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Npcs taking over shops isn't really emergent because that behaviour is programmed intentionally. Neither is breaking the quest chains in morrowind unless it's d

Npcs taking over shops isn't really emergent because that behaviour is programmed intentionally. Neither is breaking the quest chains in morrowind unless it's done by an AI (which can happen sparingly but the later games had much more active Npcs). Its more about how different rules and systems can interact with each other to create unexpected and novel results, and morrowind simply had more emergence-friendly mechanics like spell building, levitate, jump, and chameleon, more alchemical potions, double edged items like boots of blinding speed and icarian flight. Probably more things I can't remember but I was distinctly disappointed with the lack of exploitable mechanics in skyrim.

Agentlien 5y ago
I agree none of the behavior in any Elder Scrolls game really qualify as emergent. Hence why I used the word dynamic as I thought what you were referring to was a feeling of the game world being alive. If you're referring to magic items having both positive and negative effects and having to find workarounds then it sounds like you're talking about basic synergy rather than emergent properties. I do agree that it's a shame they've removed spell crafting and made some things more clearly positive or negative. But I must say I don't mind how ridiculously unbalanced magic was in Morrowind.
- beaconstudios 5y ago
  The interactions between the magic design and alchemical systems can be emergent, but you're right that the cancelling of the negative effects of the OP items could be called synergistic instead - I think it depends on whether the effects were intended to be cancelled or not, which I don't think they necessarily were given the ones I mentioned were both introduced as jokes and items that are OP with a significant negative effect are usually coded as cursed or xeno-objects, and afforded a high status rather than being granted by random passers-by.

Agentlien 5y ago

I agree none of the behavior in any Elder Scrolls game really qualify as emergent. Hence why I used the word dynamic as I thought what you were referring to was a feeling of the game world being alive. If you're referring to magic items having both positive and negative effects and having to find workarounds then it sounds like you're talking about basic synergy rather than emergent properties. I do agree that it's a shame they've removed spell crafting and made some things more clearly positive or negative. But I must say I don't mind how ridiculously unbalanced magic was in Morrowind.

beaconstudios 5y ago
The interactions between the magic design and alchemical systems can be emergent, but you're right that the cancelling of the negative effects of the OP items could be called synergistic instead - I think it depends on whether the effects were intended to be cancelled or not, which I don't think they necessarily were given the ones I mentioned were both introduced as jokes and items that are OP with a significant negative effect are usually coded as cursed or xeno-objects, and afforded a high status rather than being granted by random passers-by.