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Original Designers for The Elder Scrolls Are Making a New and “Massive Open-World Fantasy Adventure RPG”

We've learned a new indie studio has opened up, and it has some serious talent already. The new studio, OnceLost Games, has been founded by the designers behind the original Elder Scrolls game…

nichegamer.com

The new studio, OnceLost Games, has been founded by the designers behind the original Elder Scrolls game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena. Unsurprisingly, their first game will also be an open-world RPG like their pedigree.

The studio was founded by Ted Peterson (one of the original designers on The Elder Scrolls), Julian LeFay (director on The Elder Scrolls: Arena, Daggerfall, and Battlespire), Vijay Lakshman (lead designer and producer of The Elder Scrolls: Arena), and Ian Phoenix, a veteran video producer, marketer, and graphic designer.

While details are scant, the above piece of concept art is prominently displayed on their studio’s home page, with the following caption: “High contrast image of Excalibur, sword in the stone with light rays and dust specs in a dark cave.”

Their actual description for the game is that it will be a “massive open-world fantasy adventure” and that it will “boast revolutionary technology and game design.” Could their first game be one based on the classic Arthurian legends? Only time will tell.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

In

 

[Zog]

Their actual description for the game is that it will be a “massive open-world fantasy adventure” and that it will “boast revolutionary technology and game design.” Could their first game be one based on the classic Arthurian legends? Only time will tell.

It won't be any of these things. By the time it comes out it will be less massive and won't revolutionary technology and game design.

 

[JSoup]

It won't be any of these things. By the time it comes out it will be less massive and won't revolutionary technology and game design.

I bet you're a hit at parties.

 

[Zog]

I bet you're a hit at parties.

I don't buy into marketing hype and besides, I don't talk about video games at parties.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I don't buy into marketing hype and besides, I don't talk about video games at parties.

You go to parties? What is that like?

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

I don't buy into marketing hype and besides, I don't talk about video games at parties.

Really? When arriving at a party, I kick in the front door and yell, "I know where to find Yoshi in Mario 64!"

 

[Zog]

You go to parties? What is that like?

Board games and alcohol.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

Board games and alcohol.

That sounds terrible.

 

[GHG]

Board games and alcohol.

Board games...

How cute.

 

[Shagger]

It won't be any of these things. By the time it comes out it will be less massive and won't revolutionary technology and game design.

I don't buy into marketing hype and besides, I don't talk about video games at parties.

 

[Zog]

...because it's the game industry. It runs on hype. Every game is the greatest thing since sliced bread until it releases and then it isn't even close to that.

 

[Fuz]

 

[Poordevil]

Sounds great! I'll check back in 2 years or so and see how it's coming along.

 

[Reon]

I like Elder Scrolls/Arena but it's good to note that a lot of these people did Daggerfall too, which is the best game in the Elder Scrolls franchise.

 

[DrJohnGalt]

Pre-ordered.

 

[Spukc]

Cant wait to play it
Hopefully they will use something like kickstarted.

And let us buy different kind of horses.
Ranging from a cheap old donkey priced at 45. To an arabic stallion priced at 5k

Maybe even let us buy limited edition horses and take their backers to dinner to announce new horse packs.

And enable us to buy a stable to play with our horses. I dont care that we cant quest yet. This is mainly a backer thing.

Then promise us the best rpg ever. And keep adding things. Like real time growing trees and an all hollywood digital cast.

Then release it in about 20 years.

Ow and do a yearly show. To add more futures

 

[Romulus]

It won't be any of these things. By the time it comes out it will be less massive and won't revolutionary technology and game design.

Not that any open world RPGs are. They're usually way behind the curve in terms of tech because of the development cycle.

 

[Teslerum]

I like Elder Scrolls/Arena but it's good to note that a lot of these people did Daggerfall too, which is the best game in the Elder Scrolls franchise.

Something more like Daggerfall and Arena is also what you should expect from this rather than the design approach modern ES games take.

 

[Bolivar687]

Would be nice, Bethesda abandoned us.

 

[hybrid_birth]

...because it's the game industry. It runs on hype. Every game is the greatest thing since sliced bread until it releases and then it isn't even close to that.

Debbie downer alert. Shun the non believer! Shunnnn.

Sorry im a depressed man. Don't hit me with the harsh reality facts man. My heart can't take it.

Im still a virgin. Don't tell me sex sucks aswell.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Would be nice, Bethesda abandoned us.

Yeah, I don't like how the RPG elements get taken out of their games. Frankly things go down hill once spell crafting was removed.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

If the studio just formed and the game has barely even been conceptualized yet, this game will release........ when Scarlett 2 and PS6 come out in 2025?

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Article says its a new studio so I'm not expecting to see this for a long long time.

 

[DiscoJer]

Very nice! I was briefly a tester for Daggerfall (also did some of the buildings) and talked somewhat with Ted Peterson. The original design for Daggerfall was way more ambitious than what shipped.

 

[Teslerum]

Very nice! I was briefly a tester for Daggerfall (also did some of the buildings) and talked somewhat with Ted Peterson. The original design for Daggerfall was way more ambitious than what shipped.

What do you think of Daggerfall Unity?

 

[anthraticus]

The studio was founded by Ted Peterson (one of the original designers on The Elder Scrolls), Julian LeFay

Wonder what would have been if these guys stayed in charge, instead of those sellouts... Toddler & co.

 

[Starhowl]

How about a real-well thought about, linear story instead?

 

[Teslerum]

Wonder what would have been if these guys stayed in charge, instead of those sellouts... Toddler & co.

If *everything went according to plan*, system based gaming would be miles ahead from what it is by now. I mean since Daggerfall there's not been a game quite like it. Roguelikes, Indies and No Man's Sky trying and falling flat on its face. But nothing really like the tracectory Bethesda was on with the series.

Who knows though?

 

[anthraticus]

If *everything went according to plan*, system based gaming would be miles ahead from what it is by now. I mean since Daggerfall there's not been a game quite like it. Roguelikes, Indies and No Man's Sky trying and falling flat on its face. But nothing really like the tracectory Bethesda was on with the series.

Who knows though?

Yea, it's pretty sad. Between Daggerfall and Morrowind there was a lot of potential in the Elder Scrolls, but unfortunately it was never met.

 

[Tenaciousmo]

Having only started at TES III: morrowind, I don't know that i can feel hyped for those guys that i never played a game of that are making an arthurian RPG, I feel like I've seen those stories a million time. Hope they make me regret this but I think I'll pass on this one

 

[Bkdk]

Open world rpg plus highly customizable options with mods is always my favorite genre, hope they pull off something decent. Even a 7/10 at vanilla quality I’ll be willing to pay 60 dollars for it.

 

[Solarstrike]

Of course they are

 

[Fuz]

Frankly things go down hill once spell crafting was removed.

So, since Morrowind.

(Did you play Daggerfall and tried *that* spellcrafting?)

The original design for Daggerfall was way more ambitious than what shipped.

What was shipped was already INSANE in term of scope. And I'm not talking just how big the world was, but how many, how complex and interesting were the various storylines that sometimes intersected with each other.
By the way, so the bugs were your fault?

 

[Raven117]

Board games and alcohol.

Lol. Dweeb. Own a fedora?

 

[Zog]

Lol. Dweeb. Own a fedora?

Playing board games while drinking makes me a fedora wearing dweeb? Can you explain?

 

[Raven117]

Playing board games while drinking makes me a fedora wearing dweeb? Can you explain?

Oh I’m just picking on you in a hopefully apparent joking manner.

When someone asks about what’s a party like, and the response is “board games and booze” it doesn’t exactly paint the picture or a rock and roll good time. Nerds do that.

 

[Zog]

Oh I’m just picking on you in a hopefully apparent joking manner.

When someone asks about what’s a party like, and the response is “board games and booze” it doesn’t exactly paint the picture or a rock and roll good time. Nerds do that.

Board games can be fun once you get alcohol in people.

 

[Raven117]

Board games can be fun once you get alcohol in people.

Not saying it isn’t. Just when I think of parties, board games are not involved. It’s kegs of beer, kegs stands, basically being a delinquent. (I’m older and this is what my generation did)

 

[Zog]

Not saying it isn’t. Just when I think of parties, board games are not involved. It’s kegs of beer, kegs stands, basically being a delinquent. (I’m older and this is what my generation did)

I did that stuff when I was younger.

 

[Raven117]

I did that stuff when I was younger.

Id still do it if I saw a keg..... And im no spring chicken.

 

[Ladioss]

Daggerfall is my favorite TES game so I’m in. I don’t expect anything revolutionary, thought; it won’t surprise me if the actual project come out as dated when it’s eventually detailled. Just a hunch.

 

[Mochilador]

The Ancient Scrolls.

 

[Poordevil]

The Ancient Scrolls.

Oh yea, the older the better, baby!

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

So, since Morrowind.

(Did you play Daggerfall and tried *that* spellcrafting?)

Yeah, The issue with Daggerfall is that i tend to get stuck at some point due to bugs, and that I find it impossible to navigate the dungeons.
Morrowind ended up being my favorite in balancing playability with freedom.

I remember how Skyrim magic was underpowered, because without spell crafting, you basically are better off just shooting arrows from stealth.

 

[Dacon]

I hope they use a real game engine.

 

[Nickolaidas]

Every single time a once upon a time revolutionary game designer returns from obscurity and announces a new game, it is mathematically certain that he will release a mediocre or plain good game which modern games easily match or surpass.

Fact.

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Every single time a once upon a time revolutionary game designer returns from obscurity and announces a new game, it is mathematically certain that he will release a mediocre or plain good game which modern games easily match or surpass.

Fact.

Personally, I am not after anything revolutionary. I just want something like Morrowind, but prettier.

 

[Nickolaidas]

Personally, I am not after anything revolutionary. I just want something like Morrowind, but prettier.

Then you're probably in luck. You just have to wait at least five years.

 

[GreenAlien]

I wonder who the publisher is. As a new studio, I doubt they have the budget for something like this without outside help..