So, what exactly is Enderal?
Enderal is a Total-Conversion-Mod for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Basically, a Total Conversion (TC) is a new game built from from scratch, using the original game`s ressources as well as additional ones. Skyrim and Tamriel do not exist any more. However, by using Skyrim´s Engine and its models a new game is developed. It comes with its very own story and world, and new as well as changed and complemented gameyphsics. In conclusion, for you Enderal is a brand new game that will approximately provide you with 30 - 150 hours of gameplay.
What distinguishes Enderal from Skyrim?
One could say that we try to combine the concept of open world gaming with a complex and profound storyline. Furthermore, we try to merge the strengths of various open world games into one RPG. Enderal is a mixture of The Elder Scrolls and Gothic, added up with a multi-faceted and complex story. Enderal comes with a big world filled with, ruins and ancient fortresses and lots of interesting landmarks to explore. We will also add new features such as experience points, special classes and talents and set-items.
When will Enderal be released?
As we work on a purely voluntary basis we can only approximately estimate the time we still need to completion. It is dependent on how much free time our members have to work on the game and pogress varies, but we keep up to Milestones and Deadlines, we set ourselves. However, we won´t name any dates, until we are sure that we can fulfill the timetable. Instead we´ll inform you regularly about developments and the progress we´re making.
To what extent do you change the gameplay?
Enderal will use Skyrim´s combatsystem in its basic terms. Other parts, such as the skillsystem are being changed and rebuilt completely. We will use an experience point system instead of Skyrim´s skill-based levelingsystem - By using experience points the player can be awarded for many different actions(decisions, exploring, combat, quests). So you really get to feel to the progress your character is making much more, it motivates constantly. By leveling up you gain learning points which you may use to train your abilities in exchange for money. (Costs do not increase with higher level, so you may save your learning points for later training). Skyrim´s skilltrees are exchanged for class specific skilltrees(disciplines) which will merge Skyrims various skills into class specific bundles. Dragon Shouts will be changed to special talents which can be achieved within the classtrees. These talents will provide many completely new abilities which will add to the strategic depth of combat in Enderal. In combination with a more crucial importance of food and alchemy, we want to complement Skyrim´s action-based combat with a tactical challenge. We are integrating challenging scripted bossfights througout story and dungeons that will put up a good fight and will demand the player to use his tactical abilities.
So what about these companions you mentioned?
Two complex and detailed personalities will acompany the player through Enderal´s story. We put a lot of effort into creating authentic, ambivalent characters, who have their own ambition and motivation, instead of just being merry company. You will have the possibility to talk to your companions from time to time so as to get to know them well. There will be an invisible sympathy system that will react to your answers. I will, for example, lose some of my companions sympathy if I make decisions against his or her moral values. However, I can gain sympathy by being on the "same wavelength" as my companion. The tone of your long term relationship is dependent on the amount of sympathy you gain from your companions. What is more, the actual outcome of Enderal´s story and your options to choose from may be changed by the way you interact with them. Of course, you won´t be with company all the time, just on special missions. It´s all about emotional bonds.
Can you give us an insight into the world and story?
Enderal is closely connected to its predecessor "Nehrim - At Fate´s Edge". You, a fugitive from Nehrim, find yourself aboard a ship heading for Enderal. Accompanied by strange circumstances, visions and dreams you get involved in a mystical conflict whose roots may be found in Enderal - All to soon this conflict rises to a phenomenon of global impact set rolling by the events on Nehrim. The remains of an ancient civilization long lost and forgotten that vanished mysteriously from the surface of Vyn are to be explored, the memories of the dead to be ventured. Enderals deepest wilderness needs to be roamed in search of salvation. You will encounter spiritual abysses, crypitcal entities and ambivalent personalities. Finally, you will have to face a huge fight in which the real enemy is far from clear.
And who exactly are you?
We are a german speaking Modding-Team that was founded by SureAi veterans Dennis(Hoxyd) and Johannes(LordDagon). To this day we have finished numerous successful projects for Bethesda´s titles Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout3 with varying member lineups. SureAi´s "CubeExperimental" made it to the top 5 of "Best Singleplayer Mod 2009". Our most extensive projects "Nehrim - At Fate´s Edge", developed over four years time, even won "Best Singleplayer Mod 2010" - Award by Moddb.com, "Best Mod of the Year" - Award by PCGamerUS, and finally entered into Moddb.com´s "Mod Hall of Fame" where it ranks alongside mods such as Counter-Strike and DayZ. We work nonpaid and only because of passion, with endurance and lot of patience. It is our ambition to create our own visions, but also to endow gamers with an adventurous and unforgettable time.