The promise of computer RPGs has always been that they offer gamers a vast new world to get lost in. Unfortunately, the reality of both PC and console limitations has instead offered gamers the merest taste of an alternate universe. Stray too far off the pre-set path or storyline and you quickly run into artificial walls. The past few years have brought the promise of a true virtual world closer than ever, but even the best of these virtual worlds, whether they be single player RPGs, MMOs, or even Bethesda's own previous efforts, have never quite given that "you are there" feeling.

As far as character models, it's limitless. Our facial system is procedural, so you can create any kind of face you can imagine. It's like molding clay. You can age the face. You can also separately choose your hair style, length, and color. So you get a very wide range of character faces. Every single NPC has a unique face, too.

...Bethesda has thrown out all the old content and technology it had previously used, and has started from scratch with an all-new next-generation engine that takes advantage of advanced lighting and shader routines like high dynamic range lighting and specular mapping to create a highly detailed world. The game has been in development for about three years (production began right around the time that the team was finishing up Morrowind) and it looks extremely impressive so far.