Object Shadows - Not Included Options

[Neela]

Well the main forums were all ablaze tonight over object shadows apparently are not included. For my part I think the game looks great. I played Morrowind for years before I even realized that I had the shadow option turned off. Most games that have shadows I usually turn off the option anyway.

I think shadows do add to what I call "atmosphere" games, like Thief games. Characters cast nice soft shadows.. that is enough for me. For every object to cast a shadow would have been really tough for any GPU to handle in real time. This I know from the rendered pictures I create what a big difference in processing time for pictures with shadows vs. without.

After reading many of the threads in the main forums, I guess I never really even expected object shadows in the first place. Which is why I don't feel too upset with this news.

Can anyone tell me why this is such a big deal for alot of people? Or is it simply that we are to that point where anything and everything we hear about Oblivion will sound negative compared to our hype and expectation for it?

[Olin]

Wow, first post. Usually i lurk, and just read what everyone else is saying. Very rarely do i ever think i need to respond to something.

After reading the shadows debacle at TES forums, I was plainly disgusted. When I set a cup of coffee down on my desk, the first thing i pay attention to is, where i set it, not how the shadow is cast on my desk. I have noticed that the people on these forums, seem to be a bit more savvy. Most don't care about the shadows, (myself included) infact, Oblivion could be a TEXT based RPG, and it may even be fun.

After playing Daggerfall for a number of years (i was too young to get into Arena) i never stopped once while walking to a dungeon over repetitive bland landscapes, and two dimensional trees, thinking "Those jerks! there is no shadow near the root of the tree!!!". granted it was 1996, but shadows we're implemented then. I'm a fan of great gameplay, and great story telling, instead of reading a book, i play an RPG. Heaven forbid Bethesda makes an announcement the next couple of days that says..."At this time we we're unable to impliment water effects that caused tiny droplets to form around the edges of the screen." The TES Forums would implode.

Shadows or not, when this thing is finally cranked out, i'm sitting in my chair for a week, not bathing, working, or sleeping, drowing myself in pixilated goodness