The way the dragons have been implemented (at least from descriptions and trailers) seems relatively subtle and well-managed, compared to what could have happened. They all look like they belong in the world, and they aren't absurdly present. They can talk, but there's very little evidence of Ghost Rider Syndrome. In other words, the designers didn't just say "What would every pre-adolescent boy find super-awesome about dragons?" and add that to the game.

Riding dragons is an inherently ridiculous thing to do. It looks silly and over-the-top. It obliterates any sense of the initial restrained design sense that the developers offered up. How to Train Your Dragon was an awesome movie, but it doesn't fit in with the overall aesthetic of this game.

Like I said, I know I'm not being asked to play it. I just don't like seeing people take a really good design and run it into the ground (or in this case, put it in the air).

forget riding a dragon, I want a mod that lets me be a weredragon. They I can try to have sky battles against dragons.

The way the dragons have been implemented (at least from descriptions and trailers) seems relatively subtle and well-managed, compared to what could have happened. They all look like they belong in the world, and they aren't absurdly present. They can talk, but there's very little evidence of Ghost Rider Syndrome. In other words, the designers didn't just say "What would every pre-adolescent boy find super-awesome about dragons?" and add that to the game.

Riding dragons is an inherently ridiculous thing to do. It looks silly and over-the-top. It obliterates any sense of the initial restrained design sense that the developers offered up. How to Train Your Dragon was an awesome movie, but it doesn't fit in with the overall aesthetic of this game.

Like I said, I know I'm not being asked to play it. I just don't like seeing people take a really good design and run it into the ground (or in this case, put it in the air).

So by your logic, all modding is bad as it's not the direction the developers wanted to take with the game? The vibrant and thriving modding community that makes a game last that much longer is wrong?

I really do not like the thin-style drakes as seen in this image. I like the big, burly, mean-looking lizards you get in Skyrim. Bethesda really got it spot on.

Yes, if you completely miss the point of my post and take it in a totally different direction, that's exactly what I'm saying.

Mods can be great. I'm often highly selective about what mods I get, though, because I don't like modders taking a game with such a well-crafted environment and completely changing it into something that's not even in the same universe as the original. I'm getting Skyrim because I want an Elder Scrolls game. Because I like the design choices these guys make. I've been a huge fan of the fantastical-yet-restrained design that creates a very believable, persistent fantasy world. I think that the vast majority of mods shatter that design. And I don't enjoy that.

To some other poster: Where on earth has the lore described riding dragons like ponies?

Sorry for misinterpreting your post, perhaps you could try and be a little clearer about your points. One question I will ask about a point you irrefutably made: how can you possibly be against something optional?

To some other poster: Where on earth has the lore described riding dragons like ponies?

I know no one will make me download the mod. I just don't like seeing art get defaced.

It's like finding out that Shakespeare's been converted into "text speak" so teenagers don't have to actually learn English. I don't have to read it, but I don't have to approve of actions that destroy the original art.

It's lore from Battlespire, that was also present in Morrowind. There is a journal written by a doomed Imperial Battlemage addressed to his family. He flies to investigate the place with his dragon, but the dragon dies, and he dies soon after. The journal relates his failed journey, and his last thoughts.

Because I don't agree with the general philosophy behind something?

As I already said, I don't have to read Shakespeare in "text speak", but I still object to its existence.

Also, I'm fairly certain I was damned clear about my points. I never said a thing about modding in general, just about mods that shatter the existing design aesthetic.

The difference is that Bethesda actually *wants* and *encourages* people to create and use mods. They have said it in the interviews and that's the reason they release the mod tools for everyone to use.

And considering that Bethesda actually was inspired by many Oblivion mods and basically ported them to Skyrim you are basically saying that by creating Skyrim they are defacing Oblivion.

I know no one will make me download the mod. I just don't like seeing art get defaced.

It's like finding out that Shakespeare's been converted into "text speak" so teenagers don't have to actually learn English. I don't have to read it, but I don't have to approve of actions that destroy the original art.

Please don't answer questions with questions, it doesn't make sense.

So, to be clear, if someone wants to ride a dragon in their game, and they feel it will immeasurably improve their gaming experience at the cost of no one else, this is a bad thing?

Also, it is somewhat hypocritical to be opposed to some mods and not others for the reasons you gave. In your eyes, are you the only person to decide which mods are 'good' and which are 'destructive'?

And your second sentence is just plain silly.

You should go read more of Bethesda stuff, quite a few features are inspired by mods, seriously neverarine, I despise anime, but I don't complain because someone created a mod to add it to the game.

I suppose that explains why I never saw it, but I don't recall it from Morrowind.

Either way, there are three situations where it makes sense to ride dragons:

1. If you're starring in How to Train Your Dragon

2. If the dragon is actually Sean Connery

3. If the dragon is actually not a dragon, but an enormous dog-creature that flies

I don't care much what other people want to do with their game, but I'm genuinely curious as to why they bought Skyrim if they just wanted to change it into something totally different.

That's an incredibly limited view. I can see other reasons why.

4. The dragon wants you to reach/recover/do something at a location that you cannot normally reach, so it flies you there.

5. Related to the above, the dragon could fly you if it is impatient or ill convinced of your ability to get there yourself...and it happens to want what you can retrieve for it badly enough.

6. You are dragonborn/half dragon/whatever, and it has pity for the player who has the soul/mind/heart/whatever of a dragon, but not the body of one.

7. The dragon respects you enough, that it is willing to do so as a limited favor.

8. You are fighting another dragon...high enough that it is impossible otherwise.

I don't care much what other people want to do with their game