The opening scenes

[Br3admax]

Two decades, really. It would be weird to break that.

[CBR JGWRR]

Yeah, it would be 2 decades by then.

[enyamerT]

Two things:

1. If you watch the intro closely, you'll notice that everybody who is bound has their hands in front, at waist level. Despite it not being explicitly rendered in-game, it's certainly implied that their hands are affixed to their waists - just like they do in modern-day prisoner transport: http://incustodytransport.com/images/lowrisk.jpg

2. As for whether a gag can prevent Shouting:

The most powerful Tongues cannot speak without causing destruction. They must go gagged, and communicate through a sign language and through scribing runes.

Source: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Pocket_Gu ... ion/Skyrim

I doubt they'd bother being gagged if it wasn't effective.

[DikaSmausha]

Wow, it will be two decades by then. That is crazy.

[CBR JGWRR]

It'll be two decades from March next year...

[Mattbott]

Maybe this is off-topic, but what are the odds that you'll be some kind of criminal in the opening scenes of TES: VI?

Certain.

Arena you start in prison, Daggerfall sort of, Morrowind you start in holding, Oblivion you start in the same prison (not the same cell) as Arena, and Skyrim you start awaiting execution...

It's been their way for well over a decade by the time of TES: VI.

i was thinking.. when you create your character in Tes 3, 4 and 5, you are giving your vitals to an Imperial agent of sorts (customs, or the emperor, or a captain of the beheading squad respectively), i wonder if in TES6 a Thalmor agent will be jotting down our info instead

i kind of thought they spirited Ulfric to Helgen in a relatively anonymous way, so as not to draw attention to the execution.. it would be consistent with the idea of not making him a martyr or his death a rallying call to his followers. Kill him like one of the rabble

i like that the dragon attacks in day, shows off the game's nuts and bolts better imo, no room for fugdeing the drama and you get a good look at the guy as he swoops around

the initial roar of the dragon is probably my favourite game sound effect , you just know some big trouble is on the way when you hear that echoing round the mountains.. great stuff

[Theificka]

The opening is the worst part of the game, imo.

[philfredobob]

The opening is the worst part of the game, imo.

I disagree with this guy on most points. I actually like that it doesn't let you move for such a long time. it's sort of like build up for the eventual reveal of the world.

It's like how Oblivion's intro is spent crawling through a dark, dirty dungeon. and then finally, you crawl out of a sewer pipe, and are met with this amazing view of the games world. I prefer it this way. if it started off in a training area like this guy suggested, I would have hated the intro completely.

[CBR JGWRR]

Yeah, that. ^

First time I played Skyrim, with the slow reveal in a cart going along a bumpy road leading down to Helgen, I knew it was going to be an awesome game. Similar with Oblivion, only worse graphics.

Arena I still haven't got out of the opening dungeon, but even there you get a sense of just how good the game will be...

[AbiwonKenabi]

Agreed. I like the suspense and it makes the world and vistas all the more amazing when you finally see them. That guy also totally skims over the whole "dragon attack" aspect too. Isn't one of the core draws of Skyrim that also sets it apart from other TES games is the dragons? He doesn't even mention it!

[solitueon]

I like the opening, though it is not that realistic. However I took it as some kind of opera scenes--a couple of soldiers represent a mighty force.

[Khali]

Not sure who "that guy" is but I never said I disliked the opening scenes. I was just pointing out how a escape would have easily been possible from the wagons. After all this time, a TES game not starting out with the players character as a prisoner would be a let down.

At this point there is all kinds of information out there about how much Bethesda meant to do with Skyrim but then cut back to push it out the door. So we are left with a semi lame Civil War, less npc's than intended, unfinished quests left out of the game entirely, etc.

If it wasn't for the mod community the TES series would not be near as popular as it is. I know I spend a week or so curious about the vanilla game and exploring it then quickly move onto what mods are available to improve and add to the game playing experience.

[AbiwonKenabi]

Sorry, "That guy" was the guy in the Youtube video that Theificka linked. He makes some valid points I suppose, but I simply don't agree with him.

I agree that certain aspects, particularly the Civil War, could've been much more epic and cool though, but I think what we've got is still a fun TES game. And, as you said, mods are a great way to mold it into exactly what you want; even the opening if you so choose