ESO’s AI Overhaul Fixed Skyrim’s Combat Flaws: Will TES6 Follow Suit?

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Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that my beloved Elder Scrolls franchise has undergone some significant transformations, with numerous spin-offs and new mainline additions gracing our gaming screens. One of these exciting spin-offs is The Elder Scrolls Online – an immersive, cooperative MMORPG set within the expansive universe that I hold dear.

One significant challenge that developers encountered when creating ESO was its unique take on combat. Given that neither Skyrim nor Oblivion were renowned for their sophisticated AIs, ESO’s approach seemed unusual. However, could the same be anticipated for the upcoming Elder Scrolls 6?

The Elder Scrolls Online had to change its combat mechanics and adapt

In an exclusive conversation with Time magazine, Matt Firor, the game’s mastermind, shared insights into the numerous hurdles and ingenious solutions they encountered during the development of The Elder Scrolls Online, due to its unique take on the franchise.

Instead of being just another MMORPG, ESO expanded its scale significantly – making numerous adjustments in its game design, primarily to accommodate a broader, more immersive world compared to single-player games like Skyrim and Oblivion that are typically compact.

As a gamer, I always remember that Elder Scrolls Online’s (ESO) game world feels much more alive and interactive compared to single-player games like Skyrim. The dynamic nature of ESO keeps me engaged in a way that static worlds just can’t match!

In our game, the enemy force is consistently replenished, resulting in unique strategies due to the challenge of handling foes that approach from behind and dealing with groups of enemies simultaneously.

To ensure a challenging yet fair gameplay experience, it’s important that the game includes recurring enemies for players to practice against and collect resources from, while also adjusting the enemy’s damage output so they don’t seem excessively powerful for most gamers.

Here is where the artificial intelligence system specifically designed for ESO takes center stage. Unlike conventional Elder Scrolls games, this AI has undergone a complete overhaul, being crafted anew just for this game.

It’s my personal opinion that the battle system in Skyrim and Oblivion is excellent, and we built the combat mechanics in Elder Scrolls Online around that same foundation.

Specifically, they drew inspiration from the fight mechanisms of both “Oblivion” and “Skyrim”, establishing a strong foundation for the combat system in “ESO”. This approach turned out to be quite beneficial, as many would concur.

But we have a much different A.I. system in ESO, as it is a multiplayer virtual world.

Matt didn’t delve deeply into the specifics of the AI’s internal mechanisms, but it seems clear that he aimed to create a game that was both demanding and accessible for those who are new to the series.

The Elder Scrolls 6 should take notes

Indeed, if you’ve ever delved into the world of Skyrim, you’ll recognize that its combat system isn’t necessarily top-notch compared to others. In fact, it might occasionally seem somewhat puzzling, and at its most challenging, it can even feel counterintuitive.

Absolutely, the battle system in Skyrim has been a source of criticism among players, so TES 6 needs to address this issue to captivate its audience. By refining Skyrim’s combat mechanics and introducing layers of depth, Bethesda can make TES 6 stand out.

It might be beneficial for the team to study Zenimax’s “Elder Scrolls Online” and see if they can include similar features in the upcoming sequel.

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2025-04-29 23:43