Official TES V Speculation Thread # 56 : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Mon May 16, 2011 10:46 pm

Yeah I find it unlikely that we will get an announcement at QuakeCon. QuakeCon will be the big reveal of Doom 4, it will be pretty damn awesome.

You know...it is possible to announce more than one game at a time.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:53 am

Its possible but I just do not see it happening. I am not ruling it out though. I just find in unlikely.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:36 am

people are starting to take this thread too seriously, calm down.

This here is one of the wisest statements made as of late!

I don't disagree with you. This thread doesn't serve any real purpose apart from pointless speculation. However, a purpose this thread does serve is to keep all of the speculations contained in a single thread. This thread wont cease to exist any time soon because without it, there would just be a bunch of new topics about TES V, which would just lead to making a single thread again.

Declaring the speculation herein as without purpose or merit is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. At first I lauded the notion of synthesizing a compendium of predominant "theories" (to bring newcomers up to speed) but it has since soured into an indiscriminate list of all things possible, which has subsequently relegated the most well-reasoned arguments onto the same plane as the ridiculous.

I have always viewed this thread's main purpose as being a forum for presenting, defending, and debating theories regarding TES:V; allowing for a predominant theory to emerge from the reasoned discussion. However, our little thread here seems to have failed to meet this expectation, mainly due (from my perspective) from an unwillingness of the participants to engage in reasoned discussion.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:18 pm

I just had a thought, hence, I came back to this thread to post it.

Even if TES:V isn't announced at Quakecon, it seems likely that it will at least be mentioned like last year. Think about it, with Todd Howard being there its not going to go unmentioned by everyone. Last year it was pretty much "not this year, k guys?" after all things got cleared up that is. Now its been a full year since the last time they mentioned TES:V, so someone at Quakecon will surely be wondering.

If they don't announce it, they will probably say something like: "don't expect it soon" or "not this year" or whatever, but I'm almost sure, whether they confirm or deny it, we will hear something at Quakecon.

EDIT: Also if they do end up not saying anything or they say something along the lines of "we can't talk about that" then we would have reason to believe it would be coming fairly soon.

» Tue May 17, 2011 8:02 am

I just had a thought, hence, I came back to this thread to post it.

Even if TES:V isn't announced at Quakecon, it seems likely that it will at least be mentioned like last year. Think about it, with Todd Howard being there its not going to go unmentioned by everyone. Last year it was pretty much "not this year, k guys?" after all things got cleared up that is. Now its been a full year since the last time they mentioned TES:V, so someone at Quakecon will surely be wondering.

If they don't announce it, they will probably say something like: "don't expect it soon" or "not this year" or whatever, but I'm almost sure, whether they confirm or deny it, we will hear something at Quakecon.

EDIT: Also if they do end up not saying anything or they say something along the lines of "we can't talk about that" then we would have reason to believe it would be coming fairly soon.

Did you just realize this, professor?

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:13 am

Did you just realize this, professor?

I'm sorry I added something remotely useful (that hadn't been posted before either, as far as I've seen) to this spam box that we call the Speculation Thread. Forgive me?

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:14 am

So here's a question; Assume for a second that Bethesda does announce it at QuakeCon. Do they release a trailer and/or screenshots, or is one of those deals where they just show a logo and say little more other than the game exists?

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:49 am

So here's a question; Assume for a second that Bethesda does announce it at QuakeCon. Do they release a trailer and/or screenshots, or is one of those deals where they just show a logo and say little more other than the game exists?

It's my understanding that when Bethesda announces a game, they have something to show for it. But don't count on it at QuakeCon.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:22 am

So here's a question; Assume for a second that Bethesda does announce it at QuakeCon. Do they release a trailer and/or screenshots, or is one of those deals where they just show a logo and say little more other than the game exists?

If I assume that it is announced at QuakeCon then I must also assume the game will have a multi-player or pvp component. Has there ever been a game at QuakeCon that did not? Also, in the current line-up they all have this. If they announce it at QuakeCon, then what they will show is the multi-player or pvp component to make it relevant to the crowd.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:56 am

I'm sorry I added something remotely useful (that hadn't been posted before either, as far as I've seen) to this spam box that we call the Speculation Thread. Forgive me?

Tausig, lay off. I think he had a valid point (though I myself have said this a few threads back). I doubt Todd or Pete will say the same thing they said last time, or at least hoping, because I'd prefer not to wait another one or two years for just a single word on the game.

» Tue May 17, 2011 5:36 am

Tausig, lay off. I think he had a valid point (though I myself have said this a few threads back). I doubt Todd or Pete will say the same thing they said last time, or at least hoping, because I'd prefer not to wait another one or two years for just a single word on the game.

Thanks, I didn't see that you had said it, but thats probably because I took a break for a couple threads. But you basically said what I was trying to say.

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:24 am

If I assume that it is announced at QuakeCon then I must also assume the game will have a multi-player or pvp component. Has there ever been a game at QuakeCon that did not? Also, in the current line-up they all have this. If they announce it at QuakeCon, then what they will show is the multi-player or pvp component to make it relevant to the crowd.

A very valid point. And, seemingly, another nail in the coffin for a QuakeCon announcement.

» Tue May 17, 2011 10:26 am

A very valid point. And, seemingly, another nail in the coffin for a QuakeCon announcement.

How is that a "valid point"? That's some pretty extreme circumstantial and associative evidence that has no basis.

» Mon May 16, 2011 11:03 pm

If I assume that it is announced at QuakeCon then I must also assume the game will have a multi-player or pvp component. Has there ever been a game at QuakeCon that did not? Also, in the current line-up they all have this. If they announce it at QuakeCon, then what they will show is the multi-player or pvp component to make it relevant to the crowd.

One would come to conclusion then that they may announce the MMO there. Though, the QuakeCon crowd doesn't exactly seem like the type of gamers that would be interested in a MMO.

Given that Zenimax had a good http://www.zenimax.com/news_pressrelease10.25.07.htm to invest in the development of this MMO, it's certainly not going to be canceled. So it has to be announced someday. I still hope Bethesda is smart enough to announce TES V before they announce the MMO.

Hmmm... I wonder if they are considering announcing both at the same time? That would actually be a good strategy. So instead of TES fans screaming "DO NAUT WAN MMO!!!," they'll just say "Pheh, screw the MMO, I'll just play TES V."

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:01 am

How is that a "valid point"? That's some pretty extreme circumstantial and associative evidence that has no basis.

No basis? Well my response was based upon the hypothetical assumption that TESV was announced at QuakeCon. Outside of that, I based my response on the games that have appeared at QuakeCon. Please, sir, name ONE single player game that has ever appeared at QuakeCon? Hmmm, so this is baseless then? What would constitute a base then? For then I will formulate a response more relative to your "basis".

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:23 am

If I assume that it is announced at QuakeCon then I must also assume the game will have a multi-player or pvp component. Has there ever been a game at QuakeCon that did not? Also, in the current line-up they all have this. If they announce it at QuakeCon, then what they will show is the multi-player or pvp component to make it relevant to the crowd.

The "There's Never Been A Single Player Game At QuakeCon Before" argument might be true (I personally have no idea), but just because something has been one way for a long time doesn't mean it can't change. You're assuming that things are always going to be the same. They won't. Someone has to do it eventually. Why not Bethesda?

One would come to conclusion then that they may announce the MMO there. Though, the QuakeCon crowd doesn't exactly seem like the type of gamers that would be interested in a MMO.

The "QuakeCon Crowd Wouldn't Dig An RPG or MMO" argument doesn't hold water because id and Bethesda and Zenimax are trying to broaden the appeal of QuakeCon. They've specifically said as much. And I think showing off one of the most high-profile RPGs ever is one of the best ways they could accomplish that.

And most important of all to the QuakeCon "debate" is that Pete Hines said if Bethesda announces anything it will probably be at QuakeCon. He said that. A dude that works for Bethesda. I really don't see how anyone can argue against QuakeCon with a quote like that floating around. I'm beginning to think people are just ignoring it.

Look, maybe it won't be this show, but Bethesda IS going to have a presence at QuakeCon moving forward. You might as well get used to the idea.

Hmmm... I wonder if they are considering announcing both at the same time? That would actually be a good strategy. So instead of TES fans screaming "DO NAUT WAN MMO!!!," they'll just say "Pheh, screw the MMO, I'll just play TES V."

Or.... and this might just blow your mind.... OR some fans might actually be excited about the prospect of both games. Whoda thunk it?

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:33 am

Look, maybe it won't be this show, but Bethesda IS going to have a presence at QuakeCon moving forward. You might as well get used to the idea.

You act as if I have some sort of repulsion to the idea of Bethesda at Quakecon. I'm fine with them there, and I would love if they announced their games there, even if it doesn't seem entirely likely at this point in time. I'm "used" to the idea, and have been for some time now. But the fact of the matter is that until they actually do announce something, you don't really have any right to talk down to people as you seem to be doing and saying "They shall announce a game there, I declare this to be a fact!"

Or.... and this might just blow your mind.... OR some fans might actually be excited about the prospect of both games. Whoda thunk it?

Oh give me a break mister "I like to talk down to people for no particular reason." It's pure ignorance to think that the MMO will be positively received by the majority of the fanbase. Back when the first TES MMO rumors surfaced, the forums exploded with the white hot rage of tons of TES fans voicing their extreme hatred for even the thought of a MMO, or a TES with any multiplayer in it all at. "Some" fans will love the idea of a MMO, this is true, but I can guarantee you that they will be the minority. TES fans have been hating on multiplayer in TES games for quite some time now and you'd have to be blind to think more than "some" fans will approve of the idea.

As for me I don't give a damn about the MMO as long as they make TES V, which they will. But it's hard to ignore the fact that not all TES fans are as calm about the prospect of a MMO as I am.

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:14 am

The "There's Never Been A Single Player Game At QuakeCon Before" argument might be true (I personally have no idea), but just because something has been one way for a long time doesn't mean it can't change. You're assuming that things are always going to be the same. They won't. Someone has to do it eventually. Why not Bethesda?

The "QuakeCon Crowd Wouldn't Dig An RPG or MMO" argument doesn't hold water because id and Bethesda and Zenimax are trying to broaden the appeal of QuakeCon. They've specifically said as much. And I think showing off one of the most high-profile RPGs ever is one of the best ways they could accomplish that.

And most important of all to the QuakeCon "debate" is that Pete Hines said if Bethesda announces anything it will probably be at QuakeCon. He said that. A dude that works for Bethesda. I really don't see how anyone can argue against QuakeCon with a quote like that floating around. I'm beginning to think people are just ignoring it.

Look, maybe it won't be this show, but Bethesda IS going to have a presence at QuakeCon moving forward. You might as well get used to the idea.

Or.... and this might just blow your mind.... OR some fans might actually be excited about the prospect of both games. Whoda thunk it?

I am not assuming anything... I would welcome a change to QuakeCon... My response was to a HYPOTHETICAL question! It was "assume TESV was announced at QuakeCon what would they show?" I took what QuakeCon is and answered the hypothetical question. Then it was considered baseless when all I did was use base line information to answer the question.

So you may all attack me for what I actually believe, here are my thoughts:

1) TESV is going to be made and it will really change gaming on a lot of levels. It will set the standard for other games. It won't be possible to reach that level on current gen systems. I am sorry but that is the case.

2) We will find out something regarding TESV before the end of the year, likely by November.

3) NONE of 1 or 2 are based on "simple" guess-work and pale conjecture (oh yes semantic hounds I quoted that for a reason).

QuakeCon is a going to be a great event, and as an FPS fan, I will enjoy it, and so will Todd because that man loves his Call of Duty and the FPS world. Sure, they'll ask about TESV as they always do, but ya know what? TES has one crazy tenant that they have always followed...

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:11 am

1) TESV is going to be made and it will really change gaming on a lot of levels. It will set the standard for other games. It won't be possible to reach that level on current gen systems. I am sorry but that is the case.

I believe that next generation of consoles wont be announced until E3 2012 and wont be released until at least Fall 2013. My belief is based on the fact that Microsoft signed a deal with Activision that involves all Call of Duty DLC being released onto the Xbox 360 first, before all other platforms. This contract ends at the end of 2012. So, the way I see it is, Microsoft will announce the next Xbox at E3 2012, and the Call of Duty that is released in Fall of 2012 will be the last Call of Duty on the Xbox 360. In 2013 Microsoft will release the next console and the next Call of Duty will be a launch title for the new system.

So, assuming my theory is accurate, and assuming TES V wont come out until the next generation, we will have to wait until at least 2013 to see TES V. If that is indeed what Bethesda is planning on doing, then that also means we wont see an announcement until sometime in late 2011 or 2012, unless Bethesda wants to reveal it's game 3 years early in late 2010. That may also mean that the next TES novel wont be released until Fall 2011, as releasing it in Fall 2010 will leave 3 years until TES V, and that's a tad long.

If everything I said turns out to be true, then, well, we have quite a lot of waiting to do. Do I think Bethesda will wait until the next generation? I'm slowly starting to wonder. In Todd's most recent interview, he said that they were STILL working on the engine. What on earth could be taking so long unless they were making it for a brand new system? But then there's the fact that Microsoft handing out dev kits in 2010 seems a tad unbelievable. I don't know. If 2010 ends without an announcement, I will be much more inclined to think they're waiting for the next generation. But until then, I just don't know what to think.

What are your thoughts?

» Mon May 16, 2011 10:46 pm

you don't really have any right to talk down to people as you seem to be doing and saying "They shall announce a game there, I declare this to be a fact!"

Hardly. As I said, there are some very intriguing quotes that point to Bethesda having a large presence at QuakeCon that some people seem to be ignoring. I'm not saying they're definitely positively 100% going to announce it there. I'm just keeping that possibility alive.

Oh give me a break mister "I like to talk down to people for no particular reason." It's pure ignorance to think that the MMO will be positively received by the majority of the fanbase. Back when the first TES MMO rumors surfaced, the forums exploded with the white hot rage of tons of TES fans voicing their extreme hatred for even the thought of a MMO, or a TES with any multiplayer in it all at. "Some" fans will love the idea of a MMO, this is true, but I can guarantee you that they will be the minority. TES fans have been hating on multiplayer in TES games for quite some time now and you'd have to be blind to think more than "some" fans will approve of the idea.

The forums "exploded" sure, but there millions and millions of Elder Scrolls fans that don't post on the forums. Are you speaking for them? I have many friends and associates that are Elder Scrolls fans and haven't set foot on these forums, and I can tell you that all of them love the idea of some sort of online Elder Scrolls game.

Also, I have to laugh at THE IRONY of claiming that I'm talking down to anyone on these forums.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:24 am

I believe that next generation of consoles wont be announced until E3 2012 and wont be released until at least Fall 2013. My belief is based on the fact that Microsoft signed a deal with Activision that involves all Call of Duty DLC being released onto the Xbox 360 first, before all other platforms. This contract ends at the end of 2012. So, the way I see it is, Microsoft will announce the next Xbox at E3 2012, and the Call of Duty that is released in Fall of 2012 will be the last Call of Duty on the Xbox 360. In 2013 Microsoft will release the next console and the next Call of Duty will be a launch title for the new system.

So, assuming my theory is accurate, and assuming TES V wont come out until the next generation, we will have to wait until at least 2013 to see TES V. If that is indeed what Bethesda is planning on doing, then that also means we wont see an announcement until sometime in late 2011 or 2012, unless Bethesda wants to reveal it's game 3 years early in late 2010. That may also mean that the next TES novel wont be released until Fall 2011, as releasing it in Fall 2010 will leave 3 years until TES V, and that's a tad long.

If everything I said turns out to be true, then, well, we have quite a lot of waiting to do. Do I think Bethesda will wait until the next generation? I'm slowly starting to wonder. In Todd's most recent interview, he said that they were STILL working on the engine. What on earth could be taking so long unless they were making it for a brand new system? But then there's the fact that Microsoft handing out dev kits in 2010 seems a tad unbelievable. I don't know. If 2010 ends without an announcement, I will be much more inclined to think they're waiting for the next generation. But until then, I just don't know what to think.

What are your thoughts?

I like your mind Antibody, regardless. You have wonderful ability and I have often valued your opinion.

Most of what you have said here, I too agree with entirely.

The only thing that I can disagree with is that there will be some instant transition where the Xbox 360 vanishes off the face of the earth and the new console exists. Meaning, with all of the Call of Duty games that appear year after year, it is conceivable that the next generation of consoles could arrive and the current generation would still be supported. It always happens. This means that even though we are looking at a deal that extends, it doesn't preclude another from existing. We could well see another generation of consoles emerge whilst another persists, enough to fulfill contractual obligations at least.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:09 am

If everything I said turns out to be true, then, well, we have quite a lot of waiting to do. Do I think Bethesda will wait until the next generation? I'm slowly starting to wonder. In Todd's most recent interview, he said that they were STILL working on the engine. What on earth could be taking so long unless they were making it for a brand new system? But then there's the fact that Microsoft handing out dev kits in 2010 seems a tad unbelievable. I don't know. If 2010 ends without an announcement, I will be much more inclined to think they're waiting for the next generation. But until then, I just don't know what to think.

For a start, even though they are still working on the engine we don't know when their work began, it could be 6 months, it could've been after the release of Fallout 3. Given the fact that DLC doesn't really require much of the team, I suppose we would assume that they began after the release of Fallout.

This leaves 2 options. There are several threads out there with people [censored]ing about the age of the Gamebryo engine and the fact that it looks tired and old, which is true. Few games of this scope never use a game engine right of the shelf, something always has to be modified so it suits the needs of its respective company, in the case of TES, they needed to adapt it to the Construction Set along with other tweaks.

They have continued to adapt and improve the engine as their series of games progressed so I can see them re-coding the engine in its entirety with their own code so that 1) they can saves themselves a lot of money due to the fact that they don't need to pay any licencing fees and 2) they can realise the scope of the game and not have it held back by some major graphical limitation, i.e. the [censored] looking LOD that Oblivion currently sports.

I would like to point out that this is the same thing that CD Projekt did with The Witcher engine.

Option number two is that have decided to licence another engine and need to tweak it a decent amount to suit their own needs. :shrug: I find this idea less likely since they had already put a lot of work into their version of the Gamebryo engine.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:04 am

Oops.

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:13 am

Hardly. As I said, there are some very intriguing quotes that point to Bethesda having a large presence at QuakeCon that some people seem to be ignoring. I'm not saying they're definitely positively 100% going to announce it there. I'm just keeping that possibility alive.

Nobody said it is impossible, and the possibility is still there until the very end of Quakecon. You don't need to do anything to keep the idea alive.

The forums "exploded" sure, but there millions and millions of Elder Scrolls fans that don't post on the forums. Are you speaking for them? I have many friends and associates that are Elder Scrolls fans and haven't set foot on these forums, and I can tell you that all of them love the idea of some sort of online Elder Scrolls game.

Are you speaking for them? What makes you so sure they will all love the idea? I never said everyone on earth hated the idea. The forum members here that joined for TES are obviously fans who are devoted enough to bother making an account on the forum. The collective opinion of all those members is a good way to see what other fans of the series will think. If the forums exploded because of the MMO rumors, you can be sure that many other fans of the series felt the same way. Not all of them, but a good number of them.

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:59 am

Anyone else think they're wating for the next gen consoles? Maybe I'm reading into it too much, but the way Todd Howard was going on about a fresh start and dealing with new technology in his Industry Gamer's interview had me wondering. Imo it would be a good marketing move to be a launch title again like it was with the 360.