Honestly, I am slightly worried that it will never come. After the rumours a few months ago, in my eyes things are looking grim. Also, if they do make it, there's the chance they could churn out mass-market crap that completely leaves the die-hard fans horrified. Even though i adored Oblivion, it could have been so much better if they didn't hold your hand the whole way through.

So, is there any aspect of TES V you're worried about? Its arrival, gameplay issues, anything?

Pretty much everything you just listed.

I am scared to death. I will be shocked if it's single-player.

From http://bethblog.com/index.php/2009/08/17/clarifying-about-next-elder-scrolls-game-mmo-etc/:

They're making another one. It's confirmed. We just don't know when. However, it will come.


It could be mass-market geared merchandise. Or it could not be. We don't know. Their infamous design tactic of "player familiarity" taken with Oblivion seemed to be dropped off along the wayside with FO3, so perhaps not. Either way, I'll wait for an announcement to fret about design philosophies. As for gameplay mechanics, the best we can do is discuss what we'd like to see in the Ideas and Suggestions thread and hope Bethesda's ideas coincide with ours.


:huh: Why? From the same BethBlog article:

And Pete has said on plenty of occasions that Bethesda Game Studios is all about making single-player games. That's what that develiopment company knows and is familiar with and interested in developing. Could ZeniMax Online develop a TES MMO? Possibly, though we don't know for sure. But that title wouldn't be TES:V, now would it?

Not even remotely worried after Todd's interview with Planet Elder Scrolls. He made it clear he really cares about this series, and is dedicated to making every new TES game groundbreaking, particularly visually.

I'm also confident that if there is a multi-player aspect, it will be similar to Fable 2's co-op mode. Allowing a friend to bring their own character into your game and venture through dungeons together would be amazing. Especially if they work out a way for different character classes (combat, stealth, and magic) to really complement each other. The main focus of the game will surely be single-player though - keeping to the series traditions.

Remember that first Oblivion screenshot that blew us all away? The knight in steel armour, mounted on a bay horse, surrounded by trees with a distant mountain range? I bet Bethesda will unveil something equally stunning for TES:V when the time comes.

i like fable alot but the co-op was dissapointing. mainly because you couldnt actually bring your char over. for those who havnt played it.

But it would sure be incentive to delay or even nullify the need to develop a second TES game when the first's already on its way out and happens to be an MMOG that is meant to indulge players for a long period of time?

The fact that TESIII and IV were successful doesn't mean they're going to have to make another single-player game in order to benefit from the success of past single-player games.

And though Bethesda may make only single-player games, it doesn't mean those single-players games HAVE to include TES.

Sure, it's speculation, but what isn't? Some of us recognize that MMOG's are the new thing and it isn't inconceivable at all that ZeniMax would encourage the development of a TES-themed MMOG that would probably do decent because of the TES fanbase that has been built up recently.

Besides-I don't want to get my hopes up.

None of that is a firm commitment.

They could always change their mind. It's a business, and they'll just do the financial calculations. Maybe they'll figure doing a bunch of cheaper games would be more cost effective than a sprawling, open TES V. Who knows. Or maybe the company will be purchased, or get new investors who for whatever reason would not want them to do TES V.

I'm not disagreeing exactly, just saying that anything can happen with regard to this. And the longer they wait, I'm guessing, the higher the probability that they will not make TES: V.

Its not the MMO I am worrying about for TES (I doubt ZeniMax would consider making TES an MMO); its the addition of CO-OP. When they have to make the game CO-OP, people have to realize that they would have to take things away just to add in CO-OP, and make it perfect. To me, it will feel like something is lost if added CO-OP, mainly because I play Single Player games and if for some reason they added Co-op, that mean less stuff is added to Single player which could make it a bit better and more on CO-OP.

Hopeful, I hope Pete keeps his word on this.

It's true that a lot could hypothetically happen to the company. But the odds are pretty negligible.

TES's financial feasibility and the chance of making more yet smaller games:
Bethesda already has their version of making a bunch of cheaper games via their publishing. BRINK, WET, Rogue Warrior; all of which provide income and profit to Bethesda. In fact, making the titles they care about most, while publishing titles they still find interesting and want to support, is almost the perfect business model. They get to do what they want and make massive amounts of money off that. And then they get to provide backing for other, smaller companies, and profit off those smaller companies' success, just the same as they would if they devoted their developing arm to making numerous small titles. Also, the sense I've gotten from Bethesda over the years is that they like to be selective and choosy regarding what they develop, and even what they publish. They're only going to make something if it's what they want to make. Of course, profitability comes into it as it always does. However, judging by the number of copies sold for Daggerfall, Morrowind and expansions, Oblivion and expansions, and all the repackaging of those titles in between, I'd be surprised if developing more, smaller titles was more profitable than continuing a loved-by-the-gaming-public flagship series that has proven masterful at pulling unprecedented sales.

Odds of getting bought out:
ZeniMax is a massive company. And Bethesda has been raking in the dough for them for several years running now. And seeing as ZeniMax just got done rocking the gaming world by purchasing iD Software, I don't see them financially faltering, nor do I see it ever becoming feasible for them to trade or sell off their flagship company, Bethesda.

Therefore, we can probably safely say that TES:V is on its way, and that Pete is true to his word. Bethesda is the most careful company I know of regarding pre-release information, and if they're willing to go ahead and say that TES:V is coming eventually, then I'll believe them, as that statement more than likely went through a thick and deadly vetting process.

I'm not worried about the quality of the game. After having played DF, MW, OB, Fallout 3 and two of the DLCs for F3, I have faith in Bethesda's ability to make great free-roaming rpgs. What worries me the most, is that it might not be out in years.

im worried if they dont make it. I love the games.

There is no need for yet another discussion topic on TES V.

Use on of the existing threads please such as http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1035506.