Romance in skyrim?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Kyi0WNg40

six =/= romance.

Edit: In a related note, there doesnt need to be sixual content for there to be romance or relationships(friends).

It's their weakest link, all companies must strive to improve. However, they shouldn't remove as they attempt to reach higher levels of new content. Sadly all too many game developers do this. So I like it, but only if it at a later point doesn't become take on a gigantic critical focus that detracts from other aspects of the game. I look forward to seeing what Beth can do, they have Bioware and then the kings of real character CD Projekt to beat.

CD Projekt > Bioware < - > Obsidian > Bethesda

Yeah, CD Projekt really is the king of characterization. Witcher 2's Triss was incredibly well done, as was Vernan and Iorveth.

Bethesda just really hasn't tried yet. They could easily overtake Obsidian, but Bioware and CDP are going to be tough to crack.

I don't understand the hostility towards romance in the game. It's not that much of a resource drain, and a lot of people would like it.

If you haven't succeeded in the simple things, don't attempt to do something advance. In the past, NPCs haven't shown true signs of true individual personality. There's no way we can talk about this without bringing up competitors that attempted to bring romance in games, but Fable 3 was suppose to perfect this, but instead it was one of it's weakest merits. Why would I care more about one rambling npc over the next? At least tes games have unique npcs with a name and role.
What I'm getting at is, I want a friend before I want to get close. How about perfecting npcs as companions? Different attitudes, but charming in their own way. The adoring fan was probably a joke (it is now) but it just shows how infamous these npcs can be when they're filled with characteristics.

I'm sorry if what I said makes no sense. I am very worn out.

Yeah I saw another article somewhere that "confirmed" romances and its source was the original source of the information--not Bethesda---the vague German article that says "romances could even be included".


We all know this isn't going to happen

Do we?

Why? Bethesda clearly wants a wider market, one way to appeal to the female demographic is romance options.

Why would you be against knowing someone's sixual orientation? And if by ''equality'' you mean ''50% of the population is bi/gay'', that's stupid. If you mean that the division would be more realistic, why not? Is the idea of gays ''icky'' to you?


It does make a lot of sense, and I agree. But I think they could implement both good personalities and romances in the same game, not doing like ''Well, we've gotten the personalities perfected, we haven't gotten a single complaint out of them. But to be sure, let's just wait 5 games until we add romances''. It doesn't make sense. But of course, I do believe they should focus on the personalities first, and later, when they've done that, add romances.


Well, that would be like someone making an article that RPG elements is going to be in Skyrim, someone later finding out that the article has no sources, and then someone saying that that's proof that Skyrim will be a racing game. Honestly, it's very much up for debate. I do believe it won't be in, although I do hope it will be in, but we'll see.


First off, females are not only ones that want romance options, hell, they may not even be the ones who want it the most.
Secondly, it would probably appeal to the Bioware fans demographic (Of which I'm a part of), more than anything.

well i havent seen a dev to de-confirm this so some sort of Romance is in. the question now is to what extent.

Can only speak for myself of course, but i find the idea of it pretty boring, when i think about the many features that have been removed like hand to hand and spell-crafting to name just a couple, i end up wondering why development time was spent on romance (if this article isn't fake) instead of these other exciting things, i'm not hostile to romance per-say, just unappreciative of it, we should do a poll and find out just how many people would actually like a romance feature in the game, if one hasn't been done already, a simple yes/no poll would do.

Edit: @ Fraggle. I found playing a Mage-type in Oblivion to be one of the most dull and boring experiences in a video game, ever. Lol. And there has been polls before, and theres bound to be more in the future. Its about half people who hate it, and the other half split by people who want it or dont care one way or the other. Generally the ones who really hate it tote Fable as what they think it would be *cough*. Its like no one reads any good books these days or dont know what real characters are



Well, some characters have a bit of depth. Although in TES games the characters with more depth of personality and humanity tend to be the Daedric princes, lol. Martin wasnt bad, and they could have easily tossed in a bit of romance for female players and let you become empress(or male, but then who becomes the emperor?) or something. Martin would have been a pretty good choice to flesh out a friendship a little more that develops over the main questline, or even impact the story a little bit. That would be the best way to do relationships IMO, is with characters youre already heavily interacting with during major questlines because the characters are already usually distinct.

I think the writers at Bethesda could probably do a good job with character relationships if they tried, theyve just never done it in a TES game before. And it would be neat to see how they could use the RAI and Radiant Quests to make NPC relationships dynamic and different in every game.

And I like Fable 3, I love Fable 1&2, but I wouldnt call it romance in that game. Its a Sims minigame when it comes to character interactions in that series. Although its probably really neat to be a Hero couple in Fable 3, for the people who are couples and play together. WTB some Hero NPC characters to go adventuring with instead of "How was your day dear?" clones for us single types.

Firstly: Oh, I know. I'm a male (happily engaged in the real world) and I like romance options in games, adds to the realism of the setting, which is absolutely crucial in a game like Fallout or Elder Scrolls. I was just saying that a wider market appeal is something they want.

Secondly: All the more reason to do it! Bioware is currently suffering -severe- backlash for that pile of [censored] that was Dragon Age 2, and lots of their once-loyal fans are bitter, and seeking to get their fix elsewhere. (Or I am, at least)

I personally liked DA2 and even if I did think it was bad, I wouldn't break down and start crying that Bioware will never be the same and they've become the devil itself, but that's neither here nor there.
And to respond to your response to my first point, that wasn't my point. My point was that it sounded like you were saying that the only ones interested in romance in videogames are the female demographic.

But how could the game possible be immersive without romance? I mean if the game isn't realistic enough without--eating every five minutes, drinking every five minutes, using a chamber pot every couple of hours, burying bodies after they've been dismembered, how could they possibly miss adding six and romance?

BTW, for the humor challenged this is called irony (or maybe sarcasm--it's a subtle distinction.) I am a professional writer; do not try this at home.

Hand to Hand hasn't been removed.

I read books, i just don't want my games turning into books as well.



Is there a skill tree for it with perks as there is for the other main paths like onehanded etc? as far as i understand it isn't a proper skill like the others now.

Hyperbole - the best form of logic.

A professional writer, you say? Then of course you'll understand better than most people on these forums that realism is not required for immersion in a story, that romance (especially romance in an epic fantasy setting) has little to do with realism, and that six and romance may exist either combined or in counterpoint in a story, but that this isn't an absolute necessity.

Ah, but look at me trying to teach grandma to svck eggs; how presumptuous .

Oh, by the way... that was definitely sarcasm, to wit "The use of irony to mock or convey contempt" :meh:.

Ok, having let off a bit of steam at Lerf1950's rather patronising post, I agree that romance isn't needed in any work of fiction (book, film, game, theatre, whatever else you can think of... graphic novel?) in order for it to be immersive. However, romance elements are an often powerful and effective way for story-tellers to examine and convey their characters' personalities, relationships, and motivation (both finer and baser). If a game strives to tell a story (as many RPGs do) then romance can, if used wisely and appropriately, enhance the storytelling. And, at a more superficial level, if done with humour then romance can be bloody hilarious .

Can Bethesda's writers use romance well? I don't know, but personally I'd like to see them dare to try.

Why would you want to know someone's sixual orientation is a better question.


By equality I meant half the characters in the game would have to be straight and half would have to be gay. Otherwise, it'd be unfair to the homosixual players.


It is a bit off putting when Anders flirts with male Hawke in DA2 regardless of my intentions (not gonna lie). Sorry that I don't want gay vikings hitting on me in Skyrim.

What a 'homophobe'-phobe...

Sounds ridiculous. Last thing we need is Bioware fans influencing TES. Take a look at their forum, all they talk about on there is romances and alien six and stuff.

well it sounds like the romances wont have the rain puddle like depth of most titles that include it have

As long as I dont HAVE to romance my companions, I dont care. I mean, if they can only wear the best armor if I [censored] them.

Kind of like Zeke at the end of infamous running out to save you. There wasn't much interaction there but yeah he was a good friend. You could see he had feelings other than I'm just here to fill a void in the plot. Friends like that that you can help and disagree with but they will still be your friends. None of that If you don't got steal this item even though you are not a thief and deplore stealing I won't be your friend anymore. Something Dynamic more than a friendship meter. Or a friendship meter and the friend remembers what you have done for them or how close you are. Like walk into town and he or she greets you "long time no see" "We should get a drink at the pub and catch up" Friend.

On romance I think that would be fun. Nothing game ruining because I don't want to hear nag while I am going out to fight a dragon. Something fun without being hindering. Then again something like FNV wouldn't be bad ether.