end of the street and beyond; there were even little doors and inviting attic windows ...

There is a line break, and then he adds. I'm going to have to stop playing this game."