Elderscrolls games and karma systems(research)

Introduction:

The Elder Scrolls series has several game titles in it that are very popular among gamers and non gamers alike.  There are two games in particular that have to do with karma systems. The games are Elders Scrolls Oblivion and Elders Scrolls Skyrim.  Elders Scrolls Oblivion came out a few years ago and Elders Scroll SKyrim just came out this year. How ever they arent your typical karma systems.

Elders Scroll Oblivion:

First a brief background on Elder Scrolls Oblivion. The entire game is set as a open world sandbox adventure game in the mythical land of Cyrodiil, a province of Tamriel.(mythical continent which the entire series has been set on) Oblivion is the fourth game of the Elder Scrolls series and each games events are set after the previous games before it.  Oblivion's timeline is set after Elder Scrolls Morrowind, the previous installenment of the Elder Scrolls series.

Now for Oblivion's karma system. Its unique in fact it doesnt really track the players good karma only really keeps track of the bad karma. When the play commits a crime (be it a stealing or killing innocents) the guards will accost the player and the player has a few options:

1. pay the fee and get away
2. go to jail and serve time (not advisable because player can lose skills if its a long sentence)
3. fight the guard

If the player chooses option 1 nothing happens, well the player loses gold but nothing serious. If the player chooses option 2 all items are removed and stored in a holding chest at a prison location, serving time also reduces player bounty. Now if the player chooses option 3 theres 2 out comes:

1. the player dies
2. the player kills the guard(s) and their bounty is increased

Elder Scrolls Skyrim:

Skyrim follows he rest of the Elder Scrolls series by being set 200 years after the events of Oblivion. Skyrim is still on the continent of Tamriel but now its the north northern part. Skyrim has the same otions if accosted by guards with 1 aditional option.

• if its a minor crime the palyer can ask the guards if its really worth their time and the guards will let them go.

If the player chooses to fight or picks server time then escapes thier bounty will increase depending on the serverity of the crime. when the bounty increases it increases the chance of bounty hunters coming after the player.

Sources:

Bertz, M. (2011, January 17). The Technology Behind The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Xbox 360 - www.GameInformer.com. Home - GameInformer.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/17/the-technology-behind-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim.aspx

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Review on Xbox 360 - GameSpot.com. (n.d.). GameSpot is your go-to source for video game news, reviews, and entertainment. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://au.gamespot.com/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion/reviews/6146657/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-review/platform/xbox360

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Review - Xbox 360 Review at IGN . (2006, March 25). Microsoft Xbox 360 Games, Cheats, Walkthroughs, News, Reviews, Previews, Game Trailers & Videos - IGN. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/698/698400p1.html 

 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Hands-on - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN . (2007, February 6). IGN . Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://ps3.ign.com/articles/762/762108p1.html

New Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Details - Xbox 360 News at IGN . (2011, January 11). Microsoft Xbox 360 Games, Cheats, Walkthroughs, News, Reviews, Previews, Game Trailers & Videos - IGN. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/114/1143527p1.html