[Miss K]

Many of you are exhibiting hope that will be unrealized. E3 will not provide TES:V's announcement. I believe Game Informer will likely have an exclusive on it, but I do not believe this will provide the "announcement" either. The announcement will come first through elderscrolls.com and will roll out through other sources. The website will likely become either a countdown of some kind or a series of related images. You will not see it anywhere else first, therefore speculating on Game Informer's cover will not provide any information that proceeds what is offered on the website.

Sorry to disappoint some of you...

I don't think anyone thinks otherwise, but it's always a good thing to keep the possibilities that we can't rule out completely in mind. We don't know it wont be at E3, and I highly doubt it will be, but it's possible. And the announcement will definitely be before the reveal of the cover, however I'm waiting for each cover to be revealed because if it isn't of TESV, that means I can stop expecting an announcement for a while.

Edit: Typo

[Claire Vaux]

May 16, 2011:

Todd Howard: We are pleased to announce a game we have been working on since late 2008.

I don't want to set the world on fire...

Permission to sig :rofl:

[Michelle Serenity Boss]

That's some serious speculation you're flaunting as fact.
Source?

Perhaps I did state my position a bit strongly... They have always announced their games first on their website (that i'm aware of). They could, of course, choose to do otherwise but I believe that to be unlikely.

And the announcement will definitely not be before the reveal of the cover.

I disagree. The cover's reveal will likely not come before the announcement. It will most likely be announced first on their website before the cover is revealed.


There are two main reasons I don't expect an announcement at E3. First, they have never announced at E3. Now before we spiral into useless debate into this familiar territory, I'll acknowledge that they could probably pull it off if they wanted to but I don't think they want to. Second, I believe they're going to hold off on their announcement until they absolutely have to - which is shortly before their trademark expires (assuming 'Skyrim' is indeed the game they're developing). This seems to fit their general nature of secrecy and attitude of not revealing anything until they're ready. They'd rather show off something polished than crude concepts that could change. Sure, the argument is then presented that we would be satisfied if they only acknowledged they were developing TES:V, but c'mon...we all know that satisfaction would last about 2 seconds before we became even more rabid for information.

[Yung Prince]

The first I ever heard about Oblivion was from a issue of Game Informer. I'm not aware if it was on the site first or not, however, but that's where I first heard of OB.

[Dj Matty P]

The first I ever heard about Oblivion was from a issue of Game Informer. I'm not aware if it was on the site first or not, however, but that's where I first heard of OB.

It was on the website first, then they told us it would be an exclusive on Game Informer and that we'd have to get the mag for more information.

[Nienna garcia]

I disagree. The cover's reveal will likely not come before the announcement. It will most likely be announced first on their website before the cover is revealed.

Whoops, that was a mistake on my part. I meant to say "And the announcement will definitely not be before the reveal of the cover." I hope you've seen me say that often enough to realize that it was just a typo.

[Hayley Bristow]

Whoops, that was a mistake on my part. I meant to say "And the announcement will definitely not be before the reveal of the cover." I hope you've seen me say that often enough to realize that it was just a typo.

I "speculated" that it might have been a typo...

[Robert Jr]

As much as I'm hoping we get an announcement at E3, I'm not very confident in that hope. I think we get an announcement early in 2011, (maybe Jan-March), for a Fall 2011 release. That is based 100% off gut feeling for what its worth :unsure:

[Amber Ably]

Interesting. My money's on an announcement at, or just before, E3 with a teaser trailer of the game on show. Purely because the trademark expires one month after the show.

Sure, they could hold off for another month, but is one month's extra development time worth missing the media attention of the most covered show of the year?

With no facts it could easily go either way, but it will be interesting to see what happens. :ahhh:

[daniel royle]

What would you do if Skyrim turned out to be another mobile game?

With no other trademarks on the go, I'd be weeping into my pillow for longer than I did when my dear ol' wife left me.

[meghan lock]

As much as I'm hoping we get an announcement at E3, I'm not very confident in that hope. I think we get an announcement early in 2011, (maybe Jan-March), for a Fall 2011 release. That is based 100% off gut feeling for what its worth :unsure:

Click on the link in my sig below for brighter hope.

Sure, they could hold off for another month, but is one month's extra development time worth missing the media attention of the most covered show of the year?

That's a good point. I still wouldn't hold my breath, but it is reasonable enough for a smidgen of hope.

[Janine Rose]

Interesting. My money's on an announcement at, or just before, E3 with a teaser trailer of the game on show. Purely because the trademark expires one month after the show.

Sure, they could hold off for another month, but is one month's extra development time worth missing the media attention of the most covered show of the year?

With no facts it could easily go either way, but it will be interesting to see what happens. :ahhh:

Hmmm. I'm thinking this whole "Skyrim Trademark" thing is being exaggerated. I can't picture an ES game in an all snow setting. Just my gut feeling, and I'm probably way off.

[SHAWNNA-KAY]

I don't think we have ANY announcement on the next ES game until the 2nd ES book is released. Is there even a date on that yet? I can picture the end of that book leading into the next game. Perhaps its in Skyrim, but I really don't know. Thoughts???

[emma sweeney]

I can't picture an ES game in an all snow setting. Just my gut feeling, and I'm probably way off.

You are way off. Skyrim is not just snow and ice, just it's southern and eastern portions, which are basically high montains, with Snow Throad being somewhere in the middle. The northern and western areas are actually quite temperate, with the western areas more like High Rock. Plus, the northern shores and western areas are the most prosperous and diverse (funny, huh. Nords and diversity ) areas of Skyrim.

[Spaceman]

You are way off. Skyrim is not just snow and ice, just it's southern and eastern portions, which are basically high montains, with Snow Throad being somewhere in the middle. The northern and western areas are actually quite temperate, with the western areas more like High Rock. Plus, the northern shores and western areas are the most prosperous and diverse (funny, huh. Nords and diversity ) areas of Skyrim.

Sorry for that misinfo then. I'm just not sure of this whole trademark deal. Hopefully we get an announcement!

[m Gardner]

Hmmm. I'm thinking this whole "Skyrim Trademark" thing is being exaggerated.

How would it be exaggerated? It expires on July 31st. It's their only TES related trademark. If it expires, they will have to wait months to get a new one, so they'll have to wait months to announce it. Those are facts, not exaggerations.

[DAVId Bryant]

Also, wasn't there some other company that is going to get the Skyrim trademark if Bethesda lets it expire? Even less reason for them to let that happen.

[Kortknee Bell]

Also, wasn't there some other company that is going to get the Skyrim trademark if Bethesda lets it expire? Even less reason for them to let that happen.

They aren't going to get the trademark, they already have it. The trademark is for something completely different from what Bethesda is using it for, and both trademarks are currently Live. There isn't any conflict. The only reason Bethesda wouldn't want to let it expire is that it will take around 6 months to get a new one, which is actually a pretty good reason.

[JLG]

How would it be exaggerated? It expires on July 31st. It's their only TES related trademark. If it expires, they will have to wait months to get a new one, so they'll have to wait months to announce it. Those are facts, not exaggerations.

Couldn't that just be a separate game or something else??? We don't have inside info in Bethesda. I don't think that we can say with confidence that "This is TES V".

Didn't Todd Howard say that in 2009, most of the resources were dedicated to reworking the engine? I mean Skyrim was trademarked in 2006. We're they working on TES V, (Already had a name for it) in 06, while Fallout was still a huge focus for the team?

Again, I definitely think that the 2nd book will have to be on the shelves before we see any announcement. I believe that the ending of the second book will lead directly into TES V.

[Dina Boudreau]

Couldn't that just be a separate game or something else??? We don't have inside info in Bethesda. I don't think that we can say with confidence that "This is TES V".

Didn't Todd Howard say that in 2009, most of the resources were dedicated to reworking the engine? I mean Skyrim was trademarked in 2006. We're they working on TES V, (Already had a name for it) in 06, while Fallout was still a huge focus for the team?

Again, I definitely think that the 2nd book will have to be on the shelves before we see any announcement. I believe that the ending of the second book will lead directly into TES V.

The trademark for Skyrim was renewed as recently as January. Whatever Skryim is, it's definitely being worked on, and if they are going to announce it, it has to be before July 31st. IF Skyrim isn't for TES V, then where is the trademark for TES V?

The book definitely will be on the shelves before we see the release of TES V. After they announce it, they will likely take 1-2 years to release it, like they did with Morrowind and Oblivion, which gives them plenty of time to release the book.

I think they'll announce TES V in order to drive up sales for the book. People will buy the book to see what happens before the game. If they release the book before the announcement, fewer people will care or be aware of the book.

[Nicole Coucopoulos]

The trademark for Skyrim was renewed as recently as January. Whatever Skryim is, it's definitely being worked on, and if they are going to announce it, it has to be before July 31st. IF Skyrim isn't for TES V, then where is the trademark for TES V?

The book definitely will be on the shelves before we see the release of TES V. After they announce it, they will likely take 1-2 years to release it, like they did with Morrowind and Oblivion, which gives them plenty of time to release the book.

I think they'll announce TES V in order to drive up sales for the book. People will buy the book to see what happens before the game. If they release the book before the announcement, fewer people will care or be aware of the book.

Thats definitely possible. Another theory could be that they announce the 2nd book and TES V at the same time, saying that the second book leads into this new TES V. That drives sales way up for the 2nd book, and builds huge interest for a second game. Question is, when does this book get announced??? I think that other than the trademark issue, the book announcement holds the next best chance for an unveiling.

And kind of a naive question, but would the full name of the game have to be trademarked? Or would this def be called TES V: Skyrim (If this is in fact TES V)?

[jessica robson]

Thats definitely possible. Another theory could be that they announce the 2nd book and TES V at the same time, saying that the second book leads into this new TES V. That drives sales way up for the 2nd book, and builds huge interest for a second game. Question is, when does this book get announced??? I think that other than the trademark issue, the book announcement holds the next best chance for an unveiling.

And kind of a naive question, but would the full name of the game have to be trademarked? Or would this def be called TES V: Skyrim (If this is in fact TES V)?

They already have The Elder Scrolls trademarked, and they can definitely combine the two considering that only the names Oblivion and Morrowind were trademarked for their respective games.

[zoe]

What would get me excited if i could get a glimpse of the staff ratios, if they are indeed working on a TES game. I'll need someone to anolyse the information for me, but i'd like to have it compared OB and MW, so i could at least fantasize on the direction they're headed. Beefed up staff numbers that aren't on the technical side of development (writers) would really get me excited. Unfortunately i know that writers probably cost just as much to have on staff as the techies, and anything above what's NEEDED to make a game marketable is a waste of money in a business mindset.

I can dream though can't i? Let me dream.

[jesse villaneda]

Wouldn't it svck if the second book was An elder scrolls novel: skyrim? That would be useing the trademark wouldn't it?

[Danii Brown]

Wouldn't it svck if the second book was An elder scrolls novel: skyrim? That would be useing the trademark wouldn't it?

Bethesda isn't a book publisher...