One of the things that used to turn me off of MMOs was that progression and leveling felt like a daunting chore, rather than something fun. Looking at spreadsheets, pouring over online information about "optimal classes", selectively choosing what activities I participate in: these are things I don't want to do in a video game.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim was a great game for a number of reasons, but one of the largest improvements over previous titles in the series was the progression system. In Morrowind leveling often felt like a grind I had to complete before I could continue with quests. I would literally stand there and let cliff racers whack away at me to improve my armor and block skills (at times I would even change the channel and watch TV while this happened.) Oblivion made some real improvements but managing my skills still never gave me any pleasure. Skyrim was a totally different animal.

In Skyrim, my character leveled based solely on what I decided to DO. If I spent a lot of time killing things with a one handed sword, I would become a blade master. If I often wore heavy armor into combat, that would become the optimal armor for my character. This isn't to say that I lost control over my progression. It is a less conscious process for sure (I'm not making "Min/Max" decisions before I start to play) but its still my decision. The great thing about this system is that it puts the spread sheets in the back ground and makes my progression an extension of my gameplay choices, rather than something I have to do separate from playing the game.

Elder Scrolls Online seems to be moving away from the traditional MMO spread sheet and more towards a system like Skyrim's. I can equip any weapon and armor I want and my progression will dependent on what I choose. I also have class skills, but these won't necessarily be the same as every other character who chooses my same class. Each class has a number of skill trees from which I choose skills to slot on my skill bar. Presumably, I will begin the game by slotting a number of skills from all three trees. Naturally I will find that some of these skills are more suited to my particular play style. It will be these skill trees that I decide to put points into in the future.

To sum up this system, it is organic progression; my character advancement depends on my play style and I don't have to think a whole lot about it. Its a natural process that allows me to forget about the numbers behind the scene and focus on playing the game and having fun.

What do you think? Do you prefer the more traditional MMORPG progression systems? Are there potential pitfalls I'm missing?-

I think yes.

Then don't play RPG's and MMO's. LOL. Seems like you just want to get into a game have nothing to worry about and just kill stuff. Sounds more like you should be playing shooter games and not MMORPG's

Progression and leveling in RPG's and MMO's should be slow. Why rush to max level. Max level is whats boring. Pouring over info about classes, activities and professions and what not is what makes the game more personal and involving.

All of the Elder Scrolls games should have been more like Morrowind in many way.s For it was better than Oblivion and Skyrim in many ways. Leveling in Morrowind was not much slower than the other two. All Elder Scrolls you have to level up each skill you want to use and all of them did it in a similar way. Use skill and gain in that skill. Just Skyrim also has a skill tree that I wish wouldn't limit you as much as it did. Skyrim was good but not as good as Oblivion and Oblivion was not as good as Morrowind.

In all Elder Scrolls games your character leveled based on what you decided to do. You kill things with a one-handed sword in any of the games you gain mastery of the one-handed sword.

DUDE DID YOU EVEN PLAY THE OTHER Elder Scrolls games.

OK not typing anymore because this guy obviously has NOT played the other Elder Scrolls games.

I'm also with Carde. YES! To the : Do you prefer the more traditional MMORPG progression systems?

I hope it works out that way but I don't have enough details yet to be confident it will. I don't think was Skyrim was perfect in this respect so I'm reserving judgement at this point.

I completely agree with the sentiment though. What's fun is being able to install the game, start playing and never, ever, ever have to visit websites to ensure you plan your character properly etc.