also, 5-6 years later, new console generation (hopefully).

It was 6 years between Daggerfall and Morrowind and Morrowind and Oblivion. 5 years between Oblivion and Skyrim. Yeah, it svcks that we probably have to wait until 2016 for the next installment, but that's the price we pay for quality. Bethesda does have other games they make as well, so we have those to look forward to. It's been 3 years since Fallout 3 dropped, so maybe Fallout 4 will be a next-gen launch title, or close to it.

The longer the better.
I'd be disappointed and skeptical if The Elder Scrolls VI came out anytime sooner than 2016.

Besides, it's not like Skyrim won't get a good amount of DLC in the next couple years.

^ This

Oh no, please DO take 5 or more years.

^This^

So long as they make a good game, I'm happy, even if it does take a few years. They can add expansions and DLC to Skyrim for a few years. They could even add more possibilities to the Radiant System, so we could have more randomized quests. I'm sure that the modding community will, too.

I don't mind as long expansions and DLC are being made, I want more story. o;



Also this.

gamesas, I believe, has now grown to be possibly the world's largest game studio. (many other prominent names are actually multiple studios spread across different locations) So it's allright if they split off some to work on another Fallout. It grants more time so we don't wind up with another game released for the same console, which REALLY stymies the graphics and other technology of it.

And yes, making an epic RPG requires an epic amount of work. This isn't Call of Duty or Madden NFL where they can recycle 95% of the old resources, make new maps/update the rosters, and re-package it for another $60US.

That, and I have the impression few, of any of you, know how to properly make a game. "Production" is the process most of you identify with "developing a video game." "Pre-production" is the lengthy process most of you don't even know exists, where the team produces the design document for the game: it's the most critical piece, and why so many attempted indie games (I see one of those on the forums here every month) wind up failing, because they don't bother with that sort of thing. The design document gives the team a roadmap to work from, helps keep things in focus, and ensures that they don't wind up going off on a very destructive path of chain-changes. (which tends to kill off most independent projects)

Yes, for a game the scope of a TES game, producing a design document will likely run into taking years. This is perfectly fine; it's fully worth it. For you kids who are impatient and want more now, too bad: if they released a game every year or two, it wouldn't be remotely near as good. For now, just try and enjoy the game itself... Or get the PC version and enjoy the mods.

Rather wait 5 years for a game with finesse than one thrown together.

The point is being missed with this whole 3/5yr thing.

...How about this,. after oblivion, there wasn't a TES game for 5 YEARS. Regardless of when production actually started.


Anyway, this is their tradition it seems. The TES series isn't pumped out in rapid succession like say, Final Fantasy. Don't expect the next game to be within 2 years.

I was 23-24 when Oblivion came out. I had my 29th birthday 2 months before Skyrim.

Do we need anymore math?

No the point is not being missed at all. What you're proposing is that TES games are good (or better) because they have long development cycles, and you're using this whole 5 year thing to backup that proposition.

What you are failing to understand is that 2 years of pre-production (ideas, concept, ect.) does not equal full development and cannot accurately be used in your theory.

True there wasn't a TES game for 5 years length, but that does not equal the value of 5 years full development time. That would be like saying Duke Nukem: Forever has the quality of a 10 (or whatever) year development cycle.