Where to now for the Elder Scrolls (Oblivion)?

[Ian(not Ian)]

What does the future for Oblivion, an XBOX 360 launch title which to this day sports the best graphics and gameplay of any single player RPG on any system. How can it evolve? given it totally throttles the console hardware it currently runs on? where's the scope to grow coming from?

How can Betheseda beat the technical achievement of the current gen Oblivion? They may be able to squeeze a smidgeon of extra performance out of current 'next gen' consoles, but that alone wont truly push the series forward.

Given the advanced hardware which will be needed to push the envelope will it have to jump ship and head to DX10 PCs only? at least until the true next-gen consoles appear?

Discuss

[Daragon]

Well, Bethesda have always claimed that a follow up to Oblivion will appear on the 360, but given the vast improvement in specs from Daggerfall to Morrowind to Oblivion, the 360 will struggle to accomodate for it.

Infact I'd go as far as to say an Elder Scrolls 5 would be impossible on all but DX10 PCs. Of course, were Elder Scrolls 5 to become an MMO, then I would imagine Bethesda could get away with reusing the Oblivion engine - even with that, it would still be the finest looking MMO on the market.

[huyi]

fallout 3 is what we should be looking foreward to now

[Psyduck]

Other games have shown better gfx are possible, so using oblivion as a base they can certainly improve on those, not that it really matters that much for an RPG. That's the only thing where "spec" really matters, so I don't see the problem there.
In terms of improvement, Daggerfall had a gameworld a good few times bigger than obvlivion, so we could start there. Then improve combat, AI, add quests, bigger/better plot...
don't really see the problem?

[Brats]

Oblivion was led on the PC and developed at a time when 360 beta kits hadn't yet been shipped, hence why it 'throttles' the 360 hardware. The idea that the next instalment can't improve technically on Oblivion is absurd.

[BeyondJumpFish]

I think graphicly it starting to show its age. The 360 is more then capable of handling more. If you look at the enviroments in COD4 they are outstanding, i see no reason why the next elder scrolls can't do the same.
The obvious improvements would be, combat, more spells...maybe even a new "art". But i'd like to see the inclusion of mini-games, like a archery compertition, or play drafts or chess...i know its not exactly "Obivion-like" but it would make the world seem more alive.

On a side thought, ain't they running out of regions they can set it? The only area i can think of thats left is Skyrim isn't it?

[Adam]

Kinda related, here's a video of the Imperial City from Oblivion imported into the CryEngine and made to look better.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/202680.html

[Ian(not Ian)]

In the past each iteration of The Elder Scrolls has taken a generational leap ahead in respect of visuals and sound, gameplay wise not a lot has changed.
For the next Elder Scrolls to make that leap I don't see existing consoles being able to support it, sure some things can be tweaked, more detail added etc, but that would not constitute a leap forward.
Have a look at this chaps efforts at using Oblivion assets in the Crysis engine.

http://www.crymod.com/thread.php?threadid=20397

Given the Crysis engine is being tweaked to run on current consoles perhaps it's time for Bethesda to forego the technical leap and simply go for 'improvements'. Then we can all get back to enjoying the best single player RPG in the world today.

Well spotted Adam ^^

[Malc]

I thought Bethesda said they wanted to create a new elder scrolls game each new generation of consoles?

Anyway, Looking at the trends of the series, the next one will probably have a smaller land mass, yet feature more in terms of everything; flora, fauna, spells, wildlife (We really need some more of this in a sequel) weapons, armour, etc.

[Brad]

I wonder if the characters in the next game will no longer look like zombies?

[EJG1980]

Oblivion is still my favourite game on the 360, so Bethesda could release a sequel with minimal graphical updates and I'd be happy. As long as it's at least as absorbing and immersive (that's not a word is it? ) as Oblivion, I really wouldn't mind.

[eastyy]

Yeah i have to say same graphics engine would be fine if they could optimise it so less loading times and more unique dungeons/tombs/characters/mines etc that would be great

[Champloo]

I'd prefer them to release the next game on the Oblivion engine - that way we might get something better than Morrowind with nicer graphics. More variety in the quests and dungeons, and a better combat system would be nice.

[eastyy]

Yeah would love more variety in the dungeons....there were very few really unique dungeons i thought

Also i would like a VAST improvement in the weapons and items you can collect.....always thought there was not much variety there and the rewards for dungeons and quests were pretty rubbish

[manxgiant]

i would like the idea of having a apprentice or being able to hire men to help with missions from fighters guild or hire thief to steal items for you maybe even a little bit of online interface where you can invite a friend to join you while playing.