Meet the Devs #6 : V - Skyrim

» Fri May 27, 2011 9:30 pm

what are some of your favorite things in previous elder scrolls games?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:04 pm

Im sure this has been asked before but I havent found an answer so here goes.

Do you get much inspiration on things like quests, landscapes, designchoices from the community, like this forum for example?

How much time do you spend on forums like this one?

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:30 am

REST.

I hope you all get some REST than for xmas:(

Also do you ever go to signings of the games you release? Ever plan on coming to a small Gamestop in CA?:P

» Sat May 28, 2011 7:42 am

Wow that's awesome, the fallout 3 quests were some of my favorites and I've done them 3 or 4 times at least :tongue:

I never managed to complete the nirnroot quest :shrug: even though I looked up a map of nirnroot locations and there were tons of them. Way more than you needed to complete the quest. I like those quests actually, because you can just casually work on them by playing the game. Anyway I've got a continuation of the question if you don't mind. What parts of these quests did you make/write/work on. Are you a writer? And how do you actually make those quests? Does one man/woman do several things like make up all the characters and the setting and the story and the backgroundstory and the rewards? Or is it all divided into several tasks performed by different people?

I'm really curious to how you guys make all those quests :tongue:

Well, it varies. In some cases the lead designer may give a one-sentence synopsis or nothing at all. In every case, all of our work is vetted and honed by the entire design staff.

For example, in "Stealing Independence", Emil told me that he wanted the player to retrieve the Declaration of Independence. That's pretty much it. Then, as writers, we go into our cubes and develop a plot that would make that element come out and provide appropriate gameplay. So, I decided to set it in the National Archives, developed the rival relic hunter "Sydney", the whole "Button" character, etc. Once the storyline is developed, it goes back to the lead for approval. Every quests goes through lots of iterations before it ends up in the shipped game.

For our quests, we do all the dialogue, the scripting and the character development. The level design is done by one of our kick-butt level designers.

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:34 am

what are some of your favorite things in previous elder scrolls games?

That's a rough question. I'm going to say I love the open world. We do like no one else does it, and it's awesome.

» Fri May 27, 2011 9:59 pm

The main thing I've heard was that new guys get hired, over-worked like hell (he said people were literally sleeping at work, they didn't even leave) and then let go because there are 10 other CVs for that very position.

~~Maybe~~ I'm bat[censored] insane, but I wouldn't mind not sleeping and doing lots of overtime for a few months if it meant getting to work on an Elder Scrolls game :shrug: The last job I had I worked double my alloted hours because I simply had nothing better to do. As for sleep, well, I get little enough as it is and I heard that couch is pretty comfy

Why aren't you at home RESTing right now?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:31 pm

Would you say that Bethesda has improved over the last years in terms of writing, coding, animation, etc? Some folks say that Oblivion's writing was mediocre compared to Morrowind, what do you have to say about that?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:04 pm

~~Maybe~~ I'm bat[censored] insane, but I wouldn't mind not sleeping and doing lots of overtime for a few months if it meant getting to work on an Elder Scrolls game :shrug: The last job I had I worked double my alloted hours because I simply had nothing better to do. As for sleep, well, I get little enough as it is and I heard that couch is pretty comfy

Why aren't you at home RESTing right now?

There's work to be done!

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:32 am

Would you say that Bethesda has improved over the last years in terms of writing, coding, animation, etc? Some folks say that Oblivion's writing was mediocre compared to Morrowind, what do you have to say about that?

Obviously a loaded question, but all I have to say is everyone is entitled to their opinion.

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:48 am

Can I give you a virtual hug?

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:46 am

Morrowind Eye of Night or Oblivion Eye of Night?

Also, I must say that the devs are very cool to actually answer questions for the members of their community. Not very many devs do that, these days.

» Sat May 28, 2011 12:20 am

Do you guys hate Cliff Racers? :hubbahubba:

» Sat May 28, 2011 5:03 am

Can I give you a virtual hug?

Certainly!

» Sat May 28, 2011 8:50 am

Who is responsible for the Adoring Fan?

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:54 am

Do you guys hate Cliff Racers? :hubbahubba:

Ha ha ha! I actually added an NPC in Cheydinhal I believe that would walk around drunk singing about those things

Maybe that answers your question...

» Fri May 27, 2011 6:49 pm

Obviously a loaded question, but all I have to say is everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Okay then, thanks anyway.

And yeah, it's awesome to have devs that answer our questions and chat with us.
I love Bethesda :3

» Sat May 28, 2011 5:09 am

Ha ha ha! I actually added an NPC in Cheydinhal I believe that would walk around drunk singing about those things

Maybe that answers your question...

To be honest I'm not really sure what to think of that. :lmao:

» Sat May 28, 2011 4:07 am

Morrowind Eye of Night or Oblivion Eye of Night?

Also, I must say that the devs are very cool to actually answer questions for the members of their community. Not very many devs do that, these days.

Did you mean the difference in visual effects?

» Sat May 28, 2011 1:36 am

I made a snow-man today. Have any of you guys ever made a snow-argonian or a snow-khajit?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:12 pm

I made a snow-man today. Have any of you guys ever made a snow-argonian or a snow-khajit?

Sure haven't! Love to see a picture of one

» Sat May 28, 2011 6:48 am

repost:

which one of u guys thought up cliffracers??

and who forgot their feet? :facepalm:

i just gotta know.

» Sat May 28, 2011 9:17 am

Ok, another question (don't want to get you guys in troubles so it's understandable if you don't wish to answer): if it wasn't Beth for what other dev would you be working for or would like to be working for?

» Fri May 27, 2011 11:52 pm

Developers! What was your favorite game of 2010? Also, what game are you most looking forward to in 2011?

It would be cool if your answer didn't include any games that Bethesda has published and/or developed. :tongue:

» Fri May 27, 2011 8:49 pm

Big thanks Slateman for answering my questions. I actually only just realized that I'm extremely curious to how game developers actually develop games.

I've got another one if you don't mind.

What are some of the most notable characters you've worked on/implemented? Like for example Sheogorath or other wacky characters, have you designed some of those? And if you develop a new character do you also make up his/her personality and background, or do you just write their dialogue?

If you actually make characters that is, I'm not sure :tongue:

» Sat May 28, 2011 10:01 am

What does it feel like working on an Elder Scrolls game? Knowing that you are part of an amazing experience that gamers everywhere will enjoy for years. (the years thing is from my personal experience, as you can see in my sig, i am playing Morrowind again, its amazing.((If you get a couple mods :thumbsup: ))