I'd put my cash on the non-fictional one.

In a discussion about fantasy video gaming? I fear you'd lose, my friend.

... the entertainment value... but I digress...

I'm not privy to what exactly Bethesda is doing, but it'd think that the game itself is not being "developed" for any specific platform, and it is the game's engine that would handle the different platforms, much live Java. From a cross-platform engineering/developing perspective, that makes much more sense.

As for the UI, there was a time when the same game on different platforms had different UIs, geared towards input methods (keyboards, mice, joysticks, controllers, etc). Nowadays, I guess game makers have gone with the console-style UIs given that there are 3 leading console platforms (Wii, PS3, Xbox) vs the personal computer, and the computer can easily handle the console-style menus. A little less coding, I guess.

Java would be an awful language for them to develop on for a AAA game. Its too slow. The code is interpreted, not compiled, and has to be translated by a virtual machine. It also doesn't do as good of a job at directly accessing memory. This game should by coded in C++ and Assembly only.

I know that I'm definitely getting it for the Xbox 360 and not the PC. Not just because my computer can't handle newer games, but because I dislike having the option to edit my levels + stats and mod the game. I tried playing Oblivion on my PC and found that when I wasn't using the mods + editing modes I felt like I was missing out and that I could save time on some of the grinding and boring quests. But when I used the mods + editing modes, it felt like I was cheating through the game and wasn't getting the overall experience players are " supposed " to have. If you get the game for a console, then there's no option to mod or edit your game in any way and you feel that everyone online ( in your friends list ) that's playing is legitimately that level.

What's more likely is that they develop the game on all platforms simultaneously. Add a feature, check it on all platforms, then go on to next feature. The engine also probably supports not having to compile and build constantly in order to see it it works on all platforms. Seeing it all in realtime, like the Tech5 engine and Cryengine does.

I play games for fun, not so I can boast to my friends about having a level 40 character. (And if I did, my level 40 is much harder than a vanilla one )

Skyrim (ever since the beginning) has been made to perform well on the consoles and PC. BGS wants to make sure that the experience is quality and enjoyable on all platforms this time around.

Xbox 360... svck on that.

Yeah though, I think I remember a video with a 360 controller.

it gets ported to the PC because the UI isn't very good for PC's

I don't mind if its developed on Xbox, as long as they take special care with the port to PC.

Bioware did a good job with Mass Effect 2 making it PC friendly, but they should have taken it further and allowed 360 controller support as an option.

The UI design has nothing to do with "porting" in this case. There is no "porting" in this case. The game is being designed for and released on all three consoles simultaneously.

How can it be ported from one to another when it hasn't been finished for any of them yet.

Having a consistent design across multiple platforms is not now, never has been, and never will be "porting".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c_PVtMIz-A

Get vanilla for xbox 360 or Ps3

Get GotY (if, which it should, skyrim gets GotY) for computer.

Bioware do a really great job in changing the PC UI around for the pc version of their games.

I hope BSG learn from them this time around

This has nothing to do with what platform the game is being developed on.


And this has nothing to do with it either.

If I understand correctly, your asking whether Skyrim is made first for PC and only developed with ports to other consoles in mind, or whether all three platforms are getting enough attention? My guess is it's the latter, but that's just a guess.

I would imagine PC and ported to consoles because they make more sales for PC...I could be wrong though.

Maybe not. But it's cool anyways

I don't think they do. I think console sales of TES outsell PC. But i'd have to check.

It is primarily developed for the xbox 360 and is then ported to PC and PS3

I just skimmed 4 pages of this topic, and no one had actually given the OP a straight answer.

Lots of people did and the answer was that it is being developed on all three simultaneously. It's a same day release for all three, and it isn't complete for any of them yet, so how could it be ported?

The assets are created in PC or Mac applications, then added to the game refined on all three devkits.

It's true. We PCs are the extreme minority by a ridiculously large margin.

Ususally games have consoles in mind when being developed I've gotten used to that sad fact.

That's incorrect.