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[Robobandit]

"love" is such a strong word. I prefer to think of it as slightly impaired non total abhorrence.

So you're saying that you can only tolerate us when you're intoxicated? :lol

 

[bengraven]

The official boards are a travesty to all humanity. It's no wonder why Steve and Vark love us GAFers so much. Next week, there will a ton of new media and such. Crow will be served, Elder Scroll fans will rejoice.

This better be fucking true. I've been going bugfuck on the official boards for two years over this game. Every little new tidbit of information makes me pull a hair out. My head is bald. Next time I dig into my skull and it won't be pretty.

I seriously don't think I've anticipated a game this much since Super Mario Bros. 3 back when I was 10 ("Mario! Mario! Mario! Marrrrrrriiiiiiiiooooooooooo!").

 

[LAMBO]

Hey Steve, ever consider using the engine to make a game in a more modern world? I was hoping someone would make a total conversion for morrowind like that. Hope the new mod tools are cool. This game has to be good, especially if you like morrowind. Between modding it and official expansions, the game will probably be around for years.

 

[thetrin]

Wow, I really liked this one

Fucking beautiful. God, I cannot wait for this game.

 

[Brannon]

Sooooo Vark or Steve.... what can you tell us about the Giant Dragons that are in the game? Are they Giant? Are they Dragons? Are they in the game?

The correct answer is yes btw.

Also this statement...

There's nothing like walking through a forrest and happen upon a hidden mine embedded in the mountain side. There's just no explanation how cool that is to me.

...is making it much harder for me to resist buying Oblivion on day one, even without an X360. I mean, I explored all over the world of Dragon Quest VIII, and that world is empty by comparison.

 

[op_ivy]

i still remember the feeling of terror i got the first time playing morrowind... you see, i was causually exploring the world, taking in the sites, marveling at the scope. i saw an island across a body of water that looked mysterious, so i decided to swim across the bit of water when all of a sudden i was mauled by 2 or 3 scray as fuck demon fish! jesus, the noise they made and seeing my blood flow in the water nearly made me piss my pants...

so, are the scary-as-fuck fish back (i hope so)?

 

[flarkminator]

i still remember the feeling of terror i got the first time playing morrowind...

Dude the same thing happened to me, but it was with Daggerfall, and it was a Mummy.

I don't know if you played that one, but I remember one time I was just poopin around, doing a mage guild quest (Mages guild FOR LIFE!) and they sent me to some random po-dunk cave. I go inside...I swear that mummy moaned the ENTIRE time I was in there. Scared the shit out of me, I was constantly spinning around, looking over my shoulder WHERE IS THIS FUCKING GUY. Then opened up some random door BAM RIGHT IN MY FACE. *sigh* Good times.


God damnit oblivion put it in me already

 

[gblues]

i still remember the feeling of terror i got the first time playing morrowind... you see, i was causually exploring the world, taking in the sites, marveling at the scope. i saw an island across a body of water that looked mysterious, so i decided to swim across the bit of water when all of a sudden i was mauled by 2 or 3 scray as fuck demon fish! jesus, the noise they made and seeing my blood flow in the water nearly made me piss my pants...

so, are the scary-as-fuck fish back (i hope so)?

I'd be surprised if they weren't. Slaughterfish seem to exist everywhere.

Nathan

 

[kallisto76]

i don't understand why people always complain about the graphics of this outstanding game; there is an interview with one of the developers that everyone should read:

Xbox.com: Anything you'll be able to do with the game on Xbox 360 that just wouldn't be possible anywhere else?

Howard: Hmmm, I guess it's more about the fact that we can do it all and not really have to cut corners. So for instance, in the PC version, depending on your PC, there's a part of it you won't be seeing in all its glory, but on the Xbox 360, you get it all. Please, everyone, buy an HD set ... just please.

Xbox.com: Touching on something you mentioned before, just how much more glorious an adventure can owners expect from the title than their PC-loving counterparts?

Howard: Again, it depends on their setup. If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same. The question is, can they get all of that for $399? And does it let them play Geometry Wars? That game rules.

Here you can find the interview:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/t/theelderscrollsIVoblivion/20060118-livinginoblivion.htm

 

[MrSardonic]

Howard: Again, it depends on their setup. If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same. The question is, can they get all of that for $399?

No, and they can't get that for $399 if they buy the X360 version either

 

[Borys]

No, and they can't get that for $399 if they buy the X360 version either

If you buy Oblivion 360 you get 48" HDTV for free - didn't you get the memo?

 

[CR0N0S]

If you buy Oblivion 360 you get 48" HDTV for free - didn't you get the memo?

because that HDTV will only work with a 360?
Put it all together, you're looking at around 2 grand vs 1200 for a 360 and an entry level HDTV

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Some new podcast interview clears two of these points up:

1) No dragons.
2) The graphics engine has not been downgraded, aside from one sequence in the e3 demo, every shot, movie and everything else has been running off the one engine that replaced the one used for that one shot (the Bethesda rep mentioned a rib in it? I haven't seen it). So that beautiful grass/tree/shadow shot is running off the same engine as the rest. As was said, some places are just more shadowy than others.

 

[Magicpaint]

Still my most wanted 360, I can forgive the visuals considering the scale of this game.

 

[SteveMeister]

I've been going bugfuck on the official boards for two years over this game.

Not quite two years -- it seems like it's been a long time since Oblivion was announced, but it was actually only 16 months ago -- October 22, 2004

 

[mikeGFG]

I know world objects don't cast any shadows, but what about characters/NPC's?

 

[Draft]

Hey Steve, ever consider using the engine to make a game in a more modern world? I was hoping someone would make a total conversion for morrowind like that. Hope the new mod tools are cool. This game has to be good, especially if you like morrowind. Between modding it and official expansions, the game will probably be around for years.

I do not think it's a stretch to assume Fallout 3 will be built on the same engine. Not exactly modern, but close enough.

because that HDTV will only work with a 360?
Put it all together, you're looking at around 2 grand vs 1200 for a 360 and an entry level HDTV

2grand for the PC alone. 24" widescreen LCDs don't just grow on trees you know

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I need this game. Thank god GRAW comes out before this so I have something to tide me over until Oblivion is released. Visuals look fine to me. The Elder Scrolls games have always been about exploration for me, and I'm going to enjoy exploring every inch of this game.

 

[FallenOne666]

Not quite two years -- it seems like it's been a long time since Oblivion was announced, but it was actually only 16 months ago -- October 22, 2004

Hey Steve, what do you think of this:

NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS NOT FOUND BY ME BUT MY MANTIS3124 ON THE OFFICIAL FORUMS

From the new Dev Diary: "Oblivion is in the fifty-eighth minute of the eleventh hour of its development cycle here at Bethesda Softworks"


Given this information, we can accurately calculate when Oblivion will be released.

Given that "Development began in 2002. Just days after Morrowind launched" , we know that the beginning was just after may 1, 2002. Given that it is February 16, 2006, we so far have:

1,387 days, or 3 years, 9 months, 15 days.

Given this, we can deduce that:

(11hours * 60min)+58min = 718 min

That would be 718 min out of 720 min

so,

718/720 = 1387/x

If you do the math, x = 1390 days

1390-1387 = 3 days until oblivion has finished development (not including the difference in time after morrowind was finished, which is +- say 5 days), meaning it goes gold in a matter of days.

So, from all of this we can extrapolate:

*Goes gold on February 21, 2006. (+- say 5 days)

*If we assume 2 weeks for production, it will be available on March 7, 2006. (+-5 days)

*If we assume 4 weeks for production, validation by microsoft or whatever, and distribution, then it will be available on March 21, 2006 (+-5 days)

There you have it!

Either you guys are slick, or that's one MAJOR coincidence.

 

[SteveMeister]

I know world objects don't cast any shadows, but what about characters/NPC's?

Yep, all actors cast shadows, though on PC you can turn that off if you have a lower-end graphics card and they slow it down too much. Also, there are "canopy shadows" cast by trees which provide realistic, moving dappled light when you're underneath them. You can see them in this screenshot:

 

[Stink]

1024 x 576 resolution???

Widescreen letterbox on a 1024 x 768 screen perhaps?

 

[MrSardonic]

2grand for the PC alone. 24" widescreen LCDs don't just grow on trees you know

It costs 2 grand to update the graphics card and RAM? :lol
And why do I need a 24" widescreen LCD to play a PC game when my face is only 20 inches away from the high-res PC monitor anyway?

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Not sure if this has been asked yet before in here or another thread, but do the leaves on the trees sway in the wind? Do trees sway in the wind? Just curious. My interest in this game isn't going to depend on this feature, I'm just stoked about the game and it's graphics.

If they don't, it's not the end of the world, but I sure hope next gen gives us more of that type of realism.

 

[FallenOne666]

It costs 2 grand to update the graphics card and RAM? :lol
And why do I need a 24" widescreen LCD to play a PC game when my face is only 20 inches away from the high-res PC monitor anyway?

Don't make this a PC vs Xbox pissing match please. Let us all join hands and sing praises to the glory of Oblivion.

 

[FallenOne666]

Not sure if this has been asked yet before in here or another thread, but do the leaves on the trees sway in the wind? Do trees sway in the wind? Just curious. My interest in this game isn't going to depend on this feature, I'm just stoked about the game and it's graphics.

If they don't, it's not the end of the world, but I sure hope next gen gives us more of that type of realism.

Yes, everything moves with the wind. Trees and plants will sway and react to you. Spreedtree 4tw!

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Yes, everything moves with the wind. Trees and plants will sway and react to you. Spreedtree 4tw!

OMG! I just creamed my pants! :lol

 

[DenogginizerOS]

because that HDTV will only work with a 360?
Put it all together, you're looking at around 2 grand vs 1200 for a 360 and an entry level HDTV

Bought a Sony 30" Widescreen CRT HDTV for $759 and bought my X360 for $399.99. That is less than $1200 and I have it hooked up to my Surround Sound system. It is doable.

 

[MrSardonic]

Don't make this a PC vs Xbox pissing match please.

It's not about that, it's about how ridiculous Howard's comment was in that "interview".

 

[Xdrive05]

So, Steve, about the "Recommended" PC requirements - would you please ballpark what resolution, settings and framerates we may experience with "Recommended" hardware configurations?

Even if it's just a *very rough estimate* (as everybody's systems differ), could you please help us out a little?

Thank you very much for your time.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Steve,

Will there be a "save at anytime, anywhere" feature?

 

[VictimOfGrief]

:lol

It looks pretty good compared to current gen games, but pretty unspectacular for the X360...but perhaps we've just been spoilt by GRAW

your avatar is just fucking ironic I'd say.

 

[Draft]

It costs 2 grand to update the graphics card and RAM? :lol
And why do I need a 24" widescreen LCD to play a PC game when my face is only 20 inches away from the high-res PC monitor anyway?

2 grand to build a PC that runs oblivion as well as an Xbox 360. The developer says right there that only the latest, greatest PC is going to crush oblivion like the Xbox will. 2 grand is probably a little over the top, but $1500 is not unreasonable when you consider a 1900XT costs $500 all by itself.

And the reason you want a 24" widescreen LCD is that spending $1500 on a screaming PC to play games on your dinky ass 19" CRT at 1600x1200 sure seems like a criminal waste of money to me.

 

[SteveMeister]

Xdrive05 -- I'm not involved in the compatibility testing, so I can't really comment on how the game runs with different configurations. There is a large number of sliders & toggles for adjusting the game to your system's capabilities, though.

DenogginizerOS -- yep, save anywhere, any time. The game does autosaves at certain times, or create new save games whenever you want. On the PC there's a quicksave/quickload feature as well.

 

[Robobandit]

edit:

beaten by the response

 

[Lukkas]

2 grand to build a PC that runs oblivion as well as an Xbox 360. The developer says right there that only the latest, greatest PC is going to crush oblivion like the Xbox will. 2 grand is probably a little over the top, but $1500 is not unreasonable when you consider a 1900XT costs $500 all by itself.

And the reason you want a 24" widescreen LCD is that spending $1500 on a screaming PC to play games on your dinky ass 19" CRT at 1600x1200 sure seems like a criminal waste of money to me.

stupidest thing i ever heard. seriously, just stop posting.

first off all you dont need a 1900xt. You can get a 7800gt 256mb with a free PCI 16x SLI AMD X2 compatible mobo from EVGA for 340 dollars.

second saying you need a 24 widescreen lcd to play your pc games is like saying you need atleast a 60+ inch HDTV to play your 360/ps3 games

oh and btw...no one plays games at 1600x1200 unless they are from 1999-2001. running a game at 1600x1200 is nothing more than an e-penis contest to see who can get the highest FPS.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Steve,

I tried PM'ing you about your avatar, but you have exceeded your limit. Don't wanna derail the thread, but what is that?

 

[Goreomedy]

Steve,

I tried PM'ing you about your avatar, but you have exceeded your limit. Don't wanna derail the thread, but what is that?

I've always been curious myself.

 

[SteveMeister]

Steve,

I tried PM'ing you about your avatar, but you have exceeded your limit. Don't wanna derail the thread, but what is that?

Thanks for telling me; I've cleaned out my inbox. My avatar is an octopus that has curled up all but 2 of its tentacles, which it is using to walk along the ocean floor

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Dr_Cogent
Is going to stop his backseat modding

Umm, I wanted to know what the thing was in his avatar. I wasn't claiming there was a problem with it.

Goreomedy, you are just being a nuisance at this point.

 

[Xdrive05]

Xdrive05 -- I'm not involved in the compatibility testing, so I can't really comment on how the game runs with different configurations. There is a large number of sliders & toggles for adjusting the game to your system's capabilities, though.

Okay, thanks for replying. My system is a little above the recommended spec, but I think I'm going to wait until after the launch and see how well a "recommended" system handles it though. It almost comes down to whether it would cost more for me to max out my PC or just buy a 360.

 

[Draft]

stupidest thing i ever heard. seriously, just stop posting.

first off all you dont need a 1900xt. You can get a 7800gt 256mb with a free PCI 16x SLI AMD X2 compatible mobo from EVGA for 340 dollars.

second saying you need a 24 widescreen lcd to play your pc games is like saying you need atleast a 60+ inch HDTV to play your 360/ps3 games

Again, it depends on their setup. If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same.

Straight from the horses mouth. Read it and weep, you bitter PC fanboy.

oh and btw...no one plays games at 1600x1200 unless they are from 1999-2001. running a game at 1600x1200 is nothing more than an e-penis contest to see who can get the highest FPS.

oh shi thanks for the resolution update Mr. Wizard. Did you read that in a newsletter.

 

[MrSardonic]

your avatar is just fucking ironic I'd say.

And I'd say it is pretty fitting given that you took the bait despite my first post :lol

2 grand to build a PC that runs oblivion as well as an Xbox 360.

No, just no. Not even $1500. You screen argument is also ridiculous

Straight from the horses ass.

Just because Howard made some stupid comment doesn't mean you have to copy him.

 

[Lukkas]

Straight from the horses mouth. Read it and weep, you bitter PC fanboy.

oh shi thanks for the resolution update Mr. Wizard. Did you read that in a newsletter.

a 200$ 6800 Ultra can be considered as a new video card with full SM 3.0. giant HD monitor ? what does that even mean, any pc crt or lcd IS a HD monitor.

are you actually saying you need a AMD FX60 1000 dollar CPU with a 500 dollar ati 1900xt to run this game at max settings, 1024x768, with atleast 2xaa and 4xaf because thats what latest and greatest means to me ? cause if you are.... :lol

 

[VictimOfGrief]

And I'd say it is pretty fitting given that you took the bait despite my first post :lol



No, just no. Not even $1500. You screen argument is also ridiculous



Just because Howard made some stupid comment doesn't mean you have to copy him.

Took the bait huh? I've got places for people like yourself you twit.

 

[Draft]

No, just no. Not even $1500. You screen argument is also ridiculous

It's not my argument. It's Bethesda's argument.

a 200$ 6800 Ultra can be considered as a new video card with full SM 3.0. giant HD monitor ?

I would in fact say that there is now way you can call a 6800 "new" unless you have invented time travel and are posting from the past.

are you actually saying you need a AMD FX60 1000 dollar CPU with a 500 dollar ati 1900xt to run this game at max settings, 1024x768, with atleast 2xaa and 4xaf

You laugh, but I guess you also forget how shitty Morrowind ran on even the fastest system when it came out.

 

[Lukkas]

It's not my argument. It's Bethesda's argument.
I would in fact say that there is now way you can call a 6800 "new" unless you have invented time travel and are posting from the past.
You laugh, but I guess you also forget how shitty Morrowind ran on even the fastest system when it came out.

ok when the demo or game is released on PC ill run it on my sub 1000 dollar pc equiped with a 7800 gt and amd 64 3800 and take some screenshots for you at max settings at 1024x768 with a decent amount of AA and AF

 

[Dr_Cogent]

You laugh, but I guess you also forget how shitty Morrowind ran on even the fastest system when it came out.

Yeah, I had a pretty top of the line PC when Morrowind hit, and I was really PO'ed at how bad it ran. I am not sure if any occlusion algorithms existed in the engine.

 

[Lukkas]

if youre gonna also use the logic that morrowind ran bad on pcs when it came out, then you should apply the same logic to how it ran on xbox. also had horrible fps, insane load times, downgraded graphics, and tons of glitches and crashes.

doesnt mean this will all be true again just because its a sequel.

 

[FallenOne666]

if youre gonna also use the logic that morrowind ran bad on pcs when it came out, then you should apply the same logic to how it ran on xbox. also had horrible fps, insane load times, downgraded graphics, and tons of glitches and crashes.

doesnt mean this will all be true again just because its a sequel.

Go back to OA, please. Thanks.

 

[Brannon]

Some new podcast interview clears two of these points up:

1) No dragons.

Please don't say this.