As it has been mentioned, a city would be very difficult for any reasonable computer to run if all the interiors cells of building loaded on the fly as you entire the area. This has, of course, always resulted in very broken stealth. How about this: you approach a door or a window, and have the option to "peek" through the keyhole or window. Small load, (perhaps even a transition load screen as you draw your eye level to the keyhole or use your hand to shield your eyes against the glass), then it loads the interior of that one building. You would be able to look around and make sure there is no one standing there looking out the window you are climbing in, or sitting across from their front door eating a midnight bowl of porridge or some such. Surely the addition of one interior cell isn't going to break the bank. And of course, now there wouldn't need to be a load to open the door and enter, it's already, virtually seamlessly loaded! And if you choose not to enter the building, it can dump the cell, going back to opaque glass when you step, say ten feet away. In this way, a thief has the necessary resources to properly eavesdrop, scout out a location, and do all the other things that make it so great to be sneaky!

I like this idea!

What practical use could this serve? What can you gather about a house via peaking into a keyhole?
Also, I really wouldn't say that not having this ability results in a "very broken stealth system".

I thought I listed a practical use: If I'm going to "sneak" into someone's house, I'd love to know they are not standing there watching me enter!

The only way to see if somebody is in a house is to enter. Through the front door.

Now, I'm no robber, but I don't think that's the most efficient method.

One of the most downloaded mod types is body replacers/nudity mods. Think about it, this is a great roleplaying opportunity!

But seriously...the best way to check how safe invading a home is would not be "barge in and hope homeowner isn't standing on other side of door with sword/spell readied," see?

It was useful in Splinter Cell.

Well, if you peeked in and the torches/lanterns were lit, it might be that someone is home. Perhaps you spot the owner as he walks past.

It's an interesting idea, at the least.

I love the voyeur angle! Maybe you get spotted peeking and townsfolk start calling you a perv! Seriously though, something along these lines is really needed if anyone aspires to being a thief. Second oldest profession, and all that.

I like it.

You're not serious are you? You can't think of one practical use for peeking into a house you intend to break into?

Good idea... Multiple entries for castles and houses would be nice too. Hate sneaking into castles through the main hall everytime.

I think its a little naughty... you can't just peek through the window/keyhole, what do you think will all the NPCs think of you?

Well, I think its fair to say Shinovakhiin got "pwnt". :toughninja:

Naughty is good! But I agree, just as you have to make sure no one watches you while you pick a lock, I believe the town guards would be equally suspect of peeping toms, so making sure you are not being observed is recommended.

I like this idea as long as there's always a chance that a guard will sneak on you and kick you in the butt, interrupting the animation.

I really like the idea of making windows usable, not only for peeking and eavesdropping, but also for stealthily entering & exiting, or maybe even for letting in fresh air.

Right! Obviously, the player can only be in one interior at a time, so this time around, if you end up owning a house, or hut, or some such, you could actually see out the windows, watch the sunrise, or happen to be looking out your window as the assassin hired by the husband of the bar wench you hit on comes skulking about your back door!

I support peek and knocking. Every time you just barge in uninvited to peoples homes you're not "friendly" with, you suffer a disposition penalty, if they spot you.

Cool idea but with the technology Skyrim is being developed on (5 year old consoles filled with budget hardware and low quality 512mb of ram) it just can't happen sadly.

This is a great idea!
I once broke 20 lockpicks to find that the owner was standing right there in the doorway, I turned away and walked out dissapointed and empty handed Q_Q

I'm going to hazard a guess that your character wasn't in prison for illegal distribution of politcal pamphlets.

Yes, and lets add voyiurism as a skill, and train it by pleasuring ourselves! WTF man! Hahahaha

Actually I really like this idea from the role playing perspective, and it probably wouldn't be too taxing on a system HOWEVER . . . I would be just as happy having a sneaking Perk that allows you to check a house. For example with said perk you could go up to a door and activate it. The a message prompt would come up saying "It sounds as if the house is vacant. It is probably safe to enter."

sounds like a great idea, I hate it when I break into a house only to find the owner just standing there staring at me. Also, entering through windows is a great idea, would be especially cool if we could use a rope to climb up and enter second floor windows.

secondly, how about peeking out of door/windows too? If there are some hired goons outside to kill you, or maybe an assasin or two, might be a good idea to be able to look out and see them instead of just opening the door when they knock.

I like this idea, as long as it dosent slow down the game