Bethesda: Consoles to be the lead platform for Skyrim, aim to make it ?really accessible?

[Arkynomicon]

Well if Skyrim turns out to suck as a RPG I will forever more consider Bethesda a studio that peaked at Morrowind and that they are not interested in making RPG's any more. At least I can look forward to Dark Souls not treating me like it's baby's first RPG.

 

[Dys]

Bam, here comes the inevitable disappointment.

The worst part is the developers seemed to be aware that oblivion was lacking because they went in that direction, but they can't go against the extra $$ they'll make from dumbing it down for a wider audience. Hopefully the world will at least have the depth and character that morrowind did. Morowind was a fantastic game on and it was available on the xbox, they don't have to completely fuck it for it to be console workable-only to make it primarily a console game. If they don't give the fantastic mod support that previous tes games have had I simply won't buy it.

But sadly I think it's that attempt at equality that ticks PC Gamers off, from all the complaints that seem to pour in about anything once dominated by the Personal Computer being shared with Consoles.

Not at all, it's that the end result is limited by that design approach. As I mentioned earlier, morrowind was fantastic on the original xbox, despite it being primarily a PC game. It was generally well ported and didn't lose its feel. It always felt like a PC RPG, and there was never any clear reason to change this.

It's the blatant disregard for the core fans of the series that PC gamers are upset about, especially since last time they pulled this shit we got a far inferior game (on all platforms) as the end result (anyone who tells you that obilvion was as detailed and had as much character as morrowind is flat out lying). The approach that the devs are taking with BF3 makes the most sense- make the game as good as it can possibly be, then include as much as you can on each platform. Nobody cares if their version has crap textures, but if one platform gets shitty visuals and lackluster performance, or if subtle menu and gameplays changes are neglected in favor hacking off complexity and player choice under the guise of 'making it accessible' then it's fair enough that the gamers on that platform get pissed. Especially if it's the traditional platform for that IP.

I don't, and perhaps never will, understand why developers assume console gamers hate depth, complexity and choice. Nor do I understand why developers (though bethesda haven't been especially guilty of this) think it's acceptable to release late, buggy poorly optimized software for one market when it's properly tested and optimized for another. If you don't want to make a PC (or wii/xbox/ps3/whatever) game, that is similar to previous games in the serious, then develop a new IP and make it console exclusive...nobody is disappointed that way :\

 

[DaHero]

No that is a horrible thing, it makes me have less control over the game and that removes my fun.

It doesn't give you less control. You have the same amount of control, you just don't need it.

Again all horrible.
Why press three buttons when one could do fine, it takes extra time and gives no benefit.

You're missing the point. A deep interface uses that one button instead of three.

And one button to do multiple things have gotten me killed countless times in games, trying to hit the enemy but instead opening the chest behind him, trying to open a door but instead end up talking to the npc standing in front of it. All the time while having tons of keys that function could have be at instead. I have never thought that one button having two separate function have help the game it always end up being an annoyances I have to learn to work around.

What game has mapped the "attack" and "interact" functions to the same button? And are you seriously suggesting that there should be different buttons for "talk to NPC" and "open door"? Do you realize what an incredible usability nightmare that is? Why should a player have to remember two different forms of an "interact with object" function? I have never heard of a game that does this.

Mass Effect 2 mapped the "take cover" button and the "vault over object" button to the same button. There wasn't a cover Shepard didn't leap over and die in mid-air. That's called consolization. Sure it works on the consoles, but on the PC it becomes a nightmare.

Skyrim, unfortunately, is looking like it's going to do the same thing.

Since you've never played a good PC RPG lemme just say this: There's a big, BIG difference between attack and interact.

 

[NightlyNews]

I probably play my 360 and pc equally, but anyone who buys an elder scrolls game not on pc is clearly an idiot.

Unlike with other games you are clearly getting an inferior product to the modded game that is actually completed 2 weeks after release.

 

[Brumbek]

Don't worry, we modders will make Skyrim on PC be the greatest open world RPG experience ever, perhaps even topping Morrowind, however blasphemous that sounds.

Speaking of mods, it looks like Skyrim will also need another version of All Natural (an Oblivion mod you all must use!), based on the screenshots so far.

 

[DaHero]

The "dumbing down" of new RPG's might be a concern, but it might be hard for new players who haven't had a chance to enjoy the classics, and are currently too attached to near photo-realistic graphics to ever do so to jump into a game that is about as advanced as D&D.

If we make them learn, we all walk away happy. RPGs are supposed to be one of the few genres that reward research and thinking. It SHOULD require that level of depth, not because of nostalgia, but because all that customization meant finding exactly what was right for you, even if it meant risking a few fails. Arena and Daggerfall literally set the standard for customization, and while guides for the easiest gameplay existed, it was still possible within reason to pick and play anything. If I wanted to jump into a game with a few awesome buttons and no line of thought, I'd jump into Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect 2, or CoD:2012

I know you're not happy about it, but just letting is go is what's causing it to happen. Now granted, I don't really mind Skyrim being like it is with progression, as it does lead to the ability to pick more awesome skills and abilities, and Skyrim is supposed to be a bit more action oriented, but I was praying for an RPG with no easy button, where fights took some real movement and intellect. Now that I know it's based on the 360, and knowing the people there LOVE the one touch insta-win button, I'm very disturbed. I'm worried that it will boil down to a baseline RPG that very few people will experiment with, and won't try new combat styles.

In other words: I want the kids to go through what I did, not because of nostalgia, but because that's how real RPGs are supposed to play. I don't think we need DnD level complexity in the skills, but the combat shouldn't boil down to spamming the triggers and bathing in health potions.

 

[EGtodd09]

LOL PC gaming apocalypse. Shame I'm a PC gamer though...

 

[drizztmainsword]

No that is a horrible thing, it makes me have less control over the game and that removes my fun.

It doesn't give you less control. You have the same amount of control, you just don't need it.

Again all horrible.
Why press three buttons when one could do fine, it takes extra time and gives no benefit.

You're missing the point. A deep interface uses that one button instead of three.

And one button to do multiple things have gotten me killed countless times in games, trying to hit the enemy but instead opening the chest behind him, trying to open a door but instead end up talking to the npc standing in front of it. All the time while having tons of keys that function could have be at instead. I have never thought that one button having two separate function have help the game it always end up being an annoyances I have to learn to work around.

What game has mapped the "attack" and "interact" functions to the same button? And are you seriously suggesting that there should be different buttons for "talk to NPC" and "open door"? Do you realize what an incredible usability nightmare that is? Why should a player have to remember two different forms of an "interact with object" function? I have never heard of a game that does this.

Mass Effect 2 mapped the "take cover" button and the "vault over object" button to the same button. There wasn't a cover Shepard didn't leap over and die in mid-air. That's called consolization. Sure it works on the consoles, but on the PC it becomes a nightmare.

Skyrim, unfortunately, is looking like it's going to do the same thing.

Since you've never played a good PC RPG lemme just say this: There's a big, BIG difference between attack and interact.

I've never played a good PC RPG? Where are you pulling that out of your ass? I'm a PC gamer and RPGs are my favorite games (though computer RPGs pale in comparison to pen-and-paper).

Where are you inferring that I'm saying attack and interact are equivalent actions? I believe my query of "what game has mapped the 'attack' and 'interact' functions to the same button?" is proof enough to the contrary.

What you're calling "consolization" are just poor mechanics. There are also games with rock-solid cover mechanics using very similar interfaces. Gears of War for example; it's all done with one button.

And what is your proof that Skyrim is going to inherit those shoddy mechanics? You haven't played it, you haven't interacted with it. All you're basing your opinion on is a few sentences from the game's producer. There is absolutely no reason to suspect that Skyrim will have poor controls.

 

[Bernzz]

Good god people!

ITT: Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinge

Most posts in this thread follow one of two patterns:

"This doesn't effect me in the slightest, as I am getting it for 360/PS3."

OR

"Oh my god Bethesda how could you now it'll be stupid I'm not gonna buy it now you've ruined it for the PC even though it hasn't come out yet so it's not like I can judge what they even mean how could they betray me in a way I'm only assuming they're doing?!"

It's not like you can judge it yet. But by god you will, because you seem to feel entitled to having a 'better' version that should be ported to consoles. At least, that's the impression I get in every thread with a similar topic to this one.

I play games for both PC and 360. I'm getting it for 360, but even if I were getting it for PC I wouldn't be effected by this news. Maybe I'm not an entitled PC gamer, but someone who just wants to play a fucking game, not find excuses to be angry at every game developer in existence.

 

[Yokai]

Well that sucks, I'll probably still get it for PC unless they use freakin steam. Which I know they will.

It's a single player game. Steamworks is only ever incorporated to take care of the multiplayer. There's little reason for them to use it. Not that it would be an entirely terrible thing if they did...

OP: I sighed, but since it's not actually clear what changes they're making to accommodate consoles, there's no point in getting worked up over it yet, or maybe at all. If I just have to mod my UI or something, I really won't mind.

 

[ThePirateMan]

Cue more blind console bashing and praise for Bioware.

I'd rather bash both.

Yet another big developer goes console-primary?
*Makes a little note on a clipboard*
Soon the transition will be complete.

[Insert rageface somewhere around here]
Oh well, we've still got our indies, strategy games and Europeans <3

OP: Gah, if this is another Gothic 4 or Dragon Age 2 (Sequels to RPGs that I loved that I found to be utterly dumbed down and ended up sucking ass) I'm going to.. do something.. something bad!

Hopefully modders will be able to fix it for the PC if there are any issues. I will be amazed by Bethesda if it turns out great with PC-suitable UI and all that jazz on the release day though.

 

[ThePirateMan]

LMFAO at all the PC Elitist saying "Oh shit you guys! It's focused on consoles so more people can play it, the company can make more money, and therefore it'll be more likely there will be MORE Elder Scrolls games! Quick, let's all throw a ***** fit!" Because, you DO realize that's what you're saying, right?

lmao...

..that's not what "we're" saying. I don't give a living crap about getting more elder scroll games nor do I give a shit about them making more money. It is a rather good thing that more people can play the game, even though most companies are taking the wrong course towards this goal. I simply want quality games and games that are well-suited for my gaming platform of choice.

And to clarify on what I said at first, I'd rather have one great, fantastic last elder scrolls game than a dozen mediocre ones pumped out for money like CoD.

 

[Chrishu]

God dammit, PCMasterRace. Chill out. How about watching some gameplay videos instead of freaking the hell out?

 

[qeinar]

Isn't that just what 99% of devs say anyways?

Anyway, hopefully this doesn't mean "the PC version will be a shit port". Cause that would suck.

naaah ofcourse making the game for hardware that's over 6 years old won't have any impact on the gameplay on your pc.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I will be amazed by Bethesda if it turns out great with PC-suitable UI and all that jazz on the release day though.

And ruin all the modders fun?

You CAD!

 

[ilspooner]

Oh well. It may not be getting designed for my platform first, but thats alright. I don't really care, just as long as it is a nice, fun game. So far it has been leading towards that trend, so I am still going to get Skyrim.

 

[spartan231490]

I'm trying to be positive and think that translates to 'The ui won't be overly complex and horrible' but I think it's a little bit of a kick in the teeth to the original fans of the series perhaps.

The term 'get away from stats' makes me a little uneasy.

that's the only part that I don't like about it. they should have nuked luck and personality and stopped there. with 2 stats for each type(stealth combat magic) and two points per level it would have been perfect. still:
bad news about skyrim: only 3 stats
good news about skyrim: everything else.