[Idea/Feasibility] Alignment System

[haerual]

Hmms,

 

1st problem

Skyrim was designed to be an exploration game, but the directed (quest centric) gameplay and the attention given to the main- and faction quests somehow seem to devalue this by a huge deal. Your immediate surroundings no longer matter, and the town quests (aside of daedric ones) pretty much feel like generic bandit slaying and fetching quests with no real value behind them.

 

2nd problem

Since these faction quests are so extremely good compared to the other quests out there, characters tend to complete them all, becoming the leader of all factions (warrior archmage of winterhold and the leader of thieves guild while listening to assassin's god..). It's all a bit anti RPG and kills replay value and immersion.

 

So behold: Alignment System

Lawful, Chaotic as the first part, and Good, Neutral, Evil as the second.

 

Actions that you perform in the game all contribute to one of these, having you end up with any combination of these two parts. Depending on how far you progress at this axis, your character is steered towards the faction that suits you the best. Otherwise the factions just tell you to sod off.

 

Imperials: Lawful Good

Stormcloaks: Lawful Good

Companions: Chaotic Good

Thieves Guild: Chaotic Neutral

Dark Brotherhood: Chaotic Evil

Mage's Guild: Lawful Neutral

 

Now, you can only choose to dedicate a part of yourself to only one of these factions. Imperials and Stormcloaks are both in the same category, but cancel each other out by default.

 

Actions that give you points in this or that way would then be tied to everyday tasks such as quest dialogue options, persuation, intimidation, lock picking, stealing, trespassing, killing bandits for bounties, doing "good" quests, giving gold to beggars, etc. And eventually (many many actions later), you would get contacted by a faction member with a note that you're expected to join them in some RPish manner.

 

This way, the whole game shifts focus into the mini quests and roaming the wilds gathering some sort of karma, and paces the game better in general and gives the feeling of being that exact character that you play.

 

Also, a system like this, implemented early enough, would provide a solid framework for future quest designers that want to expand a certain branch/faction/playstyle.

 

So the question is: Is this kind of mod like building the wall of china with domino chips? With my limited modding experience I think it might be possible, but writing the quest dialogue would be a massive job.

 

Thoughts?

Edited February 28, 2012 by haerual

[meh12345]

I've been pondering various quest improvements (and will probably post about that separately); I think the concept of alignment is certainly something that should be added (or enhanced from current state), but I'm not sure it's worthwhile to couple things too tightly - there's really no reason for the Empire to be designated LG: actions matter more, individuals matter more.

[haerual]

Yeah, you do have a point. But I feel like there isn't a faction which is lawful good themed right now. Companions don't fit, and the Stendarr don't really have any content right now, so that would give something for LGs to distinguish themselves from other characters. :)

 

The alignment system would somehow have to be practical too. If stealing is considered evil, thieves have to constantly balance between doing good deeds and stealing in the early game to fit into that CN category, which might end up being pretty annoying (or fun).