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Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 12 2011, 08:02 PM

Argonian: http://www.tesnexus.com/imageshare/images/422514-1313172305.jpg

Bosmer: http://www.tesnexus.com/imageshare/images/422514-1313174800.jpg

Dunmer: http://tesnexus.com/imageshare/images/2383757-1312992912.jpg

Khajiit (take two): http://www.tesnexus.com/imageshare/images/422514-1313172607.jpg

Orsimer: http://www.tesnexus.com/imageshare/images/422514-1313172495.jpg

(Not) Redguard: http://media.gamer.nl/screenshots/b4b2/b4b218b658d2405f2b1c2acbb5ccdafb.jpg

Anyone else think that orc looks kinda like Frankenstein's monster?

However, let me say Bethesda did a superb job on the Argonians.

Posted by: King Coin Aug 12 2011, 08:21 PM

The khajiit pic doesn't look as good as the last one did.
The Argonian looks cool though.
Bosmer looks a little funny with the huge sword lol.

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 12 2011, 08:38 PM

Maybe that Bosmer's just holding a normal sized sword, huh? It just looks big on him.

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 12 2011, 09:30 PM

The Argonian and Khajiit do look spectacular. The elves on the other hand are all butt-ugly. I suppose we have to take their word that the Redguard actually is one. She looks like she might just as well be an Imperial or a Breton (or a Nord, given how many dark-haired and dark-eyed Nords there are in Oblivion).

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 12 2011, 09:38 PM

Argonian – Nice. Would still have rather seen them go less humanoid, but I really can’t complain about this at all. I think I will definitely have at least one Argoinian character in Skyrim.

Bosmer – Not sold on the Bosmer yet. They seem wholly unremarkable, and going for the facial tattoos seems too ‘Ashlander’ to me.

Dunmer – Now that’s what a Dark Elf should look like! I haven’t rolled with one since Morrowind. Looks like that’s about to change.

Khajiit – I’m with KC, the last one looked better. I do like that they aren’t prettifying the races (forgive me, mALX). Khajiit should have fur long enough to bristle.

Orsimer – My second biggest disappointment. Not only does the hair make him look like Frankenstein (thanks TK, now I can’t get the image out of my head), but his features have veered dangerously close to ‘human with a pug nose and dental issues.’ I guess the flip side is that you might actually be able to make an attractive female orc, but why would anyone want to do that?

Redguard – My biggest disappointment. That is NOT a Redguard! That is a tan Imperial! Hopefully the character creator will provide more diversity amongst the individual races because I flat out refuse to invest 100+ hours into a stringy-haired, olive-skinned Redguard!

Posted by: Acadian Aug 12 2011, 10:04 PM

Ditto!

Posted by: Captain Hammer Aug 13 2011, 04:06 AM

With Destri on this. Albeit for the following:

The first Orsimer picture that Bethesda had available was exactly what I wanted the Orcs to be: Pariahs and 'Corrupted Folk,' complete with pointed, elven ears and faces with odd angles and large mandibles. The result was something that looked as if it was about to drop into the uncanny valley without getting there, a sufficiently lifelike and realizable facial structure without being too close to human. The new face is just too human.

That said, I will say that this picture looks like it was taken at a bad angle. Also, as Orsimer are technically Mer, or elves, I'd like to think that they are far less susceptible to wrinkles than your average Imperial, and their short life expectancy is merely an outgrowth of their violent tendencies and not due to significant reductions in long youth.

The Bosmer looks promising, and I don't mind the facial markings nearly as much. I hope that Naughty Hottie is correct in that the Wood Elf is just a small guy with an average sized sword. As for the face paint/tattoo: as far as I'm concerned, that's just forestry camouflage, and painting one's face and/or body should give bonuses to chameleon spells and sneak checks.

For the rest:

Argonian: just a little too human, but still a nice improvement over Oblivion. Still have a problem with the reptilian female possessing mammary glands, but I can get past that. Approved!

Dunmer: Now THAT is how you do an Ash-Born! Excited!

Khajiit: Liked the first one better. This is Tamriel, and more importantly, this is Skyrim. House cats need not apply. I'm interested, however, in seeing a female Kahjiit identified as such. I know the first one was clearly male, and this new one looks male as well. I would prefer if the natives of Elsewheyr did not have bilateral pectoral mammaries, but rather the abdominal ones seen in real-world cats.

Redguard: Nope! Not flying with me. Show me that picture without telling me the race, and I'd have sworn she was a Nibanean from Leyawiin, not a descendant of Yokuda. Darker skin had better be available, otherwise, some extensive modding will need to take place.

Overall, I would like to point out a significant leap forward Bethesda seems to have gotten: Defined jaw-lines and facial structures. Oblivion's NPC's seemed to be more 'Oval' than the expected average, and that was even worse with generic guards and random enemies. I don't know if it was a misguided attempt at increasing the overall 'beauty average' for the game, but we need less of it, and more 'distinctive factor.' Skyrim looks to be going that way, so I'm hopeful.

Posted by: Helena Aug 13 2011, 09:59 AM

The faces are certainly a lot better than Oblivion overall. That said: the beast races and the Dunmer aren't bad, but I'm less impressed with the Orc and (especially) the Redguard. I'm with everyone else here in saying "that's a Redguard? Seriously?" If you'd asked me to guess, I'd have said an Imperial.

Posted by: Kazaera Aug 13 2011, 11:50 PM

...I actually didn't check the race names before I clicked and for the last one went "oh, I guess she's an Imperial! Or maybe Breton? Let me check."

REDGUARD?!

WHAT THE-

I certainly hope that pic is not representative!

The others are much better - I do love the Argonian - and oh man I am *drooling* over the graphics. Now, if only I didn't have a laptop that overheats and crashes if I ask it to play somewhat complex flash games.

Posted by: Ahrenil Aug 14 2011, 03:43 PM

I quite like the new Bosmer, I personally feel it fits a bit more with the race. We've had a long time of them being small humans with high voices, when they should be ferocioius and half feral...Or thats how I feel.

The beast races are definately much, much better than Oblivion and Morrowind, though I agree the first Khajit looked better than this new one.

The Dunmer looks amazing, I was so sick of the purple dunmer from Oblivion, they finally look like they have ash for skin again.

As for the Redguard...I think theres a pretty strong consensus here.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 14 2011, 09:49 PM

Some new ones:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6035520155_decb25caf1_b.jpg

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/118/1186481/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-20110813081209834.jpg

http://img.jeuxvideo.fr/photo/04498820-photo-the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim.jpg (outside the castle of Rohan Whiterun)

Bosmer is too masculine now, I think. Facial hair and six-pack abs don't suit them, I've always seen them as the males being somewhat androgynous.

Dunmer: yup, we can choose to have blind eyes now. Seeing these new Dunmer faces is really a very pleasant throwback to Morrowind, now they actually look like they grew up in the ashlands.

Redguard: For those of you who thought the previous photo did not look like one, and I agree, I actually think that's an Imperial.

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 14 2011, 10:01 PM

The Dunmer do look like throwbacks to Morrowind. Which is to say freakishly ugly. The Bosmer just looks like a Neanderthal. In fact all the elves in this game seem to look like monsters rather than people. I guess I am just an old fuddy-duddy, because I grew up on the idea of elves being graceful, almost ethereally attractive beings. Not cavemen. And who on Earth Nirn got the idea to put mohawks on elves? It is as bad an idea as the bride of frankenstien beehives that the elf women had back in Oblivion. I have to say the more I see of this game, the more my desire to avoid it like the plague increases.

Posted by: Arcry Aug 14 2011, 10:02 PM

Not far from what I had hoped for in the Argonians. Figured they would still be a sight off from the Morrowind versions but damned if she does not look awesome. Having trouble loading the others, though that is probably because of this horrid computer.

Edit: Forgive me, in my haste to fix this vexing problem I neglected to thank you, Tomas. So I thank you for allowing myself and others the change to see forms of our favorite races from Skyrim.

Now that my problems have been delt with:
The Argonian looks wonderous. Much better than the Oblivion version. Definetly going to be one of my first choices.(Those, like others I'd still like to see them lean towards a less human form.)

It looks like some one decided to give the Bosmer a serious adjustment. Much more, how should I put it, feral. More like what I would expect from a race with cannabalistic culture!

The Dunmer look as though they have been given back some of their fire, as well as their ashen skin tone!

The Khajiit, both the original and new, remind me of the faces your Morrowind character could choose from. Looking forward to seeing their full customization myself.

Both the Redguard and the Imperial are a refreshing sight.

As for the Orsimer I detest the nose. The rest of his face is acceptable.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 14 2011, 10:11 PM

I guess you don't like it when your men ooze testosterone out of every orifice and look like they've ODed on steroids a few dozen times, Rosa?

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 14 2011, 11:15 PM

Sounds like Tolkien-influenced elves to me. Perhaps the Altmer will stick to the notion of elves that suit you. I'm also sure that the above are all merely examples and with the differing body types you can roll something more within your tastes. To me the ash-born and a race who routinely give themselves over to the Wild Hunt would have some members that appear barbaric.

@TK - I like the second Bosmer more than the first (though I do agree with 'Rosa on the haircut). The Dunmer simply look bad-a$$, and the second (or first) Redguard is closer to what I'm looking for.

Posted by: King Coin Aug 14 2011, 11:29 PM

I'm thrilled with how unique the races look so far. The individual appearance of the character will vary obviously. I'm sure everyone will get a character they find aesthetically appealing (or not depending what you are going for).

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 15 2011, 01:53 AM

I do prefer the look of the Tolkien elves, who are the classic concept of Ljósálfar or Light Elves from Scandinavian beliefs. But there is nothing stopping that kind of person from being a so-called barbarian (which is to say someone who does not dwell in a city, rather than someone who does not speak Greek). Galadriel lived in a tree after all. Being a barbarian IRL did not mean being knuckle-draggers addicted to steriods and having bad hair. The Celts were classic examples of barbarians, and had a knowledge of metallurgy that far surpassed that of the Romans, and produced artwork that was stunning in it complexity and beauty. Not to mention their laws were far more liberal and humanitarian than those of the Romans or Greeks. For example Celts did not throw unwanted babies on garbage heaps to die. Or abandon their old to whither away and die alone. And women were actually people in their society rather an objects. For my idea of what a wood elf ought to look like, try http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/wfrp/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-combat-103/combat103_woodelf.png for example, http://images.wikia.com/sanguinerose/images/e/ed/Wood_Elf_-_Temple_Guard.jpg.

To put it another way, I think elves out to be played by people like Johnny Depp or Leo Decaprio, not Arnold Schwarzenegger or Rolf Moeller. Like TK said, a 300lb gorilla is not my idea of an elf. On the other hand it is perfect for races that are supposed to be muscle-bound apes, like Orcs and Nords. If they said these Bosmer were Nords instead, I would say great.

These so-called Dunmer on the other hand, look like goblins. The last one looks like a goblin zombie. If I saw one IRL I would shoot it in the head, because it is obviously either undead or infected with the T-virus. Then I would get out of Raccoon City as fast as I could.

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 15 2011, 02:45 AM

Oh, I get it. You mean androgynous.

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2011, 03:32 AM

Thank you, TK!!

Argonian: Wow! Love her! Except for two things, unless we find out that Argonians nurse their hatchlings.

Bosmer One and Two: I like that they look capable of the Wild Hunt and the enemy-eating business. I imagine that the Cyrodiil Bosmer would be far more Imperial in their culture, and their overall bubbly mannerisms (which I love in Oblivion) might not suit the wood elves who choose to go to Skyrim. These two do look quite thick in the torso, I hope they’re on the hefty end of the range. Also I would like to see more difference between the Bosmer and Dunmer.

Dunmer One and Two: Yes and yes! I am the most encouraged by the way these guys look weathered. It makes me think it might be possible to make a decent face and then put some miles on it without having it look like it’s made of Play-Dough.

Khajiit: Wow, now I want one. If that guy asked for 100 gold, he might actually get it.

Orsimer: That looks like a guy I used to date! Except the Orsimer does have smaller arms. I like the first one.

Not the Redguard: Imperial, nice.

The Real Redguard: Yes. Love the scar.

I would like the Altmer to look as high elf as the Bosmer look wild. To me they are the Tolkien-style elves.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 15 2011, 04:34 AM

And I agree. I hate how thick-set the musculature on the Bosmer are now, and I'm still on the fence about beards.

Bosmer, in my eyes, should look like human versions of wolves; sleek, attentive, and utterly lethal. Swept-back forehead, long pointy ears, and small stature that is ideal for hiding away in the treetops with lithe, flat muscles that were built for endurance over brute strength; perfect for holding a bow draw. I'm just not getting that feral feeling with these ones. That last one looks like he's fresh out of the ring in WWE Smackdown.

I like the new look of the Dunmer, though. Remember, Rosa, they bear the Curse of Azura, it makes sense that they won't really be lookers.

Grits: believe it or not, Morrowind was actually the odd one out with female Argonians and their... special hardware.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuVovwPEAvp7_JaSq-psUFVVDz3U_ZhDCibwr3s-G4ER6xPVG8 Notice anything about them?

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2011, 05:03 AM

Oh, now I get it. Their appendages are recreational.

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 15 2011, 05:42 PM

Well, I don't think Azura would curse someone to make them ugly. That is Boethiah's trademark. Doing the same would be unoriginal. The other Daedra would laugh at her. The real idea was to make them look more cool, like http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs45/f/2009/080/0/8/Dark_Elf_male_by_kerembeyit.jpg! Bethesda just dropped the ball by mixing up the goblin's artwork with theirs, and now it is probably too late to go back and make all new models and textures for them that actually look like elves.

Actually, why do they still bear the curse of Azura anyway? That should be long gone by Skyrim. Her champion destroyed the Tribunal. The crashing of the moonlet that destroyed VVardenfell was the final act in that drama, since it happened because the Dunmer had stopped believing in the Tribunal. So why are they still funny-colored? It has been two hundred years. They ought to be regular elves again. Whatever that is.

Oh wait, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfCool is why.

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 15 2011, 07:42 PM

I don’t think that there is a statute of limitation on Azura’s Curse. According to Vivec:


As for the rest, it seems to me that you have fallen into several of those tropes yourself. Like http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OurElvesAreBetter
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Bishonen
And, of course, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LongHairedPrettyBoy

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 15 2011, 08:30 PM

@SubRosa and Destri: Damn the two of you! Now I've lost two hours of study time thanks to your links to tvtropes.com! But they were two very fun hours, I'll admit. I have been rolling at some of the stuff on that website! Now I remember why I don't go there. I first found it during Nanowrimo, and have avoided it since, since it cost me writing time.

A bit off topic here: There is a similar list of tropes on http://blog.dramafever.com/2010/01/10-kdrama-conventions-we-cant-get-enough-of/, specific to k-drama, but I have found it applies just as well to other genres. Now when I recognize a k-drama trope, on a k-drama or elsewhere, I always end up laffin' hysterically and pointing at the screen.

Okay, back to the topic here. I recall somewhere on this forum that you can pick your body type as well as customize your face. It makes me wonder just how many elven characters are going to end up ectomorphs? Me, I think elves can come in all body types, just as Africans and Native Americans do. The idea of customization of the appearance of your character is what appealed to me about Oblivion, and it seems like Beth may have taken this further in Skyrim by extending the customization to the body types. However, all I've seen (of the males, anyway) are the WWF-'roid overload body type, and nothing of the other types Skyrim is supposed to offer. I'd like to see examples of those before I start making any judgment on the races here.

I did notice the high level of detail in the skin on these samples - veins, pores, the whole nine yards. Makes me wonder how they really look in game, because that level of detail is quite impressive to me.

Posted by: King Coin Aug 15 2011, 08:44 PM

I've noticed a lot of the criticism on here is regarding things that you will obviously be able to change when you make your own character.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 15 2011, 09:13 PM

http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/art/full/3279351.jpg

http://media.multiplayer.it/thumbs/images/2011/08/14/character1e_it_copia_jpg_0x0_watermark-big_q85.jpg

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 15 2011, 09:52 PM

I went and looked at the Orc we saw back in April. Except for the haircut they all look the same. Lesson learned? DON'T use the Imperial haircuts on your Orsimer!

Now we're talking!! There does seems to be a lot of monocular vision in Skyrim, doesn't there?

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 16 2011, 12:11 AM

Indeed! Those are all the standard elf tropes for a thousand years. Only Bethesda seems to think that elves should instead belong to the http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MightyGlacier, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheBigGuy, or http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheJuggernaut tropes.

A good explanation for why there are still dark elves. Here I was thinking it was just that you cannot have an RPG these days without having a dark elf race. After R. A. Salvatore made them cooler than regular elves (and well, everyone else), who doesn't want to play one? It is typically the first race I go for in any RPG.


I can lose myself for hours on TVTropes. Almost all of those are standard Anime tropes as well. The main exception being the foursome, which is not so common. Usually they go for the standard Western two-somes or love triangles.



That is a much better Redguard. But aren't they supposed to be somewhat, well, red?


Am I the only one who thought his hair was purple at first glance? Also, am I the only one who keeps thinking of the hulk? Not a bad thing mind you, orcs are supposed to be big, green, muscular, and ill-tempered after all.



The trouble is that it is not only your character, but all the npcs you have to look at when you play the game. I for one don't want to have to look at elf after elf whose face looks like worn out shoe leather, or a week-old corpse, and have to pretend that they are not monsters.

Besides, this is probably more fun than playing the game will be!

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 16 2011, 12:33 AM

Methinks you are right . . .

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 16 2011, 12:55 AM

So do I!!

This:

Made my day!!!

*I think I may have even owned that copy of Excalibur*

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 16 2011, 01:59 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_VDkl5CwDI

I still have that copy of Excalibur! You made me dig it out of my comic boxes. I have been meaning to look at my Captain America's ever since seeing the movie anyway.

"Nice Punch. Cute suit. You the local good guy?"

"I'm Captain Britain!"

"Figures. Pleasedtameetcha."

POW!

*Somewhat shortened for brevity*

Posted by: Ahrenil Aug 16 2011, 01:33 PM

The new redguard looks good, though the Orc stays the same really.

Is it just me? Or is everyone getting toughened up in this game? I think we've only really seen battle scarred and hardened warriors in this, where are the friendly merchants!

On another note, the armor and weapons look AMAZING.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 18 2011, 04:34 AM

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8613775/Skyrim/SkyrimDunmer/FemaleDunmer.jpg

OH MY GOD!!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!?!?!?!

Posted by: King Coin Aug 18 2011, 04:51 AM

It's a vampire!

That dog looks a lot like a pet. Cool.

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 18 2011, 08:20 AM

Since I can in no way defend this face I cede my time in this thread to SubRosa.

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 18 2011, 02:23 PM

I have to agree with KC, that dog looks way cool. The only thing is, he doesn't look like he belongs there. An import, maybe?

[rant]
Based on the screenies I've seen of Skyrim over on the Beth site, I would think Huskies fit in better. That kind of environment is tough, very tough survival-wise. And the Irish Wolfhounds (that is what this dog looks like to me) just aren't cut out for Arctic Circle survival. Their coats aren't thick enough, they need to eat too much (food is plenty scarce up there, and damn hard to find in the winter), and they lose too much body heat through those loooong legs of theirs. They're actually better adapted for warmer climes. Yes, Ireland and Scotland aren't that far from the Arctic Circle, but their climes are warmed by the Gulf Stream. Look further east and west, and notice that the dogs that thrive in these areas (Huskies, Lapphunds, other Spitz-type breeds) are characterized by relatively small sizes, thick, thick fur and less ravenous appetites. As a matter of fact, Huskies are notorious for their finicky appetites - they are actually bred to work hard on relatively little food. What about the Malamutes? They're big (sometimes topping out at over 100 lbs) and massive. That's just it. They were created by Alaskan settlers who thought bigger was better. They found, through trial and error, that St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Wolfhounds and Deerhounds just didn't do well on the tundra. The best sled dogs (and the ones who win the Iditarod) are the smaller, thriftier Huskies. Sorry.
[/rant]

Okay, I'm gonna step off my soapbox. I think I will leave the female Dunmer alone.

Posted by: Grits Aug 18 2011, 03:11 PM

I agree, I don’t think I need to point out that lady’s issues. It seems that some of the NPCs might be hard to look at.

Am I alone in thinking that all of Skyrim will not be a frozen wasteland? The dog (Ulfe!!! ) is standing on grass next to a mer in a sleeveless… whatever she’s wearing. My assumption is that different terrain will produce different climates. Cold, certainly, but not necessarily arctic. Isn't there water above Skyrim? I guess I have ocean currents in mind to moderate the climate, too.

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 18 2011, 03:29 PM

Perhaps you're right, Grits. But what I've seen of Skyrim's environment suggests taiga and tundra - i.e. a more Siberian climate rather than a Northern Ireland/Scottish clime. I could be wrong, and I will naturally defer to those who actually live in such places.

That's not to say the dog (Ulfe it is!) can't survive there - she just needs a lot of meat and a very rich owner to maintain her energy level and stay warm! As for the sleeveless thingamajig, who's to say it isn't enchanted with Resist Frost? Like some of those HH-cup flimsy metal bras we keep seeing in mods aren't charmed with Feather?

Posted by: Grits Aug 18 2011, 03:42 PM

Oh my gosh, and we know that Nord women (Sigrid!)have access to enough calories to produce such extravagant HH assets! Fat reserves for a long winter?

I guess I only look at Atlantic Canada and northern Europe as inspiration, and defer to the ones who live in Skyrim. Which is to say if that’s a Skyrim dog, then I can believe it is.

And may I just say... woo hoo, pet dogs!! YAY!!

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 18 2011, 04:25 PM

I stand vindicated. (although to be honest, I would rather not )

Her face does look weird. Even I was not expecting a Neanderthal brow ridge! And what are those marks? I wonder if they are supposed to be scars? Since it looks like the game supports having one eye, maybe it also gives the option for ritual scarification?

The dog does look good though. Excellent detail on the fur. So too with the gloves and her armor. Actually, everything but the people in this game looks good! Like h.e.r. said, it does seem like an odd breed of dog for an area that is supposed to have the highest mountains in all of Tamriel.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next! Maybe the female wood elves will have horns?

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 18 2011, 09:53 PM

I think it should be pointed out that all the characters we’ve seen on this thread are the result of the efforts of gaming journalists (Eurogamer, GameInformer, 1UP, etc.) playing with the character creator.

Here are a few more Argonians (before TK beats me to them):

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8613775/Skyrim/SkyrimArgonian/MaleArgonian.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8613775/Skyrim/SkyrimArgonian/Hooded%20Argonian.jpg

And another Orc:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8613775/Skyrim/SkyrimOrc/Knuckleduster.jpg

Posted by: haute ecole rider Aug 18 2011, 10:00 PM

And how old are these so-called journalists? Sixteen? (no offense intended to those of our forumers who may be sixteen or younger). I think you may be right Destri. I had been struck by how similar these characters were - almost as if they were drawn by the same comic artist.

Neil Gaiman, where are you when we need you?

Posted by: SubRosa Aug 18 2011, 10:10 PM

I do like how the Argonians look. They are more serpentine now, and less lizardlike (if that makes sense to anyone). You could play Thulsa Doom with one. I think horns do work for them. I especially liked the small ones on the side of the male's neck. But ram's horns? That seems weird.

The orc looks the same as the others. Like h.e.r. said, is the same guy doing them all?

Posted by: mALX Aug 19 2011, 04:25 AM

Not on their breasties...just sayin'...

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 19 2011, 07:44 AM

Oh, don't worry, I'm pretty sure we'll have a fair few sexy kitties for you within the first month of CK hitting the shelves.

Posted by: saqin Aug 19 2011, 11:18 AM

First of all, I love the looks of the argonians and khajiits(especially the argonians) and the redguards(except the first) looks great as well. The orsimers' noses just looks weird. On the others I suppose it would make sense that in a harsher climate the people would look much more rugged. But from what I've seen on pictures of Skyrim it isn't all that harsh(I said not all, of course it's got to be harsh in the mountains and where snow covers the ground all the time. Absolutely love the dog, and don't think it would be strange at all to have it as a pet in Skyrim, though it looks more like a pet you would keep to cuddle with than to have by your side in a fight, and I don't think it would do well if you ventured into the mountains during the winter.

Posted by: Grits Aug 19 2011, 11:23 AM

As much as I love the hairy Khajiit, it is a comfort to know that the velvet-furred Maxical will never look like an albino orangutan.

Posted by: Ahrenil Aug 20 2011, 12:01 AM

My friend is actually a journalist who was at Gamescon, and these are all largely preset characters according to him. During the demonstration they were given the designer flicked through all the races at the character creator quickly before diving into the game with a random pick. So I think some of these are presets by the company. However, quite a few examples are custom made.

But they still look amazing, and I am loving the new armor and weapon designs as well, and the poses from the animations seem a lot more natural than the rigid stances from Morrowind and the care free uninterest in Oblivion.

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 23 2011, 12:25 AM

And why not? They are Khajiit,after all! You know, one of the so-called 'beast' races? I don't see anyone trying to de-scale the Argonians. Living in a harsh environment like Skyrim one could imagine Khajiit having a surplus of fur. I for one would LOVE to see a hirsute Maxical!

In any event this:

http://images.eurogamer.net/assets/articles//a/1/3/8/8/0/4/5/Character1L_UK.bmp.jpg

looks a bit more sleek and feline.

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 23 2011, 12:44 AM

Still having trouble getting over the crummy low-res LOD landscape textures...

Not the mountains, no, but take a look at that piece of land jutting out behind the Khajiit, that's what I'm talking about.

Posted by: mALX Aug 23 2011, 03:21 AM

QFT. They look drawn, not realistic at all.


@ Destri :


... SPEW !!! Not the Nanas !!! If the Mams have hair, Maxical will be a Nord or something, ROFL !!

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 24 2011, 08:24 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47857688@N08/6074106684/in/set-72157627502406704/

Unfortunately, I now find myself in total agreement with Rosa about the elves. They look terrible. I know the word for "male with decidably female traits" is androgynous, but what is it the other way around? Because that's what I'm seeing here.

Posted by: Helena Aug 24 2011, 08:39 PM

My God those Dunmer are ugly. I mean, it's great that they're trying to recreate the Morrowind 'look', but even the MW Dunmer weren't all as hideous as that!

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 24 2011, 09:36 PM

I agree that these example (and I must stress the word example) faces are nothing to write home about, but just look at the possibilities available in the character creator:

Khajiit – I am seeing a fantastic number of options in the different fur patters and colors. Your particular Khajiit can be everything from a white tiger to a black panther. And maybe it’s just my own particular fetish revealing itself, but I think the females look amazing!

All the Human races – I like the variations of skin tone within the races. And I like that the Bretons don't look so wussied-out in Skyrim. The characters all have a weathered look to them unlike, as Grits said earlier, the Play-Dough look of Oblivion. Good facial hair options are finally available! I also like the decent looking shoulder length hair, as opposed to Oblivion’s. Not to mention that we finally have short hair options for the Redguard!

Orsimer – We have eye color options for the Orcs! And, who knows, after donning your ‘mead goggles’ in a Whiterun tavern some of those women aren’t bad!

The Elves – Yeah, these elves are fugly for all of you hoping for the Tolkien variety. But let’s take a closer look, shall we? The Dunmer are no longer Smurf-colored (that really bothered me in Oblivion)! Now they look like the Ash-Born instead of the Navi. Remember that we now have body-type options. Judging from the neck size of all the Bosmer women you will still be able to make your petite Wood Elf archer (I’m looking at you Teresa and Buffy ). As for the Altmer, well, I’m sure that the faces we create don’t have to look like that!

I’ve got nothing else to say about the awesomeness of the Argonians!

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 24 2011, 09:46 PM

I wasn't expecting Tolkien elves, either, but take one look at those female Dunmer and tell me that you didn't need to look again to figure out they were female. When you end up with gender-neutral faces like that, you did something wrong, period.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 24 2011, 10:12 PM

Khajiit - Not bad actually.

All the Human Races - They look really good, actually.

Orcs - Hmmm. Too human looking in my opinion, the models themselves are excellent, and I certainly could not make something like that, however I'm disappointed in the interpretation.

Wood Elves - Well, I won't encounter Fargoth here, thats for certain. My feelings are mixed until I play it directly.

High Elves - No. Just no. Not even close.

The Dunmer - Actually. They may not be our version of 'beautiful' but..this is the Dunmer done right. Most of you are Oblivion fans who've never played Morrowind, therefore, you don't truly know the lore. In fact Destri Melarg, I'm almost disappointed, for all your knowledge of TES lore, you don't know the story written by a certain god, who was alive and there when Azura cursed the Chimer?(Edited to add: I realized that the text only may have me come across as negative or hostile, neither was intended, DM. I in fact have a great deal of respect for your knowledge and thoroughly enjoy your writings!)

"Then Azura came forth anyway and cursed the Tribunal for their foul deeds. She told them that she would use her powers over dusk and dawn to make sure Nerevar would come back and make things right again. But the Tribunal laughed at her and said that soon they would be gods themselves and that the Chimer people would forget their old ways of worship. And Azura knew this would be true and that it would take a long time before her power might bring Nerevar back. "What you have done here today is foul beyond measure and you will grow to regret it, for the lives of gods are not what mortals think and matters that weigh only years to mortals weigh on gods forever." And so that they might know forever their wicked deeds Azura changed the Chimer into Dunmer, and their skin turned ashen and their eyes into fire."Let this mark remind you of your true selves who, like ghouls, fed on the nobility, heroism, and trust of their king."

So far, this is the only true depth I've seen in Skyrim that reflects the actual lore that Oblivion massacred, gods what a terrible game that was. I regret every minute and red cent I spent on that game.

Oh and this guy is totally my Chars cousin or something.

@Thomas Kaira Perhaps the women could be a little more feminine, but otherwise, they did a good job IMHO.

Posted by: King Coin Aug 24 2011, 10:23 PM

I'm not a fan of the wood elf and high elf presets.

The rest look pretty good to me though.

Posted by: Grits Aug 24 2011, 10:31 PM

I take these as a demonstration of options, make your own face. I see beards, braids, wrinkles, scars, dirt, and tattoos that I like. And that’s just the Nords. I'm pretty excited about this.

All right, one gripe. Where's my curly hair?!

Posted by: Destri Melarg Aug 24 2011, 10:31 PM

I actually think that we are in agreement here, Blackie. If I could refer your attention to post #23 of this very thread:

I like the look of the Dunmer in Skyrim. I hated that the Oblivion Dunmer looked more like the Smurfs than the Ash-Born. My comments above were in reference to those who would wish for a more Tolkienesque look via the character creator.


I may be wrong, but if you go back and look at those Dunmer again I think that they used the same head in each example. To me it just looks like they changed the features (eyes, mouth & nose), hair, and make-up. I think they did that for all the races, or are we supposed to believe that everyone in Skyrim possesses the same ridiculous chin?

Posted by: Thomas Kaira Aug 24 2011, 10:44 PM

@Black Hand: The males I don't have much of a problem with, it's the females. As you said, they are too masculine.

Well, here's hoping Bethesda will see reason and fix the female jawlines before release. Currently they are way too square.

Thankfully, those are all just presets, so we as the user will be able to fix it ourselves if need be. Face creation is one of the few char-gen options we still have left, after all.

Posted by: mALX Aug 25 2011, 12:28 AM

I have to agree with you totally on this Master Chef TK. And if they have to be non-gender specific, I'd rather see them allow the women to look femine. And what is with the dirty skin? It is Skyrim, there is snow everywhere ... they can't melt some down and wash their faces?

Posted by: Grits Aug 25 2011, 12:34 AM

Whoa, Altmer! I like the magical-looking eye colors. I wish the Bosmer had that green, though, the green of new leaves. Maybe I’ll make a tough Altmer who has survived a lot, and looks it. Never considered playing an Altmer before!


ETA: I’m going to have to try to be conservative with the dirt during character creation, or I’ll end up with the filthiest mer in Skyrim. Maybe there will be a perk for “Wash Your Face.”

Posted by: Helena Aug 25 2011, 10:43 PM

I'm a Morrowind fan and I strongly disagree. The story only states that Azura changed their skin and eye colour, not that she made them ugly as sin. There's nothing in lore to say that Dunmer are supposed to be unattractive (if you can overlook their rather strange colouring) and plenty of references to individual Dunmer being beautiful/handsome, even from a human point of view. Seriously, there's a middle way in between 'Tolkien bishies' and 'ghastly freaks of nature'.

As for the Altmer, who definitely are supposed to be beautiful, don't even get me started. I think the main problem is that there's not enough variation between the different human or Elven races. Redguards should not look like palette-swapped Imperials, and ditto for High Elves and Dark Elves.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 26 2011, 03:16 AM

Quarrel! Quarrel! Do you quarrel, Miss?!



Aye, than you do but keep the peace.

Posted by: Helena Aug 26 2011, 06:57 PM

I'm always up for a good quarrel. In all seriousness, I agree that the faces are much better than Oblivion, and it's clear that the character creator could be used to make nice-looking faces. I'm just not very impressed with those presets. (They all need a good wash, for a start.)

Posted by: Jacki Dice Aug 31 2011, 05:59 AM

Oh my. A Dunmer woman with a dog. Familiar

On the topic of races, I like the fierceness of the Dunmer. I wouldn't call it ugly straight out, but I don't like the eyebrow ridges. They remind me of one of the aliens on Deep Space Nine. :/ Hopefully when customizing you can fix it.

And about the dog, I really, really hope you can give it commands... like telling it not to follow you into the dangerous cave. I remember they did pets in Morrowind and I was very upset when my scrib died. If my dog gets hurt I might cry

Posted by: Captain Hammer Sep 1 2011, 04:25 AM

Alright, I haven't commented in here recently, and not only on account of my imminent move. Two reasons:

1) I have already expressed my opinions on the presence (for Argonians) and general structure (for Khajiit) that mammary glands should follow for the beast races.

2) I haven't been able to articulate a proper opinion on the elves, mostly since I didn't know what kept bothering me about them. I now think I have hit upon it, and while I know that what I am about to propose is going to draw immediate fire from the elf-supremacy faction (HAIL DRAGONBORN, HEIR To The EMPIRE Of MEN!!), as well as certain others, it is the solution that appeals most to me.

What I intend to do is this: swap out the general presets on the Bosmer and Altmer facial architecture, while keeping the color scheme and hair styles of each similar to the original (I may need to make the Haughty Elves just a little more golden/yellow).

I know, I know, it may be a little tough to visualize, but the Altmer seem to have the more 'wild look' and the Bosmer the more 'refined look' (if such things can be qualified, which I have difficulty doing). So while I like the respective selection of tattoos and hair styles, I just can't see myself keeping the general facial types categorized the same as they are now.

I know that this does not nearly satisfy some people. Tolkien is never going to be forgotten or overcome, and the original stories of the Fair Folk as beings that should never, ever be trusted without taking due care and consideration for one's own sake have pretty much fallen by the wayside (unless you happen to read stuff done by people that do their research). Allow me to reiterate that I have a problem with Tolkien's characterization of elf-folk, in case it was missed.

But now I have a solution that, if somebody else doesn't appropriate first, will be one of the first things I mod upon learning the new Creation Kit. My Altmer will look more mage-y (not a word, yet) and my Bosmer will look more like foresters and hunters. Most importantly, I'll be able to see the general characteristics that's contained in the lore match what happens in the game, while making sure to avoid the one over-used character that should apply to only a very fractional few in the rugged and dragon-infested province of Skyrim: Wimps. They need not apply.