Bethesda Announces The Elder Scrolls Online

[SajuukKhar]

Just because I like raining on people's parades, read a bit of this post (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472749).

If that is to be believed, we're apparently looking at nothing more than The Elder Scrolls: Azeroth. I just can't see this working out very well. When I picture an ideal ES MMO, I think of something like UO. But no, apparently we get a WoW clone.

Except the ES MMO has some obvious differences with WoW

-Limited skillbar
-Weapons that determine certain skills
-Use of blocking/dodging that drains a fatigue bar
-combining of skills, such as oil slick and fireball to make a firewall

All things that the ES mmo has more in comming with GW2 then WoW

 

[SajuukKhar]

.. Um .. wh-what?

I really could of sworn Bethesda announced that The Elder Scrolls series shall never have a multiplayer experience (maybe I heard wrong, but.. I saw something about multiplayer being brought up and the company shot the question down). Now it's trying to be an MMO next game around? Why?

.. Mmmmm.. I don't see this as good. I'm to happy with how Skyrim came out and everything about it sums up perfection due to being all about me. With an online co-op, the game will be balanced and the game might be horrible in the long run. But I can't just assume that, I need to stick with my guts and trust the people working on this.

Bethesda said they wouldn't make/aren't focusing on a multiplayer game..... Bethesda isn't making the MMO..... So..... they are sticking to what they said.

 

[Oroboros]

Sigh, doesn't Bethesda understand that the only reason their games are popular is because modding is incredibly easy for them? There writing is sub-par at best, and they game play is mediocore. Apart from brand recognition, this MMO has nothing going for it.

Except maybe it will look pretty.

You know what would be cool? Multiplayer Elder Scrolls like what was done in Neverwinter Nights.

Technically, it is being by Zenimax Online, but since Zenimax Online and bethesda are both subsidiaries of Zenimax, the distinction is rather slight. Bethesda makes wide open sandboxes with pretty graphics and robust modding communities. morrowind also had good lore, but ESO looks to have only the first one of those four, and seriously, wide open sandboxes can be found in any MMO. They are throwing out everything that set ES apart from the herd by making it an MMO. I have to wonder why they thoguht this would be a good idea.

 

[SajuukKhar]

Technically, it is being by Zenimax Online, but since Zenimax Online and bethesda are both subsidiaries of Zenimax, the distinction is rather slight. Bethesda makes wide open sandboxes with pretty graphics and robust modding communities. morrowind also had good lore, but ESO looks to have only the first one of those four, and seriously, wide open sandboxes can be found in any MMO. They are throwing out everything that set ES apart from the herd by making it an MMO. I have to wonder why they thoguht this would be a good idea.

well they are keeping the guilds, and random dungeon exploring of the ES series.

You wont be led to many dungeons, and many of them dont have quests, its a game with a large emphasis on exploring on your own, which is what the ES series has been about.

Apologies, but.. what is your input on this whole ordeal? You corrected me on who's making the game but would you like to add anything else? Not being rude I hope, but I like people giving me full on opinions rather then just correcting me on one matter I got wrong on.

Im not really caring...... since its being made by a different company the normal SP games will still be made regardless.

It seems like a in-between of WoW and GW2. Using features of both.

Michael Kirkbirde, one of the biggest lore writers of the series, and probably the most respected person who has ever worked on the ES series, says he thinks its in capable hands.

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

This is terrible. A sad day for the Elder Scrolls franchise.

My primary concern is that the MMO will flop and the hard work the Bethesda guys put into creating the Elder Scrolls brand will all go to nothing. If the MMO is bad, most people won't know that it was by a different studio (just look at this thread for proof) and will assume that anything with the "Elder Scrolls" label is bad.

Goddamitsomuch.

 

[SajuukKhar]

I find it hard to see how people DONT know its being made by someone else.

But then again the fact so many dont know Dishonored and New Vegas weren't made by Bethesda makes me more sad and more worried then the potential damage the ES series could suffer from this MMORPG.

 

[poiuppx]

I freely admit... I'm interested. And that's not something I've said about an MMO announcement in a long time.

How the bloody hell they'll make it work is anybody's guess, but... you have my attention, Zenimax Online. Do something awesome with it.

 

[42]

Why does World of Warcraft deserve to be top dog? I'm sick of WoW. bring on the reign SWTOR. and this if its any good.

 

[Zakarath]

Just as long as they at least try to keep gameplay and feel closer to its TES origins as opposed to following the WoW model like so many others, I'm interested.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

Not really excited, it's not like it'll have similar game-play to previous games or anything. Probably the same grind as every major MMO.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

ALL OF MY HATE

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This COULD go well. It COULD be fun to play. It COULD have a story that isn't balls.

None of these things will happen. Another high-res WoW clone will come out, and suck just as much as all the rest do.

 

[Hunter65416]

They need to do something different...standard click and wait mmo combat is a deal-breaker for me.

 

[KeyMaster45]

I'd been unable to think of any property that might be able to eclipse WoW in MMO success.

People said the same thing about Star Wars...
Well, at least Yahtzee did... mind you I hoped SWTOR could've done it...

Star Wars never had a chance it's not a property that's fanbase would be exclusive to games. I say TES:Online would have a chance half jokingly because I realize WoW has 8 years behind and that gives it a huge advantage over any newcomers in the market. I don't think "WoW killer" is the appropriate thing for people to be looking for. (though I've always found the constant praying some people do for such a thing to be weird) Instead I think we're simply waiting to see what will be WoW successor, and I think the time is right for TES:Online to possibly claim that spot since we can be assured it's at least 4-5 years away. (a 2013 release is very optimistic and if they do meet it the game will be a smoldering pile of crap.

 

[SajuukKhar]

Star Wars never had a chance it's not a property that's fanbase would be exclusive to games. I say TES:Online would have a chance half jokingly because I realize WoW has 8 years behind and that gives it a huge advantage over any newcomers in the market. I don't think "WoW killer" is the appropriate thing for people to be looking for. (though I've always found the constant praying some people do for such a thing to be weird) Instead I think we're simply waiting to see what will be WoW successor, and I think the time is right for TES:Online to possibly claim that spot since we can be assured it's at least 4-5 years away. (a 2013 release is very optimistic and if they do meet it the game will be a smoldering pile of crap.

TES Online has been in development for nearly 5 years already.

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

Has anyone pointed out that even though in theory Zenimax Online and Bethesda Game Studios should be working on their respective projects independently, in practice, because parent company Zenimax will have to fund two projects now, money will end up getting leached out of the primary Elder Scrolls franchise?

 

[Unsilenced]

"In their tongue, he is trollvahkiin, grieferborn!"

Seriously though, it's hard to feel important in an MMO, seeing as there's 1000's of characters doing exactly what you are. I mean, in the other elder scrolls games, you know that people depend upon you. You are THE ONLY ONE that can save them. Meanwhile, in MMOville:

"You have to help me! My great grandfather's ancestral sword was taken from us by bandits, and the only way you can get it back is to-"

"$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!$ELL1NG ANSRL SWRD 4 15gp!!1!1!"

Hard to feel compelled to get the guy's "unique" sword when there's a guy down the road with a pile of them. Not to mention the whole thing where you're talking to someone about a quest. "Oh, hey. Have you saved the world yet? I did it last tuesday. Might do it again because I need the xp."

It can/does work in some games, but the Elder Scrolls games kind of depend on making the player feel important/unique. "Only one they fear," "Nerevarine prophecy," and all that good stuff. I'd be hard to shake the feeling that the guy telling you you're the uber most important hero of all time would be tired of telling that to thousands of people each day.

...



Plus, you know that pretty much every new player is going to think they're absolutely the most hilarious thing ever for running around shooting people in the knees with arrows.

"OH MAN. I BET NOBODY HAS DONE THIS BEFORE!"

 

[SajuukKhar]

Has anyone pointed out that even though in theory Zenimax Online and Bethesda Game Studios should be working on their respective projects independently, in practice, because parent company Zenimax will have to fund two projects now, money will end up getting leached out of the primary Elder Scrolls franchise?

Zenimax is actually pretty rich.

They are funding Bethesda, Zenimax Online, ID and another company I believe.

 

[Rule Britannia]

Console please Zenimax?

 

[Meight08]

I'd been unable to think of any property that might be able to eclipse WoW in MMO success.

People said the same thing about Star Wars...
Well, at least Yahtzee did... mind you I hoped SWTOR could've done it...

Star Wars never had a chance it's not a property that's fanbase would be exclusive to games. I say TES:Online would have a chance half jokingly because I realize WoW has 8 years behind and that gives it a huge advantage over any newcomers in the market. I don't think "WoW killer" is the appropriate thing for people to be looking for. (though I've always found the constant praying some people do for such a thing to be weird) Instead I think we're simply waiting to see what will be WoW successor, and I think the time is right for TES:Online to possibly claim that spot since we can be assured it's at least 4-5 years away. (a 2013 release is very optimistic and if they do meet it the game will be a smoldering pile of crap.

They have been working on it since 2007 in that year they licensed the hero engine.
That means they have been working on it for 5 years.
They also got some good names behind it.

Matt Firor president of ZeniMax Online Studios since its foundation.
Bill Dalton technical director at ZeniMax Online Studios.
Floyd Grubb Sr. Game Designer at ZeniMax Online Studios. Previously worked as Senior Designer at Paragon Studios (NCSoft).
Christopher Cowger Content Designer at ZeniMax Online Studios.
Mike Jungbluth senior animator at ZeniMax Online Studios. He posts blogs on Gamasutra. Games he Previously worked on include Singularity, Wolfenstein, The Incredible Hulk, and 300: March To Glory.
Nate [Nathan] Walpole Senior Animator at Zenimax Online Studios. Games previously worked on include Halo 4, Halo 3, Halo 2. Previously worked as Senior Animator at 343 Industries and Bungie Studios
Tracy Seamster content designer at ZeniMax Online Studios.Previously worked for Simutronics Corporation,Sony Online Entertainment(Games she worked on include EverQuest II, Alliance of Heroes, Free Realms, Agency).
Cody Wright Environment Artist at ZeniMax Online Studios. Previously worked as a 3d Artist at NetDevil.
Greg Barley Environment Artist at Zenimax Online Studios. Previously worked as an Artist at BreakAway.

I wouldnt worry about dev time they have had more then enough.

 

[algalon]

I'm cautiously optimistic. If the combat system is something akin to the single-player games and not just /click enemy to autoattack, num keys for specials, it'll be an interesting experiment. Hopefully the first thing to be tested extensively will be stealth kills. Stealth is crazy OP in almost any TES game and that would only get magnified in an MMO as a roving band of assassins could demolish any target they lay eyes upon.