In TGS (Tokyo Game Show), I just witnessed quest markers being shown not only on the compass, but in the actual world as well. Like a light bulb above the head of an NPC, except that it's a marker icon.

Your thoughts?

I personally don't like it, because it makes it feels like... I don't know, some MMO (because they usually have stuff like that, at least the ones that I've played) in that specific sense (and that only, of course).
Then again, I don't like quest markers altogether. I truly hope they'll be optional in a complete way that still makes quests work with proper directions (unlike in Oblivion).

Update from Pete's twitter:

Can quest markers be turned off? Quest markers can be turned off. When turned off, they don't appear on map, in compass, or over NPCs. (Source: http://twitter.com/#!/DCDeacon/status/114356073246367744)
How are quest markers turned off? In the quests menu, you select individual quests or whole categories (e.g. Misc) to turn quest markers on/off. (Source: http://twitter.com/#!/DCDeacon/status/114359680855314433)
Are there enough directions for quests when markers are turned off? "I guess it should be fine. In some cases you may need help. I dunno. I don't play that way so it's hard for me to say." (Source: http://twitter.com/#!/DCDeacon/status/114362826793025536)

Does not bother me very much though i can see why they may annoy others, being able to do quests with them off would be a nice feature.

I actually played through Oblivion in its entirety without quest markers... But that is another debate for another day. (I'll admit quests were designed with them in mind, but it wasn't difficult to play without them)

I noticed that too, and it makes me all the more glad they are easier to remove in Skyrim, i,e not having to select another quest.

If the markers aren't bad enough, now they are going to highlight the person as well? Why not complete the quest for me as well? :rolleyes:

The dumb get dumber.

I'll add ONCE AGAIN, removing the markers only is not acceptable. Unless directions are given just removing the markers isn't an acceptable solution. It wasn't for Oblivion it won't be for Skyrim.

No way! The cool thing was to discover a new quest accidentally.. And if there will be such MMO-style markers...i don't know, it ruins the game for me.
Hope it'll be optional, or i'll just wait for a mod.

Yes looks like I wont be selecting quests I hate those kinds of quest markers, and yikes I see lots of use of that word I don't like in the near future.

Pete just said that quest markers can be removed, but he didn't say how, and to what extent. Can we toggle all quest markers altogether or just specific ones at each time?

The most important question still stands though: will quests still be playable without quest markers, unlike in Oblivion? Will there be enough directions, despite there being Radiant Story in the game? Those are questions we need answers of...

At first I thought it should bother me, but then I wondered how it's different from reading every NPC's name label. I mean, you shouldn't know everyone's name by default, but it's just a UI tool to help you find the guy you are looking for.

Not that big of a deal at this point.

That is incredibly dumb.

So they appear when you're in the same room, and since they won't give you 100% full direction to their whereabouts just to the general area, they'll hardly tell you who are you actually looking in a crowded room.


Oh and it has been confirmed that you can turn on and off as many quest markers as you want, so I think they'll work like it did in Deus Ex:HR. So if you don't like it, don't use it.

EDIT:
Oh and the whole "Direcshuns" thing, they always gave you directions. West of X, in this city is not enough? Too bad that's the same thing that you've got in Morrowind too.
Unless you really miss the step-by-step directions given for main quests and if following those made you feel smarter than following an arrow, good for you.

Pete said you can Switch Off Quest Markers, so no worries there

In the same video, you can see a dialogue option to ask for directions to Whiterun. I hope that's a common feature.

Do we get directions instead? If not than turning off the markers will make things worse than having them on.

The marker appears directly over the head of the marked person.

This is... I can't find words. Quest compass (and possibly markers on the overland and interior maps too), clairvoyance, "INTERACT WITH ME!!" -markers over NPC heads. When do they announce a mechanic which teleports the player straight to the objective (or vice versa), or better yet, plays the game for the player?

But meh... Guess this was expected.

If you mean Direction, the Quest Giver will walk with you out of Town and then tell you to follow that Road and go up the Mountain until you get to your Destination.

Agh! Turn it off turn it off!

It would be nice. Like in Morrowind.

I'm glad you can turn them off but do even casual gamers that much help? That seems a bit overboard but oh well whatever if you can turn them off its fine.

Oh no, we know their names instantly and they're also telling us their life stories without any indication!

SO UNREALISTIC AND EASY, WHY NOT GIVES US A WIN BUTTON.



Seriously, stop this "makes the game too easy" [censored]. You already knew their names before, it just stops you from walking to every damn person in the bar until sombedy says something unique.
I'm sorry, finding a needle in a haystack is not challenging, it's annoying.

Good spot. I just noticed it... too. I mean legally remembered it too now!
Let's hope there's directions for really specific quests as well. Otherwise, toggling off quest markers would be completely meaningless :confused:

I don't think it highlights quest givers just the person you need to see for the quest you are on, from the video i saw anyway it looked like that person was part of the quest the PC was already doing.

I'd completely forgotten about that!

I'm not a fan of those overhead quest markers, but if you can turn them off then it's all good.

Agreed... This isnt Fable here... Or an MMO... Seeing a lightbulb or marker above someones head kinda ruins immersion for me~ And thats the one thing that i love about TES is immersion... Dont kill it Bethesda~

But your not gonna know everything, you start the Game Clueless and then when you reach a Town or City, People will tell you about the Land.