Official: Beyond Skyrim - TES VI. #6 : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Thu May 03, 2012 2:23 am

Some random Ideas for TES VI in Black Marsh

more varied and primitive weapons. Spears, shark tooth http://static.zoovy.com/img/tikimaster/W229-H171-Bffffff/K/dpp_0097.jpg and http://static.zoovy.com/img/tikimaster/W640-H480-B8e7a47/1hawaiian_koa3_30_06_108.jpg, http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQb03uVDmZpHsfOErDhR3i6KRsPc1bTyaG7Yq6UWBsm09wFbhnHtk1ACWhW, http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/BucSamo/BucSamoPLIa.jpg, etc, rather than the usual fare of metal swords and maces. These would make appearances as well, but would be more rare.
Armor much the same, based on lighter mats and weavings, return of chitin and other less familiar armor styles.
ships are typically not pure European in shape, such as Frigates and things like that. I think it would be fruitful to draw from designs like the http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/128600659_ff365f4e22_o.jpg from LOTR ROTK. Other sources of inspiration might be http://www.artsales.com/ARTistory/Ancient_Ships/images/Sahures_Ship_Oblique_75.jpg vessels, http://www.alrahalah.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ChinaZhengHeShip1405vsSantaMaria500pxw.jpg and other Chinese styles. The main idea would be to create a whole new culture of ships that is recognizable and largely sail-based, without drawing too close to 18th century European naval vessels. (Also large Haida war canoes with totem pole masts).
Make the lands of Black marsh much more fragmented by rivers as to add more area for ships to traverse, even as far inland as Helstrom.
Maybe write a new TES theme! On that note, music would have a more mystical feel, not so much european sounding as Oblivion, Skyrim. Even further removed than morrowind.

I'm just rattling off random ideas. I'll be back...

» Thu May 03, 2012 12:59 am

Valenwood/Elsweyr would be pure awesome. But only if they get it right on graphics and technology. i can imagine climbing Falinesti for a view all the way to the isles in the Summer and the rest of Valenwood, and a different view closer to Elsweyr in the next season. i would like to swing across trees, fly on big colorful birds, build my nest inside trees from wood brought all the way from other lands, ride a boat across shallow jungle rivers, befriend with animals, enjoy the rain and sunshine in the forest, be hunted by crazy animals, protect my people in Valenwood from both Thalmor and men rules (i'd be a wood elf), despise and fight politicians and men/aldmer coming equipped in armies to rip apart the sacred land and all its natural beauty while fighting each other, discover ancient cities. Give it the experience of Avatar with lots of Hyrule-Zelda/TES goodness! Give it a real sense of evil-VS-nature touch and let the Gods, and possibly the Wild Hunt, decide who shall win. Bring it in line with our own f**ked up world. I would hate to see the game turn into a man-centric world, forgetting who we (humans/men) really are (a bunch of kill-each-other egocentric ignorant savage-wannabe primitives, with all the technology to spare)

» Thu May 03, 2012 1:36 am

I would like a game with a darker high fantasy atmosphere, spectacular visuals and alien culture. That would be Black Marsh. I would like an RPG with more focus on local politics and faction wars, mutually exclusive guilds, less handholding and more dialogue choices for the player. I'd also love some locked content in the main quest (branches) based on the player's choices. And definitely longer guilds questlines.

=1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

» Wed May 02, 2012 4:45 pm

I would like a game with a darker high fantasy atmosphere, spectacular visuals and alien culture. That would be Black Marsh. I would like an RPG with more focus on local politics and faction wars, mutually exclusive guilds, less handholding and more dialogue choices for the player. I'd also love some locked content in the main quest (branches) based on the player's choices. And definitely longer guilds questlines.

I definitely agree with you on every point, especially on sending the series to Black Marsh.
As for dark high fantasy, I would like it to take on a mystic and sorcerous quality.
And, above all else, make the game about sailing the seas!

» Thu May 03, 2012 1:28 am

Aside from general game improvements, Skyrim has Dragonshouts and Dragons that run it as a central theme.

The next Elder Scrolls needs some other hook or "gimmick" like this to push the series forward and to keep it fresh. I think the new theme should be: Navy.
The core of the game would take place in a modified http://www.imperial-library.info/sites/default/files/gallery_files/ArgoniaMap1.jpg and would be about sailing the seas and running aground on customize-able ships.

Get hired as a lowly hand to run about the deck of a merchant schooner. Climb up the ropes to the crows nests and spy land or enemy ships on the horizon. Pull up along pirate galleys and work your way up the ranks by fighting valiantly, hurling fireballs across the sea-gap to explode on the rival ship. Swing on lines and board the other deck where you hack and slash your way through brigands and buccaneers. Command your own vessel; capture it or purchase it--if you've got the coin. Anchor down in forlorn bays on lonely islands in the sunset. Plunder the seas for treasure. Dig up tropical mountains of gold. Construct your ship as you see fit with a versatile in-game editor. Command it with a drawn-out 3rd person view, observing every move as if from a bird, or, watch your hands twirl the ship's wheel in 1st person and strut about the deck shouting orders. Earn your crew's respect as you navigate through tumultuous sea-storms and hundred-foot waves--or swim away as your lady sinks along with her golden treasure. Sail up the wide rivers of Argonia into myriad swamplands, marshes, bogs, and fens, where you run ashore and deal with the strange argonians. Some are trustworthy, others are wild and unpredictable, and you may find yourself scrambling through the slushy dark woods as the lizard-folk chase behind. Rocket through the underground railway system that is the inside of a creature. Search for the ancient Hist. Hunt, or run from, terrible swamp creatures.Wield weapons that you've never seen before in the other provinces, and see a culture just the same, shrouded in mystery and magic. And when the day is done, when you've gambled every last cent away in the black market streets of Soulrest or Lilmoth, when you come out of your murky skooma daze, slink away to your jolly boat, paddle through the swampy rivers to where your ship lies anchored, and sail away into the orange glow, a starry blue night following swiftly behind.

Let me know anything I missed.

Great suggestion keep them coming :goodjob:

I'm a big fan of Black Marsh myself and your sailing scenario would fit this province nicely.

» Thu May 03, 2012 2:26 am

How about the next game taking place on Masser or Secunda? :laugh:

» Thu May 03, 2012 12:53 am

Great suggestion keep them coming :goodjob:

I'm a big fan of Black Marsh myself and your sailing scenario would fit this province nicely.

Thanks!

I dont know how naive it is to suppose that some members of Bethesda are patrolling this forum infrequently, casually scouting for good ideas in the next TES game, but I figue the time to post suggestions like this is NOW! I bet they are already investing some time to think about it.

I'll try to spout out any more ideas I have, and you should contribute too if you have some. The more people that start talking about a specific idea... ya know.

» Wed May 02, 2012 1:52 pm

Hey guys, I would like to add my suggestions to the next tes game. I think that tes has really driven away from what made the game fun for me to begin with. in morrowind you had underwater grottos, well a few anyway. that was really fun. I think that if they added back some minor things like that to the next tes game, it'd be really cool. giving people a reason to explore underwater and i mean skyrim had such a great setting for this but they didn't even implement it at all, there were none ! i think that being able to go underwater and like requiring stuff like water breathing potions, like an entire dungeon that is underwater and you can't do it unless you have a water breathing enchant or potions. that'd be super fun.

I just think it seems like maybe bathesda is getting away from the "dangerous!" you know? they seem to play everything safe and make it just totally user friendly. nothing is dangerous, there isn't things that just WRECK you and that's fun, having that timid exploration time if that makes sense? like not knowing what lurks around the corner. one more thing I'd like to suggest is having multiple diologue options, as well as multiple paths through dungeons. skyrims dungeons are BEAUTIFUL and huge but it's completely linear! it's just that there is no question as to where to go, it's all very obvious. I mean like I said the dungeons are HUGE step ahead from what they were, but when I go into a dungeon, I pretty much just follow the line lol..there is only one path pretty much every single time. And yes blackreach is cool, but it is pointless and filled with nothing, there is nothing in there at all. one single quest with some maroon nirnroot, oh man sick, what fun.? lol.

Great idea on the water exploration. I too think that the series would benefit from a game that is more based on water environments. Did you ever play Bioshock? That game had an incredible atmosphere, mostly because of the underwater theme. Plus, you speak of sending the series into more danger? Well I agree to that as well. I think the perfect cantidate for a game with danger, lots of water and water grottos, exotic culture, color, and intrigue would be Black Marsh! Just think of the daring watery adventures to be had in the swamps and islands! But what to do with all that water? I know! Make the game themed on sailing the canols and seas. Rig up your mast and haul of to discover islands haunted with mystical spirits guarding chests of gold and jewels. Come across dozens of ships sunk beneath the shallow waves, or stranded and dry atop marshy banks claimed by carniverous plants. Enter the dark, filthy jungle--but bring a torch! The monsters within will tear you apart from the inside out--if you're not prepared. You think you've seen diseases?! BHAh! You have seen nothing of the horrors of the argonian moor; maggots that eat your flesh, poisons that make your mind see what it should not see. But it's all worth it for the tresure and the adventure. Become a part of a mercenary army and raid the towns. Stumble into the most fantastic grimy cities in all Tamriel and wander their crooked lamped alleys. Scour the deepest parts of the murkwood for knowledge of ancient sorcerers. Assault pirate ships in the night from underwater, crawling up the anchor lines, sliting throats, lighting the magazine. Guerrilla warfare. Mysticism. Illusions. Fleets of ships. Argonians. Green swamps. Misty mountain jungle bogs. Sandy beaches. Glitering waters--also disgousting waters--depends on where you go.

» Thu May 03, 2012 3:24 am

How about the next game taking place on Masser or Secunda? :laugh:

Who are you, Newt Gingrich?

» Wed May 02, 2012 1:37 pm

I'm all for Bethesda making an attempt @ Black Marsh if they think they're capable of generating a lush environment with dynamic waters, real time sailing and a lot of underwater dungeons and treausres. Skyrim's waters are too empty, a lot of potential lost. I'm also thinking about the fauna, Morrowind did such a great thing with all the weird creatures I imagine Black Marsh even more dangerous and I hope they can do a bigger variety of creatures because I'm not satisfied with Skyrim's. In the animations department they must add a lot of race specific animations because the Argonians and Khajiits are too human in my opinion, there's nothing "beasty" besides their looks. They should move, jump, swim, attack in weird ways to differentiate them more. Given the various tribes an all I'd also expect some tribes more primitive than others, with some crazy [censored] ceremonials going on, torture and a lot of horror aspects (I mean if it's not Black Marsh a survival horror experience, then what)

» Wed May 02, 2012 8:05 pm

More random ideas for a water/sailing-based TES VI in Black Marsh and Islands

Shipstyle that appears like a winding snake. Vertical with respect to water, not horizontal.
Realistic foliage that reacts to object movements. Huge jungle leaves that get pushed to and fro as you dash through the swamp
Rain that affects water levels and mud volume. Gets your clothes wet to add to the swampy feel.
Many creatures are far to deadly to fight, even at high levels. You must go on a mad escape through the trecherous filth forests to survive.
Vastly increased wildlife. Skyrim made great improvements over Oblivion but let's push it even further. Many creatures as strange or stanger than in Morrowind
Many bird species. Props for having some in Skyrim! Perhaps some of them would be dinosaur like. I envision great dinosaur beasts with distant relation to Argonians, but all very feathered, colorful.
Working ocean system with waves that can get very large and crash on the shore. Currents. Winds (maybe area for magic spell that can control windflow)
Maybe some destructable environments this time. Certainly for ships.
Vast variety of swamplands. Some might imagine that "swamp" means only one kind of landscape, but it can be so diverse. TES VI should tap this diversity.
Cities diverse, some quite strange in culture and architecture. Old imperial settlements now nothing but ruins. Strong sense of rekindled Argonian culture for better or for worse.

More later

Edit: @ Malpraxis
Yup. Agree with you on every level.

» Wed May 02, 2012 1:34 pm

I'm all for Bethesda making an attempt @ Black Marsh if they think they're capable of generating a lush environment with dynamic waters, real time sailing and a lot of underwater dungeons and treausres.
Given the various tribes an all I'd also expect some tribes more primitive than others, with some crazy [censored] ceremonials going on, torture and a lot of horror aspects (I mean if it's not Black Marsh a survival horror experience, then what)

How about this as a starting point: Intro movie (from 1st person point of view) with Imperial(pirates or whatever) raiding party getting slaughtered/captured. PC gets captured and tied to a stake with another prisoner next to them (asking wher you from etc. for char gen) then watches (unable to move, just look around) as other members of the party get slaughtered or thrown into a large pot of water to be cooked. PC doesn't see *everything*, to keep the violence/rating factor down, but can hear the screams of the other prisoners being tortured/flayed/cooked. At some point, of course, there is an opportunity to escape, perhaps jumping into a stream/river and then getting rescued by/pulled aboard a pirate vessel who were coming to raid the Argonians?

Shipstyle that appears like a winding snake. Vertical with respect to water, not horizontal.
Realistic foliage that reacts to object movements. Huge jungle leaves that get pushed to and fro as you dash through the swamp
Rain that affects water levels and mud volume. Gets your clothes wet to add to the swampy feel.
Many creatures are far to deadly to fight, even at high levels. You must go on a mad escape through the trecherous filth forests to survive.
Vastly increased wildlife. Skyrim made great improvements over Oblivion but let's push it even further. Many creatures as strange or stanger than in Morrowind
Many bird species. Props for having some in Skyrim! Perhaps some of them would be dinosaur like. I envision great dinosaur beasts with distant relation to Argonians, but all very feathered, colorful.
Working ocean system with waves that can get very large and crash on the shore. Currents. Winds (maybe area for magic spell that can control windflow)
Maybe some destructable environments this time. Certainly for ships.
Vast variety of swamplands. Some might imagine that "swamp" means only one kind of landscape, but it can be so diverse. TES VI should tap this diversity.
Cities diverse, some quite strange in culture and architecture. Old imperial settlements now nothing but ruins. Strong sense of rekindled Argonian culture for better or for worse

All of those ideas are great! I can just imagine the feeling of immersion from being in that strange and hostile jungle environment!
How about this: You know those huge amphibious creatures that were featured/mentioned in "The Argonian Account"? Well, lets have those things! Can you imagine the horror of realizing the "cave" mouth you just discovered is an actual mouth? I think it should be very possible for the PC to get eaten or swallowed by these things. It would be either insta-kill or perhaps you'd have a chance to cut your way out of the belly, while taking acid/suffocation damage the entire time! Seems like it could be an epic sequence if done well. :nod:

» Wed May 02, 2012 1:03 pm

from bethblog's memorial post to bethesda's Adam Adamowicz:

"Right until the end he was drawing, creating images for a new game many years off. It is in that game, and our past games, that he will live on. You have not seen the last of his amazing talent and spirit. We will miss him terribly, but he will always be with us."

[img]http://cdnstatic.gamesas.com/bethblog.com/adam/images/adam-photo-1.jpg[/img]

check the images on the screen. iguanas and lizards. hey, i know of a lizard race...
should probably tread lightly here though- when speaking about the recently passed speculation and extensive discussion could come off a little disrespectful

» Wed May 02, 2012 2:53 pm

My respects to Adam Adamowicz

I read the whole tapestry they had posted on the blog and looked at all his art. What a talented man, and it seems a very good human being as well.

» Wed May 02, 2012 11:17 pm

I don't know who did this but this is just another good reason to set TES VI in Black Marsh

http://www.wasker.com/lizzwizz.png

Also: Post here if you find any interesting pictures of swamps and similar landscapes that you think might add to a Black Marsh aesthetic.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081210203028/witcher/images/thumb/c/c7/Loading_Swamp_day.png/670px-Loading_Swamp_day.png
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282988/282988,1256482935,3/stock-photo-dark-swamp-39544030.jpg
http://www.wasker.com/wheredarknesslies.png
http://dark.pozadia.org/images/wallpapers/94900695/Other/Swamp%20Fever.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K2ekfhXWgFY/TI5XmtOhcBI/AAAAAAAAB9k/J23SHbuUzns/s1600/Dark+Tree.jpg
http://www.paintinghere.com/UploadPic/Thomas%20Moran/big/Slave%20Hunt_%20Dismal%20Swamp_%20Virginia.jpg
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs40/f/2009/033/6/5/Under_the_Swamp_by_Dr_Stain.jpg
http://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/files/screens/stf51_Swamp1.jpg
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/209/1/4/Lostless_Swamp_Concept01_by_Anaxi.jpg

With these basic first finds I must add that I would like to see a lot of tropical swamps and also just creative, alien swamps.

» Wed May 02, 2012 4:45 pm

How about the next game taking place on Masser or Secunda? :laugh:

The Elder Scrolls VI: SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

» Wed May 02, 2012 6:59 pm

The Elder Scrolls VI: SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

Where no one can hear you shout

» Thu May 03, 2012 1:43 am

In my opinion the province choice all depends on what they want the general "feel" of the game to be. I personally hope they go to Elswyer with a more "Fantastic, light-hearted, swashbuckling" feel. Though I guess given the way games have been turning recently (Darker, serious-er, and more "edgy") I suppose going with the whole "Survival-horror Black Marsh" idea is a more realistic dream.

» Wed May 02, 2012 7:35 pm

I hope they're thinking a little bit more outside the box than just "do another province". After all it's going to be a next-gen game so the possibilities are there to be a bit more interesting than that.

» Wed May 02, 2012 7:41 pm

I hope they're thinking a little bit more outside the box than just "do another province". After all it's going to be a next-gen game so the possibilities are there to be a bit more interesting than that.

Like what?
Enlighten us.

OT:
Black Marsh is best for next TES imo.
They could base MQ around war between Argonians and Dunmer so next TES can take place on both Black Marsh and Morrowind (I know we've already seen Morrowind, but we still haven't seen Morrowind's mainland, and lot of things changed since TES III).
For TES VII, I think they could Valenwood, Elsweyr and Summerset Isle all at once (they are not that big provinces).

Still, I think that they should focus now on FO 4 & 5, and leave TES alone a bit (they should rest and meditate on what they've learned).
During that period, they should improve Skyrim with patches and DLCs until they polish it to a diamond-shine.
So their release timeline should look something like this:
TES V > FO 4 > FO 5 > TES VI > FO 6 > TES VII

» Wed May 02, 2012 5:07 pm

Hi there!

Skyrim is my first TES game. Therefore my knowledge about other provinces and respective lore is non existent.
Yet, somehow, Valenwood is such an evocative name. Huge sequoia trees, sunlight seen through them, swampy sulfuric brooks, all that is very allurimng.

But perhaps Valenwood is nothing like that.

» Wed May 02, 2012 2:30 pm

I hope Bethesda (Todd Howard?) set the next destination to Black Marsh. Another human/elf province would be fine too, but for me nothing beats a culture/politics loaded adventure in Black Marsh or Elsweyr.

» Thu May 03, 2012 12:38 am

Like what?
Enlighten us.

I just said they should think more out of hte box than that, not "hey guys I have a great and fully worked out idea for what the next game should be".

My point was that the first game was set over the entire continent, the second game was set over parts of two provinces with a game world the size of an actual country, then the next game was set in a much smaller but hand-crafted representation of one part of one province. It's only since then that this one game = one province mapped over about 16 square miles idea has dominated, to the extent that most people are assuming that the next game will just do that same thing yet again. All I hope is that they at least entertain the possibility of doing something as radically different to the last game as the first three did.

If you're asking me to name some specific example of what that might be then you're entirely missing my point.

» Wed May 02, 2012 1:15 pm

Also: Post here if you find any interesting pictures of swamps and similar landscapes that you think might add to a Black Marsh aesthetic.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081210203028/witcher/images/thumb/c/c7/Loading_Swamp_day.png/670px-Loading_Swamp_day.png
http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/282988/282988,1256482935,3/stock-photo-dark-swamp-39544030.jpg
http://www.wasker.com/wheredarknesslies.png
http://dark.pozadia.org/images/wallpapers/94900695/Other/Swamp%20Fever.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K2ekfhXWgFY/TI5XmtOhcBI/AAAAAAAAB9k/J23SHbuUzns/s1600/Dark+Tree.jpg
http://www.paintinghere.com/UploadPic/Thomas%20Moran/big/Slave%20Hunt_%20Dismal%20Swamp_%20Virginia.jpg
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs40/f/2009/033/6/5/Under_the_Swamp_by_Dr_Stain.jpg
http://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/files/screens/stf51_Swamp1.jpg
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/209/1/4/Lostless_Swamp_Concept01_by_Anaxi.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/008/d/3/swamp_fever_by_andreewallin-d36oonx.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4961483511_d054c2d1e3_b.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lOxwwh8iw7U/TClpYFIi0DI/AAAAAAAAAVo/vj_-WxaaEfM/s1600/100_5436.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mlrLA5e06PY/TLJCledXucI/AAAAAAAAM58/aKfPagouWnI/s1600/Manatee+Springs.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rD39DVGcTg0/S8p6er6x-1I/AAAAAAAABqk/qYpUcJ_I1_M/s1600/100_7540.JPG

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/381/lol2qc.jpg

» Wed May 02, 2012 8:23 pm

I just said they should think more out of hte box than that, not "hey guys I have a great and fully worked out idea for what the next game should be".

My point was that the first game was set over the entire continent, the second game was set over parts of two provinces with a game world the size of an actual country, then the next game was set in a much smaller but hand-crafted representation of one part of one province. It's only since then that this one game = one province mapped over about 16 square miles idea has dominated, to the extent that most people are assuming that the next game will just do that same thing yet again. All I hope is that they at least entertain the possibility of doing something as radically different to the last game as the first three did.

If you're asking me to name some specific example of what that might be then you're entirely missing my point.

I think making the game to expand over more than one province could be feasible and entertaining. It would especially work with a combination of Valenwood with Elsweyr (maybe even Sumerset Isles too), and Hammerfell with Highrock. I think a combination of Elsweyr with Argonia would be awkward because of the presence of southern Cyrodiil, something we have already seen. At the same time, the formula for doing one country/province at a time works well. It allows you to explore a defined mood or feeling that is determined by the culture and geography of that place. Overall, I don't care that much as long as it is done well.

@ Shearer

Great pics. I especially like the one called Sunny clearings, and of course the argonian.