The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind Interview

Our hardened RPG player, Dorian managed to corner Todd Howard, project lead for Morrowind and just ask all kinds of juicy questions about the game. Bethesda Softworks has established quite a reputation with their Elder Scrolls games, from the humble beginnings of Arena through the revolutionary Daggerfall. So far, from what we have seen and were able to squeeze out of Todd, Morrowind is definitely shaping up to be the best game in the series. And not just because of the flashy eye-candy and the tech advancements. Morrowind is a huge single player project, and it's a true sequel to the popular series in every sense of the word. The gameplay, storyline, vast 3D world, new characters...ahh, there's just so many things. Read on, RPG fans!

Action Trip: What is the basic plot and in what way will the events here relate to the events in either Daggerfall or Redguard?

Misty valleys...

Elf-chick.

Todd Howard: It keeps with the themes and storyline of the other games. Morrowind takes place about 20 years after Daggerfall. It's not a "sequel" to the Daggerfall story, but just a continuation of the whole Elder Scrolls tale.

AT: Morrowind, being the home of the Dark elves suggests that the Drow will also be the dominant race. Will players still be able to choose other races?

TH: Oh, yes. You'll be able to choose from nine races including several elves, humans, and beasts. We've recently added the argonians and khajiits as playable beast races.

AT: Will players be able to purchase a house, or a ship like in Daggerfall?

TH: Yes, there will be several houses you can purchase. You can even get your own fort built. There are boats, but we're not sure yet if you can own one.

AT: Can you tell us about the size o the world covered in Morrowind?

TH: The game covers about half of the province of Morrowind in Tamriel. In total game space the area is about 50 times the size of the entire game of Redguard. So it's pretty big.

AT: How many plot-important NPCs do you plan introducing and will they be "recruitable"?

TH: I'd say there are about 50 to 100 plot-centered NPCs (on the main quest). We want to have guys you can recruit (they follow you and fight with you). We'll need to see how far we take the AI before deciding on how much we do this and for how long they stay with you.

AT: How many types of creatures do you plan to introduce? Could you name any?

TH: There are about 50 creatures. You can expect the return of many Elder Scrolls favorites such as the Daedra. We also have many new ones that are native to Morrowind. I'd say it's about half old and half new.