One of the big topics going around and was even highlighted in this month's Gameinformer was the release of The Elder Scrolls Online in 2013 for the PC. Now I wanna know something, will it really be worth it? I know it seems a little premature with so little information to go on but lets just go over the little information we do have.
First off this game is gonna be made by Zenimax Online which many of the guys I know are not familiar with it. Now for those who are I commend you on your knowledge. But for those of you that don't, Zenimax Online is it's own seperate studio that is owned by Zenimax Media with hopefully you know is also the owner of Bethesda Softworks as well as Bethesda Game Studios. So most of the high end stuff is gonna be done by Zenimax Online with a few check-ins by Bethesda Game Studios. And as for you that don't know Bethesda Game Studios has a close relationship with Zenimax Online when it comes to the Elder Scrolls franchise. Now this leaves an open debate, will the gameplay or cities/enemies be the same or similar to The Elder Scrolls original games? Or will it be unique in its own way and either loose the Elder Scrolls feel, or enhance it?
Well as I have read it seems that having the landscape artwork with hundreds of people on the screen would be...well lets just say it wouldn't be possible. But, the little things like archways or houses and such should look similar to the original Elder Scrolls artwork. They are also planning to use mountains in the distance to show where the playable area will end. But as stated in Gameinformer they are trying to use more nartual terrain to aviod the "content bowl" as in most MMOs. As for the enemies from what I've seen they have kept a few of the ones from the original Elder Scrolls while adding plently of new ones to keep the gameplay enteresting. And as I read into it more it discussed how the AI's will start working together as if you are playing against live people online. The MMO combat it completely unique in the sense that the AI's won't just stand there as you kill off one at a time, this time they are thinking smart, I like that, Challenge accepted!
As for the back story of this game, it would take place about 1,000 years BEFORE the Skyrim event's. During this time Tamriel has no clear ruler of the land. The Imperials are weakened by the previous wars while the three alliances (all consisting of the playable races) all have huge armies to maintain their areas and to expand their territories even more. But as the war rages the Tharn familiy makes a dark pact with the King of Worms (Mannimarco) who himself is plotting with the Daedric prince of domination (Molag Bal) to take the mortal world into his domination. The King of Worms promises to help the Imperials by reanimating the bodies of the fallen soldiers to fight the war. So you basically take the role of a reanimated adventurer who's soul was already taken by Molag Bal which makes the rational reason to why you can keep coming back to like a reality. And in order to get your soul back, you must save Tamriel as well.
Now lets talk about playable areas. When the game releases Zenimax Online plans to hold off many areas to be used later as content downloads for the future of the game. For example, Windhelm would be fully playable, but in Winterhold andd the Mage's college will not be playable at the release (Taken from Gameinformer). I have also read that there will be plenty of pubic dungeons alalible for players to be able to play together in the same area and dungeons. Thus making the concept of the MMO even more recognizable to the players. There will also be guilds to join such as the Fighter's guild (destroying Dark Anchors will get their attention), the Mages guild (finding lore books will help here), and the Thieves guild.
Lastly, lets talk about what they are taking out, leaving in, or changing around in this game. Daedric princes will be in the game in some form or another. But don't expect to become God by collecting a ton of weapons and armor from them. Crafting, alchemy and soul stones will be in the game in some forms or another. The big topic many people are wondering about is the ability to turn into a Vampire or Werewolf. Even though they will be an important part of the game you will not be able to become either of them. The constellation and birthsigns will work in almost the same way. Except now the guardian stones are called Mundus stones and are linked to birth signs and their powers/buffs. Many of the towns will be recognizable from the older Elder Scoll games while incorperating many new areas and dungeons that will still be indicated on the compass on the screen. The AI system the Elder Scrolls Online will have is to make sure that the towns are never empty in night or day, your welcome. There will be mounts but don't expect them to be flying mounts. You can no longer fast travel from a random place using the map, you will now have to use Wayshines to teleport between places. There will be no dragons since they are not important to this particular time. Stealth and sneaking will be used in one way or another. There have been no updates on pets. You will not be able to buy houses or marry NPC's. And the whole game will be fully voiced much like Skyrim. The players will fight for the holds they own and to be named ruler the player must have the capital city under their control and you must have contributed the most to the war in order tto be named the ruler of Tamriel.
Personally I'm a little bit scared of this. I would want this to be first person because that's how I always enjoy playing the elder scrolls. Also the character customization if what i'm hoping they keep for it as well since that's what makes your character unique from others.They mentioned how the controls would be easy for already MMO players, personally I think this is a terrible idea because that's basically taking away how we play elder scrolls and turning it into another WoW. I really hope they don't fuck this up, otherwise i'll lose all hope for this game.
They hinted that it might be from a third person view point in the article just weren't very specific on the actually details pertaining to the ability to go into a first person mode or not. As for the character customization I'm sure they will allow you to customize your character's face and other features but as like Skyrim you must pick a certain race to be before you change anything. The level system will be based to as much like the original Elder Scrolls as much as possible while the gameplay will try to fuse the MMO gameplay with the gameplay from the Elder Scrolls. Hope this helps.
Sure no problem. I'm gonna follow the development process and try to put up infromation in the journal on my profile or on here if I can. Glad I can help. Any other questions just ask.
My only problem with it will be what the story line will be like if they skew off to a whole new plot or keep the original storyline and what will it involve because it could make or brake the franchise.
I personally will most likely not be getting this Game, If it were a quick patch which let you play online with a couple of mates whilst having PvP on constantly, that could be fun and I'd get that. Just Imagine playing side by side your friends completing quests and joking around, Shouting each other of cliffs, helping each other slay dragons etc., That would be something quite enjoyable.
But on a massive online server I doubt PvP would be a on constantly and would only be available in certain arenas and such. Which means no friendly battles on top of the 'Throat of The World' or anything :(. and really... I don't this franchise turning into another Grind-Tastic MMO. Also, no dragons... huh ><
