Well ever since I got Oblivion on the PC I've just been unable to make a successful long term character like I have on the xbox and I've almost given up on it. How do you guys keep on playing and building up your characters and how do you even keep on roleplaying? Everytime I come to a speed bump I cheat, which I think has been ruining it for me, but I can't resist the temptation...

Everyone is gonna tell you MODS.

Just think if you cheat, karma will mess up your computer.

Why not put the game away for a while, do something else?

Well, then DON'T resist the temptation, like I do

I've leveled my char to lvl 48 exclusively by using the "player.advskill" command, and I also added him all the stuff and spells I wanted since the first moment. That way I have a nice char, and one I could enjoy since the very first moment, without having to worry about levelling. And to balance him, I've his HP capped to 100. That way, my char is powerful, but it keep things difficult if I'm not careful. It even makes me think strategically at times, which is cool.

That way, I don't think you'd have "temptations" anymore...if you still find it hard, you could increase your HP (100 HP in Vanilla Oblivion at default difficulty is nice for experienced players, but if you're newer than that, you could try with 200 or so..anyway, I don't recommend using more than 200-250, at least if you want to make things minimally difficult).

Yes yes yes yes. I also don't understand all these "help me get back into the game" threads (no offense to the OP). There's been quite a few of these threads lately.

...If you're getting bored with the game, or if you're frustrated, put it aside and do something else for awhile, even if "for awhile" happens to be weeks or months. The game'll still be here when you come back. Trying to keep playing even after boredom or frustration sets in, and then coming here asking us "for help" seems like beating a dead horse to me. :shrug:

Also, cheating only seems to ruin the game further in my opinion. Why play a game if you're not actually going to play it with all its inherent challenges?

Just deactivate the console. You have to open the Oblivion.ini in the My Documents/My Games/Oblivion folder. There you must search for "bAllowConsole" and alter the value from "1" to "0". Then you won't be able to use it ingame.

If there is a bug or something, you can temporary activate it. But remember to deactivate it again.

Also, I recommend using Mods, as the above posters said. Especially an overhaul, e.g. this: http://www.oscurogamedesign.com/main-high.html

They make the game lots more challenging and insert many new items, quests and enemies.
There are many other mods that are breathtaking. Just look around a bit in the internet.

Problem is it sounds like Tarcin is looking to make the game less challenging, especially cuz Tarcin admits to cheating when the going gets tough. I'm sure there's mods for less challenge, of course.

Take a break for a month or two. Then think of a style of play, then a character name and backstory. Basically try to make you're character a person before you start the game. Give yourself rules or restrictions. I find it harder to roleplay a character I've created during a bout of chronic restartitis, because I don't have the backstory.

That's what I do, so I can't really suggest anything else, sorry if it isn't very helpful.

Sounds like you are having willpower challenges with the command console (console).

You could disable it with the ini, then just install mods that do what you want.

Perhaps better though is to work through your problems with the console. It is a powerful tool, but like so many powerful things it comes with responsibilities. In this case, the responsibility is to you and your game. Specifically, learning how to use the console to enhance your enjoyment, not ruin it.

You might consider making a list of rules regarding what you will or will not use the console for. Here are some things that I do with the console routinely that do not reduce my enjoyment or challenge of the game at all:
- Custom name your saves.
- Find dead prey or loot in the tall grass.
- Get unstuck from between rocks instead of reloading a save.
- Fix glitches.
- Delete spells.
- Rename your horse.
- Change the time scale to suit your own pace.
- Turn off the menus and separate the camera from your character for better http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot483.jpg . BTW, there are numerous features displayed in that screenie that can only be done on PC.

Good luck. What you seek regarding long term roleplay can certainly be achieved. My character and I have happily traveled together for over 500 hours with no end in sight.

I have no difficulty problems, its just that little things I cheat on. Like when I start off a character (I use a special mod for this) I have no lockpicks so when I go to dungeons I use the console to unlock it... things like that. I don't need to do it but I can't resist the temptation to...

I use a lot of mods, as well.

I guess I'll just wait for TES5 or for the magic to come back to this game.

If you can't stop yourself from cheating use http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15791 mod. It worked for me.

I have some bad news. You're going to run into the same problem in TES V.