THIEF FINDER
Custom Service · Vertical Action Mini-Game
Game Overview
THIEF FINDER is a vertical action mini-game where players patrol an area as a security officer, searching for thieves hiding in various spots. The game uses a Panning mechanic that makes the world wider than the screen, so players must scroll around to find their targets.
Objective
Challenge players to find and catch thieves using camera panning and quick tap-based captures, with hybrid controls for different play styles.
Platform
Optimized for mobile with swipe/drag gestures and directional buttons. Also supports desktop play with keyboard and mouse controls.
How to Play
Patrol the area as a security officer and capture thieves before they escape.
Scan
Pan the view left or right to search for hidden thieves using swipe/drag gestures or arrow buttons on screen edges.
Catch
Once a thief appears, quickly tap the target to fire a net and capture them instantly before they escape.
Speed is Key
If you are too slow, the thief triggers a smoke bomb and escapes, resulting in a lost scoring opportunity.
Auto-Patrol
Enable the automated bot system that patrols and captures thieves within the current field of view when you’re AFK.
Thief Types
Common Thief
Black & white striped outfit
Stays on screen the longest and appears very frequently. The easiest target to catch for steady points.
Suited Thief
Dark suit and a mask
Shorter appearance window but rewards higher points. Requires quicker reflexes to capture.
Lightning Thief
Small and moves rapidly
Usually spawns right at the edge of the screen. Extremely fast — only the sharpest players can catch them.
The Boss
Carries a large money bag
Accompanied by thick smoke. Must be caught immediately for massive bonus points before vanishing.
Main Features
360-ish Panning
The game environment is wider than the screen, so players need to pan around to check all areas.
Randomized Escape
Every thief has a random appearance duration, so players never know how long they have to react.
Auto-Patrol System
When the player is AFK, a bot automatically captures thieves in the current view (points capped).
Development Insights
Building THIEF FINDER involved solving specific technical challenges to make the game work well across devices.
Off-screen Spawning
Calculating spawn points to be near the edge of the view — just enough to encourage panning without making targets impossible to find.
Visual Feedback
Ensuring the Smoke Screen effect is distinct enough to signal a failed capture, preventing player confusion during fast-paced gameplay.
Panning Sensitivity
Calibrating scroll speed so it feels comfortable — not too slow, not fast enough to cause motion sickness.
