Skyrim gameplay video Bethesda doesn’t want you to see

The 2011 San Diego Comic-Con wrapped up over the weekend, and among the variety of pop-culture inspired nerdiness, video game developers and publishers were present to show off their upcoming games. Among them was Bethesda, showing off clips from their upcoming The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

It seems they don’t want the video circulating in public though. With Skyrim only due out on 11 November 2011, it’s not surprising that Bethesda might be a bit touchy about having footage of pre-release code floating about. However, you can’t fight the internet – the video is being rapidly disseminated, and in one such instance, we have it here for your viewing pleasure.

In the video we get a glimpse of the vaunted NPC animation and interaction improvement to the Radiant AI system. Radiant AI was introduced to Oblivion and although it was quite basic, it did lend a level of superficial life to the game world and created a slightly more dynamic role playing experience.

For Skyrim, Bethesda promises to crank up the scope of Radiant AI. Previously, NPCs would head to their designated task location, and then stand around aimlessly until quitting time. Now, NPCs will head off to a number of specially designed jobs and actually perform animated tasks, such as mining, foresting, milling, farming, attending shop fronts, and transporting goods.

The new Radiant AI will be programmed to react to the player based on their relationship experience. Friendships and rivalries can be established based on player actions, and NPCs will react accordingly. A friend may offer food and accommodation to the player, whilst a rival might become hostile merely upon sight.

In the video you may notice the NPC sharpening his axe reacts far more naturally to the approach of the player, and the camera no longer locks on and zooms into the NPC with the characteristically wooden death stare of Oblivion. This is of course only a brief glimpse at the improved Radiant AI system.

There’s far more on show in terms of combat. Bethesda promises to have improved the combat system from the days of Oblivion. Swinging weapons and blocking enemy strikes will now be adjusted according to the player’s perspective – first-person or third-person.

In the video there is a little actual melee combat, but the few glimpses do seem to be a moderate improvement on the stiff and clumsy animations of Oblivion. We get a good look at some spell-casting effects.

There’s also a sprinkling of enemies to check out, including wolves, a human mercenary, an undead creature (perhaps a lich), and a troll. We also get a good look at one of the new cornerstone creatures for Skyrim, the dragons.

Bethesda describes the dragons as powerful and menacing beasts that will appear natural when flying around, banking into turns, beating wings and soaring into the sky before making a deadly dive on a ravaged town, city or the player. The actions performed by dragons are apparently not scripted, meaning that they may attack at any moment. Dragons might attack cities, towns and player characters on a whim, so best level up that fire resistance early on.

Finally, take some time to appreciate the landscape of Skyrim. There are about seven distinct environments to be explored in Skyrim, including glaciers, tundras, autumnal forests and volcanic terrain. The game will feature nine different regions, each ruled by its Earl. There are five major cities throughout these regions. There are about eight or nine small towns and villages scattered throughout the regions. The overall gameplay area will be similar to that of Oblivion. More about the environments in Skyrim.