"Poor design" ? make a "bath of humility" before speakin' of something that probably you don't even understand

Bethesda had proven of being capable at doin' such things as you've said above,yes - and they're probably more smart and able of you and me so its not so difficult to understand that in Skyrim all is simplified - dungeons,writing - and yes,even the cities add the nord harshness mentioned above (lore) and you'll understand why all is so "simple" - or "dumbed down" like someone say

Skyrim dosen't have shops because working in-doors is for the milk-drinker sissies. A true man sells his wares in stalls, in the -100 Celsius and in the middle of a storm. Also, they fight dragons bare-handed because [censored] the Dovahkiin. Fleeing and hiding is for the weak and the non-essential.

I've been playing video games and designing my own PnP/board games since kindergarten. There's no reason my or anyone else's arguments on this matter should carry less weight solely because we've not worked professionally in the game industry. Appeals to authority do not make an argument.
Look, you can't just keep saying this. That's not how debate works. You either provide evidence for your claims or you stop making them.

Even assuming your unsubstantiated claims are true, the cities were not made this size for any lore reason. They could have been made ten times their current size and still fit the lore. The cities are what they are because of design reasons or time constraints. If the latter, then Bethesda needed to better manage their time---it does not excuse the overly small cities. In the case of the former, it should come as no surprise. Bethesda was trumpeting "redundancy is bad" throughout the development process. They were speaking specifically about skills the decided the cut, but it's reasonable to suggest the same philosophy spilled over into other areas of design. Having smaller towns, with fewer instances of any given service absolutely makes these environments easier to navigate---at least for the first couple walks through town. It does not make the towns more believable, however. And when you're stated goal is the creation of a living, breathing world, I will call out shortfalls. Especially when you'd proven yourself capable in the past.

Quit playing internet lawyer, please.

How old are you ? take a deep breath and then re-read all the thread,you'll probably find "your answers".

Or you want to repeat ad infinitum the same things ?

But you aren't a video game designer or developer (and if you are, you're not a success at it... yet). You're just a guy who's posting opinions on a forum of the game developer that is wildly successful. Seriously, haven't we had enough posts from aspiring game designers who have no credentials whatsoever claiming that their opinions hold a great deal of weight simply because, in a parallel universe somewhere, they are the ultimate, universally-known, critically-acclaimed gaming know-it-alls?

Some people just take their opinions way too seriously. But where it becomes problematic is when they cite how their opinion is somehow *special* because they think they somehow know better because they fancy themselves game designers.

I'd almost forgotten there were shield shops and sword shops in oblivion Yea i would prefer those as well, although i would like the stalls to remain. It gives for a more "market" feel, rather than all being interior shops. Anyway i guess in medieval times there were probably a great deal of stalls, more than shops.

Hmm, but having a seperate sword and shield shop would make the blacksmith redundant. I suppose skyrim's version is more realistic in a way.(?)

I don't want to repeat the same things. That's my point. You keep saying the same things over and over again without a single piece of evidence to back up your claims. I would like the discussion to move forward, but you refuse to provide sources or to concede the point.
The point is to address my arguments, not say, "I don't need to because you haven't made a super popular game and Bethesda has and therefore anything they do is 'good design' and you can't have valid opinions on 'good design' until you've made similar accomplishments." This all assumes that game design is some mystic, esoteric art that only a special few can grasp. But that's [censored]. Designing games isn't too terribly hard---that's why their exist so many, from PnP to internet flash games. It takes time and effort and sometimes a huge amount of money, but the concepts and principles of game design are not a foreign language. Video games have been going strong for a few decades. The activity is ubiquitous, basically everybody plays games these days. Nobody here is commenting on things they don't understand.

You've completely misunderstood what i was saying unfortunately. This is sad and defiant at the same time.


i completely agree with you. Its too easy -and lazy - to criticize behind a screen

Closed for review and clean up

Much too much time and work would have to go into re-opening this thread. Flaming one another's opinions, asking how old someone is as an insult and to dismiss their opinions, inferring someone hasn't played the game because you disagree with their thoughts, ideas or opinions, console bashing, flamebaiting...the list goes on.

If you can't debate without demeaning those you debate with on a personal level...don't post on this forum.