So I’m still playing the crap out of Skyrim. Last night I got to try out the new high resolution texture pack, which looks just amazing, and the new mod management system, which doesn’t seem to integrate very well with mods that may have been installed before its implementation – I got about three crash-to-desktop errors last night.

I’ve just finished reading about Bethesda’s “Skyrim Game Jam”, where they let the developers create anything they wanted for a week. They came up with some amazing sounding stuff. I already use mods to improve the UI and the look of water, fire, ice, and lighting. I even use the Midas Magic mod which adds spells to the game. But check this out.

• Stealth Enhancements
  From what I gather, there are some fans of the thief series at Bethesda. They’ve modded stuff to allow for the creation of Thief-style water arrows and guards that relight darkened areas. Considering how I play the game, this is my #1 mod. I love it.
• Dark dungeons
  This one has been on my mod wishlist since day one. I’ve tried a number of mods to darken nights and dungeons, but none have done it well. This would fit nicely with the stealth enhancements.
• Goblins
  Another one from my wishlist. Yes, please!
• Seasonal Foliage
  Very nice. This would be subtle, but I think I’d really like it.
• Spears
  The game could use more weapons. All they’ve got are swords, axes, maces, and daggers. Spears are wielded completely differently, and so this requires new character animations as well as new weapon art. It’s more of a project than you might realize, but I think it sounds great.
• Mounted combat
  Another big one. Attacking from horseback would be epic.
• Dragon mounts
  Whaa? Even in the game’s main plot when you fly on the back of a dragon, they fudge the effect. If they can pull this off, it will be amazing.
• Dungeon enhancements : handing structures and moving platforms
  Whoa. This sounds like it would create platforming in dungeons. Perhaps a bit too late for anything but add-on DLC, but it sounds cool.
• Fat giants
  Haha. Sounds good.
• Ice and Fire arrows
  Why not?
• Werebear
  Interesting. Just a reskin of the werewolf, I’d imagine.
• Lycanthropy skill tree
  Wow. A whole new skill tree. Considering how useless the werewolf form is, I’ll take it.
• Vampire Feeding
  I didn’t realize that this wasn’t already in place, having never been a vampire.
• Become a flying vampire lord
  Flying? Wow. This I would try.
• Vampire Imp Minions
  Imps were another monster from my wishlist.
• “Waygates” for fast travel
  Considering that fast travel already exists, I’m not sure of the point, but I’m willing to check it out.
• Flow-based water shader
  This could look really nice.
• Kill Cams for Magic and Ranged Combat
  I hadn’t thought about the fact that they don’t exist, but… they don’t exist. Adding them would be nice.
• Paralysis runes
  This must be high-level, but I’d use it often. Paralysis is the most powerful magic in the game.
• Water currents in dungeons
  I’d go for a mod just to strengthen all water currents. I’ve barely ever been pushed by water.
• New commands for followers: Combat style, set favorite equipment, etc.
  I use followers so rarely that I probably wouldn’t notice.
• Adopt a child
  Seems cruel, given that I’d be away adventuring so much that you’d have to categorize me as criminally neglectful.
• Build your own home
  I’m not quite sure how this would work, but I’m interested. Apparently, you can also have a skeleton butler. Personally, I’d prefer a monkey butler, but I’ll take what I can get.
• Spell combinations: Use flame and raise zombie to create a fire zombie
  Holy crap. Like Magicka? If they create enough combinations, this could be amazing.
• High-level Draugrs
  More powerful undead? Sure, why not?
• Epic mounts (flaming death horse)
  Seems a bit over-the-top for my taste.
• Kinect voice-activated shouts
  I still plan to try Thu’uMic,  but I think it’s awesome that someone is bringing this to the XBox. My console friends should be able to get some mod love too.
• Enhanced underwater visuals
  Sure. 
• Screen space ambient occlusion
  What?
• Giant mudcrab enemy
  Can I attack it for massive damage?

I’ll be watching closely for implementation of these features. If you’re interested, you can watch the video here.