I would like to see what you guys liked/disliked about the arena in the previous games, and what expectations you have for arena(s) in Skyrim.

Personally, I disliked that the enemies were scripted in Oblivion, the fact that you can "finish" by killing all the guys was not my taste. I also didn't like deciding when to fight, it seems like I am managing the arena, whenever I fight there is a fight, or when I want to watch one there is, and when I don't - there are just people practicing in the same place all day. Doesn't feel right.

I hope this is improved for Skyrim and you can always get a random fight in the arena with random foes, and there is more sense of a living arena with special events where higher ranking people also attend etc.
Oh and, maybe more arenas then just one?

there is no "arena" in skyrim as far as we know


there could be illegal wager matches though

And we know very, very little.

I really enjoyed the fact that the fights were scripted in the Oblivion arena. It gave a real sense of progression. The Arena was a faction just like the Mage's Guild. What if every Mage's Guild quest was randomised? It would be boring as ****. By all means sprinkle randomly generated fights over the top, but have some scripted encounters in there to keep things really interesting.

Other than that, I would like to see more variety in the arena itself. A wide open arena is all well and good, but a maze arena could make for some very tense stalking scenarios. There should be lots of traps that affect both you and your opponent(s). There should be tournaments like in Mount and Blade that pit big teams of fighters against each other (even adding horses into the mix).

If anyone has seen the film Gladiator you know what I mean when I say that we should be able to form strong bonds with other fighters on our team. Having a companion out there who really watches your back and compliments (edit: complements. Ha.) your fighting style would lend a lot of personality to any arena in Skyrim.

So, basically, more variety please.

i just assumed that since skyrim is full of nords that every bar was going to be a mini-arena

Oh we may not know much, but I'm sure there will be some kind of Arena to fight in. And I do agree with everything greatcarbuncle added to the discussion, especially the maze arena, and the companion idea.

Maybe after you complete the arena, you could actually take your companion out with you adventuring. I don't suggest a companion system like New Vegas though, since a big part of TES for me is clearing dungeons single handedly. Really gives you a feeling of power when you clear out a cave by yourself.

In terms of the scripted vs non-scripted enemies, I would like to see a mix. You could progress by fighting scripted enemies, but you could also opt to fight a lower class than you, which would not raise your rank and would be random.

Easy answer: By making it as hard as possible. I don't mean tedious either, like those NPC's that take 5 minutes to kill, yet your never in any real danger of dying.

I have said it few times, but it doesn't hurt to repeat. I'd like arenas to be similar to those in Gothic 3. That means:

- every village and town can have arena. Arena doesn't need to be huge building always. It can be building, pit in the ground, or just a simple circle surrounded by few short wooden posts connected with a rope.

- you fight to win, you don't fight to kill and defeated NPCs react to you depending on their character (hate you or respect you more)

- In order to fight in big arenas you need to make yourself worthy and respected first. That means beat the arenas in all the villages and other dumps.

It would be also cool that you can challenge or be challenged to a match, and with no killing policy it's safe and not quest breaking.
Of course in Gothic 3 you can kill your opponent (and I'd like the possibility in TES too) but it's against the arena rules to kill opponents and others won't be happy about it.
In G3 there are two rules: already mentioned no kill rule and if you exit arena you lose.

If there's one thing I love about Fable was the Arena.
I think including an arena in the main quest would be great, but I also want it to be repeatable.
also, it would be a good way to add the achievments people want, trophies and such.

Washington is on the right track, don't worry if Beth sticks to Lore you'll have more than your fair share of Arena fights.

Skyrim is dotted with "arenas" called pits

1. Oblivion's Arena progressed too quickly. Good way to make gold, but it didn't make me feel like I needed to do anything but slaughter the enemy three times.

2. lack of variety. Aside from three battles, it was all duels, and the setting was always the same pit.

3. inherently lethal. There was no option not to kill.

Therefore...

1. While the three matches to progress is good, those should be reserved for "ranked" opponents. There should be unranked opponents you get matched up against as well. Only after you win some of these matches should the ranked opponents challenge you.

2. have a few different arena pits, including a naval battle simulation, just like they did in Rome. The variety will spice up the show for a while.

3. Some matches should be to the death. Some should be indeterminate. Some should be KO matches. The "indeterminate" ones should allow you to build a reputation with the fans, etc.

4. Possible revenge matches for the non-lethal matches.

Send in the lions ogres!

I would love matches where you and your opponent recieve the same random weapon and fight. clubs, hatchets, whips, shields only.

spice things up.

Animal fights too should be more common place.

2 ways in the arena

1Questline fighting to up the ranks like so in oblivion and such.

2Random fighting where you pick the stakes and sign up for a battle.

2. types of fights.

Regular 1on1 death match

Nonlethal match where the opponent must be knockedout(lose all fatigue) and whoever fatigues the opponent wins.

Knockout matches same as above but they are knocked out.

varieties

Fight animals and mixes of npcs and animals and monsters.

Fight a mixed matched group fight of same level or mixed ranks.

fight with an arena supplied weapon either choice or by random, also the choice wether your opponent uses the same weapon armor/gear.

Different arenas. traps. pitfalls.

alot of this has been covered before so yeah...