Why do so many people prefer to play in third person?

[InDarkestNight]

Decided to try to play in third person for an entire playthrough. Normally I play in first person because I prefer to turn this game into a simulator, but I was thinking being able to view my character would be better for youtube. Besides, for a while I've been wondering why I play to play dress up with my characters so much given how rarely it is I look at them. Normally all I see is their gauntlets. The only time I ever see my own character is during kill moves.

However, trying it, I'm finding it rather annoying. It just feels so clunky. Its quite difficult for one to pick up items, its like the controls for movement have changed. Having the camera further away from things is also rather hard. Being an archer is also rather hard. More often than not, it seems my character is blocking my view, meaning I'm having to shoot blind most of the time. I also thought it would make it easier to judge distance, but for some reason that's not proving the case. I'm having a harder time than normal keeping my distance from my foes while wielding a two-handed weapon. Guess I'm just too used to playing that game in first person. I thought this would give me an advantage since I could see enemies behind me, but that hasn't proven to be the case. My reaction is just too bad. Things are going to be really embarrassing when I start uploading videos to youtube.

I don't know if I can get used to this. Like I said, its clunky and often inconvenient. I don't mind melee combat too much, despite the issues I'm having, but it just seems impractical when I'm trying to pick up items or shoot a bow. Can't even begin to imagine what magic may be like. I don't get why there aren't more mods that work for first person. I mean, almost all animation mods only work in third person.

Why is this? Its just so clunky and inconvenient. I keep wanting to switch back to first person just to do things. Heck, I'm wanting to half the time for combat. Of course, I'm not too deep into this yet, but I don't see myself getting used to the controls. Even fevvy who often plays in third person, still switches to first person to pick up items all the time. Of course, it may just look that way do the amount of time he spends at crafting stations. Also, thinking about it, I don't watch lets plays very much. How common is it actually for youtubers to play in third person ALL the time? Looking up some third person mods, I think it may make it more cinematic. Really though, I don't know if this how people who do lets plays actually play. I know mod reviewers normally don't play in third person, outside of their intros anyway. Point is, maybe I'm doing this all wrong and I don't have to play in third person for youtube? I don't really know.

[wfandrews]

I believe playing in third person immersion breaking. After all I do not know of any character with eyes in the back of their head.

[IsharaMeradin]

I tend to do the peaceful walking about in 3rd person.  When it comes to combat, if I am being sneaky and using a ranged weapon, I'll go into 1st person.  If combat suddenly happens and I'm using what is currently equipped (melee / magic), I might remain in 3rd person.  But often times, I'll switch to 1st person anyway.

Unless something is bugged positionally, I have no issues picking items up while in 3rd person.

I do find myself switching between 1st and 3rd when in a dungeon.  I'll be in 1st with bow drawn so I can get off the first shot when enemies are spotted, but I'll pop out into 3rd to make sure I avoid pressure plate traps.  I'll use 3rd to make sure I am in the correct floor position and then 1st to get into the correct angle before using Whirlwind shout to cross gaps.

I guess then that 3rd and 1st are tools to use rather than viewpoints to remain in throughout the entire game.

[Indio21]

I feel exactly the same InDarkestNight. It stops me from trying other games as most are in  3rd person view. Plus I feel more immersed in the game in first person. If they made more games, like ES series, in first person view, I'd play more games.

[InDarkestNight]

I have played third person games before. I did buy Shadow of Mordor which came out AFTER this game. I haven't played such a game in quite a few years now. I never found Shadow of Mordor's controls clunky (though I did think it looked weird, and I was mildly annoyed with how the camera moves around randomly). However, most 3d games aren't like Skyrim. In games like Shadow of Mordor, the Arkham games, Kingdom Hearts, etc, you're not having to manipulate objects, nor are you having to aim a bow; all these games have a lock-on feature. Even the Legend of Zelda games have this feature. Given that, I guess that's why 3pco requires a lock-on mod. Its just necessary to make such a camera work. Of course, I think it alters the gameplay of Skyrim too much; having to aim a bow yourself makes it more of a simulator than an action game. Removing that removes what makes Skyrim what it is. Maybe Skyrim simply isn't the type of game where 3rd person is a good idea, at least not all the time. Still, I think I'll stick to third person for this playthrough, just to get used to (I've always had a hard time playing as a werewolf because its so rare I play in 3rd person). Yeah, its problematic, and recently I've been having problems identifying enemies just because the camera is so much further away than what I'm used to (I can't tell goblins apart form rieklings, I kept running into this 'hybrid cultist' that kicked my ass because all I can tell is they look humanoid, vampires in general look like ordinary bandits to me until they start using their drain life spell, etc...) Despite these problems, I intend to see this through. I probably won't do this again, but this may be the only way to get me to see some of the merits of 3rd person. I admit, I do like some aspects of it. I like being able to see what my character looks like in conversation. Seeing my character talk to someone with a giant battleaxe on their back does make conversations feel quite different. Its like its always in my face what type of person my character is. I do like seeing my own character all the time (even if right now I would prefer it if he didn't wear a helmet, but I REALLY need the damage reduction right now).

[anjenthedog]

I use both 3rd person and 1st person depending. 3rd person obviously allows me an almost omniscient view of the surroundings, and to be perfectly frank, since many of my player characters are female, like the one that defines my avatar, and I'm a relatively housebound male in real life who sees very few feminine women in real life anymore, I enjoy watching the sway as a virtual follower.  

I use 1st person when in sneak mode, in confined spaces, or just for a different perspective

[InDarkestNight]

I'm thinking it would be better to use Alternate Conversation Camera. As I said, I like seeing my character in conversation. I could also perhaps use other situational camera mods. No idea what that would be, though I guess I could go into third person when equipping gear so I can see what I look like.

[anjenthedog]

There's no law that says you have to use 3rd person, or sin in doing so, far as I know (or visa versa). Play as you like to play.

 

[dicere]

for me it's because I sometimes feel severe motion sickness when playing in first person, for the same reason I usually increase the FOV and turn off motion blur. I'm glad we have a choice   though, I think from a story telling perspective, first person is more immersive, but not everyone can or wants to play that way

 

[scorrp10]

Skyrim is not really designed for 3rd, tbough there are some targeting mods that make using 3rd easier.   Elder Scrolls Online is designed for 3rd.   I mostly play Skyrim in 1st, but if needed, 3rd is only a flick mousewheel away.