I was playing Oblivion last night and had an interesting thought that I figured I would throw out here.

I have an iPad that is on the same network as my xbox. I think it would be excellent if Bethesda built in a hook in Skyrim that would connect to my iPad and allow me to utilize it as kind of an additional controller for the game. Properly implemented, the iPad could serve as a map system that I could annotate as I go, provide real-time stats and notations that I have made on my character or the enemy that I am fighting, or perhaps even work as a super-charged inventory manager. Just touch-touch and my weapons and armor have changed! You could have a virtually unlimited number of presets (weapons, armor and magic) that you could enable with a single touch. All of the main campaigning and gaming would be done from the main game screen, of course, but the iPad could almost act as the second monitor. Navigating the map especially seems like a perfect fit. Easy scroll and zoom (even fast travel if you are into that kind of thing) instead of mucking around with the controller and I would never have to leave my main game screen.

What do you think? Should we break some real new ground here?

sounds fun on paper, but it just sounds like a toy function, another reason for someone to brag to there friends what there expensive toy...eh I mean Ipad can do

Yes, toys are for playing games, just like game consoles and (when they have game software on them) computers. These are all toys. Why not have them work together?

Actually a good idea, even more so with using it for shortcuts. However you would have to hold the controller in one hand to use it, so you would be in the situation of a two hand weapon user casting magic

Not going to happen, as it would be lots of work. Not sure how they should communicate? usb probably. Betheseda would have to make a ipad application who show the information and put on apple store.
Welcome to the club, pc players asked for this as dual monitor support in Morrowind.

man it′s sad to hear some people still call gaming consoles toys

I don't think Microsoft or Sony would agree to anything like this. They're both competing with Apple, remember?

Edit: Clarification.

I think Bethesda should spend more time on making the actual game.
If they have time over, they should improve graphics, technology, performance; or add some extra features to the game itself.

From an utilitarianistic point of view, that would be the right and best thing to do.

I mostly envisioned it as sitting on the couch next to me that I would look at or touch occasionally when I needed to. I wouldn't expect to hold it all the time like I would the regular controller. And, yes I expect it would require an specific app, but I would hope the communication could be done over my WiFi...

I think that is a great idea!

They are. When the only purpose something has is entertainment, it is a toy.



I doubt we'll see anything like this in skyrim, the actual mechanics of it could be quite difficult - indeed, impossible without a wireless router to bridge the two - and the scope quite limited.

Maybe, just make a high-quality map that we can zoom-in, zoom-out.... but the problem would to sync it to the console...

Somehow I don't think Bethesda will spend time and resources on a gimmick that can only be enjoyed by someone thats bought the latest shiny thing.

Agree.

A good idea, but as people have mentioned, something that is very unlikely to happen.

I would rather have them split the bumpers in half,and make each half an independent button.