Variety in Shop Hours? : V

» Tue May 03, 2011 1:10 am

In Oblivion, every shop opened at 9am, and closed at 9pm. I, for one, would like to see more variety in this, just to add some more sense of realism into the game. For example, in one city, it'd be cool if the smith shop opened at 10am, while the general shop opened at 7am, and so on. Any say on this?

» Mon May 02, 2011 10:21 pm

Where is the line between being a videogame and being a simulation?

» Tue May 03, 2011 3:12 am

Where is the line between being a videogame and being a simulation?

With most of the "people" that pretty much lobby the importance of "immersion" and "realism", the word videogame is a cuss word. So if you ask someone who thinks rationally, you cross from game to simulation when you start to sacrifice playability and fun for immersion and realism.

With the idea of varying shop hours, it would have to cluster up, in other words, all the shops in one town open and close at the same time, but differ when you go from one town to the next. Otherwise, it becomes too chaotic for the player and would be a horrible idea.

» Mon May 02, 2011 8:25 pm

I like the 8am-8pm system, gives the player a load of time to come into the shop and also steal from the shop when the NPC is not present. However if you insist i think there should be a night guy to look over the shop at night.

» Tue May 03, 2011 12:25 am

In Oblivion, every shop opened at 9am, and closed at 9pm.

No, it didn't.

» Mon May 02, 2011 7:54 pm

In Oblivion, every shop opened at 9am, and closed at 9pm. I, for one, would like to see more variety in this, just to add some more sense of realism into the game. For example, in one city, it'd be cool if the smith shop opened at 10am, while the general shop opened at 7am, and so on. Any say on this?

I don't know if what you're saying is true. But I would like variety either way.

And also, a smithing place should open earlier than a trading place, since a smith would spend some time doing some smithing, amirite?

» Tue May 03, 2011 5:18 am

Where is the line between being a videogame and being a simulation?

every game is a simulation

» Tue May 03, 2011 9:20 am

I don't know if what you're saying is true. But I would like variety either way.

And also, a smithing place should open earlier than a trading place, since a smith would spend some time doing some smithing, amirite?

True, true on the smithing thing. And about what I said earlier, from what I've experienced, they open at around the same time. Maybe some open earlier or later. Not sure. I usually just loot dungeons for weapons, items, and gold anyways, and drop what I don't need.

» Mon May 02, 2011 9:03 pm

Some shops opened up at 8 and closed at 8 example: The Copius Coinpurse
Some shops opened up at 9 and closed at 8 example: A Fighting Chance

» Mon May 02, 2011 11:11 pm

No, it didn't.

This. And I prefer it always the same so I always know when I can or not go

» Tue May 03, 2011 4:49 am

If it was up to me I'd go the Fallout New Vegas route and have them open for 24 hours but this is TES and we can't have that. 8 am-8 pm is fine plus if a merchant is being rude towards you then later on when he's sleeping or out at the bar you can steal his/her stuff. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

» Tue May 03, 2011 11:19 am

There should a text carved in the wall, next to the shop, describing us the opening times.

» Tue May 03, 2011 7:45 am

Where is the line between being a videogame and being a simulation?

There are aspects of video games, RPGs included, which are bordeline of simulatory nature and it's hard to tell on which side of the border they are.
The OP gave us a nice, albeit minute, suggestion.

9am-5pm
2pm-9pm
7am-7pm

etc...

?God is in the details?

» Tue May 03, 2011 8:12 am

Only if the shop's hours are clearly marked.

» Tue May 03, 2011 1:43 am

All i know is that im DEFINITELY not workin 8am - 8pm...

Thats gonna be Skyrim time!

Called it!!.. still want a 8am - 8pm pay cheque tho! :thumbsup:

» Tue May 03, 2011 2:21 am

I like the 8am-8pm system, gives the player a load of time to come into the shop and also steal from the shop when the NPC is not present. However if you insist i think there should be a night guy to look over the shop at night.

Like i Said.

» Mon May 02, 2011 11:11 pm

Its not really a shop per se, but taverns should obviously open and close slightly later than other types of shop. Can't remember if that was the case in oblivion or not?

» Tue May 03, 2011 6:16 am

Its not really a shop per se, but taverns should obviously open and close slightly later than other types of shop. Can't remember if that was the case in oblivion or not?

Taverns where practically open at all times but this thread is mainly geared toward shops

» Mon May 02, 2011 8:00 pm

Its not really a shop per se, but taverns should obviously open and close slightly later than other types of shop. Can't remember if that was the case in oblivion or not?

Taverns should never close! :foodndrink:

» Mon May 02, 2011 11:07 pm

Taverns where practically open at all times but this thread is mainly geared toward shops

Yes, but they were mostly taverns/ hotels weren't they? I just have an image in my head of a mad Nord rush when the barman shouts last call.

» Tue May 03, 2011 4:41 am

When I worked for a shop, we NEVER kept the place open for 12 hours, and that would svck in this game because there wouldn't be enough time to hit the whole city, and with Radiant AI, there is a small chance that guards will beef up patrols and security after a string of thefts, not being able to raid the whole town really hurts your chances of knocking off the whole thing. (Keep in mind that I'm assuming Radiant AI will be in, and I'm assuming that is a component of the AI).

» Tue May 03, 2011 10:04 am

Yes, but they were mostly taverns/ hotels weren't they? I just have an image in my head of a mad Nord rush when the barman shouts last call.

In that case the bars should be crouded, and maybe an 8am-2am time, doubtfull but not impossible.

» Tue May 03, 2011 4:22 am

with radiant AI, there is a small chance that guards will beef up patrols and security after a string of thefts

Fair play, my heart skipped a heat when I read that.
On topic though, I like the idea provided that there are no extremes like one shop opening from 8-9, while the one next door opens 12-5.

» Tue May 03, 2011 1:37 am

I guess if shops closed early on weekends that would be a cool little detail, however predictable times for all shops is better from a gameplay perspective. I personally wouldn't mind either way.