I didn't post this in the "Beyond Skyrim" thread because that thread seemed to focus more on specific aspects of gameplay, whereas I'm talking about the setting itself and the story of The Elder Scrolls. I don't think this topic fit in with that one, and I didn't want it to get lost in the jumble of game mechanic discussions.

Where do you think the series will go in terms of story?

In general, would like to see a greater emphasis on character development and narrative. Keep the open-world emphasis, but for the love of god, please make NPCs, especially companions/love interests etc., have realistic personalities and motivations. Hire extra people just to work on NPCs if you have to, in addition to the artists, programmers etc.

I also think that moving away from the supernatural cosmic aspects and more toward more "earthy" interests would be an interesting change. Like, instead of having a game revolve around uncovering and confronting supernatural threats to the fabric of reality, have the game focus more on mortal politics and such. Daggerfall did a good job with this I think.

For example, I'd love TES 6 to deal with the conflict between the Tamrielic Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion (Thalmor in particular). Don't have a god/Daedra be the true enemy or anything, but just really conniving and self-righteous mortals. Every other fantasy game out there has you fighting against crazy unknown supernatural whatevers. I think it would be a really interesting to just truly be fighting against mortals, without having the gods or other powers be pulling the strings. Sure they can have a presence, but I'm just starting to get tired of games where the mortals are always just pawns for the gods.

I actually thought Morrowind did this the best, since really, it wasn't any actual "gods" who were involved at all. Just mortals who had achieved a semi-godlike state but who were still very, very fallible.

For example, in Skyrim I was actually more intrigued by the Civil War and the conflict between the mortal factions, and less interested in the dragons and such. A move toward "low fantasy" as they call it (a la George R.R. Martin or R. Scott Bakker) would be welcome indeed in my book.

All topics on any future game is being kept in one discussion for the moment.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1242906-official-beyond-skyrim/