I think we've all realised by now that the whole 'Elder Scrolls VI: Argonia' thing that was doing the rounds last year was fake.
Still, maybe there is no smoke without fire, and there are still rumours persisting that Black Marsh might indeed still turn out to be the focus of Elder Scrolls VI.
But does that really make any sense? Is there a compelling case for an Elder Scrolls game set in Black Marsh. Granted, we don't know all that much about Black Marsh, but what we do know is that it is inhospitable and deadly, consisting largely of impassible swamps and marshlands. Whilst Argonians can live there, it appears that any of other race would find it almost impossible due to the terrain, climate and deadly diseases.
Doesn't that make the idea of having an Elder Scrolls game there somewhat impractical?
If you can make a case for why the next Elder Scrolls (or indeed any other future iteration) should be in Black Marsh then this is the place. If nobody can make that case, then I call bullshit on the whole 'Elder Scrolls: Argonia' idea....
I'm sort of worried we'll get Argonia, but it isn't as bad as the stories said. Like how Cyrodiil used to be a jungle.
I think it could be pulled off, but most people might not like that game style. I'm thinking Dark Souls II. Everything is trying to ill you, everything will kill you, and you will most likely die. They could limit this to the inland, though, and have less-hostile areas and cities along the coast where other races might be.
Though, to be honest, what is the story behind Black Marsh that would warrant a game? It has never been invaded successfully, and any usefulness is within the Argonians as slaves, not the land. The only reason it was brought into the Septim Empire was by treaty and because it was attached to Tamriel. There's simply no value in Argonia.
If the next setting is Morrowind (not Vvardenfall), we might get parts of northern Black Marsh thrown in.
I'm really hoping for anything but Argonia, to be honest. I just don't really like Argonians that much. Hammerfall, Elsewyre, High Rock, Valenwood, even Valinor would be awesome though.
It does, but you can only explore Shadowfen, which borders Morrowind to the north.
I guess because thats how a majority (I know Arena allowed you to go everywhere, and Daggerfall allowed you to visit two, technically three, provinces). It would fit for my storyline for VI. Basically, the second Great War has erupted, you are an agent of the THalmor/Empire, you will be interrogated, wit hthe voice shifting between an Altmer and an Imperial, and your race decides who your interrogator is, and someone seems to be draining the magic from Nirn.
That would be great, especially if Bethesda do Akavir for the next ES game, but I think at some point they made the argument that it's better for them to focus on one province so they nail it properly (that whole quality vs quantity debate).
EDIT: Didn't see Tom's post. In essence, I (and apparently Bethesda) agree totally with him.
Honestly, I'd like to see Black Marsh and Morrowind together being invaded by Akavir, then the player can voyage across the ocean to militia camps in Akavir to take on the Tsaesci/Ka Po'Tun. Throw in a plot twist and some spears and you'd have the perfect blend of story, nostalgia, awesome swamps and snake-people!
I think it is safe to call the TES: Black Marsh idea horseshit. Although it depends on how far the story deviates from the path MK helped lay out, but he has said that the story of TES is the fall of man to the forces of mer and that the "beast races" are just bystanders.
Iirc, he wanted more Elder Scrolls Adventures games to explore the other provinces.
I don't care where it is!!! I just want it to be announced!
It's actually getting rather close as well. If you look up the timelines between games and $ being earned...
Here are my very base arguments...
'The Elder Scrolls' is Bethesda's baby.............'Fallout' is actually an adopted franchise. One would hope that they would prioritise the family name....and the staff are hopefully wired for all thing ES!!!
'Skyrim' made Bethesda around 2X more money than 'Fallout 3'..........and we're talking millions here. It's good business to go with what sells... and 100% more money seems like something worth investing in.
ESO...............it's apparently failed big time. I've never played it, barely watched a single gameplay video or looked into the 'new' lore........but almost everytime I've read an article it's a negative. The hope is that Beth are going to feel more preasure to take major steps to save (what is) a very big face and 'show em how it's done'.
The timeline, it's been over three years already!
Skyrim was announced over a year before it even came out! Anyone remember this?
I hope it isn't in Black Marsh. I would rather see what would be a more lore friendly, inhabitable place. My bet is on any province with desert.
With new tech and consoles, I would guess the appeal to show off dynamic weather more with possible sandstorms and such would be incredible.
My guess? Hammer fell or Elsweyr. Given that it would probably keep more people "sane" to NOT see khajoot all around 24/7, Hammerfell is the safer bet and one I am 100% OK with given my race and lore loves within the ES universe.
Argonia is not all that bad. There are many reasons why Argonia could be explored, eg, disease kills off some of the more inhospital areas, the Empire invades and burns portions of the swamp down, or perhaps the Hist starts dying off and an unknown force is killing them? SO many things can be done, just gotta use your imagination!
People do tend to tag onto the line that 'much of Argonia is inhospitable'...cos it's all just swampy diseased mess!!
...but remember that Morrowind had an equally fierce description...
"Everything burns!! The air is turning to soot in my lungs!! Aaaaargh!" *dies from blight*
....and Skyrim was just snow and ice as far as the eye could see.............until we played the damn thing and found out that most of it is actually forest.
And you can bet that Elsweyr has some rocking jungle regions.....it wouldn't be just a bunch of sand with kittens chasing tumble weeds around the dunes.
There's nothing to worry about, it's going to be awesome wherever they choose...