Yesterday we reported on how Elder Scrolls Online was finally announced by ZeniMax. Today, we’re here to report on the game’s first teaser trailer, as well as some leaked details and screenshots.
Let’s get straight to the details: those that are looking for a typical Elder Scrolls experienced will be severely disappointed. According to details on NeoGAF, developer ZeniMax Online‘s goal is “recreateing the freedom Elder Scrolls players expect within the World of Warcraft-style mechanics Zenimax Online is using.”
Sorry, but that’s a tad bit disappointing, especially since real time combat isn’t used due to latency issues; TERA, which features real time combat, runs perfectly fine.
Granted, the game started development back in 2007, so calling it a modern MMORPG would be a bit of a stretch, but the removal of werewolves, vampires, radiant AI, and real time combat seems to be a step backwards.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. There’s some things ZeniMax Online is doing that are definitely intriguing. First, there’s the game’s emphasis on PVP, to where when your faction takes over a province (yes, you read that right, take over a province), the most accomplished PVPer will become emperor. In addition, you won’t be able to venture into provinces hostile to the ones you own. For example, if you take over Cyrodiil, you won’t gain entry into Kvatch. Furthermore, there seems to be less emphasis on a traditional end-game set up and more emphasis on the aftermath of the events that happen during the game. Specifically, “what happens when hundreds or thousands of prophesied heroes all think that they should be Emperor?” Also, in similar fashion to Star Wars The Old Republic, the game will be fully voice acted.
Perhaps the most interesting feature is the lack of an aggro system. Instead, enemies will attack in groups and attack according to you and your party’s actions.
It seems that ZeniMax Online is trying a different route with Elder Scrolls Online. Rather than push the envelope forward with the genre, they’re using traditional mechanics we’re accustomed to, reaching back to PVP type scenarios that made Dark Age of Camelot popular, and putting the emphasis on the role playing in MMORPG.
These details will probably temper the expectations some Skyrim fans had for the title, but the lovers of Morrowind will undoubtedly eat these details up.
Until we get our hands on with the title, or our hands on the latest issue of Game Informer, we still have the teaser trailer to enjoy, as well as some concept art that was leaked.
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