[barbara belmonte]

Elaborate on this, please.

And could someone explain to me how engines work in greater detail?

the engines are like a set of functions that make many many things easier. For example, FunctionCircle(radius), will render a circle with the radius you specify. That was much easier and less time consuming that having to write the formula for a circle which I dont even know then having to write direct x code to render that circle. Programmers work on the engine/game itself.

Artists the game art and textures. Modelers for the models in game, sounds are for the sound people, voice acting the voice actors, and managers to manage al lthe people so the games progress is synced up. Not everything is done by everyone lol.

Oh so its not OT, so techincally they've been working on TES:V supposably for onyl 2 years. AKA is it POSSIBLE its only been in works for 2 years? So we can assume in another 2 we will get an announcement?

[Lou]

Oh so its not OT, so techincally they've been working on TES:V supposably for onyl 2 years. AKA is it POSSIBLE its only been in works for 2 years? So we can assume in another 2 we will get an announcement?

It's very difficult for me to believe they just began working on ESV when Fallout 3 went gold.

Bethesda always has at least two teams, one working on a full-production project, the other working pre-production project.

They also trademarked Skyrim in late 2006, so that's the beginning of work on Skyrim, at least in conceptual stages.

At the moment, they've got to be in pre-production for Fallout 4, while in full-production for ESV.

[Alessandra Botham]

It's very difficult for me to believe they just began working on ESV when Fallout 3 went gold.

Bethesda always has at least two teams, one working on a full-production project, the other working pre-production project.

They also trademarked Skyrim in late 2006, so that's the beginning of work on Skyrim, at least in conceptual stages.

At the moment, they've got to be in pre-production for Fallout 4, while in full-production for ESV.

This is likely the case. If TESV is Skyrim, then to trademark a name implies that they had actually at least conceptualized the project even before 2006 (since to know where they placed the game, they likely needed to know why i.e. some basic plot-line structure).

[mimi_lys]

This is likely the case. If TESV is Skyrim, then to trademark a name implies that they had actually at least conceptualized the project even before 2006 (since to know where they placed the game, they likely needed to know why i.e. some basic plot-line structure).

We all know that Bethesda just throws darts at a board of ideas.

But seriously, yeah, while all of this engine re-creating is going on, there's no telling just how much they can actually do without even having a game engine. Concept art, maps, stories, even QUESTS can be made and written.

[Sammygirl500]

We all know that Bethesda just throws darts at a board of ideas.

But seriously, yeah, while all of this engine re-creating is going on, there's no telling just how much they can actually do without even having a game engine. Concept art, maps, stories, even QUESTS can be made and written.

It's not as if they don't have an engine, you know. They'll be starting with a Fallout 3/Oblivion hybrid (Fallout 3 rendering and any format magic that helps out, Oblivion mechanics). Then they'll add any Gamebyro updates they have access to and need. You've already got a playable base engine there. That's relatively minimal effort there, but gives enough of a result for the artists and cave designers to get to work. Meanwhile, the programmers can do whatever they're doing to the mechanics, the animation system, memory management, scripting engine... whatever. Point is that they're able to do much of this in parallel to the art stuff.

As programming aspects are finished, they're already integrated into the tool chain and engine as much as possible. It doesn't make sense to do it any other way, although the animation system may be fairly "all-or-nothing", depending on the new design. but you won't need the new leveling system to test your alchemy equipment, nor a new alchemy system to test out your new NPC AI. Each system can be "well-compartmentalized" through the notorious test cells anyway. But this will all be developed against a working, though not final, engine.

[lillian luna]

So is TES: V in late-development or in mid-development? Was Oblivion announced in late-development or was it mid-development?

[Leah]

The answer is "no one knows", and I'll leave the announcement timeline to Antibody.

[Roberto Gaeta]

2 years working on an engine, the plot, concept art, etc.(may be starting development of the actual soon or started recently)

I think they have plenty done, but I don't believe they have completed much of the gameworld itself, yet.

2 for Fallout 3, 2 after to the present day

I SPECULATE that this man is correct.
They have much of the story/ect completed, but have recently begun working on the engine and programming.
This allows for perfect timing for a release on next gen consoles


-Serper

[Johanna Van Drunick]

I think that they've been working on it for a while, and that we'll be getting leaked info by next spring, followed by an official announcement at the next E3.

[zoe]

I SPECULATE that this man is correct.
They have much of the story/ect completed, but have recently begun working on the engine and programming.
This allows for perfect timing for a release on next gen consoles


-Serper

Bethesda learned from oblivion not to make games on consoles you don't know the specs of so stop talking about next gen,let's just stop talking about this until bethesda tell us about tes v.EDIT:and a few weeks ago you weren't speculating you were saying that everything you said was definatley going to happen I wonder who knocked some sense into you?And again what is the offline source.

[Latino HeaT]

At the same time, BGS wants to release the best game possible, and while they are concerned about the money, I don't believe that they would handicap ESV by not waiting for the next generation of consoles. (and yes it would be a handicap, consoles generally aren't upgradable like PC's and it would be 8 years difference in hardware) I've notice that many users here are PC gamers. I am a console gamer and I think I need to explain something to some of you (who may not realize this)

Perhaps the only ones handicapped would be console gamers. :foodndrink: BGS has to build DX9 support in any case (PS3 and XB360 are based on those features) whether they release for XB360 or XB720 because they'll have to support older PC's as well. And I'm fairly certain that they would release for the current gen even if they aim for the next generation because of $$$. So in any case they will support older hardware, hence "handicap" themselves.

However, graphic-wise there won't have to be any handicaps if they don't screw up their engine - good engines scale well up and down. Only problem might lie in the area of low ram in current gen consoles which - depending of the game design - might limit area sizes etc.

And I can't stress enough the impact of preliminary estimated completion timeframe for TESV. They were going to and will release during this gen's active lifetime. Next gen doesn't seem reasonable unless they've made huge mistake(s) somewhere along the development which caused them to redo stuff or change the direction of the game; then they migh've started to aim for next gen release. But then again, here's nothing supporting this possibility.

[Dalia]

We all know that Bethesda just throws darts at a board of ideas.

Lol...nearly spilled my coffee on that one! :rofl:

So is TES: V in late-development or in mid-development? Was Oblivion announced in late-development or was it mid-development?

I'm inclined to believe they're rounding mid-development.

[Adam Porter]

Bethesda learned from oblivion not to make games on consoles you don't know the specs of so stop talking about next gen,let's just stop talking about this until bethesda tell us about tes v.EDIT:and a few weeks ago you weren't speculating you were saying that everything you said was definatley going to happen I wonder who knocked some sense into you?And again what is the offline source.

It is against the forum rules to claim information without citing a source. If I cannot reveal a source, then I need to say that I am only speculating.

Futhermore, you don't have the right to tell me to stop talking about ESV being on next gen just because you don't like the Idea. I'ts not like I am saying it because I don't like the series. I'm saying it because it is what I believe to be, at minimum ,90% true.

[koumba]

Perhaps the only ones handicapped would be console gamers. :foodndrink: BGS has to build DX9 support in any case (PS3 and XB360 are based on those features) whether they release for XB360 or XB720 because they'll have to support older PC's as well. And I'm fairly certain that they would release for the current gen even if they aim for the next generation because of $$$. So in any case they will support older hardware, hence "handicap" themselves.

However, graphic-wise there won't have to be any handicaps if they don't screw up their engine - good engines scale well up and down. Only problem might lie in the area of low ram in current gen consoles which - depending of the game design - might limit area sizes etc.

And I can't stress enough the impact of preliminary estimated completion timeframe for TESV. They were going to and will release during this gen's active lifetime. Next gen doesn't seem reasonable unless they've made huge mistake(s) somewhere along the development which caused them to redo stuff or change the direction of the game; then they migh've started to aim for next gen release. But then again, here's nothing supporting this possibility.

I really don't see them watering down the game just to support the current generation. They could have watered down morrowind to support Ps2, but they didn't. Again, as a PC gamer, which I am assuming you are, I don't think you realize the difference between the current gen and what next gen may bring. I SPECULATE that they are waiting for next gen consoles, not because they want to make us wait, but because the current hardware is not sufficent.


If they release the game in the next couple years like some of you believe then it will be on the current Gen.

However, I've said before this is not likely, because they are waiting for the next gen so they can create the best game possible, thus the current gen will not be supported. Theve sold 7 million games in the last 5 years $$$ isn't that big of a factor, quality is and always has been with BGS

[Taylor Tifany]

It is against the forum rules to claim information without citing a source. If I cannot reveal a source, then I need to say that I am only speculating.

What I heard other people saying you heard something offline and you never told us what it is.EDIT:You started acting better like you aren't posting stuff about renaming the serper theory to seper fact and saying that all your stuff is true and now you are speculating so what I said(something like show or the source or else) doesn't count anymore but I thought you did say something about an offline source that helped your theory.

Futhermore, you don't have the right to tell me to stop talking about ESV being on next gen just because you don't like the Idea. I'ts not like I am saying it because I don't like the series. I'm saying it because it is what I believe to be, at minimum ,90% true.

Sorry for demanding it I could have said it way way way nicer.
EDIT:look ignore my post before this because everything I said then was wrong.

[adame]

However, I've said before this is not likely, because they are waiting for the next gen so they can create the best game possible, thus the current gen will not be supported. Theve sold 7 million games in the last 5 years $$$ isn't that big of a factor, quality is and always has been with BGS

Why not make the best game they possibly can now and then if there are any console constraints scale back the content to fit the specs until the next gen comes out? Wouldn't this make better financial sense?

Certainly I am all for quality, so I do not mind having the game held back a little bit since that should translate into better quality, but this strategy surely cannot be effective for much more than a year before profits are seriously diminished. So unless the next-gens are coming sooner than expected, I don't see this being a determinant factor nor your argument convincing. Their development cycle is less driven by quality and more driven by profit. It reflects a business model; and if it's been highly effective so far I very much doubt they would want to tweak it too much.

[Jack]

You know, I can't see the game being next-gen. 360 and PS3 are still rocking machines and have really cool new motion control features just being released this year. Nintendo is going to have to look at a console upgrade before Sony and Microsoft too. But Nintendo has such a wide consumer base with the wii, it's unlikely that they're in any rush to release a new console, or they may develop for two systems.

We will start hearing something after Fallout: New Vegas is launched, a smashing success and a GOTY. Skyrim (tentative), will (should) be confirmed as in development and ready for some screenies late this year or early next year.

[Quick Draw]

These next-gen arguments hinge on the idea that Beth "has enough money/doesn't care about the money", etc.

My advice: always, always bet against those type of assumptions.

[JAY]

Why not make the best game they possibly can now and then if there are any console constraints scale back the content to fit the specs until the next gen comes out? Wouldn't this make better financial sense?

Certainly I am all for quality, so I do not mind having the game held back a little bit since that should translate into better quality, but this strategy surely cannot be effective for much more than a year before profits are seriously diminished. So unless the next-gens are coming sooner than expected, I don't see this being a determinant factor nor your argument convincing. Their development cycle is less driven by quality and more driven by profit. It reflects a business model; and if it's been highly effective so far I very much doubt they would want to tweak it too much.

I don't think you can say what their development cycle is driven by.
They aren't going to scale back their game. Has everyone forgotten that we are talking about BGS?
If you are all so sure that it will release in the next two years, I speculate very hard that it will release for PC only until the new consoles come out.

[Baylea Isaacs]

If you are all so sure that it will release in the next two years, I speculate very hard that it will release for PC only until the new consoles come out.

I am one of the "release within the next two years" crowd, and I do not see the game being released for just the pc. It will be pc, Xbox and PS3, that seems to be the way Bethesda is going.

[Dezzeh]

I don't think you can say what their development cycle is driven by.
They aren't going to scale back their game. Has everyone forgotten that we are talking about BGS?
If you are all so sure that it will release in the next two years, I speculate very hard that it will release for PC only until the new consoles come out.

Wouldn't that piss off console gamers?

[Kate Schofield]

[quote name='Serper' date='16 July 2010 - 09:15 AM' timestamp='1279286150' post='16168553']
It is against the forum rules to claim information without citing a source. If I cannot reveal a source, then I need to say that I am only speculating.

It's a little late to start saying that now. I WANT THE SOURCE.

[butterfly]

I am one of the "release within the next two years" crowd, and I do not see the game being released for just the pc. It will be pc, Xbox and PS3, that seems to be the way Bethesda is going.

But OB was an Xbox launch title with initial release to Xbox and PC with the PS3 some time later. Beth seems to have issues with the PS3 as not all DLCs were released and they still haven't fully patched FO3 on PS3. Several developers (Crytek, Valve, and others) have expressed 'challenges' with developing for the platform. I would rule out a PC only release though I'd be perfectly happy if they need. There are also indications of more industry support for the Mac. idSoftware and Valve have/are releasing for that platform as well which idicates more support for OpenGL. Its possible Beth is tooling for that as well.

[Kelly Tomlinson]

Beyond the monetary aspect, I think it's safe to assume that Todd Howard and co. also want people to be able to play their game.

They've been working really hard on it, and they probably want as many fans as possible to be able to experience the fruits of their labor. Heck, I bet they can't wait to see the excitement when people get their hands on the game.

After all the new fans brought in by Oblivion, I can't see them releasing another launch title that would effectively zone out all those who couldn't afford to be early adopters.

[remi lasisi]

Beyond the monetary aspect, I think it's safe to assume that Todd Howard and co. also want people to be able to play their game.

They've been working really hard on it, and they probably want as many fans as possible to be able to experience the fruits of their labor. Heck, I bet they can't wait to see the excitement when people get their hands on the game.

After all the new fans brought in by Oblivion, I can't see them releasing another launch title that would effectively zone out all those who couldn't afford to be early adopters.

I couldn't agree more. Waiting for next gen would cost a lot of money, assuming they've been developing it all this time.

But more importantly, no developer makes games just to make them.