I'm still discovering brand new wonders and quests in Skyrim, like gem quests (find 24 of them) and the White Phial, etc. 

Through the whole game (and this time I am only level 19) I can vanquish baddies with only my large library of shoults (although I don't use much more than flame and the original one the Graybeards give you, although the one that tames the wildlife is great since you don't have to kill them, and the one that calls hero warriors to help you is good too) and my bow and arrow, which are the only perks I've focused on.  Collect health potions, etc., the game can be rather simple, which encourages you to travel onward.

Come to think of it, I have no idea what difficultly setting I am.  It is the default, whatever that is.  There must be Easy and Difficult.  Neither of which appeal or have relevance to the way I choose to play.

Lately, a lot of dragons have dropped down before me and I don't know why. So, I have an abundance of dragon souls and bones and scales.  My smithing I have not even started.  Too tedious to care about.  Build killing skills, not defense skills, is my advice.  

Yes there is a God Mode for Gothic 3, you just lose your skills but it is a relief to not risk death or danger all the time.

Colpet I think you might realy enjoy Oblvion, you can easily play on God mode, and enjoy the adventures and exploring and solving quests, there are so many of them and many more made by community members....and we will happily coach and help you thru things ....it is a beautiful world and i have happily explored and "lived" in Oblvion for six years now, and still not seen it all, possibly 2/3 of it, but there is stil a lot to explore and learn about.

Castle Kitchen, Sutch Castle

Master of the Library's Office

Exploring in Cyrodil Highlands, Oblvion

On the Western Coast, above Anvil

Monastary of Eru

There's a new update, none of the problems solved have ever occured in my game, so this one might just add new bugs just like all the previous updates. 

Bethesda isn't good at solving bugs so they prove again with Skyrim

http://www.bethblog.com/2011/12/07/skyrim-update-1-3-now-on-steam/

I don't see the icon here to add a quote but it says under update notes:

"Fixed magic resistances not calculating properly"

Yeah right, like I figured something like that was happening all along.

I was at Gamestop yesterday to pick up a gift. I asked for Oblivion,  figuring I might be able to pick up a secon hand copy. They said it was an older game and out of stock. I'll check to see if I can find a place to purchase a download.

I must say that I'm surprised by the cost of new games. I saw Skyrim there for over $50, whereas new adventures are usually less than $30. I guess you get more game for your buck with RPGs.

I can download the deluxe Oblivion game on Steam. Any comments as to download vs. purchasing a hard copy?

Its the same thing. The steam version has, as far as I known, no known compatibility issues with mods either. 

Colpet, AFAIK, the Direct 2 drive price is the same price as the Steam one, but it comes without all the additional Steam hassles.  Once you have the Steam copy, you can't get rid of Steam again. (Unless you use a pirate crack like I eventually did with my Skyrim.) With many of the steam games, you have to have steam running in the background if you want to play the game, and you have to play them on a PC that is connected to the internet.  You have to disable "autopatching" with the Steam version if you don't want it to automatically patch your game without even asking you, and all that kind of rubbish.

I still think the best option is a disk version if you can wait for the delivery, or otherwise, you can get the game here for download: Dirct2Drive

Colpet, wait... I've just found out that even Dirct2Drive use different executables to what was used on the original disk.  Sadly, I see the Amazon price for a 'new' disc copy is rather more expensive than a dld copy.   I think you should shop around online a bit first before rushing to buy.  I'll also look out for you for a good price.

Perhaps Steam for just this game won't be so bad, but it might just interfere with mods...  does anybody here have a modded Ob that is a Steam copy?  Fnord, do you have a Steam copy?  Mods are very finicky and some mods and some patches aren't compatible.

I've never had any problems with steam, all mods and the mod manager work perfectly.

This counts for all bethesda's games.

Originally Posted By markornikov

I've never had any problems with steam, all mods and the mod manager work perfectly.

This counts for all bethesda's games.

So have Steam and Beths worked these issues out then?  http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?s=455bb12c63a269986d876ba1b34a3a5e&t=898372&page=3

and   http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10366626&postcount=7

Originally Posted By Traveller

Originally Posted By markornikov

I've never had any problems with steam, all mods and the mod manager work perfectly.

This counts for all bethesda's games.

 

So have Steam and Beths worked these issues out then?  http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?s=455bb12c63a269986d876ba1b34a3a5e&t=898372&page=3

 

and   http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10366626&postcount=7

Too many acronyms and unfamilar terms (mods?) to make heads or tails. I don't like the idea of having something I don't want on my computer. Will probably let this go and return to my casual games.

Originally Posted By colpet

I can download the deluxe Oblivion game on Steam. Any comments as to download vs. purchasing a hard copy?

You can buy the game of the year edition from Amazon for $20.

http://www.amazon.com/Oblivion-Game-Year-Pc/dp/B005EZ5GQO/ref=sr_1_2_title_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1324049156&sr=1-2

The fifth year aniversary edition is $10 more.

It's not complicated.

Mods are patches made by the  fan community that modify aspects of the game, for instance the way the character's faces look, or items in the game.  It can add items or quests or whatever. 

It's up to you if you want to download and use any mods ore none at all.  It's quite fine to play the game as patched by Steam alone, or with the GOTY (Game Of The Year) disc that you can buy either online or in a shop. You can insert the disc just as it is, follow instructions to install, and play.

With Steam it is true that you'll have to have the software for Steam on your computer, and allow it to verify your game at least once, but I suspect that you'll be able to play it in 'offline' mode as one can do this with many Steam games. 

Steam itself will not add mods, only the official patches.  Most of  us like to play around with mods because...  well, just because it can be fun, like trying out new toys.  It can also make the graphics in your game look a lot better.   But excepting for the wishy-washy ugly-ish faces of most characters in Oblivion, the games' graphics are quite quite fine with attractive and lovely landscapes and really pretty enough to play the game just exactly as it is without mods.

If you don't like the idea of Steam, the actual game discs themselves will likewise not add anything to your game or computer that you do not want. 

Those of us that use mods (they work mostly like patches)  specially download them from places where the people who made them posted them for use by the community; but it's absolutely your own choice if you want to try any of them or not.  The game has by far enough content just in it's vanilla (untouched) form to keep you busy for years.  

The 5th year aniversary edition does not even come with all the downloadable content, unlike the boxed game of the year edition. The 5th aniversary edition is supposed to have a nice map though (I would considerd the DLC to be more interesting than the map). 

I'm thinking that taking Colpet's circumstances into account, probably her best bet would be to look around for a cheap-ish GOTY (Game of the year) disc copy, since it comes already patched and includes the main DLC, such as the Shivering Isles expansion, already.

She would literally just need to install as per directions in her manual/disc, and she'll be ready to play. Easier than stroking a cat! 

All this talk has made me feel like trying out Morrowblivion.   Methinks that'll have to be my next modding project.  Chris have you tried it and shall we take it to the "Morrowind mods" thread? 

Tho it's actually an Ob mod, but i don't want to go and post more modding talk in the Ob thread and possibly frighten away Helen as well.  I'll go and trawl the forum for another old Ob thread, or perhaps we can just start an Oblion mods thread.

I found a PC version on Amazon.Ca. Does it make a difference to the graphics that I have an older CRT 22" monitor? I could get the game for PS3 and flat screen which we have in another room. I guess I mean do I have to play it in letterbox?

Originally Posted By colpet

I found a PC version on Amazon.Ca. Does it make a difference to the graphics that I have an older CRT 22" monitor? I could get the game for PS3 and flat screen which we have in another room. I guess I mean do I have to play it in letterbox?

The CRT screen should be fine, (Oblivion is not widescreen mode) as long as your PC that supports it, conforms to the minimum game specs.  In fact, games usually look better on a CRT. 

The rest depends on you; - if you prefer playing on PC or console.  I know you're nervous of mods and patches right now, but as you grow in the experience, the bug might bite you, and you may just want to try them out to see what it's all about, and once you start doing it, you might love doing it and want to do it more and more...

..so what are the specs of the PC with the CRT?  Is it the one that you recently upgraded?  If so, it should be fine to play Oblivion with.

I would definitely go for the PC version.  Just check that for whatever platform, you get the GOTY (Game of the year) edition.

Do you have a Gamestop in Canada?

Hmm, and if you wanted to use god mode  (you probably will, even if only sometimes), I don't think you can do that on the console versions, (actually there's a lot you can't do with the console versions) - so that is another reason why it's better to go with the PC version. 

Many people swear by Steam and really like the experience. They like the achievements and other extras, including an active community. It is safe and hack-free.  I'm somewhere in the middle, but typically if you're having a problem with Steam, it is not Steam's fault.  It is not quite plug and play, and you have to know what you're doing somewhat.  

Some see autopatching as a big benefit---unfortunately, some of the patches don't solve everything.  That said, I have had NO problems with Skyrim and Steam and patches or anything else. Others have, but I have not and a lot of others have not had problems.

As far as Oblivion goes, check eBay. It pops up all the time.  Also, someone on this forum might not mind selling you their copy.  

But if you do have a good PC, a fast connection, and a little patience to read what Steam is all about, I think you'll be fine with the Steam version, especially of a game that has been out quite a while.  If you have an Xbox, that's another way to go.  You'll get patches, but no mods or console commands.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I've bought a copy from Amazon.ca: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine) . I'll let you know what I think when I get it.

Originally Posted By colpet

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I've bought a copy from Amazon.ca: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine) . I'll let you know what I think when I get it.

 

Congratulations on daring to embark into a completely new dimension, Colpet!  I personally think that you've made the best buy for your circumstances. 

Well, the "Newbie in Oblivion" thread is waiting for you...  

Even if you decide that you hate the game because of combat, at least you tried out something new, and that is exactly where mods might be your friend.

Um, I hope you won't mind having to kill some ugly rats who attack you...?  You see, there are mods to make the animals non-hostile, and now that you have bought the PC version, you'd be able to apply that.