Haven't read it yet.
http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1316/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-bethesda-interview

This looks like a transcript of the Q&A session after the demo was shown.

I was very glad to read that certain races still have "Benefits". I wasn't sure if racial choice was going to be anything more than aesthetic.

Thanks!

this is awesome, quite long too.

:teehee:

"We find that most players when they do run into something like that and should leave, they will beat their head against that wall because they are not a [censored]! So we do give the player a lot of devices to get through that if that’s what they want to do."

this was the only part that disturbed me. if some nimrod is trying to take on a level 50 monster with a level 10 character then let the [censored] die alot. why design the game around those morons. do what normal people do and just level up a bit more and come back later.

It makes the game more epic, like the little guy vs the big brute. It's not like "Oh, he's bigger than me so he's automatically going to win." You have a chance.

I like that there are more and less dangerous parts in the game (level independant? I hope). That brings back the sense of danger and exploration that Morrowind had, and the sense of insecurity and fear when entering a dungeon (which Oblivion completely lacked). I just hope there's an option to deactivate the possible "warning! It's too dangerous to go there, continue at your own risk" messages, and that the "lots of devices" doesn't mean the game is going to nurse you though the entire "dangerous part".

the problem with this attitude is that they might end up introducing an exploit that could give a level 2 guy a chance against any monster at all. we will be seeing videos of 3 minute skyrim runs if thats the case. if you have a low level character and you go up against a high level character then you should die.........alot. i dont mind it if you have some really long protracted battle that goes on for several minutes but they are supposed to be tough monsters. if they are introducing game mechanics that allow you to kill high level monsters with little or no risk to your character that is disturbing to me.also i dont want my game "epic". its just lame. im supposed to be some schmuck from prison and i move up the ranks to become famous. i dont start famous initially. just say no to designing games around morons.

Confirms they're still trying to get mounts to work. Was hoping they'd have it figured out by now.

:thumbsup:

Me too. Concerns me that we're almost at E3 and they still haven't figured out mounts. It's pretty safe to say that mounted combat won't be in.

Just to let you guys know, there's definitely some issues with the interview transcription on this one. Todd definitely did NOT say Charlie Sheen (that was an audience comment that received laughter from others).

They don't stop development at E3. It looks like there is a form of mounts in the game, it just has a lot of bugs, and fixing those bugs takes time.

im fine with that. anything short of mount and blade is going to feel very weird and without spears it seems it would be silly since spears and lances are a big part of mounted combat.

From my understanding, their reluctance to say mounts are in stem from them wanting it to be a feature that is beneficial, and not ridiculed for its implementation. Bugs may be an issue too, but it seems more like they just want to get it right.

Also, for Dragborn1's point, at a certain point there is going to be a time where they have to go this isn't working, and say they have to cut it and work on getting everything we know is gonna be in. Hopefully this doesn't happen, but the closer we get to release, the more likely it is.

"We have boats but you can’t sail them around. " -Todd

aw.....

I find it interesting that they are still on the fence about horses though, and that they havent found the "gameplay sweetspot" with things like mining and woodcutting... I hope the 11-11-11 deal is still solid.

They are still working on Horses. I'm guessing they want to get it right but they also said that Horses may not make the cut. It's not a big deal for me if Horses make the cut but I know the rest of the forum would probably Rage for 3 weeks or an hour.

On swapping play style mid-game
After a while, though, they get other things so they may want to change course. So you can be level 10, completely focus on magic and then find some great sword. As soon as you start using it, your skill for that will increase. It affects your levelling a little bit but as that skill raises it will affect it more.
When I play, I feel your best bet is to focus on something but it’s so easy to mix and match you will naturally experiment with it. Like dual-wielding. We only added that late – it wasn’t in the initial design but it felt so natural to do it so in the office we tend to mix styles a lot.


I really like this, it seems we will have a lot of flexibility when playing. Can't wait to experiment with this new system

Mounted combat was just fine without spears in Twilight Princess.

Thank GOD!

Good interview, some old some new stuff, I like the sounds of it

Robin Williams as a hirsute Bosmer!

i don't know if he means a lvl 1 will be able to take on a lvl 20 and it be a piece of cake. i think trying to fight a single creature that much stronger than you will become more like a really good boss fight, where you walk/limp away from it with all your gear broken, all potions and food used up, no magica and enough life to where a rat could sneeze on you and youd die. if i walked away from that in that bad of shape i would feel victorious but would say "[censored] that!" the next time i ran into that creature again and not at a respectable lvl difference from it.

Thanks.

I know what I'll do 2012-2017.

Skyrim comes out this year 2011.