I didn't read all of the replies, but I wanted to offer a couple of comments. I apologize if others have already stated these points.
First, you write well, and I appreciate the effort you put into your post, as well as the intent to start a dialogue. You stated a couple of misleading points, though.
Morrowind, while excellent, had scaling of both loot and enemies. By the time you got to the teens with your character, this was very apparent (at least if you went back to dungeons who had already cleared, or if you cleared dungeons with a different character at different levels).
Thanks very much for the thought out reply!
I think first of all, I am aware of the very minor level scaling within Morrowind, but I want to point out that items were static, as were the majority of dungeons. In this way, as a player I was assured of an always interesting mission into a dungeon. Unlike now, I am always sure that I'm going to get a final chest with an enchanted weapon or armour piece of my level bracket, 200 gold, two potions, an enchanting scroll and a soul gem. Without question. I feel like that surprise, along with fast travel, has killed much of the drive behind the independent questing that ate up so much time in Morrowind, and provided some tense atmosphere.
Also, Morrowind explicitly stated that you were "special" or "born to greatness" right from the opening movie, and even more so when you talk with Caius in Balmora. After all, the Emperor pardoned you, sent you to Morrowind, and even ordered some funds to be put at your disposal, all because he thought you might be the Nerevarine of legend. Same with Oblivion. Frankly, Skyrim handles the "unique" aspect much better because it offers you the chance to have your character behave in a way that indicates that your heritage is as much a mystery to yourself as any else. You can also choose to be supremely confident in your unique destiny. However, such choices are yours in the dialogue, not explicitly stated by some powerful NPC.
Fully aware of this too. I think the big thing is that the nature of the text in Morrowind meant that the lines were delivered far more convincingly and with greater expansion and levity than some of the voice acting in Skyrim (Oblivion was not great for the voices - especially the elves). Similarly, I had to work my way up, gruellingly, through very satisfying missions for all the guilds in Morrowind. You could watch a very satisfying progression that was paced really well for the fame and prestige you were meant to be achieving. I don't want to spoil the companions guild, but, yes.
For mages in Morrowind, the road to increasing skills was pretty much potion making and/or enchanting items, coupled with spell making and practice casting in safe places.
What I needed to clarify was that I don't think Morrowind is the best game ever. There were a lot of things that made me rage. My particular frustration in this case are the bigger meta game choices like scaling.
For both Oblivion and Skyrim, PC players can simply turn off the compass and quest markers. Quest marker off is an option in the menu in Skyrim, although the compass is not (for some unfathomable reason).
I'm a PC player, and I'll definitely be using the mods, however, I was really addressing the ideas behind these decision by the game company. At the end of the day, the thinking that has "streamlined" the travel system is going to trickle down to other places as well, which is what I'm worried about.
Regarding examples such as the Dark Brotherhood being obvious in Skyrim, I think you will want to go back to an intellectual review of the lore of the world as it exists in contemporary Tamriel. The Empire is falling apart and barely exists as such. Elves of all races are viewed very differently now than in the past. Khajit are more closely allied with the Elves than with the Empire and humans. The Argonians are much less involved with the Empire, and the Redguard homeland of Hammerfell is no longer an Imperial province. The latter are openly hostile to the Empire due to feeling betrayed during the event of the Great War. In this environment and socioeconomic, political context, it is very easy to see that the Empire is facing an era of upheaval and unrest, just as it has done in various periods of its history. However, prior periods are not experienced by players; they are only read about in the lore. In Skyrim, you are living in such an era, and everything around you reflects this fact. In such a setting, it is quite plausible that factions such as the Dark Brotherhood have become far more open because they have the genuine power. This is true in certain areas of real life and real history, too, of course. They do not need to be secretive, or not anywhere near as secretive as in the past.
That's a nice explanation, but it doesn't mend the fact that the entire thing was really, really parochial. There are a million ways they could have executed it, but if they were aiming for underwhelming, they definitely hit the nail on the head.
The context of Morrowind is far different than the context of Skyrim. What is most important is that the world accurately reflects the events of such contexts, and it does so in both cases.
Having said all of these points, you offer some good input regarding certain concerns about requiring more cerebral effert on the part of players. My thought is that this was considered and was a design decision, similar to how mounted combat has been tried and tested since Oblivion, but has always been taken out despite player complaints from certain quarters. We have to remember that just because something isn't in a Beth game doesn't mean that it was not considered, perhaps even attempted.
I understand this too. I am aware I have high demands for games, but I really feel that the TES series has actively been stripping back and renaming, and shortening things as a point of advancement. I don't feel like I'm getting more and more into the world (which you would expect with the technology nowadays). I know the world is much prettier and more organic, but the meat of the experience for me isn't expanding. I think there are several things that should have been introduced that could have been expected in Skyrim that just weren't there, but this isn't the place for me to talk about them!
» Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:48 am 
