If we lose a feature, it's very possible I'll be among those griping and complaining about it, but we'll complain more if we get one that's half finished or broken. My point is, don't be afraid to cut a feature on time constraint. You can always save the half-finished code to complete on an expansion. Just don't cut things deliberately, please. :tongue:

Trying to out-do cool fights on (insert game here) is also a pretty bad idea. Unless we're going to spend a lot of time in those cool fights, it might be better to create content that we're going to see a lot of throughout the game. A new weapon class or quest line could easily make up for not having an epic boss fight. The time people spend still playing your game is time they have to tell their friends what game their playing, and how expansive it is. Cool boss fights are a dime a dozen.

Yep. This is part of why I am against crafting and more actiony combat.

Crafting isn't real time and just table/database work. It doesn't add too much complexity, other than having to create the tables/database.
Crafting is in fact partly already in the game in the form of alchemy mixing - transform something into something else.
But it have to be skill based. If it's based on sub skills I would say go for durability, materials and complexity (as mastering perks).

The boss fights in Oblivion were a dime a dozen because no effort was made to make them different. They were bandit leaders and marauder chiefs and such. I can't recall anything noteworthy about fighting Manimarco. Only the final battle in the temple on that paradise plane, the three vs one battle made somewhat of an impression. There need to be more situations that limit your options. Skyrim boss battles needs tactics, where weapons and spells matter, position is important, and options are limited in such a way that playing as normal won't win the fight. You say that cool battles are a dime a dozen, but Shivering Isles will change your mind at the battle at either Pinnacle Rock or Brellach. Cool is not the same as a well prepared, tailored experience.

Please speak for yourself. I want epic battles and lots of features, and then it doesnt matter if it is as good as other games which main focus is battle. If they just make an effort optimizing the battle system I'll be very happy, cause it svcked in Oblivion