When ZeniMax Online and Bethesda first announced Elder Scrolls Online, the Internet exploded into rapture. As screenshots and other information about the game began seeping through the cracks, the joy quickly turned into dismay, then horror. Elder Scrolls Online doesn’t look much like an Elder Scrolls game at all, and fans are pretty bummed about the whole thing.

One of the biggest concerns about the game, besides the fact that it looks like another World of Warcraft clone, is if it will be able to bring the stellar single-person experience for which the Elder Scrolls franchise is known. After all, it’s pretty hard to deliver a tailored solo adventure to a game packed with a few thousand people.

ZeniMax Online is aware of the concern, and is promising a high quality, engaging single-player storyline. Matt Firor, Elder Scrolls Online game director, noted in a video interview that the game’s primary storyline will play out as a single-player experience.

Here’s the full quote:

“The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he's stomping across the Imperial City, and you see like 15 guys behind you waiting to kill him because they're on the same quest.

As MMO online designers, the thing we wanted to make sure we hit the most was that feeling that you're awesome, you're the hero. And we do that through a mix of technology, where when I am confronting a major foe in the game, I'm doing it in an instance where I am alone."

Firor went on to note that the main storyline is designed to be played 100% solo. In his words, “…the world focuses on you - you are the hero, everything you do is solo and the world reacts to you that way.”

On the one hand, that does sound pretty cool. On the other, how much fun can an MMO really be if you never run into any other players until you hit the level cap? Hopefully Elder Scrolls Online can find a nice balance.

Are you excited about Elder Scrolls Online?

[GamesRadar]

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