There's been a paragraph or two among the info Bethesda has released about Skyrim regarding improvements to the 3rd person p.o.v. gameplay. I was always aware of the option to adjust the camera to 3rd person, but for some reason I just always played in 1st 99.99% of the time. IMO, it's more natural to the game and immersion. However, I wanted to know how the rest of TES community played and maybe some of the reasons they think one is better than the other.

First person. I honestly cannot fathom why anybody would disagree (although obviously some people will. People do like to be difficult).

I'm so used to playing in 1st person in TES games now that 3rd person will have to be really good to get me to change - I remember trying to fight something in 3rd person in Oblivion and it was really not good. :confused: Don't remember ever trying 3rd person in Morrowind, although I can't imagine it was massively better in that game either.

1st person.

First. Ever since Arena/Daggerfall.

Never did third in Morrowind or Oblivion.

I play in 1st person only. But I know some people who spend a lifetime collecting or making just the perfect outfit, which they then also want to admire, so they play in 3rd person.

3rd person isn't suitable for TES... Only good to check your look.

Lacks the precision you get in first person to pick up and activate things. And immersion of course.

I play in first person but sometimes like to view my char in third.

I played first person in oblivion and morrowind... but I did so mainly just cuz the player animations in third person looked so bad lol. Jumping was ugly and unnatural. It was hard to pick stuff up a lot of the time. If just wasn't a great experience compared to first.person.. now third person has some potential.. stealth characters could very well prefer this p.o.v so they can see around easier. But unless they REALLY improve the way it handled... first person is the way to go.

I play in 3rd person 99% of the time. When I've spent literally hours creating the look and feel of my character, why would I not want to see the fruit of my labours. if I was to play in 1st person all the time then why even bother making a cool character I'll never see? I do use 1st person for looting though, it's easier to grab the right items for obvious reasons.


How is it difficult? When i weigh immersion against character design, immersion loses. I put too much effort and work into making my character look just right to spend all my time not seeing him/her. I don't need a 1st person point of view to be immersed in the game, if the writing, acting and gameplay is solid then I am just as involved in 3rd person.

I'm roleplaying a character, not myself, I don't need to see the world through my own eyes to do that.

Oblivion's 3rd person svcked so bad. I would use 3rd person if it was decent for anything more than horseback. I found marksman and magic nearly impossible.
I do like looking at my red Khajiit though...

I like this topic.

I would like to say about 75% of my game is spent in first-person just because it's easier to explore the world and engage in combat.

I love the third person view however, as I like to witness the sheer glory of my painstakingly custom made character as they triumphantly parade through the city streets boasting rare weapons and armor.

To be honest, I don't mind switching between the two.

But if there's better third person, I'm all for it.

The only reason to use third person is to see around corners while stealthing around, and to get a look at your character (especially in Fallout New Vegas, I would go in third person when I was just running around to look at my badass character)
But for combat? Why would you ever use third person?
Although they are saying that it is going to be improved so third person combat is viable, but I still probably won't use it.,

I always use first person, but sometimes when I'm just walking around, I use third person to look at how cool my character looks

Bit of both. have no trouble playing completely in 3rd person, but it did take a lot of getting used to at first.

You make it sound like playing in 3rd view is beyond weird...



Anyway, im constantly switchin between 1st and 3rd when im exploring.
At Least i find it impossible to fight in 1st.


Would be nice to have 3rd person crosshair in Skyrim by the way. Optional. :whistling:

Both. Since animations are improved I want to see the finisher moves and in action. I can't imagine they look as good in 1st since you can only see the pc's hands and arms as opposed to the whole body..

Mix of both.
Mostly first person but I like walking around in third person some times.

I usually play 1st person but occasionally I will play in third person, but not for long. I really only use third person to look at my character. However I might play them both equally in skyrim, I'm not sure yet. I like the new 3rd person view though.

I think it'd be pretty awesome if Beth made a smooth/natural zoom out when you do your finishing move if you're playing 1st.

Perhaps, but seeing my character in the occasional vanity mode or in the equipment menu is enough for me.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I still can't imagine playing in third person over first though.

I also use both of 'em. When I'm using bows and sneaking in dungeons 1st person is a must. But I like to use 3rd person in open areas and in battles against multiple enemies. Maybe 3rd person feels natural because I play as my character not as "myself".

I use 1st person on all games that let me, unless it suppose a really great disavantage and then even use sometimes.

1st person. It's just more realistic and feels like you're actually in the world in my opinion

In Oblivion, 1st person most of the time, but I do like 3rd for certain things. Mostly if I'm out exploring, and I get to some high ground, I'll switch to third and pan out to check out the area around me, make sure there are no monsters, see what's there. Sometimes the grass is too high, so switching to third lets me see over it. I do check out my character from time to time. In combat though, 100% 1st.

In Morrowind, I don't think I use third for much at all.