9 replies to this topic

[Rogue Sun]

Alright, so I wasn't entirely sure where to put this since we don't have an Oblivion general discussion, but I figured the majority of those who play Oblivion on this forum would look here. The purpose of this thread is to start a conversation on what we think will be in TESV or what we would like to see.

Personally I would really like to travel the whole of Tamriel. Its a big place with a bunch of different cultures and I think being able to see all of those would be really cool. I'm on the fence as to whether I would want it to be an MMO. On one hand getting to do quests with real living companions would be awesome, but at the same time I think I would miss the solitary feel of the game. Perhaps if they incorporated a multilayer function so that you could choose to play with others, but if you wanted you could just do single player as well. Just my thoughts/wishes.

Discuss!

[Rumpleteasza]

I like the idea of the whole of Tamriel in the next game, but feasibly, I just think Beth cannot ever take that level of sheer geographical hugeness again. Arena just about managed it because the game had very little detail (in comparison to it's sequels, that is; for its time it was phenomenal). If you think about it, each ES game has gotten progressively smaller geographically, as its physical bounds are traded for attention to detail. It's a good trade, but you can't really have both.

Most of the speculation I've heard is that TES V will revolve around Summerset Isle. We've had High Rock and Hammerfell (in Daggerfall), more Hammerfell (in Redguard), and Morrowind. I don't think the beast provinces are well-developed enough yet to have an entire game set around them. The lore concerning Aldmer/Altmeri history is absolutely vast, more than any other other lore concentration in the game, so I'd guess TES V: Summerset Isle is a pretty safe bet.

I never had too much interest in the Altmer, though. My heart always lay with High Rock and Hammerfell, since I have such an affection for Daggerfall. Anyway, I don't feel like I've gotten even a quarter of the way through what Oblivion has to offer for me, so I'm not hankering for a new ES installment yet.

I still have whiplash from the changes to Cyrodiil they made for Oblivion, though. What happened to the "vast, unexplored jungle" the province was supposed to be? The current geography is nice, but come on, jungle would have been so cool. I suppose it's less 'accessible fantasy', though.

[Treetop Smoker]

I like the idea of the whole of Tamriel in the next game, but feasibly, I just think Beth cannot ever take that level of sheer geographical hugeness again. Arena just about managed it because the game had very little detail (in comparison to it's sequels, that is; for its time it was phenomenal). If you think about it, each ES game has gotten progressively smaller geographically, as its physical bounds are traded for attention to detail. It's a good trade, but you can't really have both.

Most of the speculation I've heard is that TES V will revolve around Summerset Isle.

Hmmm. I thought Valenwood/Elsweyr will be in TES V.

[Rumpleteasza]

Well, I'm only going from what I've heard in the Lore forum and General TES Discussion on the official boards. I wouldn't rule the other provinces out, but it just seems to me that they've been working up to Summerset Isle for a long time, given the amount of information, history and myth/legend that we have on it.

Of course, that could push it the other way. They might prefer to keep Summerset Isle separate simply because of the amount of lore on it, to keep up its intrigue.

[Ryu Doppler]

There should definitely be a single player mode, and I wouldn't mind if there was a multiplayer mode too. Playing with friends would be a very different experience. Especially if people started getting so into it that they began to roleplay as well! Can you imagine how crazy it would get with Floydian, Treetop Smoker, Luchaire, Soul_Slayer, High Pressure, SeV, Shadow', Spike4072, Greatfool, Kalia, Hector the Hooded, JazzJR, Karandras, Rumpleteasza, DIE 75, Xetirox, Me(Ryu), Yorkmaster, Zombie216, Rainer Fenixhart, Cosmic-Banana, Alexander Wolf, Kimory, and anyone else I missed all in the same game at the same time!!!???

I know it's a big exaggeration. After all, we sadly have other things to do than play Oblivion all day. But it would still be a crazy experience if it did happen. Heh, and I don't even want to think about the lag that would come with it too. If they implemented Mulitplayer, the Devs would likely limit it to less than 8 people Max. But if they implemented a Side-to-Side fighting minigame, they could put in a Fighting Tournament mode. Maybe something like Omicron: The Nomad Soul's fighting minigame. Something different but fun.

What I really would want to see is the implemention of a Missions system of sorts. Fighting Bandits and Monsters is fun and relaxing, but some randomly generated Missions to confront them would make things more interesting. Different Missions types like Assassination Missions, Bounty Missions, Rescue Missions, Delivery Missions, Escort Missions, Party Missions, and then specific missions for Knights, Rogues, Paladins, Mages, Assassins, Bounty Hunters, ect. And Depending on the type of mission, your Infamy or Fame can change. Obviously, someone who only acts as an assassin will not be regarded the same as someone who goes around saving people.

Example: Lets say I play as a Bounty Hunter. In town I find someone who tells me they have a bounty on a NPC. When I accept the mission, a random NPC is generated(with random stats and Equipment) and placed somewhere in the world. This Npc acts like all the others: He eats, sleeps, fights, talks, wanders, and can be killed either by you or something else. You are given the job to find him, and take him in dead or alive(preferably dead, with a bonus for alive.) You learn where he is by tracking his movements through gossip and by tracking his scent(Guard Dogs finally get a purpose!) And when you finally do confront him, either convince him to give up, or force him to. When he's defeated, you return and claim your reward(With bigger rewards for a more dangerous bounty), and gain Fame if the Npc is an evil character, or Infamy if he is a good character.

More types of Armor and clothes would also be nice. Well, variations at least. Not every suit of Steel, Iron, or Leather armor looks the same. They would definitely need to put more adventures type gear in as well. Ryu can't go without a good belt with pouches for long! More Weapons too. And a wider variety of housing/lot ownership and investiment options. Maybe something like in Fable, where you can buy a house/lot if it becomes...ahem...mysteriously vacant...and then live in it or rent it out to others for money. Different types too(From rundown shacks, to huge mansions, castles, keeps, Churches, and anything else! Be abit harder to gain a castle, but the reward is in the effort...)

Random encounters need to be enhanced as well. More types of Enemy Npcs, and Enemy monsters. All with several Varients, and then boss types too(like the varients and bosses in Diablo II, but maybe without the names.)

And better and more indepth conversations! The persuasion minigame was a good idea but it's implemation was very flawed. Plus being able to bribe anyone to undying loyalty is a bit excessive. Only being able to talk to Npcs about a limited range of topics gets boring fast. Make better conversation npcs! Or better yet, talk about a trouble your having and ask me to help you with it for a reward and a raise in disposition(missions). More options always! Imagine being able to respond to a statement several ways(good, bad, sucking up, nonchanlant, not caring at all, ect). It's little things like this that make a game uniquely awesome.

Better AI is undoubtably something that must be in the next game. Not all Npc's fight to the death, and Guards shouldn't chase a man with murderous intent just because he stole a fork. Npc's should be able to yield, and actually sent to jail to serve time. And after awhile, you see them on the street again, talking about how jail was. Situations should play out differently for Npc's because of their AI and it's effect. Not all guards are shining examples. Some should be more accepting of bribes than others(as a combination of alignment and AI). True Holy knights on the other hands should go hostile at the mere mention of a bribe, believing you to be spitting on their good name with such an insult.

Last but not least, an easier, more advanced, more workable, more customisable FaceGen. The whole every slider moves things has to go. And we should be able to type in a number and lock the slider so that it never moves no matter what. Maybe have a face exporter/importer built in for easier uploading too. No undetailed low res textures either. It's the 2007, not 1990.

I could go on to name many more things that I think should be added. Indepth things like random revolts, wandering gangs and warlords, Companions and Relationships(both Friendships and more...ahem...Private Oportunities with some of the lovely ladies of the land) , Factions, Guilds(likely to be tied into the missions), festivals, and ingame touraments/minigames, but it's very unlikely that all of these things would be developed so intently as others.

Hell, half of the things in the whole list from page top to bottom was left to modders in Oblivion. The Devs will likely leave the same to us again. But, It would be great if they were to put in the things we couldn't at least. Or leave the door open to us with some Better modding tools!

Why don't developers realize the potential in game modablility. The more modable the game, the more mods to hook a gamer to it. And with gamers hooked to a game, the more potential to buy expansions/memorabilia/future products/ect. Sure, you lose money, but if you make and advertise a game right it will pay for itself. Look at DooM, Look at Diablo, and better yet, look at Half-Life. I remember getting it in 1998, and even after it's sequal in 2004, it's still one of the best games I've have ever played. Mods extended it's prime life for 6 years! And in that time, people still bought the game inmass, a good chunk in fortune due to Counterstrike. Just because a FPS can do it doesn't mean that no one else can. Any game can do it. TES V could do it, if the Devs only put in the effort. If todays game Designers and Developers won't step up, than there will be a golden spot open for someone to take advantage...hmmm...

But I ramble, I would humbly enjoy TES V so much more, if it only had these things as well:
- Mulitplayer
- Missions must exist in some form!!!
- More Armor, Weapons, and Ownership Options
- More Random enemies and Npcs, with varients and Boss versions
- Better and more Indepth Coversations and Persuasion
- Better and more Realistic AI
- Different and more random Situations
- Better FaceGen
- Many other miscellaneous things, including better tools and more game indepth options and opportunities...

My fingers hurt now...

[Hector the Hooded]

Sorry, can't get in on the multiplayer stuff;). But I'll use it if it is in-game!

[Kaeloree]

Moved to Oblivion Gameplay.

[Rumpleteasza]

Wow Ryu, long list! I hadn't really even thought of the technical sides of things. I guess all my expectations and requirements come in the form of plot and character development. The reason I loved Daggerfall (and Morrowind, but especially Daggerfall) was the fact that the plot was such a huge, sprawling web of intrigue that it took me until I was 15 (that's 3 years... yes, I'm slow ) to actually work it all out and get it properly into place. There were so many fascinating storylines going on that I couldn't pick which one was more interesting. They were intensely political and extremely character driven.

While I love Oblivion and I'll be playing it for a long time, I feel like the plot was almost 2D in comparison to what I was used to from Bethesda. I'd like to see the next game get back to their roots - the main quest as a vast, slow-moving mystery. Part of the problem I felt with Oblivion is summed up very well in this Four Fat Chicks review:

As with all of the Elder Scrolls, it's really up to you whether or not you do anything about it. The main story of Martin Septim and Daedric incursion is just one of approximately ninety million paths you can choose to walk. But in Morrowind and its predecessors, the "main" quests were never particularly urgent; they were more like slow-moving mysteries. You felt free to ignore them because there wasn't any pressure associated with your objectives?or at least none that was readily apparent.

In Oblivion, the world is literally going to hell. From a roleplaying perspective, there's no practical reason not to deal with it immediately, which creates an unpleasant sense of tension and exigency that made me feel very rushed. It disconnected me from the world, made me unwelcome. Morrowind absorbed me. I was part of Vvardenfell. It became my home. I never felt that way in Oblivion. I felt hustled along by an impatient tour guide, because ignoring the main quest would be like playing DOOM and choosing to explore the Martian surface rather than fight the monsters.

Although I love Oblivion, I felt the same uneasiness of being rushed, because I'm a very immersive roleplayer and like to act in the game as I would in real life. I'd like the next ES installment to recapture that feeling of immensity and exploration from the main quest plot, instead of something you're hustled into doing straight away.

[Xetirox]

There should definitely be a single player mode, and I wouldn't mind if there was a multiplayer mode too. Playing with friends would be a very different experience. Especially if people started getting so into it that they began to roleplay as well! Can you imagine how crazy it would get with Floydian, Treetop Smoker, Luchaire, Soul_Slayer, High Pressure, SeV, Shadow', Spike4072, Greatfool, Kalia, Hector the Hooded, JazzJR, Karandras, Rumpleteasza, DIE 75, Xetirox, Me(Ryu), Yorkmaster, Zombie216, Rainer Fenixhart, Cosmic-Banana, Alexander Wolf, Kimory, and anyone else I missed all in the same game at the same time!!!???

I think you got everyone. It...might actually be pretty fun for all of us to be playing together, but unfortunately, the only way I can even envision it being possible is in an MMORPG format, which isn't so fun to me. A fighting minigame where you can take your pimped out avatar and duke it out with others online would be a fun little novelty, but there wold need to be more to it than that to make it a worthwhile feature. And I would personally prefer that Bethesda keeps the focus on the single player aspect, which still has a lot of rough spots, and plenty of room for improvement.

snip

I can understand that point of view, but one thing I never liked about Morrowind's plot was that it never once even tried to motivate you in continuing on with the main quest. You're pushed into completing the prophesy of the main quest just for the sake of...completing the prophesy. But I wanted to know why I would want to do all these tasks. Who is Dagoth Ur? What are his plans and why must he be stopped? What kind of danger does he pose to Vvardenfell, to Morrowind, to Tamriel, or to me? The only clues you have that things are taking a turn for the worst are just numerous pieces of exposition. There's a rumor going around that Dreamers are attacking people on the road. You never actually see such attacks. There's a rumor that the Ghostfence is weakening and blighted creatures are passing through. Throughout the entire plot, however, the Ghostfence remains quite steady. And the worst culprit of all happens after completing the Third Trial. A bounty is placed on your head, and you're warned to stay away from Ordinators. It's only flavor text, really, since Ordinators leave you alone, and no one tries to claim the bounty. Morrowind was just so annoyingly static.

Oblivion, though weak in the immersiveness andworld building side of things, and lacking political intrigue, gave plenty of reason about why the main quest must be done. A city is destroyed, gates to Oblivion begin to appear, Mythic Dawn agents drop their undercover disguises and attack you publicly. The danger in Oblivion was real, and the situation worsens the further into the plot you delve. Oblivion succeeds where Morrowind fails because is does not tell, it shows. Its main weakness, is, yes, it does rush you into things, and never really gives you a reprieve to go off and do your own thing; every step of it is urgent, and I can understand how that can be annoying to some people.

But the two ways to advance a plot to an open-ended game, from "slow-moving-explore-at-your-own-pace" to "imminent-danger-requires-immediate-action" do not need to be mutually-exclusive. The story can start out with things seemingly fine and dandy in the world at large as they were in Morrowind, where the plot can unfold at your own pace realistically, if at all. However, I feel there does need to come a point where things go to hell, and you will be required (plotwise, doesn't need to be gameplay-wise) to take decisive action.

[adcap]

Might as well introduce myself as to which I have been lurking all the forums you guys hang out on and discuss oblivion mods, and the like. Funny thing is I just started playing oblivion, even though I bought it the day it came out. Just didnt grab me? is that the right way to put it? Holy bujebus! yall went nuts in the last two or so years. Last two weeks I have read and read and read on how to's and how nots's and have successfully installed at or around 50 mods. But, what got me playing again was due to the fact having the proper machine to run her. Now im enjoying the heck outta of it.

* Ok, back on topic, I do agree on "Lan" type of multiplayer at least. I would love to play with my wife and kids. We are a family of gaming freaks =).
* MORE quest along the lines of what ryu has mentioned and yes, it would be awesome to be able to have a male/ female toon and be romantic with my wife (maybe not the you know what part, just to freaky), but at least let it be known we are married in game share the humble dewlings etc. "I dont do windows" but cook, you betcha! maybe have an actual family tree and history that can be written around "You" the player.
* Larger world? thats a tuff one, have to be instanced persay, I would be happy with all the areas that are outside the bounderies, now opened. I could deal with that much additional space and be happy, but are we ever happy? LOL.
* YES! Facegen for the love of all thats holy! dont ever make us endure that horrid situation again, let us do it from now on, is that right way to put it?

I could go on, but I just wanted to say thank you folks for keeping the faith and continuing ur undieing support for oblivion, you made it what is and will be. From Enxem to Robert, From the container mods that like to go "blam! blam!" long after you have opened them, from the lighting that scares the helloutta me, The new music scores (lovem), Trolls that just wont die, and even as simple as the new coin mesh, it all adds up, awesome job yall! =)

Great to meet you folks and yes im a male who plays females (Assassin) she still little, been in darn imp city for the last two days, just exploring and chatting.