The Elder Scrolls: Episodic Content - good idea/bad idea?

[SimuLord]

Earlier today whilst playing Morrowind I thought to myself, "why couldn't Bethesda make a game using existing locales/game engine and turn it into a modular series that they could release via episodic content?"

Consider that Fallout 3 has benefited from having new locales (The Pitt, Anchorage, etc.) added to its game world, and The Elder Scrolls has a lot of established lore that could be either time-shifted to the events referenced in the various books around the game world (like how Redguard was set in the late Second Era) or used as an opportunity to create a modular set of content releases at shorter intervals than waiting four (or more) years for a new Elder Scrolls game proper.

I think it'd be great if they would consider doing it, even if they used a game with an already highly installed userbase (like doing for Oblivion what Valve did with the Half-Life 2 episodes). They could even take a page or two from Blizzard, adding new parts of the world in much the same way Blizzard has expanded WoW (just with a singleplayer game, although if there was an Elder Scrolls Online, I'd at least try it even though I don't normally like MMORPGs.)

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in Bethsoft's position?

 

[axia777]

It is a bad idea. I would be pissed beyond pissed if they tried to jack us for more cash like that. I would not buy TES5 if it was made to be Episodic. I will pay for add on packs like the Shivering Isles. But I had better get a huge game when I buy any TES game just like every other TES game ever made.

 

[Kiutu]

Because I want the whole place to be explorable from the start. Im not gonna wait to see all of [insert TES V location here] and I care about THAT time. They can try again at the TES Legends though, but they should not put them on dead-end systems (N-Cage)
I would love to see past events, but not in the Fallout 3 way. If they want to maye a TES RTS set in the first Era during the conquests of Tiber Septim, sure. Easily have a Morrowind expansion of invading there, or even the conflict that resulted in Morrowind's plot (Red Mountain)
But no, what you proposed belongs in the garbage along with adding NATAL.

 

[scnj]

I think I'd rather see a full Elder Scrolls 5.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Maybe after the release of TESV, that could be a good idea, although one big selling point that the Elder Scrolls games have (for PC) is the massive modding community. You get episodic content anyway (although at a lower quality in most cases).

 

[lostclause]

Releasing downloadable content doesn't strike me as a bad idea unless it means that they plan to take things away from the original game itself. Since the original game is probably going to be fully priced anyway removing locales and making you pay more for DLC strikes me as a bad idea.

 

[the1ultimate]

Well I don't mind the DLCs because I understand that you can improve on what you have made by releasing new content later.

But I think beyond that, episodic content wouldn't work for the Elder Scrolls. It would almost completely undermine the whole open world sandbox thing.

We do need a new instalment though...

 

[The3rdEye]

Good idea!

Bethesda are the masters of the non-linear game (opinion) and modular content could easily extend the lifespan of any game they make. Having said that though, both Morrowind and Oblivion have a metric ton of both official and player made content, armor, weapons, story and locals, so it's something that has been happening for quite some time.

 

[Amnestic]

Earlier today whilst playing Morrowind I thought to myself, "why couldn't Bethesda make a game using existing locales/game engine and turn it into a modular series that they could release via episodic content?"

Consider that Fallout 3 has benefited from having new locales (The Pitt, Anchorage, etc.) added to its game world, and The Elder Scrolls has a lot of established lore that could be either time-shifted to the events referenced in the various books around the game world (like how Redguard was set in the late Second Era) or used as an opportunity to create a modular set of content releases at shorter intervals than waiting four (or more) years for a new Elder Scrolls game proper.

I think it'd be great if they would consider doing it, even if they used a game with an already highly installed userbase (like doing for Oblivion what Valve did with the Half-Life 2 episodes). They could even take a page or two from Blizzard, adding new parts of the world in much the same way Blizzard has expanded WoW (just with a singleplayer game, although if there was an Elder Scrolls Online, I'd at least try it even though I don't normally like MMORPGs.)

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in Bethsoft's position?

So, wait, are you asking for Episodic content (Like Halflife, which are stand-alone, shorter games in a series intended to be released with greater frequency.) or with DLC which are modular attachments to existing games a la The Pitt, Operation Anchorage and the Shivering Isles?

I'm confused as to what you want here.

 

[SimuLord]

Earlier today whilst playing Morrowind I thought to myself, "why couldn't Bethesda make a game using existing locales/game engine and turn it into a modular series that they could release via episodic content?"

Consider that Fallout 3 has benefited from having new locales (The Pitt, Anchorage, etc.) added to its game world, and The Elder Scrolls has a lot of established lore that could be either time-shifted to the events referenced in the various books around the game world (like how Redguard was set in the late Second Era) or used as an opportunity to create a modular set of content releases at shorter intervals than waiting four (or more) years for a new Elder Scrolls game proper.

I think it'd be great if they would consider doing it, even if they used a game with an already highly installed userbase (like doing for Oblivion what Valve did with the Half-Life 2 episodes). They could even take a page or two from Blizzard, adding new parts of the world in much the same way Blizzard has expanded WoW (just with a singleplayer game, although if there was an Elder Scrolls Online, I'd at least try it even though I don't normally like MMORPGs.)

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in Bethsoft's position?

So, wait, are you asking for Episodic content (Like Halflife, which are stand-alone, shorter games in a series intended to be released with greater frequency.) or with DLC which are modular attachments to existing games a la The Pitt, Operation Anchorage and the Shivering Isles?

I'm confused as to what you want here.

I'm looking for a base game released with the Morrowind/Oblivion-style one province full of stuff to do, then a HL2-style release calendar adding additional parts of Tamriel, fleshed out as DLC/expansion packs. Kind of like what the Tamriel Rebuilt project is attempting to do, but with release schedules and professionalism involved.

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

Earlier today whilst playing Morrowind I thought to myself, "why couldn't Bethesda make a game using existing locales/game engine and turn it into a modular series that they could release via episodic content?"

Consider that Fallout 3 has benefited from having new locales (The Pitt, Anchorage, etc.) added to its game world, and The Elder Scrolls has a lot of established lore that could be either time-shifted to the events referenced in the various books around the game world (like how Redguard was set in the late Second Era) or used as an opportunity to create a modular set of content releases at shorter intervals than waiting four (or more) years for a new Elder Scrolls game proper.

I think it'd be great if they would consider doing it, even if they used a game with an already highly installed userbase (like doing for Oblivion what Valve did with the Half-Life 2 episodes). They could even take a page or two from Blizzard, adding new parts of the world in much the same way Blizzard has expanded WoW (just with a singleplayer game, although if there was an Elder Scrolls Online, I'd at least try it even though I don't normally like MMORPGs.)

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in Bethsoft's position?

Eww... no. The very thing that made TESIV fun was the fact that there was a huge world in front of you and you could explore it at any time.

By making it into episodic content... for one thing, where would you put the boundaries? You'd either have a whole mess of invisible walls or have huge mountain ranges cutting you off from the rest of the world. The first is just... no, and the second one gives a feeling of exclusion which is a no-no in a game like this. I know there are probably other ways you could combat this, but I can't think of any that would retain the feeling of an open world RPG like it should be.

 

[Insanum]

Im still waiting for them to re-make Morrowind without so many cliff racers, Or even with Oblivion's combat system.

I personally think they should make all of the world. Everything.

 

[Kajt]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer a expansion pack.
I can see episodic content being made for TESV, but not Morrowind or Oblivion, as they have, as said, lost their momentum.

Im still waiting for them to re-make Morrowind without so many cliff racers, Or even with Oblivion's combat system.

I personally think they should make all of the world. Everything.

Morroblivion? Hm?

 

[Insanum]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer a expansion pack.
I can see episodic content being made for TESV, but not Morrowind or Oblivion, as they have, as said, lost their momentum.

Im still waiting for them to re-make Morrowind without so many cliff racers, Or even with Oblivion's combat system.

I personally think they should make all of the world. Everything.

Morroblivion? Hm?

Im sorry, but its common knowledge that fighting with swords & shields in morrowind was about as useful as fighting with telepathy. It was bloody awful. I like oblivion's combat system.

That, and possibly the "unconscious" thing as well, which stops you from accidental murdering someone vital would be handy too...

 

[Kajt]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer a expansion pack.
I can see episodic content being made for TESV, but not Morrowind or Oblivion, as they have, as said, lost their momentum.

Im still waiting for them to re-make Morrowind without so many cliff racers, Or even with Oblivion's combat system.

I personally think they should make all of the world. Everything.

Morroblivion? Hm?

Im sorry, but its common knowledge that fighting with swords & shields in morrowind was about as useful as fighting with telepathy. It was bloody awful. I like oblivion's combat system.

That, and possibly the "unconscious" thing as well, which stops you from accidental murdering someone vital would be handy too...

I was refering to a Oblivion mod that adds Morrowind to the game.
http://morroblivion.com/

 

[Booze Zombie]

I would buy a game an expansion packs for real money, but DLC just strikes me as half-arsed expansion content.

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

"Like valve did for Half-Life 2 episodes".
DEFINITELY not then, they take way too much time to get EP3 out. I'll stick with a new game.

 

[RanD00M]

I vote for good old fashioned EXPANSION PACKS

Hear hear.

 

[Acaroid]

Earlier today whilst playing Morrowind I thought to myself, "why couldn't Bethesda make a game using existing locales/game engine and turn it into a modular series that they could release via episodic content?"

Consider that Fallout 3 has benefited from having new locales (The Pitt, Anchorage, etc.) added to its game world, and The Elder Scrolls has a lot of established lore that could be either time-shifted to the events referenced in the various books around the game world (like how Redguard was set in the late Second Era) or used as an opportunity to create a modular set of content releases at shorter intervals than waiting four (or more) years for a new Elder Scrolls game proper.

I think it'd be great if they would consider doing it, even if they used a game with an already highly installed userbase (like doing for Oblivion what Valve did with the Half-Life 2 episodes). They could even take a page or two from Blizzard, adding new parts of the world in much the same way Blizzard has expanded WoW (just with a singleplayer game, although if there was an Elder Scrolls Online, I'd at least try it even though I don't normally like MMORPGs.)

Good idea? Bad idea? What would you do if you were in Bethsoft's position?

wait didnt they do that for morrowind and oblivion??e.g shivering isle, bloodmoon or did i miss something??

 

[Insanum]

I think it's a good idea, but I would prefer a expansion pack.
I can see episodic content being made for TESV, but not Morrowind or Oblivion, as they have, as said, lost their momentum.

Im still waiting for them to re-make Morrowind without so many cliff racers, Or even with Oblivion's combat system.

I personally think they should make all of the world. Everything.

Morroblivion? Hm?

Im sorry, but its common knowledge that fighting with swords & shields in morrowind was about as useful as fighting with telepathy. It was bloody awful. I like oblivion's combat system.

That, and possibly the "unconscious" thing as well, which stops you from accidental murdering someone vital would be handy too...

I was refering to a Oblivion mod that adds Morrowind to the game.
http://morroblivion.com/

I...I...I think i love you for showing me that...Now i just wish i had oblivion for the PC...