January 20th

The update is live, here is a http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/01/20/skyrim-s-dragon-shouts.aspx.



Dragon Shouts!

Just a reminder the http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1159301-dragons/ thread is also for discussion on all things about Dragons, including Dragonshouts.

If you have a question feel free to ask.

I heard there were high res versions of the screens somewhere.

So it will work kinda like http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5cNBX6j-ie8#t=4s ?

Lol...nice

You gotta love the pic of the snow covered ruined temple on the second page

Also on the second page there: Not only do the dragons and the Greybeards recall this long-dead language, but many other creatures in the world do as well. Included among them are the undead draugr, ancient Nord warriors who will call out in dragon language from their skeletal frames, threatening to pull you down to join them.

Yes, like that. :lmao: Except more epic.

I like the Dragon Shouts system, although two things kind of worries me...

1) I hope they level it the way it doesn't overshadow the default magic system, or even the combat and stealth, too. From the article, it certainly does looks like it's greatly overshadowing them.

2) I really don't like that every race (supposeadly) could learn Dragon Shouts. The Thu'um was initially a Nord-exclusive feature, maybe with the exception of Tiber Septim (although I think he was a Nord, too), and extending it to all other races is kind of oversimplifying the lore, IMO...it's like Nords suddenly become cannibalistic because they've also made the Green Pact.

Nice update.

I just fear that our hero ends up being very powerful. And being Dragonborn also means that everyone knows who you are. And thus many factions, such as
Dark Brotherhood might be unavailable or it might be very silly to be such hero and same time being in guild like that. In Oblivion we where just sidekick and it worked.


But anyway. We are able summon dragons? And there will be 60 words, which means that there will be 60 dragons to slay.

Despite the Pagliarulo influence* present in the Thu'um/Dragon Shout mechanics, I'm actually kind of psyched now.

*Disclaimer: I'm sure he's a decent enough fella, but his design/narrative choices in past Bethesda games really irk me. But from what I can tell about Skyrim (provided he stays away from the main quest), this might be the game where he gets it right.

Really? Bloodmoon was a hell of an expansion. I loved it...

In Morrowind there was no problem with you being a member of any guild and the Nerevarine at the same time. Remember, Elder Scrolls is about doing whatever you want whenever you want.

Also, we will be able to learn a dragon shout that is the 'true' name of A dragon. Note not dragons. We will be able to force him to come to our aid. Also, no. You learn words by reading them on walls/tablets etc in hidden places like dungeons and such. There will be no set limit of dragons. They are a regular threat in the game world we will have to deal with.

Eh, it wasn't as good, IMO, as the main game.

And the less said about the Dark Brotherhood (SITHISSSSSSSS!) and Fallout 3's main quest, the better.

I don't think it was ever exclusive to the Nords because the Akaviri had the same (or similar) ability.

From http://www.imperial-library.info/content/morrowind-children-sky:

I also enjoyed the DB questline. I even put it before Oblivion's MQ, in terms of quality. I felt like a *real* assasin, especially when working with "Lucien". And the twist the story has is very nice and unexpected.

And better not talk about the Mages Guild' one...



uhmm...didn't remembered the kiai. Still, it makes me feel a bit unconfortable...

The Dark Brotherhood quests are some of the best designed.




Secondly, I looove the idea of Dragon Shouts and it actually gives casual players a reason to go out and explore instead of just complete the main question in 20 or so hours.(not saying I'm casual hehe)

I hope that the dragon-shouts encompass a myriad of abilities that aren't covered by traditional magic already.

I'm reassured with the cases of bullet-time, calling a dragon, and implied short-range teleportation dashes.
It all sounds amazing, but I am a bit wary of the execution of this idea.

Ok cool I understand the need of shouts to combat mighty dragons, but to me it feels like it throws the character balance and progression off course. I hope shouts wont do damage, instead enhance your character. It should be something like this in importance.

Skills>Equipment>level>player skills>beards>dragon shouts

In terms of what makes your character powerful

*edit: forgive my ignorance :hubbahubba:

You forgot having a mighty beard. That is certainly the most important. As for all you Argonians you can have awesome http://www.vromansbookstore.com/files/vromansbookstore/bearded_dragon.jpg

Also: Flowing Khajiit manes of pure, testosterone fueled freedom?!

Nice to get a more detailed update, but sheesh... GI's writing and designer quotes continue to seem incredibly uninspired.

" 'It is... cool. You can do this, sort of shout stuff... and... it allows you to be powerful.' Bethesda have ensured that some players will enjoy the game's very deep lore, if they like that sort of thing, maybe, also the game is impressive, there are dragon shouts and things. "

I guess it'd be too much to ask for any of their writers to actually be passionate about and invested in fantasy worlds, or you know, be Elder Scrolls fans.

[/unreasonable criticism]


Reading between the lines, this sounds like a great gameplay system. The collectible nature of the words and powers appeals to me a lot. I just hope it doesn't overshadow the more fundamental aspects of character progression, as it's inherently plot- and main quest-specific and is more akin to the PC progressions of more linear RPGs (where the main quest defines the protagonist's abilities). Then again, we can no doubt ignore the Shouts altogether -- or integrate them into our own roleplay differently than intended -- if we want, so I really can't fault the system.

I loved the spiked beard picture. If only they decided to add 2001 steps to the 7000...then we can say OVER 9000.

The best thing about the implementation of Thu'um is that it promises that Skyrim will have stronger cultural identity than Oblivion.

I am of Scandinavian Descent, so living in Skyrim will be like taking a trip back in time.

I'm Norwegian and the first screenshot looks a lot like the mountains around where I grew up