After playing 50 hours or so thus far, I've come to realize this is a very well made game that gets many things right, but has a few flaws.

The reason why I dread having to log on is due to a couple of bugs that are subjectively and objectively game breaking for me.

The subjectively game breaking bug I experience has to do with performance. Whenever I'm in first person mode, running/walking, and looking around at the same time, the game stutters horribly. This makes it nearly unbearable to play, as it hurts to look at after a while. I did some toying around with the options and I get the same stuttering results on both the Low, and Ultra settings. I've even installed Fraps to monitor my FPS while it stutters, and on High settings it never dips below 40. I'm no computer expert, but after a few hours of research I've come to the conclusion that it has to do with either the RAM limitations, my multicore CPU, or the Creation/Gamebryo engine itself.

I'm sure someone will ask, so here are my system specs:
Intel i5 750 @ 2.67GHz, 4 Core
Radeon 4800 Series 2804 MB
4 GB RAM
Windows 7 64 bit

The objectively game breaking bug has to do with gameplay. I'll keep it spoiler free, so I'll say the quest "Rescue Mission" is literally impossible to complete. If I go to the actual place it says in the Journal, aside from the ever changing arrow on the map, the NPC is nowhere to be found. From what I understand, this is an integral part of the storyline, and not being able to complete it forces me to start over from a different save point. This sets me back 6 hours because I didn't immediately start that quest. Now I have to redo 6 hours of content (which is like 2 dungeons at my pace lol), and try to remember what I have or haven't done.

I'm still very pleased with this game, regardless of the bugs that I know can be fixed in the future. And I do realize a game of this magnitude isn't going to be perfect.

Although, now I know I should probably wait a little while before purchasing a new release so the kinks can be worked out.

Just wondering, did you get the 4gb patch?
Also, I know that nVidia released new drivers specifically for Skyrim, maybe ATI did that too?

I'm not sure if you mean the 3rd party LAA or an actual update, but I appear to be fully updated.
As for the drivers, I checked on the website for my specific card and didn't see a Skyrim specific anything. And my software for that is fully up to date as well.

There shouldn't be stutter with your specs. Mine is similar but i have the 4890 and all settings maxed. Even with added HD textures etc it plays great. There's a new ATI driver optimised for Skyrim so maybe that will help. Version 12.1

Also it might be worth trying your 3D Application Settings in the CCC back to default.

Ah I see. Thanks for that tidbit.
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121Previewdriver.aspx

I forgot to add; the stutters cease when I'm in third person, where it runs perfectly fine.

Play play play some more.

Cheers

Search the forums for 'optimisation' (or 'optimization', probably) or something along those lines. Some of the modders have gone into the code and removed a lot of outdated and unnecessary stuff, which smooths out the game immensely.

Bethesda svck at optimisation.

Have you completed the Companion quest line and just doing the "rescue mission" jobs now? If that's the quest you are referring to, then it's not an integral part of the story line. If not, which quest are you referring to?

Forgot to mention, have you tried running in windowed mode for the 1st person glitch? I would try that and if it works add the windowed mode mod which makes the mode fullscreen.

http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4

I'm not sure how far the Companion quest line goes, but I'll say I've gotten the Skyforge Steel Sword. I can't get another quest from a Companion while I'm stuck on Rescue Mission. And Rescue Mission is a main objective quest (not Misc), so I don't know how that impacts the future quest line.

I've tried that and the extra software, and it still stutters in first person. Installing Catalyst 12.1 now.


Also, I thought this was an accurate representation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u2hnVyM_qk
It may not look like much, but I was just playing Portal 2 a few minutes ago and it's so smooth compared to Skyrim's jittery framerate.