Just curious what people think. (Yes, I'm sure it's already been discussed a billion times. Whatever.)

My opinion:
I loved Oblivion. I've been thinking about the sequel for quite some time now. I was disappointed when I heard about Fallout 3 being the next in line instead of another Elder Scrolls game. It turned out that Fallout 3 was pretty awesome in its own way, although I still prefer the Elder Scrolls style. Hearing the announcement about Skyrim is actually a bit relieving. My answer would probably be #2, although #5 is pretty tempting too.

Question:
How long has Skyrim been under development? Has it really only been around 2 years? Isn't that kind of a short period of time compared to the development cycles for previous Elder Scrolls games? I'd rather hear that it's been in development for 4 years or more. In some way it seems like that would ease my anticipation and increase my expectations.

Anyone know the FACTS? If so, can you also provide blog/forum/twitter links?

(Edit) Answer:
Todd Howard states the following in http://bethblog.com/index.php/2010/12/16/the-bethesda-podcast-episode-6-enter-the-dragon/ at the 2.5 minute mark:

"We've been working on [Skyrim] for years and years. We actually started designing the game after Oblivion [was completed] - a long, long time."

- Thanks http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/user/593461-tuch/ for posting the answer below.

Everybody knew it was coming, but I was thrilled to finally hear about it.

I fainted when I heard the news! AWESOME!!!!
bliviongate:

I knew it was coming, was happy to hear, but I think they should have announced immediately, so I voted number 1. It just irritated me a little because they gave absolutely no time to hear fan input about the game.

Well this is one creative pool

I think timing was good. But I want more info!

In one of the podcats (#6 maybe?) I belive Todd said that they started on Skyrim right after Oblivion.

I actually started playing oblivion again in around october-november and checked out these boards for any hints of a new game. Then a month later it is announced. When it was announced I was all giddy and squeeing but I was very surprized that I had less than a year to wait. Usually games are announced years before release: Diablo III, Starcraft II, Crysis 1+2, the list goes on. Maybe they are trying to minimize the hype that oblivion got. It was a really good game, don't get me wrong, but we as fans made it out to be a game that it could never live up to.

Imagine if a huge game company came out and said (for example), "Skyrim is now available at your local pc game retail store and via digital distribution." Imagine that when they announced the game was when it was out! We would be like whaaaaa?
OK, but it was a little later perhaps. Maybe they wanted to solidify the story and the games mechanics before confusing everyone.

Well it really doesn't matter when they announced it. If they announced it 3 months before release, no one has the right to be outraged that they didn't let you in on the loop when they don't owe you any information. The only thing they have to do is make the game, they just go out of their way to let you know the information about the game. So anyone that gets angry over not knowing early or gets angry about the information that has been revealed is just.....yeah.

Although I hadn't been expecting to hear anything until early 2011 I wasn't otherwise surprised by the announcement. I probably would have been happier if they waited a bit longer, say February, but I'm certainly not displeased with the December announcement and January unveiling.

"Already here": I wish. I'd rather not know until I can go out and buy it. I just can't stand the anticipation!

Also,

CE first and then GOTY second, like I have done with Oblivion and Fallout 3.

im sure they started thinking of ideas for it right after finishing with oblivion, theres no way this was only being worked on for a couple of years.

why the hell would you guys wanna hear about skyrim the second they started thinking about it? that would've been several years of horrible excruciating waiting with little to no info at all coming until this year... look at how freaking insane we're all going WITH ONLY TEN MONTHS to wait!

we'd all be jumping off of skyscraqers if we had to wait 4-5 years after hearing about it!

I picked No One Wanted to B..... Tho I already knew they were going to make it, atleast guessed at it...

It is just so dang far away and I feel a delay will happen in my bones yet I hope I am wrong.
Tho you have to agree no matter how kool the release of 11.11.11 is how many game makers really release a game on Fridays? Most games in the US atleast are released Tuesday and the other example would be Nintendo games being released on Sundays sometimes, so sure they can change it but for some reason I kinda doubt Beth will release in on that friday

Tho I kinda wish they didn't tell us or atleast let me know about so than I wouldn't be on here EVERYDAY looking for info

I actually wish they didn't announce it so soon.Now I have to stay on the forums for the next 300 days. It's ruined my life in anticipation!

There's one bad thing about it - now that everyone's hyped, we won't have as much time to affect the outcome

I wish it where here now. Though I didn't want to beleave I had to wait so long to get it. xD

Maybe some fallout dlc will keep me going till november....or I could go play through Oblivion again. Then when Skyrim hits, it'll be like a smack of awsome to my face.

They waited patiently. When the community was eager, they suprised us. Good timing, and good release date. The longer the wait, the better the game.

I heard that they started on it as soon as oblivion was finished??

It was not announced on December 11th 2010.

December the fifteenth sounds more correct to me.

They Actually announced it 11 months before hand. And it's coming out 11.11.11 11 a.m

The announcement did, in fact, occur on December 11, 2010.

And my write-in vote is: "Voth aan bahlok wah diivon fin lein!"

clever poll. well done. anyway, im the truth finally dawns crowd

I'm a mix of "The Truth finally dawns" and "Nobody wanted to believe."

I am overjoyed that It's finally been announced, and understand it couldn't be done too soon. But I think Bethesda should in the future be a little more prompt on announcing the basic fact that it is finally in development.

not sure how anyone can claim to be indifferent about the announcement. those people obviously wouldn't be using the Skyrim forums if not for it :shakehead:

I will have to ditto that. Indeed it is "with a hunger to swallow the world."

Earlier announcement would have meant less reliable information.

Announcing early enough for public input to change anything significant would have been way too early. Fans affected the game through their commentary on Oblivion and the last four and half years of suggestions, speculation and complaints on the forums.

A year is really a bit too long for me. But I doubt it matters any way.