i disagree, since one could then easily take a carriage to another city. the intervention scrolls would also port you to the nearest temple if you ran out of supplies, i always missed them. its still fast travel, just integrated more into the world.

The following, as usual, is merely my opinion :
Asking that the next game contains features, such as proper directions from npcs and a more comprehensive approach to journal entries, or a deeper system for travelling the province, that allow the game to be fully played without the use of supposedly optional features such as map markers and map based fast travel, is perfectly fine, laudable even, and would improve the game if these were implemented.

You can do this already if you do not want to Fast Travel. Use the carriage system coupled with FT, or throw some gold on the ground and pretend like you paid an Inn. Players by and large are lazy, I would wager the VAST majority use Fast Travel and have no issues with it. Those that DON'T USE IT are just upset that it exists in the game at all. I would guess this is some deep psychological issue where they take offense other people are not as larpnerdy as they are and don't enjoy the monotony of walking on foot everywhere instead of partaking in combat.

eh but then it just feels pointless. intentionally gimping yourself. its like "why not have some uber godmode items that completely trivialize the game.. you dont HAVE to use them!".

The following, as usual, is merely my opinion :
Asking that the next game contains features, such as proper directions from npcs and a more comprehensive approach to journal entries, or a deeper system for travelling the province, that allow the game to be fully played without the use of supposedly optional features such as map markers and map based fast travel, is perfectly fine, laudable even, and would improve the game if these were implemented.
Asking that the optional features be removed, so the game is only playable by those whose play style is similar to yours, because your play style is somehow superior, is a show of arrogance.

Seems like people need to take off the rose-colored glasses. Skyrim's quests aren't designed for fast travel any more than Morrowind's were. I remember having to hike across Vvardenfall just to join the temple. It took weeks.

The option is there for people who want to use it. If you don't want to use it, don't use it. Period.

Fast travel... just another `feature` no one asked for and no one would`ve missed if it had never been invented.

In terrible slow-motion speed at that...ugh...if Skyrim can be accused of being more of an action-adventure than rpg then Morrowind by all rights should be labeled a hiking-adventure...if I have to choose, I′ll go with action...

Heres what i do: A quest directs me to whiterun and i am in windhelm. I then plot a path of other objetives! You can also wait till you got a bunch of quests in a hold and do them all at the same time when you are there. Or just use a carriage.

Remember that when you are riding, you dont HAVE to kill everything. There seems to be a widespread "kill everything" attitude around here. Just outrun your foes.

It`s only a pain if you insist on dropping everything to rush halfway across the map to pick up some fruit and rush back!

Honestly, do you need someone to go to the grocery store with you and block off the ice cream aisle so you don't gorge yourself? There's this thing called willpower. Use it.

I don't fast travel, but I use the carts without second thought. For the next game I'd like to see fast travel removed, with a cart system you have to open up/build yourself. Invest time and effort into quests to make the route safe, then you can use it. Maybe combined with different kinds of travel systems each with their own kind of limits attached, making them part of the gameplay.

Willpower was removed.

If you fast travel everywhere you are missing out on soooo much, probably 50% of what the game has to offer. I think most players recognise this now but here lies the problem.

I don't have hours and hours spare to play this game and you NEED hours and hours to play it properly. Fast travel is the only option if you don't want to spend a week of real time going somewhere, I for one get distracted and forget what it was I set off to do because of the time between plays.

So I would suggest this, do away with fast travel altogether, don''t even give us the choice and instead quests/tasks should lead you somewhere incrementally rather than say "You are in Riften, go and steal something from a house in Markarth and then bring it back here."

There should be several stages to a task like that so although you have to walk there, you have quest related tasks to do on the way, making the whole action of doing a specific thing flow and force the player to experience all the other things you miss out on by fast travelling.

So..

"You are in Riften, go and steal something from a house in Markarth and then bring it back here."

would become...

"You are in Riften, go to this cave and find out from this person's son where their father is, then go to Whitrun and pickpocket the note from the father which tells you where his brother is. Find their brother half way between Whiterun and Riften and get the combination to their safe from him. Then go to Markarth and get the object. Then you have one days headstart on a pose of Markarth guards who will persue you back to Riften. If you make it here alive we will pay the bounty on your head and the task will be complete."

Horse combat and armour would also be a good option, if you didn't have to get off the horse to fight you might feel more inclided to ride somewhere.

I think fast travel is an essential feature for some but it also kind of ruins the game too, an alternaive MUST be sought for future games.

Grand Theft Auto was big but there was no option to fast travel the map, granted you had Ferraris and helicopters to get you there but can't something similar be done in TES? Boats or horses are the answer I think.

Thoughts?

That is already how the game is designed unfortunately. By no fault of your own, you can obtain godmode quite easily and have "godmode" items. You have to intentionally not progress or gimp yourself for there to be any semblance of balance. Skyrim is incredibly diluted and casual. I loved Daggerfall. I didn't really want to see anything changed just updated graphics and improvements made.