Dark Brotherhood - somewhat disturbing

yodased · June 2016

This is a group of assassins who exist solely to murder indiscreminantly. He'll you are recruited under the fact that you probably will enjoy killing people.

To join you must kill an innocent person for shiggles.

Manage expectations.

KanedaSyndrome · June 2016

To be honest, the level of gore is too low in this game. I don't feel like I'm killing people when I'm in a battle. So it's already quite PC.

Eocosa · June 2016

While I can see your point OP, I am totally fine with it and feel it really fits with the actual DLC. The DB is NOT a righteous group, they are not government sanctioned assassins as the Morag Tong are. They are murderers first and foremost. Not only that they are fanatical murderers that kill to offer souls to their dark god.

Every iteration of the DB ever since they have been playable has been disturbing on one level or another. Heck you drop can drop a severed mothers head in a room to freak out her son to single him out, you butcher old women who simply want you to buy presents for her children, you find your innocent mentor tortured and hacked up for crimes he was framed for, to even join in one iteration you have to choose who gets to die from 3 innocent people.

If joining that group in an M rated game was NOT disturbing either the developers failed to truly portray them or else you are very desensitized to violence (which many of us are), but that disturbed feeling is partially what makes the DB so fun. Same as watching a horror movie or even a popular show like Game of Thrones.

Khajiit_Ri · June 2016

This one can't wait for the animations, Tamriel is rated mature, and nobody is making you play Dark Brotherhood. This is an Assassains' guild. Contracted kills can and will be messy.

Also on a side note, blood being spilled has nothing to do with politically correctness, Khajiit-Ri believes the term PC is being applied to things that have no business being applied to.

Molag_Crow · June 2016

I totally understand you, OP, as I don't like gore/blood myself -- but, since this is obviously a game and a game known for its mature content, I accept that and just carry on as I remember in Skyrim and previous games, it was worse.

LadyNalcarya · June 2016

If you want max level rewards in a guild that worships an entity they call Dread Father and a woman who sacrificed her own children for said entity (or, according to other version, a daedric prince of sex and murder), you should expect something like Blade of Woe animations, if not worse...
And even the summoning ritual states:
"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear"

[Removed quoted content]

KingYogi415 · June 2016

Feel free to go back to fishing, picking flowers and catching bugs!

Kildayen · June 2016

Strider_Roshin wrote: »

With that said I'm still not a fan of games that try to go out of their way to make something as gruesome as possible. It's immature, and dumb.

Some people would say that spending time playing a video game is immature and dumb.

I just don't understand some people having issues with this. You do know they have a fix for it though, right? Let me see if I can find it. Oh, here it is:

Log out and quit the game.

[Removed baiting content]

Giraffon · June 2016

I love the Blade of Woe animations. It's really starting to feel like Elder Scrolls. I'm glad they put these in as it is something I have been missing from Skyrim. I hope to see some additional cut scenes for random play actions as well. Let's start by bringing back some other Skyrim animations. I miss "arrow cam". I always thought that was cool.

They could do some new stuff too. For example, if you are using an ice attack and your enemy turns into an ice statue, there could be an animation where your character goes up to it and kicks it center with the heal of his shoe and causes it to shatter and then sets himself looking for the next foe.

Or...this was one I would have liked last night when I was playing. An enemy was on a ledge and I used the Blade on them. It would have been cool as a final animation if I shoved them off the cliff. Instead they fell dead and their feet were touching the ground while the rest of their body magically lay flat in the air.

kernom · June 2016

I get what's being said on the gore, and there really should be a choice on the cutaways (like 'hide helmet'), heck, even mortal combat has that. However, there seems to be a great divide in what people believe the Dark Brotherhood should be. In previous iterations of Elder Scrolls, victims were always evil people, and those who performed the sacrament were those driven to the Dark Brotherhood for justice. For example in Skyrim, a defenceless child asking for the severely abusive orphanage director to be killed, etc. Now it's 'kill an innocent and you'll get noticed'? 'Kill a wife for cheating and as many partiers as you like'? What's disturbing is the new psychopathic philosophy, not to mention those willing to defend it. Being desensitized to violence is never a good sign, and certainly not something to be proud of.

Blackbird71 · June 2016

Jhunn wrote: »

disintegr8 wrote: »

The rating does not mean that no-one has the right to be offended, we all have different opinions on what we like or do not like to see in a game. I also think this level of imagery is a sign that we are relying less on our own imaginations and more on modern games to supply every little detail to us.

People are too easily offended. It's a game and you're pretty much over-analyzing the DB cut-scenes.

It can also be said that people are too desensitized to graphic depictions of violence.

And this is coming from someone whose job used to regularly involve dead bodies, often the victims of violent crimes, or rather gruesome vehicle collisions. Just because I've seen it in real life, does not mean I welcome it in my fictional entertainment.

j3crow · June 2016

Blackbird71 wrote: »

Jhunn wrote: »

disintegr8 wrote: »

The rating does not mean that no-one has the right to be offended, we all have different opinions on what we like or do not like to see in a game. I also think this level of imagery is a sign that we are relying less on our own imaginations and more on modern games to supply every little detail to us.

People are too easily offended. It's a game and you're pretty much over-analyzing the DB cut-scenes.

It can also be said that people are too desensitized to graphic depictions of violence.

And this is coming from someone whose job used to regularly involve dead bodies, often the victims of violent crimes, or rather gruesome vehicle collisions. Just because I've seen it in real life, does not mean I welcome it in my fictional entertainment.

I agree, and I come from a background of similar experiences. Again, I'm ok with the animations as they are. But what could be the problem in giving people a choice?

Some of have talked about the animations as if 'they're a neccessary component, and you just have to deal with it, or stop playing... " Its a 'frikking' game. Its not a job or a life choice. The smartest thing to do would be to simply give people a choice.

Clerics1985 · June 2016

OMG I've been waiting for this DLC since ESO release, I was a Big skyrim fan after a friend brought over "oblivion".

I was amped to play oblivion, then he was like "check this out" shot an arrow into the sky after choosing some diamond or necklace or something and when the arrow came down a billion of that item followed with it LOL

needless to say I decided against playing it and bought skyrim the next day. the BROTHERHOOD WAS LIFE DEATH IS LIFE A KNIFE IS LIFE!!

[EP obviously]

MidknightWolf · June 2016

ausmack2014 wrote: »

I'm probably going to be a voice in the wilderness here, but I have to say that I find certain aspects of Dark Brotherhood to be quite disturbing.

The whole 'run around and knife people in the back' thing in particular. While I've had no issue in the past with sneaking and stealing (which is quite fun) I find the graphics for the DB assassinations to be very confronting. Was it really necessary, in this age of excess and graphic violence online, to add this disturbing level of cutaway?

As I say, I'll probably be in the minority with this opinion, but it is getting to the stage for me that I probably won't continue with the DB guild line because of this. I just wish there was an option to not have these cutaways show.

For the love of god. If this is not trolling please read the rating of the games you buy and stick with the E rating.

SHADOW2KK · June 2016

KoshkaMurka wrote: »

autumnsongbird wrote: »

Nemeliom wrote: »

You killed thousands of people, animals, you stole, lied, betray, and you worry about an animation? o.0

Animations that are disturbing are disturbing for a reason. You can run around and kill stuff in the game and never really give it a thought but animations can be designed to trigger impact and leave you FEELING badly or awesome. I don't think anyone really wants to play a game that leaves them feeling badly. This was why a lot of ME3 fans were rather upset at the ending of the series and why a fair portion of people found fallout 4 unpleasant.

There should be a way to shut it off. People generally don't play games to feel bad. If the animation is disturbing for some or leaves them feeling badly then they do have a point. Who wants to do something that makes you feel badly or triggers bad feelings? Only people who are not very bright or perhaps some that love that kind of drama.

Its interesting, the story doesnt trigger their feelings, but blood does? And if our chars would strangle their victims or break their necks, killing innocents would've been totally fine?
From my perspective, roleplaying a killer and being triggered by blood is pure hypocrisy.
Also, this game is M rated, and for people who dont want stuff like this there are lower rated games. ESO is extremely tame for a M-rated game, btw.

Absolutely agree, up till now, this game for me personally isnt even worthy of the lowest pegi rating, never mind mature, its too soft, too weak, you seen scenes of war, and maybe im very desensitised to violence from being in the millitary years ago and deployed to varying horrible spots round the world, but nothing in this game comes even remotely close to a mature rating, till now with DB, and finally its starting to show signs of being dark, or being some form of violence, in DB you are an assassin, you kill people, people can sugar coat it for whatever reason, but that is essentially what it is, blood will spill with using a blade. it is that simple.

Even through ESO you are constantly killing things anyways, quests, grinding mobs, in PvP, etc, for this game to develop properly, arguably dark things like DB has to be in the game to highlight the diffrences for the crusader types, you dont appreciate the light till you have seen the darkness fall.

The latest DLC will go some way to reinforcing that imo, this is the most tamest mature rating gaming I have ever played, now its finally showing signs of getting there, which will for me personally heighten my immersion, which I can only get from DB and from lighting players up in PvP.

Just my 50p lol

Molag_Crow · June 2016

kernom wrote: »

I get what's being said on the gore, and there really should be a choice on the cutaways (like 'hide helmet'), heck, even mortal combat has that. However, there seems to be a great divide in what people believe the Dark Brotherhood should be. In previous iterations of Elder Scrolls, victims were always evil people, and those who performed the sacrament were those driven to the Dark Brotherhood for justice. For example in Skyrim, a defenceless child asking for the severely abusive orphanage director to be killed, etc. Now it's 'kill an innocent and you'll get noticed'? 'Kill a wife for cheating and as many partiers as you like'? What's disturbing is the new psychopathic philosophy, not to mention those willing to defend it. Being desensitized to violence is never a good sign, and certainly not something to be proud of.

You couldn't have said it any better.

Coatmagic · June 2016

A little late to this party, but if it's not been said/found, there's a toggle for the 'assasination camera' in options under camera...

Giraffon · June 2016

Coatmagic wrote: »

A little late to this party, but if it's not been said/found, there's a toggle for the 'assasination camera' in options under camera...

Yes, this has been mentioned a couple times but people are ignoring it for some reason. I'm so confused by that! I'm still waiting for someone that's been complaining to say, "Oh! That's perfect, thanks!"

But nope...

Did I mention that I LIKE the cut scenes? They leave me Speechless! (shameless guild plug)

RavenRoxie · June 2016

This game is rated M.. If you don't like the violence of the DLC, don't play it?

Anyway, killing people does not bother me one bit, but when I hit a squirrel or little animal and it makes those sad squeeling sounds, it just breaks my cold dark heart

Tryxus · June 2016

[Quoted content removed]

Mortal Kombat?
Thrill Kill?
Warrior Within?
Tenchu?
oh I know -> Doom?

Lenikus · June 2016

Facts:

You joined a "murder for hire" guild.
This game is 18+
The scenes you referred to happen only if you chose to make them happen
You can always close your eyes.

Did i miss everything ?
My point came across ?
Gud.

Night_Watch · June 2016

ausmack2014 wrote: »

I'm probably going to be a voice in the wilderness here, but I have to say that I find certain aspects of Dark Brotherhood to be quite disturbing.

The whole 'run around and knife people in the back' thing in particular. While I've had no issue in the past with sneaking and stealing (which is quite fun) I find the graphics for the DB assassinations to be very confronting. Was it really necessary, in this age of excess and graphic violence online, to add this disturbing level of cutaway?

As I say, I'll probably be in the minority with this opinion, but it is getting to the stage for me that I probably won't continue with the DB guild line because of this. I just wish there was an option to not have these cutaways show.

Hmm ... ! It is not good that for anyone to find the cutaway disturbing. However, as others are pointing out the game has a mature (17+) rating in the US and a 'pegi 18' rating in the UK and Europe for a reason.

There is also a choice! Freely via ESO+ or by a paid for DLC; join a ruthless band of CUT THROAT assassins or do not. Further to this,we have no problem stealing and have no issue with the multitude of other ways of killing fictional characters of varying race (some very much human based) or creatures or critters in a fantasy world. Do in game graphics of death by immolation, refrigeration, electrocution, poisoning, blunt object or arrow to the knee really not count?

I get it! The cutaway is being reported as graphically excessive. Thing is; as an adult playing a game rated for a mature audience who has chosen to play the part of an assassin, what should we expect? On the other hand; if you where a child playing a game that is clearly rated above your age, you really ought not be playing now should you?

I'm an older gamer - not quite 50 yet but not a kick in the backside off! I've seen all sorts of gaming controversy that mainly concerned adults unwilling to take responsibility for what they choose to consume or adult content being seen by younger people. Often, the loudest shouting opponents have been adults that do not play games, have unfounded notions of how a video game twists the 'feeble little mind' of the player, describe adult gamers as immature or simply want to control from astride their high horse on top of an ivory tower. It always comes down to this; as an adult you are responsible for what you wish to consume and, for those with children in their care, you are responsible for monitoring and selection of what you allow those children to consume.

If you do not like the graphic cutaway, you have every right to say so. However, there are options already discussed in this thread that I will reasonably accept as true;

DO NOT play the content
Play the content but use the 'press E' method to avoid the cutaway
Use the option to turn off the cutaway

Now that I have written all that, I would like anyone reading it to understand it is not meant as a personal attack and I do appreciate other points of view. I simply feel strongly about the issue at hand.

Before I go, I just thought of an old solution! GREEN BLOOD.

Happy gaming all.

Night_Watch · June 2016

Taisynn wrote: »

I take it you never played Skyrim before? These have always been a part of The Elder Scrolls game... There are graphic stories and tales.

And from my thread asking for the Blade of Woe style finishers to be extended to more weapons:

Taisynn wrote: »

https://youtu.be/uy9nZXdTiz8
https://youtu.be/Fp32TigGfZk

My .... Goodness ... Gracious! MAKE IT STOP! Pinkie Pie - now there is DISTURBING!!!!

Strider_Roshin · June 2016

Tryxus wrote: »

Strider_Roshin wrote: »

Kildayen wrote: »

Strider_Roshin wrote: »

With that said I'm still not a fan of games that try to go out of their way to make something as gruesome as possible. It's immature, and dumb.

Some people would say that spending time playing a video game is immature and dumb.

I just don't understand some people having issues with this. You do know they have a fix for it though, right? Let me see if I can find it. Oh, here it is:

Log out and quit the game. Walk to the closet. Dig through the old boxes. Pull out the box that says "Chutes and Ladders". Set it up and play play play! It is an exciting up and down game for little people! Who doesn't like up and down?

As I said, trying to make a game as gruesome as possible is stupid and immature. The people that are typically big fans of this degree of gore are equally so. Thank you for proving my point.

Mortal Kombat?
Thrill Kill?
Warrior Within?
Tenchu?
oh I know -> Doom?

Games like tenchu and assassins creed had a realistic approach to gore. This game just failed at it. For one I despise the tap on the shoulder execute; that's not being an assassin; that's being a thug. Then the decent animations that involve slicing the throat, stabbing the back or the back of the head make it look like a fountain of strawberry jam is pouring out.

I don't mind gore if it's done with a realistic approach. This game needs to reanimate the blood, and tone down the volume. Most importantly get rid of the tap on the shoulder and shank animation. It makes me want to avoid the blade of woe all together.

Selique · June 2016

I thought the BoW was rather tame.

FerrumnCutem · June 2016

ausmack2014 wrote: »

I'm probably going to be a voice in the wilderness here, but I have to say that I find certain aspects of Dark Brotherhood to be quite disturbing.

The whole 'run around and knife people in the back' thing in particular. While I've had no issue in the past with sneaking and stealing (which is quite fun) I find the graphics for the DB assassinations to be very confronting. Was it really necessary, in this age of excess and graphic violence online, to add this disturbing level of cutaway?

As I say, I'll probably be in the minority with this opinion, but it is getting to the stage for me that I probably won't continue with the DB guild line because of this. I just wish there was an option to not have these cutaways show.

Bruh, why did you start this?
Everyone is happy cuz we finnaly have some good bloody stuff in our 18+ game, and now you go and complaing? Just don't kill if you don't want to. But when you don't like killing video game characters that respawn after 5 min then maybe eso is not the game for you.

ArchMikem · June 2016

This is great. There were threads here saying the game doesn't deserve it's content rating, finding contempt and humor in it. Now that the game actually has such visible content people are complaining it's too much.

LadyNalcarya · June 2016

[Quoted content removed]

This game is as far from "as gruesome as possible" as it can possibly be (considering that its M-rated).
Thing is, benevolent DB would be really immersion breaking.

PhxOldGamer68 · June 2016

I like the gore, but not the negative comments like do not play it. Not constructive. Anger management issues.

The best answer was turning off the Assassination Camera.

DaniAngione · June 2016

I understand your point, but it IS a Dark Brotherhood (assassins) themed content expansion.
Like you said, you have the option of skipping the achievements if it disturbs you - which makes sense - just as someone not really into PVP (I kind of like it, for example, but I know I'm not even close to hardcore enough to get the good stuff out of it) will skip PVP achievements and so on.

Maybe the Brotherhood isn't your thing. And that's fine. It's the game's motto, after all: play the way (and what) you want

You're not really losing anything anyway (in terms of gear and such), and this is not an obligatory levelling zone or something.

(I know it might sound arrogant or ironic, but I'm really being honest. I don't think everyone should feel compelled to play every bit of content just because it is there. I have characters that will certainly not go through the DB from a Roleplay perspective, even)