Meet the Devs #6 : V - Skyrim

» Sat May 28, 2011 3:28 am

In the current gaming climate, this 'fast play' era, the mainstream is almost becoming dominated by users looking for bite-sized experiences, and non-RPG games that have RPG-lite features.

As a developer of two AAA RPG franchises, where your target audience is used to gameplay experiences often exceeding 100+ hours, do you feel pressured to streamline the game design for greater accessibility, or are you proud to resist 'dumbing down' in this fast-changing industry?

» Sat May 28, 2011 3:48 am

have you ever put something in the game that you didn't discuss with other people, you just felt like doing it at home *cough* *cough* giant mudcrab

I frequently add "easter eggs" to the game... but they usually don't stand out so much as to ruin the setting. Those are fun. Some good examples are the Ring of the Oceanborn in the Shivering Isles or the Naughty Nightware mini-quest in Fallout 3.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:53 am

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

What's your favorite sci fi movie?

What's your least favorite kind of music?

Favorite flavor is coconut almond.

Favorite sci-fi movie is rough... I'd say either Aliens, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Moon and/or Blade Runner.

Least favorite kind of music is country music... just not my style!

» Sat May 28, 2011 12:35 am

When making a game as deep and vast as Oblivion was where do you get your ideas and inspiration from? Do you ever look at other RPG series or books like LOTR, or does the majority of your ideas come from looking at TES lore?

» Sat May 28, 2011 8:30 am

In the current gaming climate, this 'fast play' era, the mainstream is almost becoming dominated by users looking for bite-sized experiences, and non-RPG games that have RPG-lite features.

As a developer of two AAA RPG franchises, where your target audience is used to gameplay experiences often exceeding 100+ hours, do you feel pressured to streamline the game design for greater accessibility, or are you proud to resist 'dumbing down' in this fast-changing industry?

From my standpoint, I am proud that we are sticking to our guns and maintaining extreme levels of detail on our game worlds. Our producers and leads are very conscious that this is one of the things that makes us special and I never feel pressured about that at all.

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:51 pm

When making a game as deep and vast as Oblivion was where do you get your ideas and inspiration from? Do you ever look at other RPG series or books like LOTR, or does the majority of your ideas come from looking at TES lore?

My inspiration for these games comes from every type of media that you can think of. Books, movies, comic books, television and even music.

I have read many other RPG series, including lots of pen-and -paper RPG game books, and I certainly draw inspiration from those as well. As far as TES lore goes, it's of such an amazing depth that I certainly get a lot of ideas from those sources.

» Sat May 28, 2011 1:12 am

From my standpoint, I am proud that we are sticking to our guns and maintaining extreme levels of detail on our game worlds. Our producers and leads are very conscious that this is one of the things that makes us special and I never feel pressured about that at all.

Thanks for answering.

As a massive TES/BGS fan, I expected that was the case, but I'm very glad to hear the focus is still the same during the development of Skyrim...

» Fri May 27, 2011 9:26 pm

I frequently add "easter eggs" to the game... but they usually don't stand out so much as to ruin the setting. Those are fun. Some good examples are the Ring of the Oceanborn in the Shivering Isles or the Naughty Nightware mini-quest in Fallout 3.

Who added the giant slaughterfish in Oblivion?

» Fri May 27, 2011 10:26 pm

Who added the giant slaughterfish in Oblivion?

Hmm, honestly, I am not sure

» Sat May 28, 2011 5:48 am

Thanks for answering all of our questions! Especially on a beautiful monday afternoon (atleast it is here :tongue: ).

» Fri May 27, 2011 8:05 pm

I'm going to feel like a total noob if somebody asked this already but, could you give us some insight in what you've done in past bethesda games? Like I've made this and this quest. Very specific things?

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:09 am

Another music question.

Lamb of God, or Metallica?

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:36 am

I find it most disheartening that the most important question to mankind got ignored.
Now I shall return to my sorrows. :cryvaultboy:

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:59 am

Have you ever been to Alaska or any other arctic climate in winter or summer? Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Do you drink coffee and if so, how much a day? What are your Holiday plans?

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:11 am

over or under

which way is correct?

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:07 am

A lot of the staff is away for the holidays. There are a few stragglers here like me and Hayt tho

Hey, what am I, chopped liver?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:40 pm

"Who is SJML, why is he/she labeled as a developer, and why is he/she in this thread?"
Seems like the other devs forgot too

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somebody out there who appreciates you for who you are

and since I've posted, I might as well add a question:
Favorite instrument? (that you play yourself, or like to listen to)

» Fri May 27, 2011 9:23 pm

"Who is SJML, why is he/she labeled as a developer, and why is he/she in this thread?"
Seems like the other devs forgot too

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somebody out there who appreciates you for who you are

Psssht. Let's see if I name a character after you now.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:12 am

I'm going to feel like a total noob if somebody asked this already but, could you give us some insight in what you've done in past bethesda games? Like I've made this and this quest. Very specific things?

I've worked on Oblivion, Shivering Isles, Fallout 3, 3 of the Fallout 3 DLC and now on Skyrim.

There's WAY too many quests to mention, but I'll throw a few out there:

Oblivion: "Where Spirits Have Lease", "The Forlorn Watchman", "A Brush With Death" and yes, I am responsible for the Nirnroot hunting

Fallout 3: "Reilly's Rangers", "Stealing Independence", "Oasis" and yes, I am responsible for the Nuka-Cola Quantum hunting

There's a running gag here that I am the one who pushes the collection quests (nirnroot, bobbleheads, quantums), so send all hate mail my way

» Fri May 27, 2011 9:18 pm

"Who is SJML, why is he/she labeled as a developer, and why is he/she in this thread?"
Seems like the other devs forgot too

Don't worry. I'm sure there's somebody out there who appreciates you for who you are

and since I've posted, I might as well add a question:
Favorite instrument? (that you play yourself, or like to listen to)

SJML is within earshot of me... another awesome designer.

» Fri May 27, 2011 6:17 pm

The sculpted mural behind (and featured in) the trailer... is there a physical model of it?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:42 pm

Also, do you guys really have a lore quiz as part of the hiring process, or was socrates messing with me?

Good rule of thumb when reading anything from Ricky is to assume that he is messing with you.

(There was no lore quiz when I was hired... in fact they didn't even tell me that the game was TESV until the very end of the interview.)

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:46 am

Good rule of thumb when reading anything from Ricky is to assume that he is messing with you.

(There was no lore quiz when I was hired... in fact they didn't even tell me that the game was TESV until the very end of the interview.)

The first rule about Ricky is don't talk about Ricky.

» Sat May 28, 2011 12:23 am

Oblivion: "Where Spirits Have Lease", "The Forlorn Watchman", "A Brush With Death" and yes, I am responsible for the Nirnroot hunting

Nice

That paint quest especially was pretty awesome. Moar creative quests like these for Skyrim pl0x!

Edit: I can not explain that sudden outburst of lolcat-speech.

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:08 am

Edit: I can not explain that sudden outburst of lolcat-speech.

Don't worry, man. Happens to the best of us.