» Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:58 am V2.1
Overview:
1. - Combat
1.1. - Melee/Archery
1.2. - Magic
1.3. – Sneak
1.4. –The Way of the Voice
2. - AI
3. - Environment
4. - Plot
5. - Lore
6. - Graphics & Effects
7. - Sound
8. - Creatures
9. - Character, Leveling, Stats & Skills
10. - Interface
11. - Quests & Dialogue
12. - Misc Features
13. – Speculations
14. – Media
15. – FAQ
16. – Changelog
1. Combat
Sources: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/01/24/skyrim-building-better-combat.aspx?PostPageIndex=1
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/01/24/skyrim-building-better-combat.aspx
http://www.destructoid.com/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-new-combat-system-detailed-192426.phtml
http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details/
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2011/02/03/toddhowardse.aspx
http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/04/27/elder-scrolls-skyrim-your-questions-answered/
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422177
? Overhauled Combat-system.
? Inter-Changeable Dual-Wielding with both weapons and spells. You can have a blade in one hand, and a spell in the other, or a blade in both, or a blade and an axe, or even spells in both!
? Spells can't be cast if both hands are used for weapons/shield.
? Ability to “bookmark” spells, items, and abilities for easy access
? Finishing moves
? More jostling and staggering with camera shake effects
? Backpedaling slower than running forward
? 'Magnetism' in your attacks draws them more towards enemies rather than allies so as there is no 'friendly fire' in bigger battles.
1.1 Melee
? Timed-blocking, no word on directional blocking
? Dual-wield possible
? Shield bashing is in
? Individual skills like Blunt and Blade are replaced with one-hand and two-hand skills each with their own perks that include individual weapon specializations
? Power attacks are in
? Spears and crossbows are out due to time constraints
? Can only block with a 2-handed weapon or shield according to the French Playstation magazine article
1.2 Magic
? 80+ spells to choose from
? Dual-wielding magic
? Different effects for one and two handed magic including placing a rune on the ground for a trap effect, single hand casting a fireball, two-hand casting a flamethrower-like spell
? Can’t cast with items in both hands, one hand must have magic equipped
? Some spell combinations possible, such as fireball + shockwave for a radial fire effect
? Fire deals the highest damage, lightning drains the enemy’s magicka, and frost drains stamina and slows down enemies physically. They all deal damage as well though, but fire deals more
? Mysticism school removed and spells moved to other areas
1.3 Sneak
? Ranged zoom and time slowing perks confirmed
? Sneak system is more akin to Fallout 3
? Works in multiple levels of awareness
? Possible to re-hide after being spotted
? Bashing with bows
? Alchemy part of Sneak
? Dagger perks under stealth
? Dagger now does massive damage for Sneak attacks
? Archery skill separate from other weapon skill
? Higher Sneak allows for more time to hide again after being spotted
? Inspired by the Oblivion mod “Better Bows”, they have gone ahead and beefed up bows; making them hit harder but with a longer draw time
1.4 Way of the Voice
Sources: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/01/20/skyrim-s-dragon-shouts.aspx
http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1162158p2.html
"A long practiced spiritual form of Nordic magic, also known as the Tongues, that is based on their worship of the Wind as a personification of Kynareth. Through the use of the Voice the power of a Nord can be formed into a thu'um, or shout - which has a large variety of applications (anything from sharpening blades to a long range weapon). Master Voices (known simply as Tongues) have legendary, and often unbelievable powers, including talking to people of hundreds of miles away or teleportation. The most powerful masters must even be careful whenever they speak, as their voice can cause great destruction and they are commonly gagged.
During the Conquest of Morrowind, the Nordic war chiefs were also Tongues (Derek the Tall, Jorg Helmborg, Hoag Merkiller). They needed no typical siege weapons when attacking a city as they merely used the Voice to break down the city gate and allow their armies to storm in. The future of the Tongues was forever changed by the most powerful Tongue, Jurgen Windcaller, also better known as the Calm. Jurgen converted to a pacifist and refused to use the Voice for any martial purposes. In a confrontation with 17 other tongues he reportedly swallowed the Shouts of the 17 for three days until they lay exhausted, later to become his followers.
Today, all Tongues live secluded lives on the highest peaks of Skyrim in tough conditions and contemplation, and have only spoken to announce the destiny of the great Tiber Septim (who later created an Imperial College of the Voice in Markarth, returning the Voice to the art of warfare).
Those known as Dovahkiin, Dragonborn, can use a type of magic known as "Dragon Shouts." Dragon shouts are spoken in the Dragon Language, and can manipulate dragons in a variety of unknown ways, as well as performing other kinds of magic, also undocumented."
? Shouts are obtained from absorbing dragon souls, dungeons and other places
? Shouts work in levels based on number of words uttered. One to three words per shout. Holding the button down longer utters more words and makes the effect stronger, but also increases the cooldown
? Not based on Magicka or melee. It’s its own system based around cooldowns
? At least 20 shouts confirmed
? Does not have to be equipped like magic and weapons
? Players and dragons both use the shouts
? In the language of the dragons
? Draugr(a type of undead) are also capable of using shouts
2. AI
Sources: http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details/
? NPC AI uses improved Radiant AI system. No more NPCs randomly wandering in town squares. Each has their own tasks that make more sense
? React to environment. If you drop a sword on the ground, someone may return it to you or two people could fight over it
? NPCs develop feelings based on your actions. If you ransack their home or murder someone next to you, they’ll feel more negatively toward you which can affect whether they give you some quests, or how much information on the quest they give
? If you kill a quest-giver, the quest can be passed along to a relative to give to you; they won’t forget you killing their family member, however
? When engaging in dialogue, the game no longer pauses and zooms in. Instead NPCs continue their work while speaking to you and you can continue moving around. Walking away from the NPC a distance will cut the dialogue short
? Factions are in, but not a lot of info regarding them
? When NPCs think they see or heard something they go into an alert state rather than bum-rushing immediately
? NPCs will escort you to show you where to go for quests
3. Environment
Sources: http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details/
http://www.g4tv.com/videos/52434/elder-scrolls-5-skyrim-gameplay-preview/
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1181121-19-april-norwegian-article-on-skyrim/
http://www.pressfire.no/spesialer/intervjuer/3345/Garanterer-hemmeligheter-og-far-out-stuff
http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/04/25/skyrim-the-elder-scrolls-evolved-video
http://www.gameswelt.de/videos/videoarticles/25709-The_Elder_Scrolls_V_Skyrim_-_Video_Interview_mit_Todd_Howard.html
? Dragons like other creatures are both scripted to happen at certain times and random encounters
? Wide variety in landscapes
? 100% hand-crafted world
? 140+ unique dungeons crafted by 8 designers, more are being added and they will continue adding until the release
? About the same size as Oblivion, but some area taken up by enormous mountains and such
? Dynamic snowfall to create more realistic snow
? 5 major cities: Solitude, Riften, Whiterun, Windhelm, and Markarth
? 20 Minor Cities, each Containing 10+ buildings
? Windhelm is the largest city
? Birds are confirmed, fish jump out of water
? Every town has an economy and goods that it produces. For instance, a town may have a mine where they produce metal and killing the workers would cause prices of metal items in the town to rise
? The 7,000 steps will absolutely include 7,000 steps
? Carriage system to take you to some major locations
? With the level scaling changes, some areas will have creatures too powerful for you and you will have to come back later
? Secret items hidden throughout the world
? Skyrim is divided into nine different municipalities
? The 5 major Skyrim cities are larger than some Oblivion cities
? Different types of jails as part of their crime system (more info to come on this)
? Mountains are much steeper than anything that was in Oblivion
? Dwarven ruins are back
? Larger cities do have walls with loading screens, interior cells, similar to Oblivion
? A lot more traps
? Well over 100 points of interest (POIs)
? Giants have their own camps
? Giants are often with mammoths
? Many of the Gods, Daedric Lords and Divine, make appearances
? Dungeons can range from small (15 minutes) to huge (1-2 hour long adventures)
4. Plot
Sources: http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details/
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/01/12/skyrim-secrets-of-the-wall.aspx
? Don’t know that you’re Dragonborn at the start
? Dragons have returned to Tamriel, being a Dragonborn means you have the soul of a dragon
? Alduin is main antagonist
? Skyrim is in the midst of a civil war due to the king dying
? Companions won’t generally play a huge role in the plot
? Takes place in Skyrim, the northern-most province of Tamriel
? Takes place some 200 years after the events in Oblivion
? Septim line was the last known line of Dragonborns and has ended with the death of Martin Septim during the events of Oblivion
? Start as a prisoner, holding true to TES tradition
5. Lore
First Century
4E 1 — End of the Oblivion Crisis
* The banishing of Mehrunes Dagon from Tamriel by the Champion of Cyrodiil, Martin Septim, and the avatar of Akatosh ends the Oblivion Crisis. The Septim bloodline ends and the Amulet of Kings is destroyed. The Third Era ends, marking the beginning of the Fourth.
* The Fourth Era begins with no Emperor on the throne of Tamriel. High Chancellor Ocato, the Elder Council, and the Blades try to maintain order. The provinces start to take opportunities on the state of Empire.
4E ?? — The Empire Collapses
* Black Marsh secedes from the Empire; it is soon followed by Elsweyr.
4E ?? — Titus Mede is crowned the new emperor by conquest.
4E ?? — Morrowind is conquered by the Argonians.
* With the absence of Vivec, the Ministry of Truth becomes unstable. Vuhon creates an Ingenium in order to keep the rock stable by using first dozens of dying souls, then a small number of living ones as fuel. Sul fights Vuhon over his wife, who was being used as a living battery causing the Ministry of Truth to crash into Vvardenfell, destroying much of the island and killing many of the people. The Argonians of Black Marsh invade and conquer the crippled Dunmer.
4E ?? — The Thalmor seize control of the old Aldmeri Dominion (Valenwood and the Summerset Isle).
* The goal of the Thalmor is the pacification and purification of all of Tamriel – to bring about a new Merithic era. The Thalmor have many sympathizers throughout Cyrodiil and are thought to be funding insurgent groups to fight against the Empire.
4E 18 — Prince Attrebus Mede is born.
4E 23 — Anna?g Ho?nart is born.
4E 40s — The Infernal City
* Umbriel, a floating city, appears on the coast of Black Marsh, heading toward Morrowind. The city of Lilmoth, Black Marsh, the home of Anna?g, is destroyed in the process.
Third Century
4E 200s — The High King of Skyrim dies.
4E 200s — The Nords of Skyrim engage in a civil war.
6. Graphics and Effects
Sources: http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/64714/the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim/articles/74266/the-elder-scrolls-5-first-look-preview-part-1-welcome-to-skyrim/
http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2011/04/18/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-preview/1
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/17/the-technology-behind-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim.aspx
http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/04/27/elder-scrolls-skyrim-your-questions-answered/
? Dynamic snowfall
? Dynamic shadows, and shadows on everything
? Water physics
? Draw distance increased
? Improved faces and models
? No more speedtree. Designers now have the ability to create any trees the way they want
? Havoc Behavior for smoother and higher quality animations.
? Characters transition more smoothly between walking, jogging, and running
? Improved third-person view thanks to Havoc Behavior
? DX11 support, but the game won’t make use of many of the features such as tessellation
? Physics system. You can kill your horse on the side of a mountain and watch it slide down
7. Sound
Sources: http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1181121-19-april-norwegian-article-on-skyrim/
? Jeremy Soule is back.
? More voice actors than Oblivion
? Max Von Sydow will be voice-acting Esbern (The Blade).
8. Creatures
Sources: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1158777p1.html
http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1162158p2.html
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1181121-19-april-norwegian-article-on-skyrim/
? Confirmed creatures: zombies (draughr), skeletons, (frost-)trolls, giants, ice wraiths, giant spiders, dragons, wolves, horses, Elk, mammoth, saber-toothed cats, (Dwemer)-Centurion Sphere, dogs, Skeevers (rats)
? Random spawns are scaled. Tougher enemies appear at higher levels, and weak enemies don’t get written out, just appear less frequently
? Different kinds of dragons. Unknown at this point if that means different elemental variety (shock, fire, frost dragons, etc.) or differences in maturity, or age (baby dragons, mature dragons, etc.)
? Some dragons are scripted, others appear randomly. None use scripted behavior
? You cannot mount dragons
? Dragons use the same shouts as the player, as they are in the language of dragons
? Mounts in general are as of yet unconfirmed. In Todd Howard’s opinion, mounts should be implemented well if they are going to be at all. They felt Oblivion’s implementation was weak, and as such are messing around with them, but no word on if they are in 100% or not
? Draugr (undead dragonborn) are also capable of using shouts
? Creature level will “lock” when entering a dungeon so if it is too hard for you, you can come back later to clear it
? Dragon encounters are infinite
9. Characters, Levels, Stats, and Skills
Sources: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1158777p2.html
http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/116/1162328p1.html
http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1164053p1.html
? 10 playable races
? Racial abilities/perks
? Beards are confirmed
? Body-style customization (fat, muscular, skinny, etc.) what different types there are is currently unknown, the parentheses are just possible examples
? New perk system. When using the UI to look at your skills, it looks up to the sky and each perk tree is a constellation. You gain 1 perk every level
? There are around 280 perks
? All skills work towards leveling up, no more major/minor skills
? No birth signs
? No more class selection
? New sprint feature that drains stamina
? Athletics and Acrobatics removed
? Attributes removed. Everything attributes did is still in the game, just in other areas such as skills and perk
? 18 skills total
? When you level, you can choose to increase heath, stamina, and magicka now that attributes are removed
? Each archetype has a crafting skills. Warrior: Smithing, Sneak: Alchemy, Magic: Enchanting
? Spellcrafting still being tweaked. Now that one spell has multiple functions, Bethesda is trying some solutions to the spellcrafting system to incorporate this. It will also be implemented differently to move away from spreadsheet-like calculations and keep the magic of magic
? Advancing in a skill from 30-31 will count more towards a level than 10-11 would making it more important to focus on a small group of core skills
? Leveling is faster than previous games to allow for more perk choices
? Mathematic level cap is in the 70s, there is no hard-cap on levels
? Soft-cap of around level 50. You can continue advancing past this, but it will be much slower
? Player character will not be voiced
? New Sprint function similar to modern FPS games
10. Crafting
Sources: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2011/02/03/toddhowardse.aspx
http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details
http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
? Enchanting, smithing, and alchemy are in
? Non-crafting related abilities such as farming, mining, cooking, and woodcutting are in
11. Interface
Sources: http://www.wouldyoukindly.com/tesv-skyrims-user-interface-and-menu-system-explained/
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/28/skyrim-menu-system-overhaul.aspx
http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
? HUD disappears until needed. I.e., health bar disappears until you take damage
? Improved third-person view
? New menu. They’ve moved away from the clunky, rigid menu system of Oblivion and to an Apple-inspired system. When you open the menu, looking up, you look to the stars and your perk trees are constellations. Looking down will bring you to the world map. Looking left brings you to your magical items, right to your inventory.
? Every item in your inventory is fully rendered in high-definition 3D. This allows you to see intricate details of each and every item you pick up opening up possibilities for quests and puzzles.
? Anything from inventory, active perks and spells can be “bookmarked” for quick and easy access. There is no maximum or cap on how many items can be bookmarked
? Map is in full 3D and is in essence a zoomed-out version of the game world
? Game and combat pauses when you open your inventory, skills, and “bookmarked” items/abilities
12. Quests and Dialogue
http://www.gameswelt.de/videos/videoarticles/25709-The_Elder_Scrolls_V_Skyrim_-_Video_Interview_mit_Todd_Howard.html
? Radiant Story: Quests now have some randomization dependant up certain variables. For instance, there could be a kidnapping quest where you have to rescue someone from a cave. The quest story is the same, but certain elements such as the location of the objective and who gives the quest are determined by your standing with the quest-giver, and what dungeons you’ve already been to. This helps make the player explore previously unexplored areas, and gives some variety to small tasks
? Main storyline is approximately 20 hours
? Continue playing after completing the main quest
? NPCs will give more or less information based on how much they like you
? Main quest NPCs are unkillable
? Taverns play a larger role for gathering information, receiving quests, and learning about Skyrim or the city you’re in
? Crazy quests like in Oblivion and Fallout 3
? Radiant AI system can keep track of time between your last dragon encounter and send you on a mission to fight one
? Dialogue no longer pauses the game and zooms in. This allows you to wander around, and the NPC can continue his tasks while conversing
? Todd Howard says the Daedra/Divine quests are some of the most interesting/unique where you can get into more of the high fantasy settings
13. Misc Features
Sources: http://pc.ign.com/articles/115/1158651p1.html
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/podcasts/archive/2011/02/03/toddhowardse.aspx
http://nerdtrek.com/skyrim-details
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1158777p2.html
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1181121-19-april-norwegian-article-on-skyrim/
http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1164053p1.html
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/04/27/elder-scrolls-skyrim-your-questions-answered/
? Oil can be set on fire
? Traps are in
? NPC children
? More armor sets compared to Oblivion
? No multiplayer
? Player-owned houses are in
? Factions are in. Some old ones making a return
? Nirnroots are in
? Companions are in, but not in-depth. Their goal was to make more of them, but with less personality and background. You can hire them, or if they like you they may tag along for a quest
? Fast-travel is in. There is a mix of map-based fast travel to known locations, and a carriage system to transport you to some major areas
? They are messing around with werewolves, vampires, and shapeshifting but no word on whether it’s in or not, or how in-depth it would be if it is
? Unsure what to make of this, but in the Norwegian article when put through Google translate, there’s an excerpt that says, “There will also be a correlation with how high up you are and the difficulty of the enemies. The higher you are the more work is needed to close down the beasts.” It can be taken to mean that enemies will be stronger the higher up you are, but I’ll wait for an English release or some more concrete info on it before setting it in stone here
? New crime system
? The Creation Set will either be launched the same day as the game, or the day after so modders can do their thing, using the same tools they’ve gotten used to with Fallout and Oblivion
14. Media
Screenshots: http://media.ps3.ign...394/imgs_1.html
Skyrim teaser video: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=hGMOMkACtn4
Official gameplay trailer: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=PjqsYzBrP-M
A lot of this info is from the original information thread by zaldir. Many thanks go out to IGN, nerdtrek, GameInformer and the Bethesda devs!
15. FAQ
Q1. When will Skyrim be released?
A1. 11.11.11 is the slated release date, subject to change.
Q2. Can we ride dragons?
A2. Only if you want to get eaten.
Q3. SPEARS AND XBOWS PLOX?!
A3. Didn’t make the cut. See above for sources. Perhaps as a DLC, but this is purely speculation.
Q4. JAVELINS!
A4. Not really a question, but see above.
Q5. NO ATTRIBUTES WILL SUK
A5. Again, not a question, but they have good reason for removing them. In previous games, attributes didn’t do much. You increased Intelligence to raise your Magicka pool, now you just directly raise your magicka pool. Everything attributes once did is still in the game, just as perks or direct increases (Health, Stamina, Magicka). See above for sources.
Q6. Can I still jump 50 feet in the air?
A6. Going by previous quotes, the ability to jump higher is likely designed as a perk with the removal of Acrobatics. No information regarding the height increases, and no confirmation whether that will be a perk or not.
Q7. No Acrobatics or Athletics? SON I AM DISAPPOINT!
A7. It is likely run speed and perhaps jump height is in the perks going by previous quotes. Only time will tell, however. But they did add a nifty sprint system similar to many popular FPS games.
Q8. Can I see my character’s feet?
A8. Unknown at this time. Going by previous releases, it’s doubtful.
Q9. Can I dual-wield shields?
A9. I hope so!
16. Changelog
4/20/2011 Reformatted, more information added, original posted. v1.0
4/21/2011 v1.1 Some minor things added to creatures, environment, and quests
4/21/2011 v1.1 Minor update and addition of old info
4/26/2011 v1.1 Update from the new video regarding jails
4/26/2011 v2.0 FAQ added
4/27/2011 PC Gamer Interview added with a little extra information about bows, environment, and physics
4/27/2011 Removed the bit about unique racial armor and added the part about block with 2-handers and shields only
5/1/2011 Added a bunch about the Environment from the new German interview and one line about Daedric Lords/Divines in Quests
