Look at this time capsule of Oblivion bashing. Having played all the Elder Scrolls games, I'm not expecting Arena 2, Daggerfall 2, Morrowind 2, or Oblivion 2, but quite frankly, I find Bethesda's start over approach to be refreshing and reflective of hard work instead of laziness. Of course mechanics are going to be different and of course things will change. This is Bethesda, not most other game companies. I'm going to state a blasphemous statement, now. I believe Oblivion rivals Morrowind, and despite not being an exact copy of Morrowind, Oblivion is the closest thing in existence to Morrowind 2. The day people stop complaining and start enjoying games instead of saying "OMG, its nott teh sekwels 2 Morrowind(or Oblivion, or whatever)" and the day they stop anolyzing every little detail is the day pigs sprout wings and fly without the assistance of Red Bull.

I still have my faith in The Elder Scrolls.

I remember Christmas of 2003 or 2004 (I think 2003 as 2004 was WoW addiction, but to the point), I remember the Christmas gift I wanted was Morrowind. But in my progression, I was too scared to continue in it. I remember a cave entrance to a screaming madman and a guy falling from the trees, and by then I was too scared to continue. I'd return with the Chiton(sp?) armor and still be too frightened to enter that cave. I apologize for my weak descriptions of how I felt as a young 13 year old.

My point is though that, in some odd theory, Lord of the Rings is the archetype of a fantasy novel, Dungeons and Dragons is the set up of a lived fantasy Tolkien always wanted, and I see The Elder Scrolls as the living game archetype of what a fantasy is supposed to be. As in the set up, the options, and god I hope this makes sense.

I mention WoW because as I have told myself, I am waiting for World of Warcraft 2 (so that's my excuse for quitting the WoW today). I can apply the same to Oblivion. I didn't find Oblivion to achieve the massive hype it instilled within my fragile self, and capture the memories I had in Morrowind; but the series in general is a set up that characterizes my gaming experience. That, a few MMORPGS, and Zelda (red herring.)

As you can see, I also have a screen name I regretted when I created. But to the point, I am currently at a stage in life where I wish to transfer the fantasy of my gaming experience to one I can achieve in real life. (If anyone has any ideas, please help me!)
The series of The Elder Scrolls though will probably be the only series that keeps me coming back to replay video games. It was the set up to integrate what I fantasized. Zelda doesn't do it like A Link to the Past did, the World of Warcraft has turned into a job, but the openess in The Elder Scrolls is like the perfect set up to keep returning to. I won't ever feel like returning to it will be like buying Madden 2005. Haunting, right?'

I also appreciate the original post to this thread as I love the notion to integrate the player with the character. It's roleplaying in its truest sense for me. I am ideally hyped about how fantastic the notion is of roleplaying in real life - an environment that bogs the notions, like some video games do.
I don't feel TES does though. My experience with Morrowind was short, but while I was in the zone of the world it created - it was the perfect fairy tale. A world with subtle, dark themes. Not the crap Barbie remakes of a fairy tale.

I suppose it is imagination that progresses the ever expanding options... I'm not saying this right. Maybe like the end of the Dungeon and Dragon manual that said, "the only thing that limits the game is your imagination."
At least for the individual. As this thread is not in appraisal of the fan base, the developers, but YOU, the player. The best single player game experience i've had. And been afraid to play in!

New ideas are automatically more awesome, and therefore more important. Your ideas were old ideas...See? :turtle:


And seriously now, did you have anything in mind?

I'm game.

Let's speak up and get their attention.

I'm all too aware that Bethesda won't implement my ideas. In fact I hope at this stage they don't - they should be well passed the ideas phase and into development, not trawling through endless pages of "hey, maybe all the provinces could be included in teh next game? +pirates."

I don't expect Bethesda to implement a single idea of mine. It doesn't work that way. My "purpose", if you will, is to be a combination naysayer (as I have a decent understanding of how computers do what they do, and what their limitations are) and to promote a different way of looking at TES here.

Bethesda does react to what fans want, but they won't react to what I want. Because they'll make what? maybe $100 off me, DLC included?

Instead, as I offer various ideas, it offers a new vision to the community, which in turn leads to people articulating alternative visions, or modifying theirs to incorporate elements of my vision. The contrast between product and vision drives the most commonly expressed desires and constructive criticisms, which drive Todd Howard's decisions to a degree. Witness Point Lookout: People wanted more exploration, they got it.

I don't view my posts as lobbying Bethesda, but as lobbying the community as a whole.