Definitely northern. I think each province should have its real life cultural counterpart, or a hybrid of two with Bethesdas twist on it.

Well we know some things for sure. The East is influenced by the many Dunmer that live in Winterhold. In the West, Nords are still squabbling over land with the Bretons that once use to be High Rock before the Warp in the West. The South is like Cyrodiil and was once part of Colovia. The great city of Haafinger lies to the north-most point and is the most Nordic influenced city in the realm. The largest mountains in the center, part of Hrothgar reaching north and south and the Dragontail Mountains poking into the West from Hammerfell. In the South-West, Redguard influences like Anvil and some Orc architecture.

I know this isn't exactly what the topics about, but it does give a blueprint of sorts on how Skyrim might pan out visually.

I want http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sod_roof D:

Lol how could you miss Scandivian. Ofcourse we want that.

I'm confused as to why this is even a question :blink:
Most assuredly the art and cultural style for the Nords has been defined for over a decade. If you want a hint at what Skyrim is like, just look as Solstheim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1-khWrgjTo
http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENAU353&q=Solstheim&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=tNYJTZ_gDYSvrAfY3IjVDg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDkQsAQwAg&biw=1899&bih=941

The most northern city I have in my map from the "Pocket guide to the Empire" is Solitude, Haafinger does not even appear in that book... is it a recent city?

Haafinger is Solitude.

They re-named it? Guess Solitude was not fitting anymore since it became the most thriving city.

Haafinger is the local name. Solitude is a more Imperial name.

Dunmer tribes (ashlanders) were like mongolians werent they? AshKHANs, yurts, guar herding, wise women, chimes etc.

As long as it has Skandanavian/Viking/Norse influences, Im sound as a pound

I dont want it to be modeled after any real-life cultures. This is TES:Skyrim not TES:Scandanavia.

vikings ftw

that would look awesome, and if the physics would allow it you could set it on fire :flamethrower:

A northern influence, but you should include Sweden and Denmark in there. I mean... we are the viking countries

I really hope, when people start modding, that it won't be so anime influenced like in Oblivion. I HATE anime. Its concept art is just horrible (please understand that this is just my personal opinion though, and leave it at that).

I think the worst thing that could happen is if Bethesda turned their games into Anime-style :/



Anyway the answer to this question should be obvious. A nothern influence, which is closely connected to an early medieval Europe.
You should, however, not forget that northern influence can also resemble to an indian/tribal influence. I think implementing some kind of tribe theme at some places in Skyrim would be cool. It's good with at least a little mixture.

All of them. I don't see why a FANTASY world has to stick with Earth-culture anologs.

Not to seem mean, but it's obvious and i'm not sure why there is debate about this.

I want scandanavian/viking influence of course. Its really annoying how people want an 'alien' looking world like morrowind. If there was giant mushrooms sprouting out all over the place for the sake of looking different I'd be very disappointed. I can look at snow all day in a game as long as its done well.

Gimme some Nordic/Viking influence and I'm happy!