Why aren't there more TES type games?

[endtherapture]

Basically everyone knows the main attraction of TES games is the exploration of the world and getting watercooler moments to share with your friends - the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring and the combat is a nightmare althrough crafting is quite fun - the game is generally fun.

So why haven't we seen TES style games in other universes? The amount of people who would buy a TES Lord of the Rings game, or a TES A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) would be INSANE. So why hasn't this happened? Do those games have potential?

 

[Jandau]

They are absurdly expensive to make? Seriously, they take tons of work and money, as well as a dev team that knows what they are doing. Even then, they almost inevitably come out rough around the edges and riddled with bugs. They are very complex games under the hood and require a lot of content to be made to make them work. At the moment, Bethesda is the main developer of such games and even so their releases are often unpolished.

When smaller developers try their hand at massive open-world RPGs, the results don't tend to go very well. At best, it's mediocre (Two Worlds 2), usually it's kinda crap (Risen 2), sometimes it's utter bullcrap (Two Worlds 1).

 

[DoPo]

Well, there are other games. They vary greatly in quality, though. Actually TES series are some of the best out there despite their flaws. But for a similar type of game, Freelancer does this in space. The one problem it has, is that there is quite a long and restrictive main plot to go through first, before you're set loose on the universe to do as see fit. Trade between planets/systems, or become a bounty hunter, or a space pirate and rob those traders, or just explore the galaxy to scavenge trinkets, and so on. It is still fairly simple but it does a good job at least.

 

[MortifiedPenguin]

They're expensive to make, take a long time and without an established fanbase it's a massive gamble.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

When smaller developers try their hand at massive open-world RPGs, the results don't tend to go very well. At best, it's mediocre (Two Worlds 2), usually it's kinda crap (Risen 2), sometimes it's utter bullcrap (Two Worlds 1).

I disagree. I love all three of those games. I certainly believe smaller developers can make great open-world RPGs along with the bigger companies. You can't honestly say they have anymore bugs than what the opening months of Skyrim contained.

 

[Kahunaburger]

Resources, basically. Also the fact that nobody would give the TES games the time of day if they were made by anyone else.

 

[Fappy]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

 

[lukey94]

There are some games like the Elder Scrolls series, two recent examples are Kingdoms of Amalur and Dragon's Dogma

 

[RedLister]

There probably too scared to try in fear of being sued to hell from bethesda. Cmon Bethesda sued that company (cant remember name) for having the word scrolls on a game.

 

[tarahiro]

Not every developer can make good open world games, just look at Two Worlds.

Bethesda should keep up the TES and the Fallout. Dragon's Dogma is good so Capcom should make another one of those.

I love them too and would like to see more but I want to see good ones, and some devs are just better suited to other things.

 

[RustlessPotato]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

 

[Fappy]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

If you're playing on the PC and don't already have it get the Overhaul mod ASAP! There are some graphic aspects of the mod that surpass even Skyrim in quality.

 

[RustlessPotato]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

If you're playing on the PC and don't already have it get the Overhaul mod ASAP! There are some graphic aspects of the mod that surpass even Skyrim in quality.

Yeah, i'm playing on the PC and have to check out some mods. Thing is... My pc's getting rather old (I mean it still has a 7600GT in it :/, i am in Dire need of upgrading, maybe when the next generation of consoles will be out). So even though I'd love to try the Overhaul mod... I'm afraid my pc won't be able to handle it. :'(. But yeah, it's so damn immersive the graphics don't really bother me.

 

[ArkhamJester]

Basically everyone knows the main attraction of TES games is the exploration of the world and getting watercooler moments to share with your friends - the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring and the combat is a nightmare althrough crafting is quite fun - the game is generally fun.

So why haven't we seen TES style games in other universes? The amount of people who would buy a TES Lord of the Rings game, or a TES A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) would be INSANE. So why hasn't this happened? Do those games have potential?

Reason number one: It's too damn expensive and time consuming. It takes Bethesda a solid 5+ years to make any given elder scrolls game and simply put most developers and publisher don't have the time, willingness or cash for it. Basically you can't just churn out a game like TES in 1 1/2 to two years (not even rushed) like you can say a platformer or a shooter.

Reason number two: This kind of game inherently kills story. In a good story in a game, book, movie what have you, you need pacing, solid writing, and and while not mandatory, good characters. Games like the TES by their very nature have no real pacing and tend to have crappy writing ( in TES's case a decent backstory though) because of this while it would be cool to wander the world of LOTR or Game of thrones, you would have to sacrifice practically any serious attempt at a story.

Reason number three: Everything but exploration and crafting suck. By your own admission the majority of the game is bad, but in TES's case the exploration is done well enough that people forgive its sins. Now remember that while the average developer or publisher could try to improve upon it in the currrent climate of clones and sequels in the AAA market either a developer or the publisher wouldn't want (or allow) to change a thing, thinking it would "ruin" the appeal. Its the same problem MMO's have had since WOW.

Reason number four: I'm spent...

 

[Fappy]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

If you're playing on the PC and don't already have it get the Overhaul mod ASAP! There are some graphic aspects of the mod that surpass even Skyrim in quality.

Yeah, i'm playing on the PC and have to check out some mods. Thing is... My pc's getting rather old (I mean it still has a 7600GT in it :/, i am in Dire need of upgrading, maybe when the next generation of consoles will be out). So even though I'd love to try the Overhaul mod... I'm afraid my pc won't be able to handle it. :'(. But yeah, it's so damn immersive the graphics don't really bother me.

There are various different quality settings for the mod. The lowest setting should be no sweat for your PC I'd imagine. I am not at my PC right now so I can't check the minimum specs but they are pretty damn low if I remember.

In any case playing Morrowind straight vanilla is a good way to play your first time if it doesn't bother you. My sister is doing her first playthrough right now and I have commanded she has to do it on the original Xbox before she ever plays a modded pc version. She's been playing the fuck out of it

 

[RustlessPotato]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

If you're playing on the PC and don't already have it get the Overhaul mod ASAP! There are some graphic aspects of the mod that surpass even Skyrim in quality.

Yeah, i'm playing on the PC and have to check out some mods. Thing is... My pc's getting rather old (I mean it still has a 7600GT in it :/, i am in Dire need of upgrading, maybe when the next generation of consoles will be out). So even though I'd love to try the Overhaul mod... I'm afraid my pc won't be able to handle it. :'(. But yeah, it's so damn immersive the graphics don't really bother me.

There are various different quality settings for the mod. The lowest setting should be no sweat for your PC I'd imagine. I am not at my PC right now so I can't check the minimum specs but they are pretty damn low if I remember.

In any case playing Morrowind straight vanilla is a good way to play your first time if it doesn't bother you. My sister is doing her first playthrough right now and I have commanded she has to do it on the original Xbox before she ever plays a modded pc version. She's been playing the fuck out of it

Thanks . Yeah that game is amazing. I mean I just pluck mushrooms of the trees just for the sound ! xD. I think the best part of that game is that everything feels Alien. The giant bugs they use for transport and stuff like that. It is truely fantasy. Damned, you make me want to quit my break, but I have to study ! ><. I don't get why every one hates cliff racers, the ones I encountered were pretty easy to defeat... ( Also, wearing clothing underneath your armor. Or robes above it, my character looked like a templar from DA:O at one moment, it's the little things like that that make this game awesome)

 

[DoPo]

I think the best part of that game is that everything feels Alien. The giant bugs they use for transport and stuff like that.

That's what got me into TES. Giant mushrooms and giant bugs, flying jellyfish - it felt nothing like the bog standard fantasy game. And it was cool. Also the freedom, part of which the fact that you could do useless things. The first time I played it I was like "OMG, I can totally ransack this place. Off everything! Money, valuables, food, random stuff lying around forks, spoons, pieces of paper. Whoa!" And them when I could barely move due to all the crap I was carrying there was the "OMG, so many named NPCs - they must all be important" until I realised I could kill anybody if I wanted, and the fact that they had names and you could speak to them mattered little.

I don't get why every one hates cliff racers, the ones I encountered were pretty easy to defeat...

It's not that they are hard - they are just annoying. You stroll across the landand you have to stop every couple of minutes because cliff racers keep attacking you, even though you cleave them in two with one hit. Fuck them. They should all die painfully. Thankfully there is a mod for that (well, I like to imagine the mod is painful).

 

[Fappy]

the loot is quite boring, the characters suck and the story and quests are generally quite boring

Morrowind has none of these issues!

Indeed ! My first entry to the Elder Scrolls was Oblivion when it came out and then I was blown away. 6 months later my brother came back with a deluxe edition of Morrowind, so the main game and the 3 expantions. Never played them...

Untill 1 month ago... It took my a while to get used to the animations and the combat system, but WOW, that game is amazing and I see where every Morrowind veteran is coming from, like the quest arrow thing. It's true that it takes away a sense of adventure. Haven't played it since 2 weeks because I have exams ... But after that it's the summer vacation ! . Haven't even bothered with Skyrim yet...

O.T Basically what everyone has said, it's rather difficult to make.

If you're playing on the PC and don't already have it get the Overhaul mod ASAP! There are some graphic aspects of the mod that surpass even Skyrim in quality.

Yeah, i'm playing on the PC and have to check out some mods. Thing is... My pc's getting rather old (I mean it still has a 7600GT in it :/, i am in Dire need of upgrading, maybe when the next generation of consoles will be out). So even though I'd love to try the Overhaul mod... I'm afraid my pc won't be able to handle it. :'(. But yeah, it's so damn immersive the graphics don't really bother me.

There are various different quality settings for the mod. The lowest setting should be no sweat for your PC I'd imagine. I am not at my PC right now so I can't check the minimum specs but they are pretty damn low if I remember.

In any case playing Morrowind straight vanilla is a good way to play your first time if it doesn't bother you. My sister is doing her first playthrough right now and I have commanded she has to do it on the original Xbox before she ever plays a modded pc version. She's been playing the fuck out of it

Thanks . Yeah that game is amazing. I mean I just pluck mushrooms of the trees just for the sound ! xD. I think the best part of that game is that everything feels Alien. The giant bugs they use for transport and stuff like that. It is truely fantasy. Damned, you make me want to quit my break, but I have to study ! ><. I don't get why every one hates cliff racers, the ones I encountered were pretty easy to defeat... ( Also, wearing clothing underneath your armor. Or robes above it, my character looked like a templar from DA:O at one moment, it's the little things like that that make this game awesome)

You will learn to hate cliff racers if you adventure beyond the ghost gate. I was attacked by over 30 in a single hour. I counted.