You clearely have never made a game. Even with New Vegas, they were actually MAKING content up until like 2 months pre-release. Then it was like 99% bug fixing. If they were done making Skyrim already, they would be releasing it in like March or April. You dont need 8 months to simply bug test a game. Maybe 1 or 2...

I'm not sure what game it was, but i'm pretty sure it was crack down 2, they only worked on it 8-10 months and the accomplished something. most of it was just re-used things from the original, but if you look at it like and expansion instead of a stand alone game, they did get a lot of different ideas done. i'm sure beth can do the same.

Yeah, with a good sized team of skilled people, it shouldn't take more than 8 months to add, subtract, or at least play around with most things, unless it's something that would change the whole system.

You seem to have changed your mind.

I really hope a dev sees this, changes a dragons colour to green, and when your aimer is on it it comes up with Leafy rather than whatever it usually would come up with. Just as an easter egg

Meh, I don't think this is true. I know your thinking on this, but games are often delayed for all sorts of reason. Sometimes it is because the devs realize that they want to implement something new close to release. I'm not suggesting that Skyrim will be delayed, but just pointing out that there are last minute additions to games, sometimes VERY close to release. I see the logic, but I think you don't really know what you are talking about . . . not to be harsh.

I certainly do not think that we are trying to change the game very much. It's not like they're going to add spears in the (non-DLC, anyway) game if we all want it.

However, we are discussing possible issues with the game, like threads about Marksman, the UI, Dialogue with NPCs, etc.. Since the devs do read the forums, I'm hoping these threads would bring to their attention issues that gamers are concerned about, so that they can have a greater awareness of what we gamers want, thus helping them to increase sales, in a way.

If we only discussed stuff like the GI articles, etc. and did not say anything about what we want to see in the game, the devs would be developing a game based on themselves.They could all love swords and so Skyrim only has swords, but they know gamers want more variety. IMO, it is through these forums and the opinions of critics and gamers alike of previous games that Bethesda can connect with gamers and know how to improve their games.

A year or two for what? Game releases in 9 months.

Hate to tell you...but November - February = 9 months.

Correction: The game's Second Beta comes out on 11-11-11. The real game isn't out until the GotY version.

And some companies make entire functional standalone games in less than 8 months.

For expansions and possibly some extra content; sorry if I wasn't clear. :bonk:

Arena was probably made in 8 months.

Fail thread is fail.

People who know nothing about the game development process really need to stop coming on the forum and "telling" people things that just aren't true about said process. Sure, its almost certain that the developers have their design doc all but set in stone for a while now.... but a whole lot of things can change in EIGHT MONTHS. Its not like Bethesda has a team of 10 people working on Skyrim, and to assume that all development on the game is finished and that they are just bug fixing and balancing is laughable. VERY laughable at that especially when you consider Todd Howard himself has said they are still tinkering with rather large features features to the point where they can't comment on them because they just aren't sure how they will turn out.

Does that mean the developers are going to give any serious thought to most of the suggestions on the forum? Most of the suggestions on this (or any games) forum are ignorant, lack purpose, or are far too over reaching to even be considered if the game was years away from release. However smaller ideas and suggestions still have a great chance of being added to the game if they are reallly good, would fit well into the overall game, and would make the game much better.

Even still... what does it matter to you that people suggest things that probably will never be considered for the game? Its a forum and posting your thoughts and ideas is part of that. If you don't like a specific idea, feel free to give a reason why its not a good idea. But don't try to act like a forum bully and tell everyone who makes a suggestion "Hahaha all you losers are wasting your time! I have no idea what I'm talking about but Bethesda is going to ignore EVERYTHING you n00bz say!". See how much of a D bag you sound like?

As well as transformations. There's plenty time to work on important details... its just a matter of what BGS feels they can mess with while not delaying the game.

Check. and. mate. OP loses :tongue:

It's not a fail thread, because now he knows a little more about the process and other people's feelings and ideas about said process.

^ Man, I really hope they can get transformations to work well within the game, that would be beyond great.

When you hear the words MASTER GOLD then its done. It it has not reached master gold status more stuff can be added. Master gold is the review and retail release build version. Thats how Microsoft does it for XBLA games. Once you submit your final build for print and review thats it,your done. What ever betheda decides is master gold which could be as far as late aug.(they miss master gold by early sept it will get delayed) So until you see MASTER GOLD reached more can still be added.

this is what a good writer does, causes controversy

This is what gets writers kicked out of every profession, saying pointless, inane things that everyone knows is wrong and gets them laughed out of everywhere.

It's called trolling.

There's a fine line between a good writer and an ignoramus a-hole my friend. :deal:

and the controversy rolls

There isnt much they can add. Dont get me wrong they will add things we want, but only if its a few hours to add in, and is a simple add. Like a menu option, that just changes a value in the ini file etc. Or weapons etc. But dont expect the physics to change, skills to be added etc.

^^^THIS^^^

Good writers also have good grammar and don't anger their audience for the most part. You seem to be lacking in both...

many writers are in fact asked to cause a stir. gets more publicity, more notice. most writers word their entries very specifically to cause controversial stir

Dig the sig...

There is a fine line between trying to become noticed, and respected then trying to be a jerk and hated.