How to Improve Followers for Future Titles : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 5:35 pm

I know some people don't even use them. For the most part it's because they are either "useless" or "lifeless". Why is that and how can Bethesda remedy that in future Elder Scrolls games? For the people who use followers regularly, what would you emphasize Bethesda work on specifically in regards to followers?

I would like to see more variations in profession and skills for their skills to actually be usable. I for one am tired of having a stealthy follower refuse to lock pick doors for me if I'm playing a WarriorMage. If I happen to have a follower proficient in Speech or Smithing I'd like to let them handle the arms trafficking side business we set up as a result of our adventures.

I'd also like for followers to be fully fleshed out. I would often gravitate to followers from guilds but after the quest lines are completed the go back to being generic voice actor # 5. If they could retain their personality from before and have shine through the chaos that is exploring Tamriel I'd greatly appreciate it. Anyone else have questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions on the subject of followers?

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:38 pm

It would be so easy to really flesh followers out if the game had text dialogue instead of just voice acting.

Unfortunately, without that, I don't really see followers ever being anything more than fairly shallow AI to follow you around everywhere with the occasional personality gimmick. Some players might use their imagination and think up interesting backgrounds for their followers, but most will just view them as generic NPCs that lock on to you. I guess one way around that is to have journals for them (like Cicero) which go into detail about their past. But even so, the player-character still won't be able to have any meaningful or complex conversations with them.

This isn't a huge issue for me at all though. TES has always been about the player-character and the gameworld. I don't really care about having fleshed out companions in the same way that I don't really care too much about having an amazing main storyline. To me, it's just not that kind of RPG and those things shouldn't become too big of a focus.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:22 pm

It would be so easy to really flesh followers out if the game had text dialogue instead of just voice acting.

Unfortunately, without that, I don't really see followers ever being anything more than fairly shallow AI to follow you around everywhere with the occasional personality gimmick. Some players might use their imagination and think up interesting backgrounds for their followers, but most will just view them as generic NPCs that lock on to you. I guess one way around that is to have journals for them (like Cicero) which go into detail about their past. But even so, the player still won't be able to have any meaningful or complex conversations with them.

This isn't a huge issue for me at all though. TES has always been about the player-character and the gameworld. I don't really care about having fleshed out companions in the same way that I don't really care too much about having an amazing main storyline. To me, it's just not that kind of RPG and those things shouldn't become too big of a focus.

I disagree that the series should be solely focused on exploration and the geography of the provinces. Morrowind did a fine job at balancing complex story and exploration though that goes back to your point about text based dialogue. I appreciate the feedback.