Xbox 360 version of Skyrim has texture-loading issues

Some users who’ve been fortunate enough to get an early copy of the Xbox 360 version of The Elder Scroll V: Skyrim has confirmed that the game suffers from texture loading issues.

[smurfz]

So until it's patched, we should play from the disk on the 360. Am fine with that.

[gamingdroid]

The question is how the heck does that even happen?

Why would streaming the entire (disc) content from hard drive be any different than streaming it directly from the disc?

It doesn't make any sense why you have two sets of assets in the first place, and then only stream the crappy one?

It's not like there were space problems... I heard the game was like half the disc size i.e. less than 5GB.

Something doesn't add up.

[Awesome-Xanto]

I've installed pretty much all my games to the hard-drive, and I noticed some of them for some reason preform worse when installed, I don't get it either since streaming from the hard-drive "should" be faster than streaming from the disk.

So it really doesn't make since for any of these games to preform worse on the hard-drive...

[gamingdroid]

In terms of "performance" as in loading speed, there are only a handful if that, that do perform worse.

It has more to do with when the game was designed, that the hard drive was used as a cache i.e. a secondary source to increase data output. By installing it you just funneled the secondary source onto the same medium so there is no longer a benefit.

In 99.99% of the time, the hard drive will be faster or at least match the optical drive.

What I was pointing out is why would you have different assets loaded from disc as opposed to hard drive?

The entire disc is on the hard drive and that doesn't add up.

[Voxelman]

I remember reading on Digital foundry that the way that the 360 HDD Cache works can cause issues in certain conditions when reading from the HDD.

[ChrisW]

Everyone,

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[reynod]

Console gamers dont really care about graphics, its all about gameplay as they say so. Why whine about afew texture loading issues then? gameplay is not effected right?

[dabri5]

So, there are multiple assets for the same 3d models and textures on those models. Many engines use a streaming method that lowers the detail on items not close to the character. The closer you get to an object/ land mass, it streams in a higher and higher quality texture/ model until its using the premium asset. Because of this, it's not uncommon to have 2 -3 of the same model/ texture, just with variant degrees of quality.
Depending on how they handled the caching, it is possible it is unable to load one of the higher quality textures.
Now the game isn't going to error out or crash. It will see the error as a recoverable exception and continues on. I would imagine this can be fixed with a day 1 patch. Hopefully it will be.
Hope that clarifies why it is possible to get stuck with a low res texture when a high res one does in fact exist, as well as why multiple quality variants of the same assets exist within the game.

[fluffydelusions]

And given Bethesda's history that probably means the PS3 version is worse...sigh. It's basically a given this game will be buggy. Either way...it's still a day 1 bugs and all. I just hope there are no game breaking bugs.

[DonaldBeck]

the ps3 version of oblivion was the best version, so i think both versions of skyrim should be equal and a great experience for xbox360 owners and ps3 owners. come on bethesda, your better than that. anyways day 1 on ps3.

fluffy, i didn't know that, i just hope both are equal. it would only make sense seeing as the ps3 is more than capable (obviously) but from what im hearing about the blurry textures im a little concerned.

[fluffydelusions]

Pretty sure it was better because it came out much later and they fixed the bugs.

[RedDead]

That's ture but there was also a year between them. FO3 was not, and 360 is lead platform this time too unfortunately(for any looking to play SKyrim Ps3 and Pc)

[NukaCola]

Oblivion on PS3 with patches from being a year late was the best to get.

Fallout 3 on PS3 was buggy because Bethesda didn't support that version at all.

Fallout New Vegas on PS3 is great (post patches) and they really shoed support there.

Skyrim is promised that PS3 version is given a ton of care to ensure it's going to to work. So we may be suprised. The 360 version is what they showcase but the PS3 version may be awesome as all hell! We will see.

[Blacktric]

"the ps3 version of oblivion was the best version, "

It's ported by a Japanese company. Not by Bethesda themselves. And Fallout 3's PS 3 version was way worse than the Xbox 360 version in comparison. There's no actual proof that the PS3 version will look/run better than the Xbox 360 one so far.

[Ocelot525]

the ps3 version of oblivion was made by 4j studios on the PS3, not bethesda ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... )

[SuperSaiyan4]

It wasn't the PS3 version of Oblivion had characters that looked like they were zombies the graphical image quality of the characters was terrible, the only improvement was the draw distance thats it.

[Gamer1982]

Look at all your disagrees lol all those 360 people disagreeing as they hoping the ps3 suffers the same problem as heaven forbid the ps3 is the superior version. So they hit disagree.. Oh dear.. I miss the days when gaming was about fun and great games not about graphics and DLC.

[humbleopinion]

Oblivion on the Xbox 360 had better textures and included 2XMSAA missing from the PS3 port. I don't see how people can claim the opposite.
For evidence, you can check old beyond3d thread for pixel counting and analysis.

[papashango]

Go pc version if you can. The community fixes are legendary. They usually end up malling a compiled patch of fixes that bethesda don't give an eff about

[Tanir]

plus mods are always awesome

[Gamer1982]

mods are a beat for games like this im not getting the game personally but fallout 3 and NV mods were AMAZING and no doubt similar modders will make mods for this.

[Blackdeath_663]

i really do hope the ps3 version is not neglected bethesda will loose a little bit of credibility since they've been saying that they have enough experience with ps3 and so on i the videos they've released.

[hiredhelp]

fluffydelusions
Tottally Agree all games from bethesda's has always been buggy from RPG to other genres.

Only thing that im most concerned about is the way Bethesda is now with ID WHY? well take rage ok we saw only 360 footage ok when rage had issues Bethesda was quick to jump in and save them NOT ID' i watched quake con this year for skyrim they played via the xbox 360 too. Not knocking the 360 im knocking the choices they making i feel a bad port comming on for ps3 and even the PC scene. and im expecting alot more patches I hope im wrong.

[Scumlabs]

I hope they release a day one patch taking care of this problem.

[fluffydelusions]

They are releasing a day 1 patch. It's right on the frontpage here :) What it entails I'm not sure however.

[psb]

so I couldn't care less.

[CoryHG]

PC

[PetitPiPi]

It'll be patched asap like the majority of their games.
Day one on 360!

[WetN00dle69]

Unfortunately, the day one patch doesnt come with a fix for this.

[Krakn3Dfx]

PC could have this problem as well for all we know, since it's locked down on Steam until release. Definitely getting the PC version tho, will be attending a midnight launch for it actually. Can't wait for the first hi-res texture pack to hit, lol.

[BattleTorn]

comment on the source says the issue persist in leaked copy, and retail(with day1-patch) shouldn't have any issues.

[XDF]

GOOGLED game___(Skyrim), follow by Xbox 360, follow by any one of these terms __(issues, Catastrophe, broken, red light of Death, horrible event)__ to complete search = There is a Match...post on N4G, get fanboys excited and feed the trolls. Important rule is to ignore any other fact like a first day patch that has just been announced and mission complete. It can easily be done by a programming robot. Wait..the contributor name is cyborg..hmmm

Standard N4G procedure. nothing new

[deviousxx]

There is a day one patch so I would think its going to be sorted then. I think buying a game has a greater enjoyment value attached to it, I feel bad for the people that were happy when their game turned up early, but you guys who pirated it, your just a bit lame and deserve everything you get. All those hundreds of hours of fun you'll get from this game and you couldn't be bothered to pay. Children.

[SephirothX21]

I downloaded it for 360 last week to check it out. I will buy it but for pc. The game runs very smoothly and I didn't notice any texture loading issues. There are a few technical hiccups here and there but nothing that isn't in every other game. The world is absolutely stunning but extremely mountainous which means its more closed in than Oblivion. I'm playing as a High Elf which specialise entirely in the arcane arts.

Spoiler
If you're a mage, head to the college of Winterhold. There you can get training in destruction and other magic and do a line of quests. Also head to the Shrine of Azura early as possible. This is just south of Winterhold on a mountain top. You get a main quest from a worshipper of Azura that involves the College of Winterhold so you might as well get it. Outside of dungeons early in the game, you will only fight wolves until you level up more. You won't come across many enemies in the open world which is a bit disappointing. There are a lot of goats and foxes to kill if you feel like it. Also, if you're playing as a mage, dual cast and get the dual cast perk for destruction spells at level 4 because you can do quite a lot of damage. You will come across the Companions outside Whiterun. They will tell you where to go to join them and I recommend it.

I've only played a few hours of the game and so far it is definitely better than Oblivion and Fallout 3. There is a huge amount in the game. The furthest city east is called Riften. I haven't been there yet but there is a huge grass plane that separates it from the rest of Skyrim and I'm sure it would be a lot of fun to go there. There's also a city to the far west which I forgot the name of and the distance between that and Riften is massive. BTW, horse stables are at every village and city but the horses at the beginning are quite slow and if you steal them. they run away from you when you dismount. You can improve and craft
weapons and armour at blacksmiths around the world. The first one you'll come to is River Wood. Make sure to collect wolf pelts and iron ingots. You can also sharpen your weapons. One of the best additions to the game is sprint. It is very useful, especially for mages trying to get away from enemies. Magic cloaks increase magicka regeneration by 50% but have no protection against attacks. So as a mage, you can do big damage with dual casting but you will be dead before you know it if you don't wear armour or keep back from enemies. There are five difficulty levels. Master is the hardest which I'm playing on. The game is easy enough so far, except in places where you have to kill a big massive spider or you come across a troll in the middle of nowhere that kills you in one blow. Another thing. Though don't start thinking you can start fights in towns because you will not win! Trust me, you will be raped in a village or city at low levels if you attack anyone. BTW, Nords in Windhelm are narrow minded idiots who are racist to everyone besides Nords. If you don't already know, Skyrim is the home of the Nords who are exceptional warriors. There is a civil war between them. The Imperial Legion wanted Nords to stop worshipping Talos for a reason I won't spoil but the Storm Cloaks are rebels who refuse to stop worshipping Talos and want to bring the Legion down. At beginning of game, you are to be executed along with the Storm Cloak's leader. You can join either the Imperial Legion or the StormCloaks early in the game. Two words. Choose wisely.

End Spoiler

[ScubaSteve1]

so do we get to chant, with the adoring fan by azura by azura bu azura

[SephirothX21]

Not from what I've played. I'm in college now and my 360 is at home so I can't play it. There is only one worshipper at the statue and she is obsessed with Azura. Azura has forseen the war in Skyrim, the return of the dragons and the rise of a dragonborn to save the world. Dragons are tough and the blessing of Azura must be earned.

[josephayal]

Who cares??? I want this game now!

[abczby]

No worries. I couldn't care less about how the game plays before launch. As long as it plays well (I don't mind the occasional bug) once it has been officially released, I'm happy.

I'm getting it for PC anyway...

[Rettom]

I'm not interested in graphics, I wanna know how steady the FPS is. ESPECIALLY on PS3 after the fail Fallout 3 came out. I love that game to death but have so many FPS problems.

[Miacosa]

I hear there is a day one patch maybe these issues will be fixed.

[Lord_Sloth]

Not really a surprise since everything I've ever played on the 360 does this.

[WitWolfy]

gears jumps to mind when I see stuff like this

[upallnightgamer]

With the exception of Mass Effect 2. Never had a problem on the 360. PS3 version was glitchy as hell, though. I had Shepard running around inside a car on the dock of the Citadel.

[Gam3rSinceBiRTH]

Sometimes I want to just wait a few weeks to get all the bugs sorted out. Seems like every game nowadays have some sort of problem that gets fixed in about a month. I wish I waited to beat Uncharted 3 after the aiming fix. :(

[girlwithturn]

I lol'd. They deleted the article. Time to writes a new opinion "Uncharted 3 Isn’t As Amazing as You’ve Heard".

[bunfighterii]

Most console games these days have texture loading issues- the games are getting too good for the hardware's memory to cope.

[kevnb]

what do you expect? Oblivion played like crap on 360, people were still mostly happy so why would devs worry about texture loading?

[upallnightgamer]

You know the PS3 fanboys are gonna blow this out of proportion, too.

[kevnb]

the ps3 version probably will be even worse, but it isnt pirated yet....

[kevnb]

I wonder if it will still have the 64hz bug with vsync enabled on pc... or is it really a new engine.

[StitchJones]

If your PC is robust enough, you should buy the PC version. Mod's and add-ons extend the lifespan of the game quite a bit.

[UnagiMaster]

Simple answer, "Xbox360 Version"
Shablam.

[ForROME]

Oblivion on 360 had the same issue when it first released, they patched it later and it was fine.

The PS3 version suffered from whacky anti aliasing issues

Eithier way the game overall will be a hit and per usual patches will follow right after.

I thin kin this day in age its normal for them to say well let people scream and patch it afterwards.

[zero_gamer]

Well that sucks. I'll purchase this for PC but they need to fix this issue for the 360 version.

[zerocrossing]

What console game that you can play online this gen doesn't have issues that need patching?

Honestly, I don't know if I just expect too much, or if putting a game on the shelves before it's ready is just somehow acceptable now.