I think it's a good idea to speculate about what sorts of things Bethesda does and does not have time to add. That way, we can focus our wish lists to include more features that actually have a chance of being implemented. For instance, I think it's unlikely that Bethesda will implement major combat changes, new weapon types, new mounts, cities, factions, or major quest lines. They probably don't have time. However, they may be able to squeeze in a few new animations, monsters, dungeons, side quests, etc. So, what do you think they might have time to add at this point?

A werewolf riding a dragon with a spear in 1 hand and a crossbow in the other. And there will be multiplayer like in Red Dead Redemption :hubbahubba:

I think they're just polishing up the game right now, making sure the shadows are right and what not.

Right now they have time to change quite a bit, but realistic with the release date being 11-11-11, only 9 months away, I doubt they will. Right now would be the time that I would spend from here till it goes gold fixing all my bugs and tweaking things so the game runs perfectly.

I got the feeling on the interview that plenty of items was still undecided, horses and the spell maker was the two most obvious. Might be that they tried to get hoses to work well enough to be included and that they looked for a way to include a spell maker to the new magic system.

To me that looked far less finished than I would expected. However it don't affect the rest of the game very much.

-add hardcoe mode
-fast travel option

If they really only have time for tweaks, then there isn't much point to all the wish list threads. But if it's possible to add small things like a fast travel option, then we should really focus on those, to the exclusion of more ambitious requests. That way, we're more likely to see it in-game.

You're joking right? Oh yea I forgot...it takes eight months to get the shadows right...

It would be nice if they told the forums what they are working on now, without giving specific details, so that the threads will stop being flooded with repeated speculation.

Pants.

Well that is kind of hard to say when they state that they are experimenting with a lot of stuff right now. I think being able to repair a city wouldn't be the best time spent

Things that they don't have time for: changes in core game mechanics (because they shift balance within the whole game) - that means no new skills, weapon types or spell types, new major factions (cause it requires not only a great number of quests, but they also have to be cohesive), new dungeon types (it takes a lot of work from the 3D modellers).

Things that they do have time for: some "new" mechanics that don't alter balance dramatically (f.e. mounts), several new dungeons, one or two new mobs or enemies, spellmaking (it won't make much of a difference if NPC's only use vanilla spells - you won't notice it anyway), subtelties of perks and skills, a few new quest templates for Radiant Story, tweaks to some details of some objectives of the main quest and major faction quests (f.e. change the target from a single bandit to all bandits in the same dungeon).

This. Mounts and spellmaking seem like big enough parts of gameplay that I thought that would be taken care of already. Remember that adding things usually affects other parts of gameplay and they have to tweak other parts of the game for these additions. Adding in spellmaking could require a lot of balancing and tweaking of the spell system and mounts can require tweaks for all sorts of things.

These are big undertakings and aren't simple "tweaks" or just "polishing" or "working on shadows".

I did too. As close as they are to release the game it sounded as if they didn't really have everything they wanted in and he kept saying "Well we might just have to add it in with a expansion." So to me that was a little disheartening. Right now as said a few post above me they still have time to wrap it all up and being Bethesda they just might.

Hopefully the inclusion of spell making. That's honestly a make or break feature for me.

Based on the comments, it sounds like we should really gun for spellmaking. I also imagine that new perks would be fairly easy to add.

Adding travel services is definitely something that's time left for. Wouldn't take much time at all.

Still I think the main priority should be adding horses and all that it includes.

It's ok to propose ideas right up until release. As I remember it Dual Wielding was one of those things people screamed from the rooftops before and after Oblivion's release and it was incorporated as a major idea in Skyrim. It also helps modders figure out what people want as well come release day!

We should protest Egyptian style outside of Beth until Spell Making is confirmed, added, or they shoot us.

As long as they don't respond Libya-style.

I can't understand people who so confidently say what they do and don't have time for, as if they're working on the game too and so truly know. Also, Beth can always delay the game if they want to give more time for stuff.

As for what I hope they'll add (more of) into the game, alot more armours and clothing. Loads more hairstyles for all races, always annoys me when NPCs have access to nice hairstyles or misc clothing things that players can't get. Like for example Age of Conan had some NPCs who had ropes wrapped around them (not bondage wise but in a way to carry the rope easily). They eventually started adding those misc items for the player to purchase as 'social clothing' - basically neat little characterization things that offered no stats.

So, uhm, yeah. More of all clothing sorts. The ability for the player to be able to get and wear anything NPCs do (super rare main quest/faction line related things aside) and then some immersive things like a bedroll, campfire and perhaps even small tent you can purchase and set up in the wild to sleep at. You know, nice roleplaying-supportive items even if they have little real use for "most" gamers. ^_^

I don't remember where no spell making was confirmed but... anyway
Bethesda removed it for a reason (if it's confirmed to be removed, I don't remember completely).

I'm not sure if it was talked about in the pod-cast, I don't remember that either.

I vaguely remember hearing the reason that spell making would break the balance of the combat system or the game in general.

In any case, they removed it for a reason, if it's gone. You should calm down and perhaps think more openly; and perhaps try to see the underlying meaning or cause of the effect.
Cause and effect, you know? Not only effect

It hasn't, thats why I said confirmed first. Todd said he didnt want it to become "too spreadsheet-y" in the podcast.

Other than the very core principles of the game, they have time to change plenty of stuff. Not all of it is even finished yet.

Ah yeah now I remember, thanks for reminding me

Well if it will (or already is) out, I believe it's out for a good reason.
Bethesda ain't dumb. They are the company that makes the best RPGs imo (and I'm sure many else will agree with me on these forums! ), and they have a looong experience with it.

There's not really any good reason to remove spell making entirely. If they want to balance it, go ahead, just dont remove it. I honestly dont know what Todd meant by "too spreadsheety". If newbs find it too complex, stick to the pre made spells.