One thing that concerned me about Skyrim was that it would be like Cyrodiil, just playing into a generic theme (medieval, vikings) without much unique flavour like there was in Morrowind. But then little touches like that latest pic with the mammoths http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9962/mammoths.jpg being farmed makes me feel like they will be making it more unique and diverse. Just the use of them against the medieval viking styled backdrop makes it feel like a new place, and the fact that the giant is herding them creates a unique sense of culture. You don't feel like it's LOTR or Conan when you add in these unusual sort of things.

Also the fact that the mammoths hace 4 tusks.

I was already filled with a good sense of variety when they released that old Markath Side picture. Compare that to the infamous windmill town, and I think the complaints about the generic nature of landscapes in OB were heard. Coupled with the apparently more varied dungeons, maybe that dreaded feeling of deja vu will be a thing of the past as far as TES is concerned.

I really don't mind traditional medievel fantasy settings as long as they're beautiful and varied. I'm definitely hoping they don't stick to the whole viking thing much though. Nords have always been one of the most boring races for me in previous TES games because they've been so cliche. I'm really hoping to see them come into their own a bit in Skyrim and show signs of having their own unique culture.

I have to say though, I don't really see the mammoths (even ones with 4 tusks) or giants has being particularly unusual. The giants (as awesome as they look) look like very traditional fantasy giants, and the mammoths... well... they're just mammoths. Nothing strange or unique there.

A bit off-topic, but here's the other released http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0wWms8WMkQ&feature=bf_play&list=WL00BB26A3C8CAAFC7&index=1. It almost sounds like music from Morrowind. Don't you love Jeremy Soule?

I love that track. It was released quite a while ago with the GI time-lapse video. Can't wait to hear the rest of the soundtrack.... I still listen to Oblivion's regularly.

Holy crap, guys! I think there is a dark elf in http://images.uesp.net/8/82/SR-prerelease-2011-04-01-5.jpg. I was reexamining all the released screenshots. That gray skinned figure being stabbed is definitely NOT a draugr, as it/he/she is fleshed out. What do you all think?

Yeah, I think most people agree it's either a Dunmer or a goblin.

I've been so busy looking at every other screenshot for the past couple of months; that one was brushed aside until now. If it is a goblin, then they've been vastly improved over Oblivion's http://www.uesp.net/wiki/File:OBCreature-goblin.jpg.

Far too human-like to be a goblin, and the hat/helmet/thing on his head doesn't make me think Dunmer at all.

I know it's just a mammoth, not something original, it's just the unusual juxtaposition, like I said in the title. It would be like if you had a game set in a mostly European setting, but had a town built in something closer to oriental style (but that blended well with the rest of the world) and it makes the culture feel unique rather than just a copy paste from our world.

I think it's a Dunmer, after all, they don't have to wear Dunmer styled stuff. IMO, the body suggests Dunmer, the hat actually suggests goblin. Looks like something a goblin would wear.

It is a Dunmer. They described the moment he was killed way back in the February Game Informer cover story where that screen was first released.

Edit* Here is the part of the magazine that mentions his race:

"[...]The Dark Elf that stole the golden claw artifact flees into the depths, a chase that results in his death. Now you're faced with a choice. You've recovered the relic,[...]" - Page 58.

Yeah, I also think it's a Dunmer. The skin tone looks good, imo.

if you look around its in a draugh cave/ruin

Wierd, I just clicked on this after visiting a thread that was complaining about the mammoth picture, good to see that not everyone on the forums is a whining negative nancy boy. :tops:
More on topic however, I loved Oblivion's enviroments, generic though they may be and so far I'm loving the pictures of Skyrim, the enviroments look beautiful and the Characters look even more beautiful.