I am disappointed by the location they decided to base the next Elder Scrolls. I was very excited when they announced the previous game as taking place in Cyrodiil, but then ultimately disappointed by how unoriginal and uninteresting the entire game world was. They didn't even design it according to the lore, which, if it had been, would make it a far more unique and interesting place to explore. Now I'm beginning to feel that - like with Oblivion - they're going to end up creating another unoriginal and uninteresting game world. I'm holding a sliver of hope that they'll surprise me, and present something that is as captivating and creative as Morrowind was. I, of course, love the idea of exploring any of the provinces of Tamriel. However, an entire game based within Skyrim seems a little much. I'm once again envisioning forests and mountains, that lead to more forests and mountains, and eventually slightly different colored forests and mountains, with the occasional cave or ruin, all of which have the exact same appearance, and overall similar layouts. Then, dotted amongst the landscape, medieval castles, and towns. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of forests and mountains, I love the idea of caves and ruins, and medieval castles. However, when these things encompass the bulk of the game, and the theme remains consistent with little to no change, it gets stale quick, as Oblivion did. Especially in what is supposed to be a fantasy world, which implies fantastic settings... I hope this seemingly simple thing isn't actually pointing at another dull and uninventive world.

So, for discussion...

How does everyone else feel about the location of choice in The Elder Scrolls V?

What are your expectations for the game world? (in terms of design, appearance, layout, so forth)

If you could change the location to another province, which would you have preferred or wished to see?

I'm just curious how people feel about this, and to see if I'm the only one who really cares this much.

I couldn't be more thrilled with the choice of locale. It's sour graqes to think that it will be a boring, repetitive landscape peppered with sameness and bleh. There is plenty of room here for lots to explore and discover. The rich heritage and history of Skyrim and the Nords alone is enough to fill this game with enough content to keep us going for the next 4-5 years.

Though I agree. They need less of a cookie-cutter approach, and more places that seem like their own place.

I love it

Frozen wastelands, snowy fields, frosty forests, green plains, and stony cliffs and mountains.

Black Marsh

Well we won't know till we see it :shrug:

Personally I would have preferred a different location than Skyrim as I feel there are much more interesting areas.

Nope

Lets not forget that Skyrim is loosly based on Norway aka New Zealand of the north :thumbsup:

All they have to do is incorpirate the various land types of Norway and I'll be happy. Just Google images of Norwegian landscape and I'm sure you'll agree, so much potential variety, lets just hope they make it like that.

EDIT: Typos

Was a bit disapointed back then when the rumors that it's gonna be Skyrim were confirmed by trademark registration. However, meanwhile I got used to the idea and I reckon it can be an interesting setting, IF done well.

My all time dream place is by far Black Marsh, and I hope it will make it in the next Tes, but honestly seeing how they butchered Cyrodiil I'm not very confident that they could make it as fascinating and alien as it should be.

also love it, solsthiem was one of my favorite parts about morrowind. the nordic culture is awesome and i hope they fill this game with so much culture and lore and life that it truelly feels alive (fingers crossed on them succeeding to make radiant ai everything they dreamed)

skyrim is not going to just be snowy mountains and icy forests, etc. the climate and foliage are determined by elevation, this "country" has the highest peaks and great river vallies and everything in between.. this terrain needs to be utilized as it was in morrowind to make the world feel so much bigger through the use of natural walls and weather/fog clouds, angles for lack of a better word, so that we cannot see across the whole map from anywhere.

hmmm tough question. i would also like to see black marsh, or alternatively all of the high rock area or the summerset isles

I'm happy with Skyrim. I really like the premise of devoting one game to each province in Tamriel -- it provides gamesas with years and years of new games to make.

As for skyrim itself, I think gamesas will do that really well -- there will be snow storms, blizzards, craggy cliffs to peer off (or jump off ), haunted castles, graveyards and then forests of pine tree, inhabited by grizzly bears and spriggens.
Towns will pop up from the bleak landscape, making up for the snow with bright livery and flags, markets full of fresh food and vendors selling the best equipment. Wagons will be hauling goods along the rocky roads and every now and again you may spot a dragon in the skies...

None of the things I have listed may be in the game. I may be suprised, or dissapointed, but only for an instant. Because after we all wash away our pressupositions, we will find lurking beneath whatever shell is there, pure Elder Scrolls gaming that, through all the ups and downs, twists and turns, we have stuck by for many years.

Let's face it. Would you really not play Skyrim just because it's set in a snowy wasteland? Or because one skill is different? Or levelling is tweaked? Or anything else?

No. We will all rush out and buy the game, and we will sit down and play it and be once more absorbed into the living, breathing game that is the Elder Scrolls.

Actually I was kind of hoping that the next Elder Scrolls would be set in the cold north so I am pretty happy with the location, however if this game werent set in Skyrim I would be interested in hearing where people such as yourself would have liked to see it set and why?

Second choice for me would probably be Summerset Isle as not much is known about it.

im just hoping they include travel to neighboring morrowind.... i would just die of win. maybe in an expansion...

Not disappointed, as every province has its own potential for interesting places. But of course after the generic almost boring landscape in Oblivion I would have hoped for a strange location, Black Marsh or Elsweyr.

I liked Cyrodiil's landscape and am greatly looking forward to some realistic boreal forests and snow-capped mountains. :shrug:

For all those that think the environment will be the same throughout and have little to no variety.

Look at real world places that are similar in nature to Skyrim, such as Iceland.

Watch this video (In HD):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqfyH4H8pmA

Now tell me a setting like skyrim can't have variety.

There can be quite a bit of variety, from wide open ranges of wheat fields, to dark brooding forests. Light snow-covered grasslands to blizzard packed mountain tops. All the way to ice fields and glaciers/caves. Running rivers/lakes, to frozen waterfalls (or not frozen) and everything in between.

If Beth really really works on making things like snow and Ice look next-gen(IE Snow that has actual depth, sticks to clothing, seasons, etc and Ice that actually reflects light/lets it pass through) I think it can look like one of their best worlds yet.

Oblivion ---> Shivering Isle ---> Skyrim

I'm hopeful and excited.

Why does everyone think it will be bland by judging Oblivion. If I remember right, Oblivion was a make or break game. They didn't have the resources they have now.

As for the OP, honestly I was hoping it would be Summerset Isles. Although, Skyrim would be my second choice.

At first I was unsure of Skyrim but I'm coming round to it more and more, starting to get excited though.

Ever since morrowind I've wanted them to base a TES game in Black Marsh,

I don't know why so many people want to go toSummerset,
a place full of Altmer? Really? Though their big glass City would be cool to see

It should be great. I don't expect it to look that amazing but should be nice to see ice and green meadows so close to each other. It will act as being refreshing.

I am not disappointed in the least with Skyrim as the location. I loved Solstheim, and think that Skyrim will only take it further. I expect giant mountains with cliff-top fortresses, beautiful snowy forests, rushing rivers, bubbling hot springs, an amazing coastline, and extremely detailed villages and cities. Plus, just because it is called Skyrim, doesn't mean it will only take place there. We have no confirmation yet; for all we know it could include High Rock and Hammerfell as well. It is unlikely that it will be anything more than just the province of Skyrim, but I can dream right?

The thing I am hoping for most is coniferous forests. Like the one in the Cryengine 3 demo. I would give a link but I can not find it on youtube right now...

I think that Bethesda has learned that its fans pine for greater environmental diversity, and that they will apply this knowledge to their new game. Vvardenfell was supposedly a volcanic wasteland before Morrowind, but they utilized their creativity to create more diversity there than they could for a supposedly lush jungle (Cyrodiil). The beautiful alpine vistas, lakes, and calderas that they could incorporate into Skyrim have the potential to be singular. Don't be so pessimistic.

After Oblivion, we'll have 3 terrain sets. Snow. Mountain. Snowy Forest.

i mean the name is skyrim but that doesn't mean it will just take place there. morrowind was on vvardenfell, oblivion was in cyrodiil.
skyrim may include high rock, hammerfell, or morrowind.

Vincent, Vvardenfell is part of Morrowind. In Oblivion, half your time was in the Dead Lands (the only realm of Oblivion, lazy Bethesda...)

Yes, lazy Bethesda who spent four years making a huge game... yes... lazy...