Time for ideas on TES VI

Hyacathusarullistad · February 18, 2014

New on the List :wink:

Whats a Perk Point
Automatic Perk Uploading

Leveling Up and getting Perk Points are Boring and Frustrating in Skyrim, hence you've Finished the Gam,e where your Skills are 100% with Barely enough Perk Points to fill a tree.

Solution, Automatic Perks filling the Tree you Trained upon.

Hence all you do at Level Up, is Choose (Magicka Health Stamina) without a perk point.

Oh, I get it: you hate RPGs.

daventry · February 18, 2014

Huh, where in the world are you pulling that idea off that i Hate RPG Games. What ?????

Do you know how Frustratingly Boring it is to get Perk Points to fill up a Perk Tree, i have finished Skyrim like 50 or more times over, with 2 of my Skill Trees Full of Perks, plus i go plow about 800 Dragons for Souls to Perk Points that isent even enough.

Not even Mods that gives me Perk Points is enough, hence the Solution to Automatically give me Perks to Skills without me worrying about it. Now i can Finally for the first time Relax and play my Game.

Edited February 18, 2014 by daventry

kleinstaff · February 18, 2014

the skyrim mechanics are pretty good and smooth , with some tweals herre and there i don't mind seeing them again in TES VI

only thing i do not really want is predetermined classes

with some tweaks here and there and some standing stones like in skyrim you should be able to make your own classes

predetermined classes only limits the options the character has and limits the character freedom

in skyrim it is possible to be any class you want or how you want to call it with numerous variations

that is my main idea about TESVI

Sadly i can not post on the bethesda forums anymore since i got perma banned for speaking out against and telling them fanboys how i feel about ESO ( didn't stop me getting into the beta tho, )

Lachdonin · February 19, 2014

Huh, where in the world are you pulling that idea off that i Hate RPG Games. What ?????

Do you know how Frustratingly Boring it is to get Perk Points to fill up a Perk Tree, i have finished Skyrim like 50 or more times over, with 2 of my Skill Trees Full of Perks, plus i go plow about 800 Dragons for Souls to Perk Points that isent even enough.

Not even Mods that gives me Perk Points is enough, hence the Solution to Automatically give me Perks to Skills without me worrying about it. Now i can Finally for the first time Relax and play my Game.

Thats kind of the whole point though. The perk points are limited (unless you use the Legendary Skills) requiring you to think about how you want to invest them. That is what makes characters unique, and while i think Bethesda did a horrible job balancing the perk-trees, i agree with their decision regarding perks. You should have to actively PICK "Paralyzing Strike" rather than just having it be part of leveling that skill.

If you found the Perks frustrating and boring, you clearly missed the point of them.

That said... It wouldn't be bad if they had an 'Auto-level' system. You 'pick a class' and the game assigns you perks based on that choice. For those who don't want to do it the *ahem* proper way.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Lachdonin

kleinstaff · February 19, 2014

1 NO predetermined classes

2 a expanded and tweaked perk system with more class oriented choices and synergies

3 Enchanched AI combat sustem is fine and some mods have shown that it is relative simple to give the AI a good boost in difficulty without setting the difficulty level to master or legendarr which result in some riddicelous results

like getting your lvl60 hero instant killed by a nove wizard using a spark spell

4more complete questlines

i prefer less quest lines aslong these stories are much longer and more immersive than they are in skyrim

a example is the companion quests , just to short and simple so much more could have done with it

5 more material available for the modding community; including unused voices , scriots and other materiak that doesn't make it into the game

considering the continuing limitations of consoles over pc s i predick a modding heaven for the next tes game

Edited February 19, 2014 by kleinstaff

Indigoblade · February 19, 2014

You wrote a lot dude,

Most seem to be preferences that you got from other mods. From there, most of what you wrote are very novelty and not necessarily important to the game as a whole. I would not mind getting pregnant and watching my children growing up (in game of course ;D), but would I have those over core mechanics that expands the game as a whole? F*K no

I also cannot agree to have classes in this type of game especially with the level of character content and kind of freedom this game gives you, it's actually the reason why ES one of my favorite RPG series, I have an actual choice to play the way I want to, a choice that cannot be limited by some stereotypical character development that I am forced to play similar styles. I can do whatever I want to solve a problem and that why I love this series

On my side, I wish there was more of a random element to it. Not loot or things like that, I meant enemy types, random dungeons, things that will keep me on my feet with brand new challenges every time I play. I get bored by knowing exactly whats gonna happen. Life isn't like that, with life things just happen whether you want it to or not.Knowing enemy locations, knowing where to get a specific item, knowing knowing knowing equals boring boring boring! Not knowing what up ahead then devising solutions when encountering the new experience is always fun.

I would also like the see the implementation of enemy templates, making several different enemy types beyond basic 3 main class types (melee, ranged, and magic)

Lachdonin · March 3, 2014

You wrote a lot dude,

A lot, eh? Hah! I've waited until the thread change-over on the Bethesda forums to reformat this, but here's the essay i've been working on. I already have this on the Bethesda forums, but i'll post it here to increase the critique i can get. Everything here has been based off what i've seen in other games, meaning we already have proof that it's possible. I'm not trying to come up with some weird new dynamics which are totally next-gen, i'm basing it entirely on what we can do NOW, only by combining elements from a myriad of titles and genres.

Anything marked with *Hardcore* is a feature which should either be linked to a Hardcore setting, or should be able to be deactivated from the Interface menu.

Within each category is a basic explanation of my philosophy of the sub-categories, along with a more concrete base of ideas for those interested.

1; Skills, Attributes, Races etc.

Skills, attributes, racial differences, leveling etc. These are the lifeblood of any RPG, and are where the majority of the complexity and options come into play. They should allow you to shape your character through your choices and actions, but should also allow you to give your character a past. It should encourage freedom of choice and identity without limiting your options.

These characteristics need to be varied enough to allow for several different approaches, but simple enough to understand easily. Ideally, you would have a system which is easy to get into, but becomes more and more rewarding the more comprehension you have, ensuring an enjoyable experience for new people and old hands alike.

1.1; Attributes

I like attributes, though the old model was unnecessarily detached and a total mess for immersion purposes. It also made no logical sense. I think Attributes should return, but in a more natural manner totally separate from leveling. At the same time, they should have a two-way relationship with skills, affecting pertinent skills and being affected by the use of those skills.

Your attributes should also affect how you can interact with the world, and how you preform in challenges and competitions. A higher strength would benefit someone who typically brawls for coin, while a higher intelligence may benefit someone who plays games of skill.

7 Attributes, leveling independently of PC level or skill level (0-100)

Strength

Combat; Fighting with any weapon, blocking, using Recurve Bows

Challenges; Moving objects (rocks, debris etc), Wrestling games

Work; Cutting wood, tilling fields, working forges, mining

Endurance

Consuming stamina by all means

Challenges; Holding breath, racing, drinking games

Agility

Dodging and parrying attacks

Sprinting, sneaking and climbing

Charisma

Buying and selling

Challenges; Story telling (bragging), playing music

Persuasion and bartering

Intelegence

Reading books and mixing potions

Challenges; Games (cards, chess etc.), finding secret areas and solving puzzles

Spellwork; all spell crafting and casting

Willpower

Consuming Magicka

Receiving spell damage

Luck

Finding collectibles and certain missions

Skills impact all associated skills based on level

Novice; 0-10

Skill efficiency 50%

Apprentice; 11-20

Skill efficiency 75%

Journeyman; 20-50

Skill efficiency 100%

Expert; 50-99

Skill efficiency 125%

Master; 100

Skill efficiency 150%

*Hardcore* Dynamic Attributes

Changes can be dynamic (to everything but Luck) so a lack of practice can cause Attributes to decrease over time. If you engage in strictly intelectual persuits for weeks or months at a time, expect to see your physical capabilities diminish from dis-use.

1.2; Skills

Skills are the main base of a TES game. As per usual, using a skill, through engaging in a related activity, progresses the skill. Enough progression levels it up, contributing to your overall level and increasing your capabilities in that skill, while unlocking new perks.

I liked how Skills worked in Skyrim, though some of the categories seemed limited. I wouldn't so much encourage a change in the dynamic of the skills, but rather in the skills themselves.

21 Skills in 3 Paradigms, each with an assciating attribute. In cases where there are two attributes, the highest level is the one which confers an effect

Combat

1-hand Weapon - Determines your skill with all single-handed weapons

Strength

2-hand Weapon - Determines your skill with all two-handed weapons

Strength

Hand-to-hand - Determines your skill with unarmed strikes and parries

Strength / Agility

Block - Determines your skill while blocking with a shield, including Stagger Recovery

Strength

Heavy Armour - Determines your skill when moving and fighting in heavy armuor

Endurance

Craftsmanship - Determines your skill at crafting and maintaining weapons and armour, and your

Strength

Survival - Determines your skill at general matters of mundane existence, from healing to camping and preparing food

Endurance

Magicka

Conjuration - Determines your skill at summoning and controlling Daedra, and at harnessing and capturing spirits

Intelligence/Willpower

Destruction - Determines your skill at manipulating elemental forces and causing magical damage in all its forms

Intelligence

Alteration - Determines your skill at manipulating the world through magical alteration, including weapon augments

Intelligence

Illusion - Determines your skill at influencing the minds of others and manipulating perceptions

Willpower/Charisma

Restoration - Determines your skill at the magical healing of wounds, protection spells and empowering allies

Willpower

Enchanting - Determines your skill at imbuing physical objects with magical properties, and maintaining magical workings

Intelligence

Unarmoured - Determines your skill when moving and fighting without armour.

Agility

Stealth

Marksman - Determines your skill with all ranged weapons

Agility

Light Armour - Determines your skill when moving and fighting in light armour

Agility

Sneak - Determines your skill at remaining undetected, and the damage you do while undetected

Agility

Thievery - Determines your skill at picking locks, stealing objects and picking pockets

Agility

Alchemy - Determines your skill when mixing potions and poisons, and the potency therein

Intelligence

Speechcraft - Determines your skill when dealing with others, the prices at shops and how much people like you

Charisma

Athletics - Determines your skill at athletic pursuits, such as climbing, running and jumping, as well as your base speed.

Endurance

As with Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim; all these skills level as you use them. When they level, they grant exp which contributes to your Character Level. As with Skyrim, the higher level the skill, the more exp it offers when it levels. Each skill is also linked to one or more attributes, and their use influences the progression and maintenance of that attribute.

Skill Milestones

Novice; 0-15

Apprentice; 16-30

Journeyman; 31-60

Expert; 61-99

Master; 100-*199

*Legendary; 200-299

*Mythic; 299-300

Once a skill reaches 100, it can be 'Prestiged' to allow for progression to continue. All perks are kept, but the skill level becomes 1 with a 'Master' notation. Once another 100 levels have been reached, it may be reset again to become 'Legend', and after a further 100 levels may become 'Mythic'. Prestiging may continue beyond Mythic, though exp contribution ceases to increase and all gains remain constant thereafter.

1.3; Races

The races of Tamriel are varied and at the same time, similar. Each has particular characteristics attributed to their birth, though they are not strictly limited in their skills and comprehension solely by race.

I feel that race should have a large and minimal impact, as the player chooses. If you want to build your character on the racial and cultural background of your race, you should be free to do so, but at the same time if you wish to keep a racial aesthetic but go in a different direction (an Orc Wizard, for instance, or a Bosmer Knight) you shouldn't feel pushed in a particular direction by your race.

Racial Powers and bonuses

Each race should have 2 'Major skills' which progress 20% faster, and 3 'Minor skills' which progress 10% faster. They should also have a single Attribute which starts at 10 points above base, and a second which starts at 5 points above base, to highlight the 'norm' for that race. In addition, they should have a single Racial Trait, and a single Racial Power.

Ex;

Altmer

+10 Intelligence +5 Willpower

+20% Enchanting & Alteration +10% Alchemy, Conjuration, Light Armour

+10% Magicka Pool

Blood of Aldmeris - Increases Magicka Regeneration for a set time

Nord

+10 Strength +5 Endurance

+20% 2-Handed & Heavy Armour +10% Athletics, 1-Handed, Unarmed

+20% Frost Resistance

Tongue of Kyne - Whirlwind Sprint

Argonian

+10 Strength +5 Agility

+20% Athletics, Unarmoured +10% Hand-to-hand, Alchemy, 1-Handed

+10% poison & Disease Resistance, +10% Swim speed

Blessing of the Hist - Increases Health regeneration for a set time

Racial Perks and cultural divisions;

Beyond the basic advantages of being a particular race, players should be given the option of further developing the iconic characteristics of their race through a Perk Tree. These would allow those who wish to do so to center their character development around the particular culture and temperment of their race. At the same time, division along this tree could be created by highlighting the characteristics of the differeing cultures within a race, and culminating in a 'transformation' of the racial power

Imperial Breton

Colovian Illiac

Nibanese Highlands

Nord Redguard

Stormcloak Crown

Toryggan Forebear

Altmer Dunmer

Alinor Great House

Auridon Ashlander

Bosmer Orc/Orsimer

Camoran Orsinium

Pact-Sworn Stronghold

Argonian Khajiit

An-Xileel Aniquia

Naga

Palentine

1.4 Backgrounds

I feel the old system of Classes is well past its prime, and i am happy that Skyrim disposed of the inherently limiting system they were a part of. However, the absolute 'blank slate' model use is somehow berift of soul. Your character has no past, nothing which gives any indication that he did not simply pop out of a crack in the earth moments before being arrested.

My solution is 'Backgrounds'. These would subtlly inflence your starting skills and attributes, based on what is pertinant to the 'class', allowing for the presence of some prior life and existance, but their direct influence would stop there. They would not determine leveling in the slightest, simply poking you in a particular direction but in no way mandating that track.

All backgrounds would have the same total influence, though exactly what skills and attributes they influence would be based on the background in question.

Modifications

+10 to two (2) skills

+5 to three (3) skills

+10 to one (1) attribute

+5 to two (2) attributes

Ex

Farmer

+10 to Survival and Athletics

+5 to Speechcraft, Unarmoured and Smithing

+10 to Endurance

+5 to Strength and Agility

Mage

+10 to Conjuration and Alteration

+5 to Destruction, Illusion and Enchanting

+10 to Intelligence

+5 to Willpower and Charisma

Vagrant

+10 to Survival and Theivery

+5 to Sneak, Unarmoured and Hand-to-hand

+10 to Agility

+5 to Willpower and Endurance

The consistent modifications ensures that every character starts off with an equal leveling potential, but the differing skills, particularly when combined with racial bonuses, ensure that specialization is encouraged.

1.5 Birthsigns

I am conflicted about Birthsigns, really, and have little to say on the subject. On the one hand, i don't want to see them go, on the other, the older system was horribly unballanced...

** After reading Absinthe's comments about Advantages and Disadvantages i had an idea, and moved this whole concept down to Perks. **

1.6 Leveling

I think Skyrim had the leveling quite right, though i would like to see the contribution scaling be more dramatic. At level 20, it should require a rather serious investment in time to level by training your mostly-unused skills, encouraging those with a more fast-tracked mind to focus into a handfull of skills rather than spread the love, as it were. When you level, you get a Perk, and choose to invest in an increase in either Stamina, Health or Magicka. The degree of impact could then be affected by your Attributes, but i'm worried about abuse of that system...

The only thing i would add would be titles based on your level. These would denote your relative power in the world at large, allowing for a touch more character than simply being a number.

1-10 Novice

11-20 Adventurer

21-40 Hero

41-60 Legend

61-100 Paragon

151+ Ada

2 Items

There are some parts of Skyrim's items i like, and some i don't. In general, i feel that a wider range of items and goods is the better course, even if those items are little more than a re-texture of others. For instance, with 3 or 4 textures, you could turn Skyrim's 2 loafs of bread into 6 or 8, adding more variety to the game.

In a similar vein, i feel there is too little variety in the weapons and armour. Smithing is a highly personal and stylistic art, and it would be a rare thing for two smiths to produce the same items. As gaming technology progresses, it's becoming more and more possible to represent this notion in the game-world.

2.1 Weapons

I would like to see a modular weapon system in the next TES game, something similar to what we see in Borderlands. Using this system, each weapon would consist of 'parts' which are assembled when the weapon is spawned/created. Each 'part' would offer slightly different characteristics, allowing for thousands of different weapons and the representation of signature styles of town smiths.

With the combat i will mention later, i think we should also see a return of the variable damage characteristics. This makes different individual weapons feel more special, and makes gear progression less linear.

Each basic weapon should consist of 4 Parts.

Blade Blunt Axe

Grip Haft Haft

Guard Head Left-Head

Blade Topper Right-Head

Embellishment Embellishment Embellishment

Polearm Bow Arrow

Haft Body Fletching

Head String Shaft

Counter Embellishment Head

Embellishment Embellishment

Each part would have variations which would change the look and possibly the characteristics of the weapon.

Ex;

Grip

Standard

Reinforced - Weapon takes less durability loss when power attacking

Double - If not using a shield, weapon is weilded with 2 hands for increased damage (putting it between a 1 handed weapon of that type, and a 2handed)

Chained - Cannot be disarmed, but attack recovery is slower because weapon is awkward

Guard

Standard

Heavy - Decreases damage received from parrying

Fencers - More forgiving timing when parrying

Winged - When parrying, enemy suffers from slower attack recovery

Blade

Standard

Curved - Weapon does more damage when slashing and chopping, less when thrusting

Weighted - Weapon does more damage, but is slower

Jagged - Weapon causes bleed damage over time, but has slower attack recovery

Embellishment

Standard

Mounted Soul Gems - Weapon's enchantment capacity is increased (based on what kind of gems)

Gilded - Weapon is worth more gold (depending on quality of gilding -silver or gold- and gems)

Silver Laced - Weapon does more damage against unnatural creatures

2.2 Armour and Wearables

Armour needs to be a little more varied. Under Skyrim's system, there isn't really any reason to have seperate boots and gauntlets, because all the far more important components to a suit of armour are included in the basic 'armour'. At the same time, so few parts limits a persons ability to define their own style. I'd like to see the return of some more division, though nothing so varied as Morrowind and Daggerfall's.

I'd also like to see totally separate slots allocated to more mundane items. Clothes shouldn't occupy the same equipment slot as Armour, and you should be able to wear a wider range of accessories such as cloaks and hoods, and un-enchanted jewelry.

Equipment Slots

Primary (Gear) Secondary (Aesthetics)

Head (helms & Circlets) Hair (Hoods, flowers, hats etc.)

Shoulders (Pauldrons -Pair-) Shoulders (Cloaks and capes)

Hands (Gauntlets and Bracers -Pair-) Wrists (bracelets)

Body (Cuirass, Breastplate etc;) Clothes

Legs (Leggings) Fingers 3-8

Feet (Boots and Shoes -Pair-)

Magical Ring 1

Magical Ring 2

Neck (Pendants, amulets, necklaces)

Left Hand (weapon, spell, shield)

Right Hand (Weapon, spell, shield)

I remain unsure as to the idea of modifications to these, as things could become overly complicated rather quickly. Ideally, i'd like to see rare 'embellished' versions of each armour set... With increased value.

*Hardcore* Fitting

In order to be an efficient source of protection, armour needs to be fitted to its wearer. So long as armour remains un-fitted, its protection is diminished, and it is more difficult to move in. As such, the penalties for that type of armour are dramatically increased, and it's overall AC is decreased.

Armour you find in the world will be un-fitted, though anything you buy or make yourself will be fitted (no self respecting smith would let a customer walk out in un-fitted armour). Likewise, a sufficiently skilled Smith can modify armour to fit themselves or their followers.

2.3; Crafting

Crafting in Skyrim was both too limited, and too easy. The ability to simply stand there and whip out hundreds of Iron Daggers, as well as the fact that you could spontaneously understand how to make complicated suits of armour was terrible in terms of immersion, and diminished the contribution that exploration can have with crafting. Whats more, it proved a highly exploitable mechanic which, when combined with Enchanting, horribly broke the already strained game ballance. At the same time, you could really only craft strictly usable items, with no consideration for artistic and mercantile items.

I'd like to see an implementation of a recipe system, similar to the spell books. Starting knowledge is limited, and while you use perks to unlock the working of new materials, creating new types of items requires the player obtain a recipe for it. Some of these could be bought, others would have to be found in dungeons and ruins, making it so the pursuit of crafting isn't strictly city-based.

Likewise, the ability to paint, make carvings and produce less battle-oriented items would add more depth to the world, and offer another source of income.

Daedric Crafting

I have a particular problem with Daedric crafting in Skyrim. Daedric weapons and armour are rare and powerful, requiring skill in both metalworking and in enchanting. They are bound Daedric spirits in specially prepared Ebony, and should require something a little more involved than just a single perk, some Ebony and a Daedra Heart. I would like to see requirements like;

Daedric Dweomer - Enchanting Perk

Ebony Temperance -Smithing Perk

Ebony Ingots (number depending on whats being made)

Soul Gem containing Greater or Grand soul from Daedric creature (to be bound in item)

Daedra Heart/blood (for treating the Ebony)

Fire Salts (normal fire isn't hot enough for this job!)

This would make it so the creation of Daedric weapons and armour is a rather serious investment of time and resources, and the creation of an entire suit and arsenal is an impressive achievement.

2.4 Loot

Loot should not be expressly in terms of usable items. There are many things which are valuable, from statuary to paintings to exotic cloth, when we raid a bandit lair of crypt there should be more to pick through than just weapons, armour and ingredients.

3 The Economy

We are at a point where fluctuating prices and realistic trade is more than possible in a video game. In fact, many 4x strategy games have had 'Stock Markets' for years, allowing cunning and attentive players to dramatically change the resource-war in a very short amount of time. It's time we see this type of interaction in an RPG, and TES6 is the perfect launching platform for any such change in how we view RPG's.

3.1 Fluctuations

The price of various goods should change dynamically throughout the game, depending on locations and where they come from. This would make an excellent addition to the Radiant AI system, allowing for dynamic events such as Bandits and aggressive wild-life to obstruct trade routes, allowing players to either solve the problem, or bypass it with the now scarce goods to make a greater profit selling in isolated areas.

At the same time, player-actions should affect the economy as well. If you help Blacksmith A improve his forge, his more efficient business should affect competitors in the nearby cities. If you kill everyone on Farm B, then the availability and cost of what they grow should be affected in Town C.

3.2 Inflation

The cost of goods in Skyrim is all over the place. Things like clothing and books have almost no value, while weapons and armour can cost thousands of gold. This isn't helped by the whole notion of leveled rewards, where a level 80 player may receive 1000 gold from the 'poor mill worker with nothing to spare' for finding her missing husband. Set monetary rewards are a must, and the overall costs of items need to be more natural.

The problem with spiraling, D&D Dragon-esque holds can also be solved, or at least mitigated, by expenses. Paying regular upkeep to your mercenaries, paying those who work your land, guild dues, regular bribing of officials etc. There should be more, less material ways to spend money, and players shouldn't be able to accumulate vast Scrooge McDuck style vaults of money by simple walking around and picking up junk.

3.3 Property Wealth and variety

I also would like to see an inclusion of more of a concept of property wealth and income generators. Investing in businesses and properties of which you can charge rent, the ownership of livestock and farms to produce sellable materials etc. Give is more ways to interact with the economy than just "Raid dungeon, sell loot".

At the same time, there should be costs to living in but not owning land, and residents should have to pay taxes to the local lord.

4 Speech and Social Interaction

Skyrim is really poor when it comes to interaction. Everyone seems to trust you right off, theres no basis for reputation or NPC dispositions, and with the exception of a few characters, NPC's are simply quest-vendors. This detracts a lot from the idea of a living world, and this is a pity because the Radiant AI system offers a lot of motion and interaction possibilities to the world.

4.1 NPC Disposition

In Skyrim, people either like you, or they don't. A few of them change their minds after you do a job for them, but for the most part it seems everyone has immutable opinions about the PC.

Whats more, even if they don't like you, they're still willing to throw important quests at you. People don't trust complete strangers to find lost family heirlooms, or track down murderers. Bring back dispositions and let PC's form some semblance of relationships with the NPC's of the world.

Bring back the 100pt NPC disposition

Introductory value based on race, fame and active organizations

Influenced by Persuasion

Should be slower gains

Not the 30+ point changes in Oblivion

1-5pt changes per day

Persuade/Complement

Modified by Speechcraft and Charisma

Intimidate

Modified by Speechcraft and Strength

Bribe

Can increase or decrease based on multiple variables

Honest people don't like bribes

Shifty people prefer more money to less

Regaling

PC's can tell stories, embellishing them based on their Speechcraft, to impress crowds

Characters may need higher dispositions to give you quests

4.2 Dialogue

Dialogue needs to be more natural. People need to recognize the PC and their accomplishments, but the PC also needs to be able to interact with NPC's in a realistic way.

More importantly, conversation shouldn't just be about delivering quests and quest-related information. We should be able to converse with NPC's, learn about their stories and their lives. Skyrim is years ahead of Morrowind in terms of NPC stories, but we need to continue that trend so we can have a world full of interesting people.

New options based on Skill levels and attributes

A high 1-handed skill gives you conversation insight into combat conversation

High Intelligence gives you insight into someone lying to you

Better player responses

The responses in Skyrim were unusually poor and robotic

Fluff

NPC's should have things to say that aren't relevant to any quests

ex; History, local politics, random musings

Recognition

Merchants in particular should recognize frequent customers

Initial greeting

Special greeting for regular customers

ex for 4+ visits in one week

Recognition of absences

Haven't been in shop for 3 weeks

Special greeting for NPC's with high dispositions

4.3 Fame and Infamy

I never really saw a purpose to this system, until Envy123 explained some of the benefits of the Karma system in Fallout 3 and New Vegas. With that knowledge in hand, i agree that Fame and Infamy need to return.

They shouldn't affect NPC disposition, mind you, but should instead impact how your companions see you, and some dialogue options with NPCs. There may be a Warrior, looking to make a name for himself, who will only fight beside someone famous, or an Assassin who refuses to fight alongside someone who isn't rightly feared. Use your fame to convince a Palace guard that you belong at a party you need to infiltrate, or your infamy to terrify a Fence into giving you better prices.

5 Crime

Crime in Skyrim (and most TES games) is virtually inconsequential. Paltry fees for outrageous crimes, meaningless sentences and a rather absurd psychic net which tells every guard you've committed a crime, no matter how far away.

Repercussions for committing crime need to be more severe, but the options in getting out of it need to increase as well. And word of your deeds should travel, but not instantly or be limited to Holds or Dukedoms.

5.1 Repercussions

More severe punishment for crimes.

Murder; Jail, no fines ; 1 Year per murder

Theft; Equal to amount stolen +100 gold ; 5 days per 100 gold

Trespassing; 100 gold ; 2 days

Assault; 200 gold ; 5 days

Fine exceeding 1000 gold; Jail time replaces fine ; 10 days per 100 gold

5.2 Alternatives

More options than just paying fines or going to jail

Bribing Magistrates

Infiltrating cities and bribing officials for 50% of fine to drop charges

Framing

Planting stolen goods or murder weapon on bandits or other people and framing them

Guild assistance

Particularly for Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood

5.3 Serving time

Allow hard-core RPers to actually serve their sentence

Option when sleeping every day to serve full sentence or wake next day

Also gives the potential to escape

5.6 Skill loss

No loss of actual skill levels, but serving jail time decreases all progress in one skill per days served

5.7 Tracking

Guards in the immediate area should be made aware of crimes almost instantly

Word should travel to adjacent regions in 1 day

Expanding outward 1 region per day

6 Containers

Since Oblivion, containers have been nebulous voids of unlimited storage. Were we so inclined, we could store and entire armoury in an Apothecaries Satchel. It's absurd. There has to be limits.

In an ideal world, i'd like to see certain containers only able to hold certain types of items, but frankly i'd settle for a limited capacity. And something needs to be done about carrying loads. We should be able to transport more, but we can't just tack it onto the Character, being able to carry 500lbs of junk is crazy enough. Easiest solution there is to simply bring back the lovely Daggerfall Wagons.

6.1 Variety

Bring back crates

Why they were modeled and put in-world in Skyrim, but not interactive is beyond me

More types of esoteric containers

Hollow trees, cabinets, desks etc

6.2 Limited Capacity

Different containers should have limited capacities

Crate; 500lbs

Barrel; 300 lbs

Apothecary satchel; 10lbs

6.3 Random Contents

More in-depth

Requires high disposition

Courtship

Traveling places with your special someone

Gifts

Better rewards

Disposition bonus with family

Inheritance in case of family death

Better bonuses for sleeping at 'home'

8 The Player Character

There are many modern standards to the PC which TES games have glazed over lately, be they in creation or in the basic presence within the world.

To put things simply, we need more options in appearance and an expression of individuality and an actual individual within the world.

8.1 Customization

More options

The character creation in ES:O is both characterful and offering abundant variety, it should form the basis of the next TES game

Post-creation customization

Changing hairstyles

*Hardcore* Hair growth?

Facial paints/markings

Scars?

Tattoos

Piercings

8.2 Presence

When we look down, in 1st person, we should see out body, and what we're wearing

8.3 Movement

Sprinting was a nice addition, back in the day, but movement in video games has become a more interesting, more natural system. From the jet-assisted to parkour of Titanfall, to the stealth movement of Thief, it's clear that just running isn't enough anymore.

Climbing

'Sprinting' at a low wall or cliff allows you to climb up it

Strength dependent?

Jumping/sliding

Jumping while sprinting allows you to leap gaps reliably

Slide over low obstacles?

Sneaking

While sneaking, can crawl under low blockages

Creep through sewers and the like

9 Combat

Combat in Skyrim is fine if viewed as a simply mechanical process. It get's the job done, though lacks anything in terms of elegance. At the same time, Oblivion's was hardly better, and in comparison Morrowind's was abysmal. Slight changes could be made to Skyrim's combat to include more styles and attack combinations (as detailed in Perks) and the effects of stagger should be increased slightly, but other than that, it functions acceptably.

Still, there is potential from drawing on other games to increasing the actual tactical aspect of combat, particularly Analogue Combat from Dead Island (which is rather similar to Daggerfall's combat).

One thing which must be added, however, is the ability to do damage to enemy limbs. We've seen it in Fallout, we've seen it in Dead Island, there's no reason why it shouldn't be in TES.

9.1 Location Damage

The ability to inflict damage to enemies limbs to hamper them in combat

Parts; Head, Torso, L-Leg, R-Leg, L-Arm, R-Arm

Broken legs slow movement, broken arms prevent use of that hand

9.2 Standard Combat

With normal combat, things are pretty much the same as in Skyrim and Oblivion. Click the attack button, your character goes through a standard sequence of slashes and chops. Don't attack for long enough, or interrupt your attacks with a block, and the sequence resets. Bring back Morrowind's different types of attacks (Chop, Slash and Thrust) to allow for differentiation between weapons, with the Sword being the most versatile, the Mace being the least.

As you unlock special moves with the Perk system, have them function the same. Left-Attack does one thing. Back-peddle-Attack does another. As i touched on earlier, each type of weapon should have it's own tree for special moves so there is minimal repetition and more variety in play-styles. For instance, Backpeddle-Attack for an Axe can be a shield grab, where you use the hook of the Axe to pull your enemies shield away, whereas the same motion for dual swords could be a parry-thrust (One weapon parries, one thrusts, at the same time)

9.3 Analogue Combat

When you hold the attack button, you ready your attack. Then, however you move your mouse/joystick determines the attack. Left and right slashes left or right. Down, whether straight or angled, causes a chop (there could even be angled chops, which would mesh well with locational damage). Up is a thrust. By holding the attack button, you can ready yourself, and having control over the specific attack allows you to time and adapt your fighting strategies more naturally. Once you get used to it, anyway.

In terms of slashing, left then right quickly (or right then left if wielding a weapon in your left hand) causes a backhand slash. This, in turn, triggers special attacks like the shield-trap i mentioned above.

In terms of dual wielding, holding the attack buttons and moving in a direction triggers a double stroke, but if you alternate between buttons you can chain together several attacks rapidly.

Haven't figured out how power attacks would work though... Maybe pressing sprint as you attack?

9.3 Blocking;

You should only be able to block with a Shield. You simply don't block with a weapon, you try to deflect the attack or get out of the way otherwise. That should be a totally different dynamic from blocking.

9.4 Clashing and parries;

Which brings us to weapon clashes. A timed attack against an opponent, which strikes at the same time as their attack, should parry, causing a stagger. The higher the skill, the less the stagger. This would allow skilled fighters to parry, recover, and counter before their opponent can recover. There should also be a recovery bonus for dual weilding, as you have a second weapon to attack with. This is something else what would mesh well with the analogue combat system. However, parrying is not nearly as reliable as blocking (or dodging) and you should always take minor damage for it.

9.5 Dodging

Double-taping movement in a direction should cause you to dodge in that direction

Heavier armours cause a delay

Athletics perks to make dodging faster, or cover more distance

9.6 Mounted Combat

This was a great inclusion in Skyrim, and should return, but it needs some expansion. Opponents that fight from horseback, pole-arms for longer reach, trampling enemies etc. Make mounted combat a genuinely interesting part of the game rather than just a semi-entertaining side.

10 Stealth and Thievery

Stealth, in both TES and Fallout, needs some major work. At it stands, it makes no sense, and suffers from absolutely moronic AI.

Stealth needs to be brought into the current generation, if not taken beyond into the next. NPC's should have multiple detection models (sight and hearing at least) which are independently affected, should be able to affect the status of allies perceptions, and react more naturally to their environment. They should also not totally forget about being shot, or watching an ally die next to them, and return to a peaceful state.

10.1 Better Sneak system

Dual detection model

Sight

Based on frontal conical field of vision

Light dependent

If you're creeping in broad daylight, you're gonna get seen

Sound

360 degree detection

Dependent on surface as well as boots

Stone makes more noise than grass

Heavier boots make more noise

Influenced by environmental sounds

A waterfall drowns out footsteps

Echoes

Detection states

Passive

No detected threats

Alert

Suspicious of potential threats

Heard something

Saw a shadow

Was recently searching

More likely to see or hear

Passed on to encountered allies

Reverts to Passive after X time (should be long, even a full day)

Searching

Aware of nearby threat

Attacked

Witnessed an attack

Discovered a body

Heightened detection

Actively searching area

Passed on to encountered allies

Reverts to Alert after X time (should be several minutes at least)

Non-fatal disables

Using saps and choke-holds to dissable without killing

For those who don't want to leave a trail of bodies

Better moving of bodies

The current system sucks

Interact with and actually pick-up/drop bodies, allowing you to hide them

Distractions

Throwing rocks, shooting arrows, 'Ghost sound'

Alert and Searching enemies will go towards the sound

Camouflage

The ability to decrease the visual detection of an enemy based on special wearable gear

Cloaks can make sneaking in the dark more efficient

Forest-camo can treat forested areas as various stages of darkness

10.2 Thievery

Real-time lockpicking

Add some suspense to breaking into buildings

Ability to force locks and use magic

Forcing locks is loud

Unlock spells are bright

Stealing items causes noise, which can allert others

More versatile infiltration kit

Rope & Grapples for climbing

Even if only usable on certain objects

Thief Rope Arrows

Paralyzing poisons & dart-guns

Toggle thieving on and off

No more accidentally stealing things trying to talk to people

10.3 Sneak Attacks

Melee sneak attacks against certain targets are instantly fatal

Perks to increase range of targets

Ranged sneak attacks do extra location damage

Disabling enemies before engaging

Special activatable kills?

Dropping down from a ledge, Assassin's Creed style?

11 Towns and the World

The age of cells is passing, and the age of truly open worlds is dawning. In the future, as little as possible should be locked behind separate cells. This would allow for a greater range in the options available to characters in how they interact with and explore the world.

At the same time, the world should feel more alive. Skyrim was an improvement over Oblivion, with rabbits and foxes added to the Deer, but there needs to be more wildlife and more people. Not everyone needs to have a name and an identity, and the majority of people we pass in the world would probably barely acknowledge our existence, but they should still be there.

11.1 Towns and cities

Open to the world

No more separate cells

Allows for more options when entering a city

Sneaking over the walls at night

Open buildings

Looking through windows to see what's inside

Inconsequential inhabitants

Traders, shoppers, laborours, drunks, thieves, prostitutes etc.

Random flavor to the cities to make them feel more alive

Barely interactive; Offer a greeting or dismissal, nothing more

Randomised names?

De-spawn if out of PC's sight for X Minutes

11.2 Dungeons

Darker

Set starting stories

Randomized occupants after initial clear

May be Bandits one month, Undead/Necromancers the next

Puzzles

More varieties in Puzzles

Sliding Squares

Riddles

Collection

Similar to Dwemer Oculatory (but with hints this time!)

Loot

More misc loot, less gear

Particularly less awesome gear

Fewer leveled rewards

1-2 leveled rewards a dungeon

Less gold

Only in logical places

On bodies

Funerary offerings

Bandit/Pirate hoards

Not in random chests

Non-Imperial currency

Dwemer, Aleyid, Akaviri etc

Rare, only in appropriate ruins

11.3 Leveling

Leveled and Unleveled dungeons

Find some way to denote... Gut feeling? Divine warning?

Once cleared once, Unleveled dungeons become leveled

Unleveled Wilderness

Higher leveled enemies the further you are from town

Legendary and Mythic enemies

Special, named, unleveled enemies

Escapes

Daily Powers which allow you to escape from Too-High encounters

Mark & Recall; Teleports to a marked location

Smoke- Pellets; Disorients all enemies nearby, aids stealth

Discretion is the better part of Valor; Increase speed and stamina

12 Quests

Its something of a sad reflection on TES that Skyrim's quests were so bad. Even the tacky feel-good quest-lines of Oblivion would make Skyrim envious. At the same time, the stories in Skyrim were fantastic, even if the absurdly bad quests related to them were choppy, poorly thought out and overly simplistic.

Quests are about telling a story, and that story should be the primary focus. If you want loot, go clear a random dungeon, or do a petty job. Particularly when dealing with main questlines, they need to be longer, so there is less abrupt jumping around (the Companions is a prime example of this problem) and shorter one-off quests from people in the world should be a little more linked to the dungeon-stories.

Finally, rewards need to be re-worked. As i said earlier, to lower inflation, leveled rewards need to be far, far less common.

12.1 Division

I would propose that what is currently contained in the idea of 'Quests' be divided into 3 categories. Quests, Missions and Jobs.

12.2 Quests

Quests are components to story driven adventures over a period of time. Primarily linked to the Main Story, or the Organizations/Guilds, quests are the life-blood of RPG's and need to feel natural in their progression (not rushed or choppy) but also fit into the overall world

Main Story Questline

Starts with introduction

Typically escape from captivity

2-3 quest orientation

Go to Town A

Speak with Person B

Obtain item C

Etc.

Minimum 5 quest 'Building Action' (ideally 10 or more)

Discovering major players

Uncovering the primary threat

Developing player-powers

5+ quest Pre-Climax

Everything starts coming to a head

Collection of artifacts to aid you

Defeating secondary enemies (Dagoths, Dragon priests, etc.)

1-2 quest Climax

Confronting the big-bad

1-2 quest resolution

Settle things down, resolve relationships

Explain impact, or lack there of (Tell us that no one can know you save the world)

Possible lead-in to expansion content

Guid Quests

Introduction

Signing up!

Test of relevant skills

1-3 quest Orientation

Simple, guild related quests

Rat catching

Ingredient collection

Pick-pocketing

5-10 quest Rising Action

Introduction of many story plot

Establishment of key players

Exploration of primary threat/story

1-3 quest Climax

Confrontation of primary story-threat or idea

1-2 quest Resolution

Tying up loose ends

Becoming/refusing Guild Master

Secondary Quest-lines

1 quest Introduction

Signing up!

1-3 quest Orientation

Establishing the faction and players

Establishing the story-conflict

5-10 quest Rising Action

Building on the conflict

1 quest Climax

Resolution of conflict

1-2 quest Resolution

Rewards

Branching

Can have multiple branches

Side with character A or B

Branches should change the path slightly

Infiltrate lords Manor quietly instead of assault it

Summon Daedric informant instead of find book in Dungeon

Regardless of path, should arrive at the same ending

Prevents 'Dragon Break' problems

12.3 Missions

Missions should be single tasks given to us in the world, not linked to long-term story-lines and pertaining more to the immediate needs of people we encounter. For instance, helping a woman find her missing husband, recovering an old soldiers favorite sword from some bandits, or helping a shady merchant off his business partner. They should be outwardly simple, straightforward and short.

Single act tasks

Can have multiple stages

Ex; Talk to Person A to learn location of Bandits, then kill bandits and recover sword

Should be straight forward objectives

Still room for different approaches

Ex; Kill merchants partner, warn him, report to guards etc.

Limited radiant implementation

Objective locations should be mostly set

Allows for mission to be tied into dungeon-stories for more depth

Set rewards

Special items

Special Perks

Skill-increases

12.4 Jobs

Jobs should replace the current idea of Radiant Quests. These are simple, profit earning tasks, assigned by Guilds, Tavern Barkeeps, Bounty Boards and Governors/Jarls/Dukes/Counts/Etc. The locations would be determined through the current system, the rewards leveled, and the tasks themselves straightforward.

Simple to understand Bounties

Retrieve item A

Kill monster B

Collect X bandit ears

Etc.

Leveled

Level random for Bounties

Barkeeps, Counts and Bountyboards don't care about your level

You could get absurdly simple jobs, or impossible ones

Difficulty selectable for Guilds

Easy (Job Level < PC Level)

Moderate (Job Level = PC Level)

Challenge (Job Level > PC level)

Leveled Rewards

Based on Job Level, not PC Level

12.5 Daedric Quests

The Daedric Quests are something of a unique situation in TES. They don't fit into the story driven Quest-line model above, but at the same time are more complicated than either Missions or Jobs. They should be short, but still showcase the particular temperament of the Daedra in question. They should also be challenging, as Daedric Artifacts are highly valuable, and should have the power to reflect their status.

2-6 Quests long

* Which Daedroth should be apparent within the first 2 quests

Introduction to Daedra and/or Artifact

Shrines, usually

Dawnstar Museum idea was interesting

Proving worth

Accomplishing a petty, though challenging task

Revealing competency and Obedience

Confronting primary challenge

Collecting artifacts

Vanquishing particular foe

Receiving reward

Daedric Artifact

Need to be more powerful!

Allies/Companions

Challenging

Just as Daedric Artifacts need to be stronger, obtaining them needs to be harder

No leveled encounters for Daedric quests

Defiance

Skyrim had it right, we need the option to spit in the face of the Daedra

Should be at the expense of the Artifact, but with different rewards

13 Factions

The faction involvement in Skyrim was particularly bad. Aside from a free place to sleep, there was virtually no reason to join any of the factions. To compound matters, there is very little to DO once you are part of a faction.

Both these problems need to be addressed, along with the seeming detachment of the Factions from the world. The Companions don't really interact with anyone, the College never actually does anything magical, and the Thieves Guild basically just sits there and complains about being poor. Fighters Guild teams should wander the roads, sent off on missions, Thieves should skulk in the shadows, and Mages should be out doing research and gathering ingredients.

Faction Reputation

Alters the base disposition of people the FIRST time you talk to them

If you've already offended someone, being in the same faction as them won't help you

At lower ranks, you may need to identify yourself as a member of the faction

Thieves Guild Handshake, Mages Guild badge etc.

Presence

The Factions shouldn't be cloistered groups, but should be active in the world

Random members on the roads and in the woods

Incentive

Access to special crafting resources

Plans

Special Forges, Alchemy Labs, etc.

Spell Crafting

Rank related?

Access to rare materials

Superior Lockpicks, higher quality gear, powerful potions

More powerful spells

Easy introduction equipment

Uniforms!

More Companion options

Easier mercenaries/occupants for player property

Cost

Guilds collect dues

More reliable Jobs

Ability to choose difficulty of jobs

14 Artificial Intelligence

The AI in TES games needs some serious work. Enemies fight to the death, animals kamikaze themselves against you regardless of injury, and even when something retreats, they tend to run infinitely away from you. I'm not a programming expert, not by a long shot, but there needs to be a better system.

14.1 NPC's

Similar to now, different aggression options

Smugglers only attack when you intrude on their personal space

Bandits attack on sight when outnumbering

May negotiate if PC and companions are extremely powerful

More cooperation between allies

No shooting each-other in the back

Surrender

Alone and injured enemies can surrender

Potential for rounding up prisoners and dragging them to town?

Reward for prisoners?

Pursuit

Generally don't chase PC too far, preferring to stay near 'Base'

14.2 Animals

Most animals should leave you alone, unless approached aggressively

Wolves, bears etc. should back away whenever possible

Unless diseased

'Packs'

Many animals live, hunt and fight in groups

Increased aggressiveness for parents with young

Cornering

Even an Elk, when cornered, will fight back

Pursuit

Will only pursue player for a determined distance

Predators pursue further, parents shorter

14.3 Monsters

Agressive (Trolls, minor Daedra, Undead, Falmer)

Attack on sight

Pursue relentlessly

Edgy (Spriggan, Giants etc.)

Attack if you get too close

Don't pursue too far

Possible negotiation with Language Perks?

Passive (Mammoths, Netch etc.)

Only attack if attacked first

Don't pursue far

15 Perks

Perks. Oh, how i love Perks. They are easily the best thing to happen to TES since Morrowind's change to a understandable leveling system. However, they were haphazardly implemented in Skyrim, unbalanced in the extreme and far, far too restricted.

The Perk system needs to be expanded, and can form the basis of future TES Roleplaying. The range of options available, how they influence gameplay, and how they shape the world and out experiences are nearly infinite, and i hope, Nay! I Pray! I pray that Bethesda keeps working with the idea instead of scrapping it because of the short sighted complaints which cannot see past the sloppy implementation.

15.1 Types

There should be 3 main types of Perks. Character Perks, Adventure Perks and Achievement Perks. Each of these is obtained in a different manner, and confers different benefits to gameplay.

15.2 Character Perks

Character Perks are only obtained during Character Creation. These would be a semi-revival of the old Advantages-Disadvantages from yesteryear, slightly manipulating different aspects of your starting experience, and with lasting effects throughout your character. Most would be minor, though stronger ones would come with a draw back.

Of course, you would have to be limited to how many you could take. 2-3 seems reasonable.

Examples of Character Perks

Magical Prodigy

+20% Magicka

+10% Attribute Progression; Intelegence

-10% skill progression in Combat Skills

Bruiser

+10% health

+10 % Attribute Progression; Strength, Endurance

-10% Attribute progression; Intelegence, Agility

Friendly

+10% starting dispositions for all NPC's

Eye for Detail

+5% bonus to crafting results

Can affect potions, item stats, value etc.

15.3 Adventure Perks

These would be your bread and butter perks. Still obtained through leveling up, these perks would affect the strengths of your character, your special abilities, your combat techniques etc.

I would like to see them re-arranged, though, away from that god-awful and restricting constellation nonsense. Arrange them like the Compass Rose, with Combat, Magicka and Stealth arranged as West, North and East, and for South, add a 4th 'tree' for Heroic perks. This particular tree pertains to your race, allowing you to develop the character of your race if you so choose. It should also contain 'unlockable' branches linked to the major transformative conditions; Lycanthropy, Vamparism and Lichdom.

One thing i would like to see, particularly when dealing with the Stealth to Magicka trees, is some interaction with the Combat tree. Minor elemental empowerment your weapon strikes, Enchanting specializations affecting Smithing, Stealth Perks affecting draw-speed etc.

More importantly, though, Perk Trees should be extensive and encourage specialization, while at the same time affecting your experience.

Example Perk specialization

Combat

1-handed Weapons

Critical Strike

15/35/50% chance to inflict double damage

Crippling Blow

+10/20/30% locational Damage

Decapitate

Criticals on enemies below 20/30/50% health kill the enemy instantly

Blade

+10/15/20% damage with 1-handed Blades

Skirmisher

+10/20/30% damage when using a Sword and another class of weapon

Quick-Draw

Draws and switches weapons faster

Opportunistic Strike

Striking a staggered opponent crits automatically

Hit-and-Run

+5/10/15% speed after a successful Power Attack

Duelist

+10/20/30% damage when wielding 2 swords

Riposte

Faster attack speed after parrying

Parry Master

Decreases damage when parrying by 10/20/30%

Disarm

Double Parry disarms opponent

Bulwark

+5/10/15% damage if using a shield in one hand

Following Slash

Slash speed increased after blocking

Rapid Recovery

Stagger recovery increased by 10/20/30%

Defensive Thrust

Can thrust while still blocking

Stealth

Athletics

Beast of Burden

Increases carry weight by 100/200/300lbs

Long-Winded

Stamina drain during sprinting 15/30/50% less

Deep Breath

Increases breath capacity when swimming by 10/20/30%

Explorer

When resting outdoors, received 15/30/50% Well Rested Bonus

On the go

Effects of food doubled

Careful footing

Fall damaged decreased by 10/20/30%

Tolerance

Effects of Poison diminished by 20%

Soldier

Not encumbered by armour

The Long March

Stamina drain while sprinting in Armour decreased 20%

Take it with you

Resting on Bedrolls increases resting bonus 15/30/50%

Battle-Fortitude

Health Regeneration increased by 20%

Trader

Basic movement speed increased out of combat

Heavy Load

Carry weight increased by 20/40/60 lbs

15.4 Achievement Perks

These perks would be rewards for certain actions, obtained by completing quests, joining certain organizations etc. Things like knowing the Thieves Guild handshake, how to recognize smugglers-marks and "Divine Intervention" (teleporting to the nearest Temple).

Crafting Plans could also be included in here, allowing you to more easily identify what you know how to make.

16 Magic

17 Kill-Cams, executions and disables

The Kill-Cams in Skyrim were an interesting cinematic addition, and can add some enjoyable variety to combat, but they can't just be left as they are. They need to march on, some of the more... clunky ones need to be re-examined (I have yet to have a Dragon kill where i actually hold onto his head...) and the magical ones need to be overhauled entirely.

At the same time, instantly fatal sneak attacks should feel more epic than just shiving someone in the knee. They should be stealthy and dramatic. Similarly, we should be able to disable enemies without killing them, knocking them out or gassing them in a suitably cinematic manner.

17.1 Kill-Cams

As mentioned above, kill-cams need to progress if they are to remain. With the inclusion of a location damage system, you could have some interesting finishers, lopping off limbs or crushing skulls. Magic also needs some love in this regard, as their current finishers are lack-luster at best.

Weapon kills

At least one per type (Blade, Blunt, Axe, unarmed)

Ideally one for each attack-model, with preference for highest damage attack

Scimitars use slashing kill

Maces use chopping kill

Different animations for 1-Handed and 2-Handed

At least one for shield

Skyrim's shield kill was quite enjoyable

Special unlock-able finishers for perk-specializations

"Cobra Strike" unlocks an additional kill animation for Assassins

Archery kills

Mostly as is

Follow the Arrow in flight, get to watch it impact into skulls

Variable kills for different arrow types?

'Heavy Arrows' ripping off limbs?

Magical Kills

More ESO trailer, less *Snore*

Melee spells

Grabbing people, melting faces

Lightning shooting from eyes

Freezing people solid

Channel Spells

Tossing bodies in-stream aside

Queen Ayrenn in the ESO traier, tossing Daedra around

Target spells

Flinging bodies around

AOE spells cause people to explode

Disintegration!

17.2 Executions

Executions, in this context, refers to instantly fatal sneak attacks. Mentioned earlier is the ability to buy perks to allow you to instantly kill certain types of enemies while undetected, and the vast majority of executions would be caused by this. However, with the right abilities, you can even shiv a Giant in the spine, so any sneak-attack kill could quality.

As it stands, you just poke something and it dies. It's dull, and not particularly rewarding. Whats more, having enemies randomly fall doesn't do much for a continued sneaking dynamic. Executions should create a more cinematic feel, while allowing a little more predictability on how enemies collapse. With a deeper stealth system, this could allow stealthy characters to clear out entire dungeons without being detected.

Kills

One for each weapon-type

Silting throats, axes in skulls, smashed temples, decapitations

Should be quick and silent

No impaling, nothing that would cause people to scream or fight back

2-handed weapons get no kills?

Enemy placement

Small weapons like Daggers and Swords finish with you carrying the corpse

Allows you to drag a body into the shadows

17.3 Disables

We shouldn't have to kill EVERYBODY. Even in Morrowind, you could knock some enemies out (albeit for a short time) and that mechanic needs to make a come back. If you're sent on a mission for the Thieves Guild, we should be able to sap and knock out guards. We should have sleeping darts, knockout gas and a myriad of other ways to infiltrate than just avoidance and murder.

Disables should also be as cinematic as possible. Sapping guards, putting Bandits in choke-holds, chloroform or just punching the big bruiser with a glass jaw.

Toggleable

This really needs to be an ability which you can turn on and off. While on, your character only tries to disable his opponents, rather than killing

This would also allow for interesting things like smashing people with the pommel of the sword

Long-term

Knocked out enemies shouldn't get up after a few seconds like in Morrowind. Let it last a few in-game hours.

18 Classes, Builds and auto-leveling

This is something that's been hotly debated... And frankly, i hated the old classes. They were restricting, unnatural and nothing but a throw-back to older cookie-cutter RPG dynamics. That said, many people seem to like some definition of identity that comes along with having a 'Class' and i suppose i can appreciate that.

At the same time, the concept of pre-defined builds and archetypes offers something of an introduction which would allow players who aren't familiar with more complex character building (as defined by the above Perk section) to play without having to learn the ins and outs of the system beforehand.

Plus, having the ability to plan out your build beforehand, and never having to go back into the Perk tree allows for a more seamless game-play. You could even have a peripheral app allowing you to design builds while not playing the game, and the ability to share those builds through a system like the Steam Workshop.

Auto-leveled Builds

Plan out, stage by stage, what abilities and perks you want to unlock

When you level, you buy the next perk in line

No need to constantly go into the Perk menu and look at what to get next

Pre-defines what skills you want to use

Locks progression to those skills?

Classes

Revive the old Classes are release builds packaged with game

Customization

Allow players to design their own builds

Sharing?

Players can download others builds to try out?

"Adventurers"

The current 'Standard'

No pre-defined perk progression

More complicated, but also more versatile

19 World Interaction

The world needs to be more interactive. Oblivion had the most novelties, with the whole moving chains and vines, and Skyrim offered some interesting ambush scenarios with some of the traps, but overall, there remains little in the way of interaction with the environment.

Whats more, you have less interaction with the world at large. Regardless of your position, you have no power. As the leader of a Faction, you can't control the activities of that faction (though, admittedly, they don't do much anyway).

There should be multiple ways to interact with the world. From cutting the ropes on a rack of barrels to force your enemies to scatter, to opening windows to slip into places undetected, to actually LEADING your factions.

19.1 Object Interaction

We need to be able to interact with the objects in the world to a greater degree. Cutting ropes, climbing over low walls, smashing down doors... Object interaction allows the game to have the potential for more strategy. No more would it just be about marching through a dungeon, killing everything. We could set ambushes, open new routes for infiltration or find creative solutions to problems.

Fire and light sources

Movable candles, lanterns, torches

Knocking something over puts it out

Can extinguish and re-light

Sundry objects

Moveable containers?

Knocking over barrels to slow persuit

Strength requirement based on contents?

Rolling logs

Cutting ropes on stacks of logs

Log-traps

Destructible doors, windows and chests

Hard work, but should be an option

Make lockpicking the quickest and quietest way into things

Lighting rickety platforms and bridges on fire?

Repaired after X days

Deploy-able traps?

Set up your own ambushes

Eff the Po-leese, i wanna be a Bandit!

Knocking over ladders?

Cutting ropes?

Doors, grates, windows

Climbing through sewers

Sneaking into windows

Sneaking down chimneys?

Narrow shafts?

Watch out for fires?

Environmental objects

If it's reasonably moved, we should be able to play with it!

Tapestries

Rugs

Chains

Robes

Vines & Roots

Containers and Furniture

Let us drag stuff around

'Activating' moves it into its proper, upright position, but at its current location

19.2 Faction and Domain (Hold, Village, County, Kingdom) Interaction

We should have greater interaction with our holdings, just as they should have greater interaction with the world. As the leader of a faction, we should be able to send our underlings out on jobs. Let us manage the Guild's finances and reputation, upgrading its facilities and recruiting new members, or sending people out to complete tasks

Step things up from Hearthfires, let us take control of a village and its surrounding area. Recruit and assign guards, send them to clear the roads and keep trade open, impose taxes and actually involve yourself in the world around you.

Faction management

Use a map at HQ to open

Review members and resources

Keep track of the guilds wealth

Identify what skills your underlings have

Send people on missions

Guild members can't die, but high relevant skills decrease time for success

Generates income for the Guild

Guildmaster gets a cut

Can set what % of cut you get

Can use guild funds to outfit members in better gear?

Bring your guild from ruin to glory?

Domain management

Set taxes

Gives pool of gold available for paying Guards, building structures

Mayor/Duke/Jarl (the PC) gets a cut

Can skim off the top for a bigger cut

Build structures

Set 'plots'

You have to pick between options

No going back once decision is made

Similar to Raven Rock, but updated by 10 years

Hire and pay Guards

Guards protect the town from Bandits and wildlife

Can patrol the roads to keep it clear for trade

Can send guards out to clear nearby ruins and caves

Resources

Operate a Mine and a Lumber Mill

Use stone and timber to build and upgrade structures

Trade surplus to increase your domains wealth

Anything you can assign to minions, you could of course do yourself

This would fit in with Radiant quests as well

Peripheral integration

Manage your town and factions from your Smartphone or tablet without having to load up the game

20 Persistence

This is going to be a touchy concept, since there seem to be a number of people who hate having an 'Always connected' game. While not totally necessary for a persistent world, connection would allow for integration with peripherals, allowing you to review your build, your town/faction, your journal etc all while away from the game.

But this all requires that the world be Persistent. When you turn it off, things should still happen. Caves should re-spawn as new bandits and creatures move in, new faction-missions should become available, and the minions you've dispatched should continue their work while you are 'relaxing at home'.

Fable 1 and 2 continued to generate rent while you weren't playing. Assassin's Creed 4 allowed your fleet missions to plod on even if you didn't pick up the controller for days at a time. It's time TES gave us a truly living world, one that goes on even if it's hero is taking a few days off.

Teabone3 · January 11, 2015

A lot of what has been requested throughout the thread relates a lot to Skyrim. I do not think the next installment will be taking place in this region.

daventry · January 11, 2015

Yes and no, but it should also give ideas to Bethesda that some of the things they Simplified is Stupid.

Now with Skyrim out of the way and the Next TES Game along the way witch IMO "Valenwood" hints on Children being heavily influenced in that Region.

All in all, theres allot of Ideas for the Next TES Game that should be brought back that was in Oblivion like the Settings of Lighting and Shadows.

Edited January 11, 2015 by daventry

Mebantiza · January 12, 2015

They got to fix their Ff$#R%$#iing pathfinding. Navmeshing is (mostly) horrible and the technology hasn't budged an inch in what..10 years? F3, FNV, Oblivion, and now Skyrim, all suffer from an exceedingly poor pathfinding system. Their navmeshing technique is so poor, it would have killed lessor titles than the ones I mention. A new whole new model and overhaul of NPC movement is long overdue and desperately needed.

Time for ideas on TES VI

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