Morrowind was the last really unique and creative thing they did. You could argue that the Shivering Isles was, but to me, as much as I loved it (it was such a relief after the mundanity of Oblivion) it was highly derivative of Morrowind itself.

Skyrim is basically copy and paste Earth Nordic culture from Scandanavia, Norway, and early Teutonic and Norse mythology. Danwguard is copy an paste vampire lore - right down to the cloud of bats.

I love Skyrim, don't get me wrong, but it seems like the creativity is gone. I was relieved it was so much better than Oblivion, but looking at it critically and objectively, it fails. We need a big expansion in a large new and creatively inspired world and culture.

I see your point, I kinda agree. not just on morrowind but that they could have stuck with their own machinations rather than "familiarity"
but essentially everyone does this, ripping each other off so to speak.


I wanted TES with a TES spin so to speak.

Nords have always been like this. And No, Skyrim also draws inspiration from ancient Egypt.

Another example - in Bloodmoon, we were brought to Solstheim, essentially a Norse culture, but it felt so much more unique than Skyrim does! I think Skyrim is a better crafted world than Solstheim was, but in terms of uniqueness, Bloodmoon seemed more creative to me.

Ancient Egypt? How?

And even if that is true, it only furthers my point: it DRAWS from existing cultural and fantasy standards.

Not really, Well actually the skaals where more inspider by native Americans, with there "earth mother" and stuff. Skyrim has a few very creative cultures, like the Forsworn, a mix of celtic/Native American, twisted.

There process of mummification and there "Hall of stories".

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Skyrim really lacks in creativity, from the monsters to the quests. I mean there is not much that really stands out too much in Skyrim except the viking like Nords. As for enemies there are bears,wolves,wolves,bears, and some more bears roaming around in the wilderness. Where are the giant minotaurs and the other unique creatures that would inhabit Skyrim.

Again, you are only proving my point. You are listing off the existing cultures Bethesda copied to get their game. My point is that Morrowind was largely unique and more creatively inspired than just copying.

Pfffftt I don't see your copy of existing cultural and fantasy cliches.

Hey, don't forget Draugr, we have plenty of those. Draugr, draugr, and more draugr. Oh yes, there are different kinds of draugr too! You can tell them apart because they sometimes wear slightly different apparel.

TES does take inspiration from other cultures, but they always put there own twist to it. For example, in nordic culture to become a man you have to hunt a ice wraith.

Not sure if serious, or stupid.

Are you kidding me?!?!

All they did was copy the right of passage from existing Nord culture and replace one ferocious beast with another one! At this point I get the feeling that you must be trolling.

I want to see how easy is to "COPY" cultural and fantasy cliches.

Skyrim was portrayed more realistic, getting rid of alot of high fantasy aspects Oblivion had. Instead of "Minotaurs" we got giants who could be compared to Nedthrals.

I don't know how you want me to answer that. It should be self explanitory. You simply research a culture or fantasy paradigm you find interesting, change it just enough to avoid a lawsuit if the material os copywritten, and then insert it into your game.

Don't accuse me of trolling...

But even with Oblivion, it was generic. High fantasy, low fantasy, sword and sorcery, sword and sandal, it makes no difference. Oblivion and Skyrim are creatively derivative and uninspired.

Deliberately trying to be obtuse is not the same as being creative or original.

Morrowind was copied too, mixing a variety of religious dogmas and cultures from around the world. If you want to build a world with a modicum of credibility, you cannot expect it to be truly original. It must, at the very least, be inspired by what has gone on throughout the ages.

(btw, Nords were always like this, it's a fact. read teh pocket guide book to the empire, varieties of faith or any of the in-game books)

Morrowind's house system could be compared to dunes...

I am leaving this thread. I am sorry I created it. I retract everything I said. Skyrim is the absolute Zenith of creative inspiration, and in no way whatsoever could it possibly be improved upon. Bye.

Okay this guy has revealed his true self...
http://webrulon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blog-troll.jpg

I dont think anybody in the thread claimed this, or even tried to undermine your points. Fact is that fantasy is at best unoriginal, since "the well at the world's end" or the books by Tolkien.

Seems like they just can't win. Do something with obvious parallels to reality, it's uninspired and lacks creativity apparently, yet do something unusual, it's automatically 'highly derivative of Morrowind'. Lose-lose there. How can they possibly please anyone?