Skyrim WILL Support DirectX 11, But Limited

For those who were disappointed that Crytek's Crysis 2 for the PC didn't come packed with DirectX 11 support, there's good news... if you're into RPGs, of course. According to Bethesda Game Studios' Todd Howard, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim will arrive with DirectX 11 support.

But there's a catch, and it doesn't sound promising in regards to taking full advantage of current PC-based hardware. "I guess the real question here is do we take advantage of DirectX 11's big new features and the answer is 'not specifically,'" he told IGN in an interview. "Our graphics work centers around doing things that will look the same regardless of platform, and sometimes that implementation will be different on the 360, PS3, and PC."

IGN's interview covers various topics regarding the upcoming RPG, and doesn't focus on specific platforms until the end. But one of the more interesting subjects covered in the Q&A focuses on possible multiplayer and/or co-operative play features, or in this case, the apparent lack thereof. That said, The Elder Scrolls will remain a single-player franchise with the release of the fifth installment despite the seemingly interesting possibilities.

"The two most requested features we get are dragons and multiplayer," Howard said. "We got one of them this time! We always look into multiplayer, put lots of ideas on the whiteboard, and it always loses. It's not that we don't like it. I can think of ways it would be a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, that dev time is going to take away from doing the best single player game we can, and that's where our hearts are."

The interview also reveals that players can actually ride dragons, but "not in the way you're asking." There's also mention of unicorns, but Howard (jokingly) said that could arrive as a DLC for a measly hundred dollars-- DLC offering levitation would cost a hefty three hundred dollars. Ouch. Joking aside, there is also talk of the game's point-of-view, revealing that Skyrim will offer both third and first-person perspectives although the latter viewpoint will be the primary focus.

"3rd person, with the new animation system, is better than ever, and people really seem to enjoy playing in it, seeing their character," he admitted. "But it's primarily designed as a first person game. I see the 3rd person as an extra, and certain things like picking up objects, talking to people, whatever, are always harder in 3rd person. Some people on the team think the combat is better in 3rd person because they can see their surroundings better. Personally, I usually play 1st person unless I'm just running through the wilderness and want a different view."

To read the full two-page interview with Todd Howard, head here.

  • someguynamedmatt
    I don't really care, considering how absolutely awesome the screenshots and videos on their website look already...

    I'm actually pumped for this release. Haven't said that in a long time. :D

    "The two most requested features we get are dragons and multiplayer," Howard said. "We got one of them this time! We always look into multiplayer, put lots of ideas on the whiteboard, and it always loses. It's not that we don't like it. I can think of ways it would be a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, that dev time is going to take away from doing the best single player game we can, and that's where our hearts are."
    YES! I love you! Prioritizing... what absolutely all the rest of the games industry sucks at.
    Reply
  • AkIRA_22
    Yes It's awesome that they are not doing because they really want to make teh SP the best they can, or haven't found a way to implement MP so it's perfect. But how awesome would 3-4 player co-op be?
    Reply
  • Drag0nR1der
    I can't imagine how bad oblivion would have been had they taken away dev time for anything else... it felt like they'd all been writing plots and doing the voice acting on their fag breaks as it was!
    Reply
  • Unperson
    I'm sporting dual GTX470s (SLI) so this is good news for me. DA2 let me down, still have fingers crossed for Witcher 2, but Skyrim.. ..I'll use my remaining vacation days when it hits the shelves.
    Reply
  • jezzarisky
    Yeah it'll probably be like every other port over. DX9,and a shoddy DX11 upgrade with no option for DX10.
    Reply
  • matt87_50
    "Our graphics work centers around doing things that will look the same regardless of platform, and sometimes that implementation will be different on the 360, PS3, and PC."

    and that is why there will never be ANY progress in graphics for ANY game platform EVER again...

    this is piss weak developers!! where do you think the inspiration for a new console comes from???

    THATS RIGHT! PC GRAPHICS KICKING THEIR ASS!!

    the new dual core graphics cards out by both manufacturers are THIRTEEN TIMES more powerful than the ones in the consoles!

    but this is exactly what sony and microsoft wants, they don't want to sell you a new console every 5 years... they are expensive for them to make! they just want to sit back and reap the royalties from all the games now!


    it is a sad, sad state of affairs...
    Reply
  • toastninja17
    Too bad I still don't have a PC that's capable of running this.

    /pissed
    Reply
  • XD_dued
    toastninja17Too bad I still don't have a PC that's capable of running this./pissed
    if you could run anything that was released in the past 5 years you probably could run it...considering there wasn't much development in the past five years because of something...wonder what that might be...
    Reply
  • genghiskhanid
    if you could run anything that was released in the past 5 years you probably could run it...considering there wasn't much development in the past five years because of something...wonder what that might be...

    hehe I like this!

    Honestly, DA2 with the extra texture dl did things right. Sucky outdated 5-8 year old graphics to be workable on console (xbox360, ps3) but with a pc texture pack for up to date technologies... Bethesda should consider that. Actually, imo the best of both worlds.
    Reply
  • EXT64
    To be honest, this is one type of game where I am not angry at them not using the newest and best graphics - as long as they spent all of the time they saved working on the plot!
    Reply