Whiterun looks like Edoras.

SWEET!

Todd wasn't kidding about the LOTR influence.

Yeah, but he said Oblivion was LOTR influenced. This was supposed to be Conan influenced.

The second does look like Edoras, the first to me looks like a partially exposed Mycenaean or Minoan burial mound. They both get a "cool beans" from me.

Hill forts (raths, motte and bailey, whatever other forms they took) are just good sense. There've been places in real life built similarly, I want to say the Castille region comes to mind but I could be wrong. The Acropolis of Athens when it was first built was probably close to this, back before it became a big temple complex. Tolkien at least got his defensive architecture right.

Whiterun was in the trailer too (i think) so now i have a pretty good idea of what it looks like

These pictures have been shown before (they are on the new website). Definitely interesting to see the concept art and how it changes into the final product.

It's kind of hard to get "un-influenced." Any influence by LOTR has stuck around for Skyrim and the art for Whiterun proves it.

reminds me a lot of Shadow of the Colossus

Seen them. They are on the ES website. They are kEwL, though.

Haha the second pic does look like Edoras , but the first pic also looks like its from LOTR , Barrow downs anyone?

Morrowind was like, a DnD campaign of Dune mixed with Star Wars. It was awesome. Though I wouldn't want every game to follow that direction - I must say I'm liking how much emphasis on verticality is being given for Skyrim's cities.

Maybe those are LoTR concept art? :/

The first one looks like Harfang from The Silver Chair.

Haha, I can see that too.



By the way I was actually of the impression that should an Elder Scrolls game to be set in Skyrim, the art direction would be somewhat reminiscent of Ico/Shadow of the Colossus in some places. Like the costumes, for one. And the stone carvings. Some of the terrains too.

I don't like the second one for some reason I can't quite make out.

you people see grazelands. but i distinctly read TUNDRA!
this picture gives me hope for seasons. the snow is obviously melted.

and those of you saying this is like edoras are wrong, many castles and fortress's were built on higher ground, its just common sense in battle strategy. and if you look closer you will see that it is not just a lone hill.

as for the barrow. awesome, great use of height. im going to love sparta kicking a draugr into his own pit!

Me neither Edoras looked awesome in Lord of the Rings and this Edoras inspired town/city looks equally good. I hope it looks similar to this in-game.

actualy its not LOTR, cuz LOTR based it off Beowulf.

Definitely, couldn't agree more.

Well yeah, Scandinavian architecture in general I would say.