Skyrim - 'PC version looks better', mods on consoles, less but bigger DLC

SystemLink: "Todd Howard had a superb interview with AusGamers which spilled scalding information all over the internet like flame from a dragon's jaws. Not only will the PC version look better, 'obviously', but Todd also discusses modifications on consoles and chats about DLC."

[Keith Olbermann]

"Skyrim - 'PC version looks better'"

Duh.

[dangert12]

The real news is mods on console

[dc1]

And less but bigger DLC.

All of the above is just what I want to hear!

[lastdual]

Yeah, that the DLC will be "closer to an expansion" is awesome news.

Shivering Isles was larger than most full priced games, and it's good to know that we'll be getting something closer to that rather than Fallout-style DLC.

[pangitkqb]

Glad to hear about the DLC being more like expansions. That's what I'm talking about.

[BlackKnight]

The news for mods on console is that there are none, just to clarify. Gotta read the article:

"There are still a lot of issues to solve with... because these aren’t instances like a song or a car you know, you could download a mod that destroys your game and we can’t have that. So we’re still... we have not solved -- even on paper yet -- how to handle security; how do we handle not messing up your saved games and things like that.

So it’s not going to be solved for the game’s release..."

All they said about mods on PC going to DEV consoles works, as it has with other games:

"It actually works. If you have a devkit console you can take the PC mod files, put them on your Xbox and they work. They actually worked in Oblivion, Morrowind and Fallout 3."

[BeOneWithTheGun]

Still waiting to see ps3 footage so i know what cosole to preorder for. Anyone have footage?

[Theonetheonly]

another note-worthy mention. one of the glaring problems I see with pc to console modding is the limitations that will have to be set on the amount of objects textures and meshes on screen, for example if a guy mods a level with every single texture from the full game in a small area the console would have issues with available system memory, and if not framerate issues, not to mention culling issues, just tons of problems.

the mods would have to meet certain criterea in order to successfully implement that feature.

[MagicAccent]

Please Please Please Please Please Please!
Make the mods happen!Please! :O

[zeal0us]

What about simply transporting PC mods onto consoles?

It actually works. If you have a devkit console you can take the PC mod files, put them on your Xbox and they work. They actually worked in Oblivion, Morrowind and Fallout 3.
-----

Could anyone simply do that? or just the devs?

[slayorofgods]

@BeOneWithTheGun

Get the pc version if you want the best version. The 360 and PS3 are usually basically the same.

[NCAzrael]

I just want to see actual PC footage. So far everything we've seen has been from the 360. Granted, that is pure awesomeness since everything we've seen so far looks fantastic, and it'll look even better on the PC, but I'm kind of impatient and want to see this shit now.

Also, I think for mods on consoles the only way they're ever going to be able to do that is to have a team set aside who can test player made mods to ensure they do not affect the game and then release them in packs. They'd have to pick and choose which ones would make the cut and get author permission to release them, but it could happen.

Still, though, anyone serious enough about this game to want mods should probably look into getting the PC version anyways. Mod development is always happening, even long after the developer stops supporting the game with new updates.

[Reibooi]

I wanna know what idiot even bothered asking if the PC version would look better. It's obvious.

That said mods on consoles sounds interesting. I wonder how it would work. Do we just download em or is there gonna be like a dedicated marketplace in which we can buy and sell mods or what? Will be interesting to see how this works out.

Also the DLC big enough to feel like expansion packs is exciting. Morrowind expansions I thought were more impressive then the Oblivion DLC so if they can do something like that it would be great.

[kramun]

http://www.ausgamers.com/fe...

That's the link to the full interview. The interviewer asks him why they've been demoing the 360 version and not the pc version. He never asked him if the pc version would look better, just why they hadn't been using it to demonstrate the game.

[a08andan]

Well with the cloud-features available on consoles, I wouldn't be surprised if you could upload your mods to the cloud to download them onto your ps3 or Xbox 360. :)

[ATiElite]

PC version looks better by default (it's a PC) but they didn't use any of the new tech like BF3 or Crysis 2 DX11.

so instead of wasting words with "does the PC version look better" they should ask "what DX11 features is the game using".

[Xof]

I have a feeling what they WANT to do is go through the most popular mods that users create for the PC, and then somehow incorporate those as DLC for the console versions--for a fee. Companies like Bethesda see all those mods, all those downloads, and they don't like it because they're not making a profit on any of it.

See what EA did to Starcraft 2 to control the modding community, and reap a profit from them.

Anyway, regarding the games "graphics..." Goddammit people, you're all focusing on the wrong goddamn thing! Who gives a flying fuck about those technical details--the focus needs to be on art design, where Bethesda has traditionally fallen very, very short. Stuff like level design, animations, weather effects, character design, etc., etc.

That's what makes games look good. Not DirectX. Not anti-aliasing. Not fancy lighting effects or any other technical nonsense. By fixating on these meaningless "graphics," you guys are telling developers they don't have to give a flying fuck about art design, either.

[ELite_Ghost]

i actually had to log in for this

you're an idiot, sc2 isnt owned by EA!!

[No Way]

Uhm.. I think that you mean Activision? O.O They own Blizzard.
Though, EA is pretty bad, you insult them thinking they are Activision. >.<

[STONEY4]

EA had nothing to do with Starcraft 2. That's Activison.

And the Marketplace was never put in the final game, but they're still working on one.

[outwar6010]

i'll end up getting a pc and ps3 version anyway

[Xof]

Nice verb there. "Get." Clever.

[caboose32]

Why both?

[outwar6010]

i want trophies for my accomplishments and then i want to cheat like hell not necessarily in that order

[Spydiggity]

you're going to shell out an extra 60 bucks just to get trophies? wow

wouldn't it make infinitely more logical sense to use that 60 dollars to get a different game you wouldn't have bought otherwise and got those trophies? or get a few used games you've missed out on in the past to get some trophies that way?

[TABSF]

@ outwar6010

Like Spydiggity said your going to shell out more money for trophies.

You know the PC version will most likely come with Steam achievements.

I better excuse for this epic title would of been to support the developer.

[mugoldeneagle03]

When Unreal Tournament 3 had them on the PS3 back in late 2007.

It can't be that hard...

[Johnny Jiron]

Not entirely the same. Have you seen some of the mods for Bethesda's games? I think the bets they could do for console gamers is maybe every few months bundle in the top most stable mods as a download pack thats been tested.
A lot of the modding in fallout and elder scrolls resulted in many glitches that I think console gamers who have never played a modded game wont understand, thus throwing a fit.

[Colmshan1990]

The mods from Unreal Tournament were the best of PC mods, as far as I remember.
I wish more games allowed even that though.

[STONEY4]

"The mods for Unreal Tournament were the best of PC mods, as far as I remember"

Actually, you could go on the internet and download any mods and maps from forums and such, as long as the creator had "baked" a version for PS3. Then you would put it on a memory stick or USB drive, stick it in your PS3, and bam.

But Bethesda's mods tended to be waaay bigger and more complex. If something caused framerate dips on a PC, you can imagine what they would do to consoles. And the bugs. On consoles, you can't just go into a folder and edit some text files.

[50Terabytespersec]

How about a title "PC has more RAM" Duh>>>DEEDEDEEDEEE... .

Sony MS !!
GIVE US!
Expandable Ram on Next Gen Consoles!!!!!!
And lets see who can afford what in terms of graphics!!!!!

I highly doubt if these broke PC Exclusive developers can Afford MS or Sony money to take advantage of all that "RAm" on those bloated PC cards!
LOL
Yes !! I am going there!!!
Games Studios with big BUDGETS are what gives us all those COMPLEX physics SCENES those fancy 100 Million+ polygons modeled worlds and "non repetitive stages!!"
That PC devs have to be stuck with recycling cause they have no budget !!
So what can you say about that????
Except" lets make some repetitive task in this game to make it seems longer , and reuse level and textures and models to make up for no budget for variety to the game????" (cough bio shock,Dead space,,LMAO.
BS repetitive garbage!!
!!!
Consoles game studios RULE!!!!!!!!!

PC "better graphics"go back to C++ and FPS ,BS..
Im happy with uncharted and God of War and GT prologue and Motorstorm, and KZ3...

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

WHAT???!!! TEH PC VERSION LOOKS BETTER THAN THE PS3 VERSION??? They obviously aren't using the cell to it's full capacity!!!

wait for it.........

/s

[You Noob]

remove the /s

Btw, MODS for consoles = mod for PS3.

[buckley]

Except that the article says there won't be mods for consoles.

[iamgoatman]

And you forgot the /s after the "remove the /s".

[caboose32]

lol didnt read.

[YodaCracker]

It say's they won't have incorporating mods figured out for release, but that doesn't mean they won't figure it out after release.

[falout]

....... But they really didn't!

[consolez_FTW]

MODS on consoles, this pushes Skyrim even closer to my GOTY.

[buckley]

The article debunks this. Let's not start a rumor.

[outwar6010]

i hear they're going to give horse armour for free

[2v1]

ppl dont read the article dont you know that?

[thekiddfran]

read the article ass clown.

[fossilfern]

"We would like to do DLC; we don’t have any specific plans yet, but they’ve been really successful and we like making them"

Yes!!!!! I cant wait to buy more horse armour :D!

[Neo Nugget]

What's important to pull from this article is that Bethesda says they're going to bee making beefier DLC packs. Good for them :)

[Trevonn]

Mods on PS3 he means unless you pay for them it aint touching xbox

[Pro_TactX]

There will not be any mods on any of the consoles. Sometimes writers conceal information like that in the body of the article.

[Prcko]

pc gonna look better,but you won't see some big difference
i wanna bet what diffrence gonna be in terms of sales,will pc version sale better then some console version??

[Toman85]

Of course, I must have 1080p and 60 FPS for my pc. And I belive I can have that :). Have almost 60 FPS on Ultra with The Witcher 2
GTX 580
12GB Ram
i7 950 3.06GHz

If gamers have a decent rig, go for PC version if you only reach up to 720p. You will have better framerates too :)

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

What if I have a Radeon 5450?

Lol I'm not a pc gamer nor am i pc savvy. I just looked on the side of my tower and it said radeon 5450. I have no idea what supersampling is.

[Are_The_MaDNess]

without super sampling then

i myself are getting around 80 FPS with a:
GTX 580 phantom
24GB@1600MHz
I7-950@3,8GHz

@ExgamerLegends
"I have no idea what supersampling is."
that was meant for Toman85

[OpenGL]

@ ExgamerLegends

Unfortunately the Radeon 5450 is basically the equivalent of one of AMD's integrated GPUs and only has 80 stream processors. If it is able to run Skyrim at all you will be limited to low settings. That GPU is really meant for things like accelerating HD video and Aero in Windows 7, not gaming.

[BlackKnight]

@ExgamerLegends

The 5450 is basically the cheapest DX11 card you can buy from AMD (50 bucks or 35 bucks with mail in rebate on newegg right now).

It is a great card for home use and youtube in 1080P, but gaming will be REALLY tough.

However, it can run Dirt 2 (And I assume Dirt 3 similarly) in DX11 at 1680x1050 (Almost 1080P) at the LOWEST game settings and get a smooth 30FPS, STILL BETTER THAN CONSOLE.

http://www.hardocp.com/arti...

Also, L4D 2 at high settings at ~900P gets you around 42FPS. (Remember, practically every console game is at 720P)

http://www.ninjalane.com/re...

And crysis warhead, one of the MOST demanding games on PC, well you can at least run it at its lowest settings but at ~900P and still get 30FPS

http://www.ninjalane.com/re...

Just goes to show how cheap PC hardware is...

[Too_many_games]

Think i will stick to my PS3 rather then spend 500 beefing up my PC to play 1 game with silly little mods and a partial graphic boost :d

[BlackKnight]

@Too_many_games

I list how a 50 dollar video card gets more performance than console, and then you say 500 dollars...

Seriously, then just don't game on PC then, stop making up numbers. I have an xbox, PS3 and PC. My PC looks WAY better than console games, even my uncharted 2 or killzone 3. Doesn't mean they are bad looking.

Stop being stupid fanboys!

[Too_many_games]

Wait, there are games besides WoW and Starcraft on PC's? When did this happen?

[the_kutaragi_baka]

"you won't see some big difference "

Wow, You're living in LaLa Land much?

[Kon]

I'm sure the PC version will be better. Good news for console only owners, now they can mod the game

[kramun]

I doubt it's going to happen.

[Ser]

Someone didn't read the article...

[2v1]

gold star for you!

[radphil]

Before people jump the gun:

"Q: What about simply transporting PC mods onto consoles?

A: It actually works. If you have a devkit console you can take the PC mod files, put them on your Xbox and they work. They actually worked in Oblivion, Morrowind and Fallout 3."

BUT if you look at the question before that, he states that as far as many issues are concerned, it won't be on consoles at time or release vs how the PC version will allow.

All that was stated that yes it's possible for mods, but no because of many glaring issues involved with it, like compatibility, security, etc.

[Hifist1]

"PC -version looks better"... No shit captain obvious? Of course it will look and play better on PC(RPG:s are meant to play on PC)

[fluffydelusions]

Depends on the RPG and the control scheme. Some are designed with consoles in mind while others a KB/M

[caboose32]

You can use both KB/M or a controller on pc, so thats not really an argument.

[Hifist1]

Poor framerate and pop-in issues are things that really kills the thing for me.

[Dojan123]

Read the article. They have not solved mods for the console yet.

[ViserysTargaryen]

LOL!! Reading the entire article before commenting? That's madness.

[ATiElite]

PC version looks better by default (it's a PC) but they didn't use any of the new tech like BF3 or Crysis 2 W/ DX11.

so instead of wasting words with "does the PC version look better" they should ask "what DX11 features is the game using" cause DX11 is what the PC is all about right now.

Excellent that consoles are getting mods...see they are becoming more and more simulated into PC Gaming everyday and some don't even realize it.

Consolers....You will be assimilated, Resistance is Futile!

[kevnb]

dx11 is just an api, witcher 2 proves you can still do great with dx9.

[ATiElite]

Yes TW2 looks awesome but DX11 is here so it's time to move on.

I guess if all games were DX8 you would be happy but I like the new stuff so although TW2 is DX9 and great looking i still prefer DX11.

[fossilfern]

I agree with the DX9 quote but I also agree with ATiElite. I remember the buzz around DX10 and all these great things it will deliver but it never did, any game that supported it didn't look that much better or was just tacked on to the box and made no changes at all probably because it was never used properly. I really want to see developers use DX11 properly. Miss the old days of PC gaming :/

[kevnb]

ya the problem is, these days games look really good and its really expensive to make things look any better than they do.

[Ser]

Nope. I'm still sticking with the PS3 version.

Also, consoles aren't getting mods on launch...read the article.

[Awesome-Xanto]

I vaguely remember seeing a video of a game that allowed you to add mods to consoles, and it wasn't a hack or anything that I know of. If I remember correctly you had to add the mod to a USB flash-drive and import it though the games menu and install it. I don't see why they couldn't do something like that honestly...

EDIT: YES found the video, the game was Unreal Tournament 3... and there is a video on YouTube where a guy shows you how to do it. So I don't see why they can't do it!!!

[Deadman_Senji]

dont care if the pc version looks better, getting on ps3.

ability for mods on consoles makes this even sweeter.

[Organization XII]

there are no mods on consoles, read the damn article. It's almost near impossible!

@Below
I agree but it's really hard to implement mods on consoles in an open-world RPG like Skyrim.

[Deadman_Senji]

There have been mods on consoles before, it's not impossible.

[buckley]

Guys... read the article. It says they HAVEN'T figured out mods for consoles yet. Meaning there will be no mods for the consoles.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Thats it...they are favoring the PC version. Someone needs to tweet that and write a ridiculous article about it too! /sarcasm.

Hopefully they will figure out a way to deliver the more relevant and good mods to the consoles.

[trikster40]

Yawn. Am I the only one sick of seeing headlines that read "Game XXX to look better on PC!!"

No shit. Of course, it all depends on what PC you have now, right? PC Gamer A might have a 4 year old system that is possible to play Skyrim but won't look as good as PC Gamer B's $2000 new rig he just built specifically for Skyrim at super high maximum ultra settings with a resolution of 5000x4000.

Articles like these aren't going to convince a console gamer to go buy a PC and change their platform of choice, so why bother?

[kevnb]

because they want pc gamers to buy their games... they arent trying to make anyone switch platform.

[Saryk]

Well I am a PC only guy. And the difference in graphics between the console version and the PC version isn’t that much. In my opinion, a guy in water farting and a bubble coming out of his ass on a PC and it not on a console, isn’t that big of a deal.

[pixelsword]

Basically, yeah.

When it comes to RPGs or MMORPGs, I usually go PC, I wanted to play that DC game, but I don't trust my old 60Gb to be on for hours although I have learned how to properly clean it out. My older brother builds PCs and So I can get a pretty good setup for cheap, but even then, it's not so mindblowingly above consoles that you'll forsake one for the other in any case. As for myself, I generally follow the games and not what they're played on (a former EVE online junkie getting over ISK withdraw, sick of the ragequits and never got trade scammed, but been suicide-ganked a few times... bastards).

[ViserysTargaryen]

Having played Fallout Vegas on the PS3 and the PC, well. Its a huge difference. The PC version looks better by far while cranking out performance that my PS3 can only dream of. When you add all those uber mods into it it's no contest really.

[Saryk]

Like I stated, I play only on PC. But the PS3 versions is what it is, nothing more, nothing less. I have a 1100T six core processor with liquid cooling, 2 460 in sli, plus all other bells and whistles. I love building and upgrading my computer so I can get the best out of it, that is my game.

But to state that there is a major difference is bullshit. Yes the PC version is nicer, more crisp and detailed. But the guy in all three pictures is still bald as hell.

http://www.pcgames.de/Fallo...

[Angrymorgan]

Im a 360 gamer, but wanna get a pc, don't really know anything about pcs. Is there a pc I can buy that could run any game better than my xbox without buying extra parts etc, And if so, which one? I got about £1200 spare

[Theonetheonly]

just helped a fellow on n4g like you get his first gaming pc built hes from the uk

ill tell you first hand there is plenty you can do with 1200(?)key

if you actually need help pm me and ill get you started

[kutocer]

If I had 1200 to build a new PC I'll have a whale of a time doing so.

[CaptCalvin]

wow with 1200 your most likely set for the next 10 or 15 years!

[curtis_boy]

Until games start looking photo realistic

[IAML36I0N]

When the PC version doesn't look better, let me know otherwise...

PC to console mods sound interesting although the likelihood of it happening @ or being ready by 111111 seems unlikely.

Larger but less frequent DLC is fine by me.

[kevnb]

wow he admitted it, its painfully obvious but pr doesnt like to admit these things.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Yes, awesome! Mods on consoles. And no shit the PC version looks better, did they really have to mention that?

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Give me those mods. I know for a fact they will work. I saw mods on operation flashpoint dragon rising from the pc editor, transferred to the Xbox and they worked perfectly. It will work as they stated in the article.

[undercovrr]

As long as they don't have timed DLC I'll be happy with the ps3 version. Bethesda made me lose respect for them when they did the DLC thing with fallout 3

[qwertyz]

console version of skyrim=FAIL because of the many technical limitations of console hardware.
let me see: TERRIBLY low res textures, TERRiBLY low poly models, TERRIBLY low draw distance, a good amount of texture popins, TERRIBLE framerate drops,terrible lighting effects, missing shadows 720p tops and all these are even wishful thinking since skyrim is a VERY HUGE game with insane attention to detail. well at least it runs on console even though it will obviously be sh*ty quality lol half a loaf is better than none at all I know but the console verison is more like a bread crumb compared to the full loaf pc version. PC FTW!!

[birdy966]

What?! terribly low framerate?!after 720P, it's only 1080p most PC Gamers will be playing in. 1 Resolution isn't a massive deal.

not ideal but not that massive like your making out..

[qwertyz]

pc gamers will have access to MUCH higher resoultion, textures, FAR superior lighting effects, no texture popins, 60fps or even higher, up to 1600p resolution(ati cards can take games even higher than gamer using eyeinfinity), HIGH ploy count models, HIGH resolution alpha effects such as smoke and fire, VERY high quality shadows and possible directx 11 features such as displacement mapping, sub surface scattering, enhanced shadows, tessellation etc so YES pc version will be FAR superior

[birdy966]

I said MOST PC gamers will be playing in 1080p, how many people do you know with a 1600p montitor?
I don't know anyone who has one.

I was saying that the guy I was replying to that he made it sound like 720p was a "Terrible" Resolution when it's not.

I know the PC version will be superior, I never said it wasn't.

[BeastlyRig]

Graphics mods on consoles?

[lochdoun]

I'd love to see Morrowind return in a DLC.
Or something close to it, like The Shivering Isles.

[bunfighterii]

These 'PC looks better than console' stories should stop being approved. They're not news, they're a given.

What should be a story is if a console game ever outshines its PC counterpart.

[Ness-Psi]

I honestly think with a game like this consoles should not be considered, as you get a much better experience on PC. it is my personal opinion and not everyone can afford or even wants a PC but it seems to be tailor made for it.

[kuroukage]

Wow consoles get another gimped version of a top PC title this year yet again.. very big surprised. /sarcasm

Funny how people were saying PC gaming is dying. Doesn't look that way now does it? ;) You're the ones getting the gimped versions while we're playing the top notch ones.

[Krakn3Dfx]

Anytime you see mods coming from the PC to a console, it's been on the PS3, like UT3 (mostly ONLY UT3, granted), but it would seem if either console maker was going to be open to allowing mods to be "cooked" for console use, it would be Sony.

Unless all this hacking business has caused them to be more wary of opening their gates to external, user made content.

Regardless, if I play Skyrim, it'll be on a PC anyway.

[TABSF]

Thanks to a user I can't remember :/ but here got this link that proves PC is in fact cheap and more cost effective.

http://i1002.photobucket.co...

Also if you purchase all your 3rd party games on PC and only got your exclusives on consoles then you would be like wow, how come I got all this money.

100 times £40 = £4,000 [full price consoles games]
100 times £20 = £2,000 [half price consoles games]
100 times £30 = £3,000 [full price PC games]
100 times £15 = £1,500 [half price PC games]

PC games prices fall faster and sales on Steam happen every day, every week and every weekend. on top of that you get Holiday sales.

I got 53 games for £50 = £1.06 per game. even indie games on XBL and mini's on PSN are not that cheap plus I'm talking about games like Red Faction: Guerilla and Metro 2033.

[mjsmufc99]

Release all the DLC at same time no exclusive stuff please

[zero_cool]

dice is right 90% of journalists are trolls these days!

[tee_bag242]

I'm not surprised this looks the best on PC. I can run 1440p with most games very well on my bootcamped quadcore.

Having said that not all games look better as a result of higher res. As long as its at least 720p that's great. Res is not as important as people want it to be ... especially fanboys.

I much prefer to concentrate on a solid smooth frame rate ,decent AA and texture quality. Its makes a bigger contribution to the games look and feel than simple bumping up res for console war bragging rights.

Anyway, Ill probably get it on PC unless Betheda manage to make it for the ps3 as nicely as they did Oblivion. I dont know how they did so well on that port!