A SKYRIM DOCUMENTARY | You're Finally Awake: Nine Developers Recount the Making of Skyrim

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Hi everyone, it's Jonah here - I hope you loved the video. My new graphic novel, "Quiet: Level One," has launched on Kickstarter! If you loved Skyrim, you will LOVE this: www.kickstarter.com/projects/quietlevelone/quiet-level-one-by-jonah-lobe?ref=6l7g4b I wanted to tell you that m

[@ricardomartinhodacruz]

I just wanna thank you developers to creating the best videogame ever. Until now, nothing beats the skyrim experience, and I played rdr2, all gow, uncharted, the witcher etc nothing beats skyrim. Yall can print out on yall tombstones you did it. I'm actually a 4 year developer and my aim is to be able to one day create a game with something similar to that experience.

[@yahnaschannel8502]

Love the show thank for the wolf info.

[@mayathomsen7890]

When i was the tender age of 13, my little brother yelled "maya! Come and look at this!" From the livingroom. He pointed to the ants on the stump in riverwood. And we both looked at them amazed and mystified that in this whole giant land of tameriel, there are details like such that make the world feel alive.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

A beautiful story, Maya, thanks for sharing it! Appreciate you and your brother - please send him my regards and tell him to come say hi here or on Instagram!

[@lilystorz1358]

I remember having that exact feeling the first time I played with headphones and realized I could hear the sound of running sewer water when I stood over one of the grates in Solitude.

[@TReXcuRRy]

Also I've never seen those ants on the same tree stump again. They added the ants specifically on that stump in Riverwood.

[@ateondeder5725]

I always loved the Giants design. You made them look like a misunderstood race and society, not mindless monsters. Loved learning more about the development!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I'm glad that was able to come through in the model!

[@Dorgpoop]

I feel so bad every time I cut off their toes to level up my alchemy lol

[@Henlak-]

Yeah I actively try and avoid killing them because they're not immideitly aggressive unless you bother them. Along with the fact they have great beards and I have no motivation to take that from the world

[@VladShpiro]

The videos of Skyrim giants sending measly humans skywards with the giant bone slam never get old

[@soulrebel6309]

Bro I just lost a follower to a Giant. We were battling one, when he must've hit her, and sent her flying. I couldn't find her body anywhere 😅!! Oh well

[@ZephlarNation]

My wife and I had a Skyrim themed wedding. Honey nut treats, sweet rolls, our topper was Alduin and The Last Unicorn. It was super dope.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

oh my goodness, can you message me on Instagram and show me your Alduin topper??? @iamjonahlobe

[@eclat4641]

Awesome!

[@Fourbix]

My man living the madness beyond the dream and i can't even find a fair maiden...

[@ashleywarren672]

THAT IS AWESOME!

[@flyfishizationjones4940]

@@ZephlarNation you are so lucky to have a wife who would be down with this. Mine HATES video games. The struggle is real.

[@sidvicious4701]

I cannot believe youtube hasn't recommended this video to me sooner. This has been the most enjoyable hour of content I have watched in a long time. Thank you Jonah

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Hey much love Sid Vicious! If you enjoyed this video, please don't forget to subscribe for more, and check out my current offerings!

[@kingdavey90]

​@@JonahLobeDrawsthis was so enjoyable, I agree

[@blumekind_]

OMG RIGHT!!!

[@dakotakennedy4654]

I had no idea the development team was so small for skyrim. This was such a fun opportunity for us to meet some of the people that shaped a game that so significantly impacted so many people.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

So glad you enjoyed it Dakota! And yes, the team is much smaller than people realize. Thanks for watching, and I hope you subscribed!

[@SentinelSeptim]

@@JonahLobeDrawsSkyrim is one of if not my favorite game of all time. Thank you for inspiring millions! I played when I was 16 and I even bought an Xbox after the PS version had the DLC delayed just so I could play DLC 1: Dawnguard. I believe dev teams are too large now. It’s become Icarus catching fire from the sun and has fallen down from the glory of what it once was IMO.

[@vinniciusrosa8284]

I love the tone of the game (words of Todd), and how landscapes seems to an oil painting. :))) About Fallout 4 it seems like more about an acrylic painting. This is how I think about :P

[@PrimordialOops]

Hearing Adam passed away after the game released broke my heart. Thank you for your love and passion, RIP

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks Primordial. It was a real loss…

[@danylonimko8419]

Hey all, I do not know if you will see it, but I wanna tell my story with Skyrim. I was 11 when Skyrim released. Growing up in a middle of economic and political turmoil back in my country, I felt lost. Every day news broadcast seemed like something out of Fallout universe, to the point when parents forbid their children to simply watch the news. Unfortunately, I was not able to play Skyrim at release, could not afford the game or the PC to play Skyrim. I still remember how my friends and I would run to computer clubs and watch random strangers play Skyrim. Some would get mad at us for staring and being a little annoying, some would even let us play for a couple of minutes. This was our past time after school for the entire year. We were simply fascinated, but still could not reach our passion. Fast-forward two years to my 13th birthday. I have been great at school and my parents were proud of me. So I get a PC for that birthday as a reward. My first ever. It was old and outdated, but I couldn’t even dream about having one. Most importantly, my older cousin has brought me an additional gift. A USB drive with pirated version of Skyrim (I am sorry, it was the only way). I could finally play the game. It ran at 20 fps and will some technical issues, however, it was way more than I thought you be possible. I played for thousands of hours. It was my only escape as the situation in my country has only gotten worse. The game was my own universe. It closely mirrored my real life situation. Skyrim is a harsh land with proud, strong people. It is in political crisis and on a verge of economic collapse. The parallel was clear to me. Skyrim pretty much was my country to me, but with one key difference. I could change things. In the game, I could help people and improve the wellbeing of those around me. I could resolve political struggles and I could bring peace to people of Skyrim. Something I terribly desired in real life. So I will get to the main point. Dwemer. They changed my life. Literally. I was always fascinated by their culture and technological prowess. I wanted to be like them. How badly did I want that? How exactly did they change my life? I am set to graduate from university here in United States. Upon graduation, I will officially become an aerospace engineer. I am going to be part of Dwemer. Siting now, replaying Skyrim on my new PC, brings tears to my eyes. I remember all those times previously and how much has changed since that fateful day ten years ago, I can only say “Thank you”. I hope that Skyrim has been as fulfilling for the developers, as it was for the players. P.S. I am deeply saddened that Adam has not witnessed what Skyrim has become. It is not just a commercial success, but a classic, a benchmark for all gaming and a eternal favorite. We are forever True Sons and Daughters of Skyrim.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you Danylo for sharing your story here with us. I cannot imagine growing up at such a young age in the middle of such horrible times and places. I am so glad that Skyrim could be a place for you to escape to, and to draw inspiration from. That is all I want to do in this world… Create fantasy worlds that will inspire and serve as a refuge for people. I am incredibly impressed at your life journey! You’ve come so far, to be an engineer of your level, that is incredible and something that I am simply not capable of. But we all have our strengths, and it seems that you have found yours. Thank you for commenting and telling me your story, it is a pleasure to hear from you. I wish you the best on your journey!

[@nitaisharan265]

Really lovely comment. Hope your future career goes well.

[@JH-qy7zw]

Whoa, this was incredibly touching. God bless you friend.

[@leonardinho3235]

Wow, this has seriously inspired me, thanks for sharing

[@MariaIsabel_Fufuria]

Dude, I am in tears. The best of luck to you in your aerospace engineering!

[@ce6ej]

Skyrim was groundbreaking in 2011, and most of us will NEVER forget the amazingly positive impact the game has had on our lives. The game came out when I was 23. I’m 34 now, and decided to pick it back up to play the anniversary edition.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

That's awesome man! I am planning to play it again soon myself, haven't played since it was released.

[@mattg2306]

Hell yeah it was awesome. I remember waiting in my garage the morning of 11/11 waiting for Gamestop to open so I could go and pick it up.

[@maesterchris2120]

It wasn't. Literally did nothing new

[@Diactia]

​@@maesterchris2120🤡

[@nosessniff]

@@maesterchris2120 oh ok

[@nerdoutreachprogram5358]

I spent nearly 5 years in jail and prison, and Skyrim was the first game I played when I got out. My first open world game, my first RPG. I played lots of Half Life and Doom and Quake back in the day, but I got too deep into addiction and stopped playing games. Getting out and immersing myself in Skyrim was a small part of how I got back used to living a normal drug free life.

[@robertstimmel1100]

good on you for pulling it together! I never got to jail, thankfully, but Skyrim was a huge help for me getting sober. Instead of eating pills until I passed out, I came home and played hours of Skyrim every night. It played a huge part in turning my life around, too.

[@nerdoutreachprogram5358]

@@robertstimmel1100 same. My main vice became (and still somewhat is) staying up entirely too late playing Skyrim. Now I have an awesome PC my little brothers built for me, so gaming is my main hobby.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Love this story, and so glad you guys are both able to maintain sobriety - and that Skyrim has helped you both! Sometimes hobbies and disciplines really, really help with the darkness. I appreciate you both, hope things continue to go well for you, and maybe we can shake hands at a Comic Con sometime! In the meanwhile, I hope you've both subscribed - I'm working on an original comic book, QUIET: Level One, which I think you'll both really enjoy.

[@nerdoutreachprogram5358]

@@JonahLobeDraws thank you!

[@robertstimmel1100]

@@JonahLobeDraws It's crazy to think about how much of an impact someone can have on another person's life without ever realizing. I've been sober for over ten years now. My life is so much better now. Thanks for being a part of that!

[@EpicNate]

I’m not crying your crying

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I’m also crying Nate.

[@yendorthegrand4078]

*you're

[@Camelworks]

Awesome video, love seeing some behind the scenes stuff like this!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

You know that's an honor coming from you! Thanks, as ever, for your commitment to this series, you are literally a pillar of the ES community.

[@0nline935]

👏👏👏 thank you both and all of u reading this and all of us n'wah waiting for the next work!!!

[@josiahpaulthompson]

In this episode he will be curating the curious curiosities that are the masterminds of the Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

[@kingdavey90]

It's camel! Welcome back

[@Chilling_Charizard]

i recently got into Camelworks. I just binge the vids. It was so dope seeing this comment gave that predator 1 handshake vibes

[@ItzPewds]

It feels criminal to only be recommended this video 2 years after it was released, what an amazing crew and interview as a whole, literally made millions of peoples lifes different for the better, i still remember playing this game as a child and now im almost 25 with a 5 year old son myself now, i cant wait to introduce him to legends like skyrim and pass on that gaming itch that only games like that can scratch, idk if yall will still see this but even if not, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all ❤️

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Much love Pewds, thanks so much for this lovely comment and memory :)

[@Rebelzize]

Incredible to hear all these stories, thanks for putting this together Jonah❤️🔥 Skyrim is endless and a big reason is the love you guys clearly put into the game.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you for watching!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

@@TML0677 Well, thanks for half the kind words you said, anyway.

[@breakfes]

@@TML0677 this baffled me. such a bad place to put a piece of your review of the game man. be mindful. you're shitting on a celebration of years of these people's work from well over a decade ago, for a company they left years ago. the documentary is a retrospective of their time throughout those years and insight into the impression it left on them and on eachother.

[@juanjo_sound]

I remember back in 2012, I was up late playing Skyrim in my bedroom with a bunch of friends. We all eventually went to sleep and at some point in the night I woke up as the Dragon Priest, I then got out of bed and started levitating around my room. I felt so powerful. I floated over to my mirror and gazed in awe at my own reflection, in disbelief at the awesome form I'd taken on. It turns out this was just an incredibly vivid dream, but it felt real. Almost like a lucid dream. That dream will stick with me for the rest of my life.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Duddddeeee that's awesome man! Thanks for sharing Juan.

[@bajiraosingham9495]

When I first started playing Skyrim I played the game whole day for atleast 7-10 days.. Reaching about level 30 and deciding to restart the game and "Play as Pure Mage this time" and restarting again to play as Mage + One handed Swordsman (my favorite style now). I also had several nightmares when I suddenly found myself in one of the dungeons.

[@webdevstudy7233]

Because of your hard work on Skyrim inspired me i was a, special needs kid who hated school used to come home every single day to play Skyrim to escape from it all, the world you created inspired me to become a programmer when everyone was telling me im Forest Gump and too dumb or not capable of anything, 14 years later im a full-stack employed web developer, with a first-class honours in computer science, with a little bit of game dev experience. The Game you built inspired me to do better Thank you Everyone at Bethesda

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks for leaving this comment, Webdev. The older I get, the more I realize the broad and startling range of human intelligence and creativity. I'm sorry that school was so hard for you, kids can be so cruel and sometimes the faculty don't understand the myriad ways that powerful brains can function. I'm so glad that you found your calling, something formidable that you can excel at. Here's to always growing and following our passions!

[@oantimido]

Wait, Jonah made Alduin and the Whalebone Bridge but never actually experienced those? How crazy is that? You're awesome, all of you. This is a work of art, just like Skyrim is.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Heyyy thanks for watching dude. Super appreciate it!

[@tuomoluukkanen7265]

With probably 500+ hrs in game, I now have learned there's some kind of whalebone bridge in Skyrim.

[@toslinked]

i have been playing this game for thousands of hours and I have also never seen this bridge.

[@slambobambo4152]

@@toslinkedwell most people beat the game after a few hundred

[@dwb345]

I really appreciate the design of not filling the map with icons etc. Really added to the sense of discovery and replayability

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Indeed, keeps the focus on the beautiful landscape and sense of wonder!

[@yoshitsune5691]

Facts Ubisoft should take notes, not hating on them, because I do enjoy assassins creed games. But nothing has captured the feel Skyrim brings.

[@mancamiatipoola]

Im an old school gamer so i still like to rack my brain a little and use my 2 neurons to figure things out on my own, so i appreciate a game that doesn't do objective and minimap overload. And yes sometimes you had a ton of quests in Skyrim and it became a little chaotic, but you always had that freedom to do things in your own way. Very early on i got a little addon called Immersive UI, which made all UI elements fade out when they were not prompting anything, but my fav thing about that simple mod was that you could turn on/off the compass with a button. I just loved playing this game in 1st person mode with no UI and just looked at the map from time to time to get oriented. No offense to the designers that made the UI, it is still one of the best UI's in an RPG, but not having the UI on the screen all the time just does wonders for the immersion. However, Skyrim had all the modern UI markers that most games have nowadays including a custom marker that you could place yourself, which was pretty advanced for the time. I thank all the wonderful people that worked on this game, but i also thank all the thousands of modders that made subtle immersive improvements to the game as well. :)

[@Ratzmoonmopes]

​​​​​​​​@@yoshitsune5691You're completely wrong, this is a classic example of asking for something without actually thinking about the consequences. The fact that Ubisoft puts the icons on the map is a GOOD thing, they did it for a good reason. If you actually played AC1 and AC2, you'd KNOW that searching for the flags and feathers was the WORST and MOST FRUSTRATING part of the game because you're just running around in circles wasting precious time. There's no benefit to that, it's just bad. It was a flaw and they were smart and fixed it. The classic AC games are all around 40 hours long EACH to 100%, so it already takes FOREVER to get through the series. So if you ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT IT it's 100% a good thing that they're marked because it saves SO MUCH unnecessary time and frustration. I would hate it if they weren't marked, it would make the games way more annoying to play. It would be a lot more annoying, frustrating and needlessly time-consuming if they weren't marked, as proven by AC1 and AC2. Also, most of the AC games actually have the option to turn off the icons if you really want to, so you DO have the choice and you're foolish for acting like it's forced. And stop acting like every game has to be the same and follow the same rules, Assassin's Creed isn't about "discovery" in the same way Bethesda games are. You need to understand that they're different styles of game. Ubisoft's design is good just different. I enjoy both Ubisoft and Bethesda games equally, I like them exactly the way they are, I like the variety and I don't hate any of them because that would be non-sensical and pointless.

[@RaymondCripps]

Amazing video Jonah. You might not remember but shortly after Skyrim's release my brother and I visited your studio when we were kids. We brought with us our copy of Skyrim to get it autographed by everyone we met there and your signature stuck out to me because your handwriting was so tidy. We were only there for an hour or two but I could feel that synergy you talked about. Even as an outside observer it felt like the stars had aligned to bring the right team to the right project at the right time. I vividly remember the concept art room-the magic was palpable. That visit changed my life and opened my eyes to the fact that games are made by real people and not just summoned from oblivion. I'm now on my own path as an indie developer and have grown a greater appreciation for the work you guys did. I still play Skyrim to this day, using the same character from when I was 13 and I still discover new things every time. Thank you for making such wonderful art.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Amazing Raymond! I'm sure I remember you dropping by, if not your exact face or name... I think I even remember standing outside my cubicle when I signed that copy! Am wishing you the best of luck as you move forward in your indie developer journey. Remember to keep chasing your passion, elevate the people around you and enjoy the journey!

[@Leaferr]

@@JonahLobeDraws this comment in particular is the most wholesome comment and reply I think I've seen in years. goes to show how such simple things can make a profound impact on the trajectory of somebodies life.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

@@Leaferr I love this comment, it definitely made my day!

[@thesourceofthenile]

The passion the development team for Skyrim shown in this video is unbelievably strong. I've never seen people from a game studio so proud and enthusiastic over what they've accomplished. It's clear that something special was meant to come from that passion, and I'm elated to see that it turned into my all-time favorite game. Thank you all sincerely for the amazing work of art that you've made.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank YOU Nile! Love this comment, thanks for watching and for being such a fan of the game!

[@PascalxSome]

You guys made the best video game in history. Ocarina of Time, Pokemon, which also score a lot of nostalgia points, don't reach this level of letting yourself fall into this game, forgetting everything that stresses you out. I can play it every day, because you never get tired. Modding Community also is incredible. A masterpiece, truly. You created so many great memories

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Aww. thank you Pascal. I hope you've subscribed to my channel??

[@Gothmaugh]

First time i walked into black reach I was in awe. First time I walked out (6 hours later) I was exhausted and even MORE in awe. Also stumbling into it during a side quest 100% gave it that "my secret discovery" feeling on a masive scale.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

You can thank Joel and Nate for that experience!!

[@user-ow1bc4sx2r]

Absolutely, walking into blackreach blind was one of the most memorable moments I have ever had gaming. So happy I didn’t have it spoiled for me. I don’t think I even had a side quest there, I think I just found an entrance while dungeon diving random waypoints on the map

[@jameshetherington1]

Just before the release I had never played an Elder Scrolls game, a friend of mine really wanted me to play Skyrim and I thought "eh I'll give it a look in when it's cheap" my buddy bought me the game full price brand new to get me to play. Never looked back, incredible series and incredible game

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Now THAT James is a true friend!

[@100gnomes3]

Todd Howard likes to talk about “step out” moments when you see the beauty of the game world unleashed for the first time. For me, that moment was the Riverwood ants. I remember seeing it in a promo and being so amazed that as soon as I left Riverwood, I went to look at the ants. I studied them for a good few minutes. I was just stunned that there was such a level of detail to the game - that’s when I fell in love with Skyrim. Mark Teare, your work has not gone unnoticed!

[@IcepersonYT]

I had actually put a lot of hours into the game before I ever noticed that, and when I finally did I have to question if I was seeing things or not, or if maybe some mod was adding them. Tbf I had already seen a lot of the game online and kinda just rushed around fighting stuff when I was a kid, I never got into the exploration/roleplaying angle until much later when I started noticing these kinds of details.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

That's part of what's great about the game... there are multiple levels of engagement that are possible, and you notice different things depending on the mood.

[@GetUpTheMountains]

I missed those ants in Riverwood for my first several hundred hours. I remember hearing that there were ants “somewhere” and looked for them all over. When I found them it really did have the effect of “I wonder how many other subtle details are all over that I’ve missed”. Really does make you imagine worms in the ground and other creepy crawlies especially after seeing all the bugs flying in the sky as well. So ants + alchemy bugs really work in synergy to create the alive world around us.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

@@GetUpTheMountains what a beautiful feeling! It’s the little details huh…

[@JonahLobeDraws]

@@GetUpTheMountains So cool. Sometimes it's the little details that really create a sense of depth right?

[@ami7mina]

All thse staff and anyone who made this MASTERPIECE. Thank you for existing. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You are all legends!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Appreciate you saying so Ami!

[@berry1995]

Thank you all so very much. Watching this it makes it so apparent why the game hit so many of us the way it did. You all loved it just as much as we one day would. The game is truly timeless. People still find their way back to the Wagon ride years later. The vast comfort of the game is palpable. Aesthetic channels still make scenic videos based on the sounds, sights and nature of the world. Thank you so very much for all each of you did.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you so much Morgane for this lovely message. It truly was a special time in our lives, and we could have only dreamed it would leave the impact that it did!!

[@berry1995]

@JonahLobeDraws ❤️❤️❤️ it really did. Its affected a whole generation in the best way! And alot of us are just waiting for the day we can watch our kid play it ❤️

[@sulferix7265]

Simply the most beautiful world I've ever gotten to experience. Every single one of you who worked on this game are legends. It's a shame you couldn't get Jeremy soule on here, his work is, in my opinion, the greatest videogame musical artistry of all time. It's simply unparalleled. All of this came together at the perfect time, really the last time it could, to create a total masterclass of art that will be enjoyed for generations. Hats off to you folks. I hope one day you can be reunited to work on an even bigger and better world.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Much love Sulferix! I also regret not being able to have sound designers in this, but the one I know best still works at Bethesda, and Jeremy Soule - as amazing as he is - actually turned out to be kind of a creep... so yeah, didn't want to include him in the doc...

[@sulferix7265]

@@JonahLobeDraws well, like i said. it was the last time a game like this could be made. baseless claims that were made against him were never proven in a court because of course they werent. another victim of stupid cancel culture. thus insuring you all can never work together again. its sad how such degenerate modern politics had to destroy so much of the artistic world. im not sure if this generation can ever recover....... maybe some day we will learn to grow a spine again, and then maybe great art can be produced again

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I mean, I hear what you're saying, but I know people who worked with him directly on this project, and they let me know that he acted really creepily at times. And I trust these people. So yeah, I'm not sure "degenerate modern politics" can really be blamed... @@sulferix7265

[@heshreds4049]

@@JonahLobeDraws "Creepy" is subjective, and everybody's definition of creepy is different. Unless some serious proof and or charges come against someone I made it a point to not write anybody off just based on allegations or other peoples opinions. Especially since there's been so many allegations in the past that have turned out to be completely untrue. At the end of the day though, you all actually knew the guy personally, I didn't. It was your call to include him in the video or not and I enjoyed it regardless.

[@mirche99]

@@JonahLobeDraws wow, did not know that about jeremy soule... thank you for being upfront on why he wasnt featured on the doc! i appreciate your transparency on the topic especially considering youre a direct source... overall amazing video, you all did such an incredible job on skyrim! truly a masterpiece :)

[@xeoncat]

The fire atronach is one of my favorite designs and animations in anything. And it's cool to have her following you around in game

[@boreanknight]

I keep rewatching this documentary on a regular basis. There's something magical about it. It's such a joy listening to all of you! As time goes on, I appreciate Skyrim even more, its characters worldbuilding and stories. This comes from a 40 year old fan who started with Morrowind in early 2000s.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

My favorite comment! Thanks Borean, I'm so glad you enjoy this video. I'm super happy with how it turned out - I wanted to create a worthwhile testament to those times, and I'm pleased with it. Hope you followed and have enjoyed my other videos!

[@tylerm7411]

It's amazing to see and hear from some of the awesome people, who gave me some of the coolest and most fun gaming memories! ❤

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Appreciate you Tyler! Hope you subscribed for more like this.

[@Xman360z]

It's so amazing to see the impact that individual people and their passions have on the game for things that you would otherwise assume was in some design document and scoped out much earlier

[@JonahLobeDraws]

It was a different time, with a smaller team. We had so much fun with it!

[@Borgatiger]

Skyrim is not just a regular game, Skyrim is life! And saved and yet save many lives, this is why this masterpiece is so special! Greetings from a brazilian fan.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Ahhh thank you so much my friend!

[@Prienen]

We don't know each other, but you guys are an important part of my life. It feels good to finally see the faces behind all this. Thank you for this great world! Thank you Adam, your work made you immortal.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Aww thank you Prienen. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Thanks for playing and watching.

[@justinhorn2395]

I've been out picking flowers and catching butterflies so many times I can't even count. I love all the interactive things like catching fish or putting a bucket on people's heads or reading lore in fake libraries. That's why I play through again and again. Many of us love this game more than any other. Thanks all involved.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

So glad you enjoyed yourself in our little garden, Justin.

[@josephgreen6950]

I agree, loved reading the journals left behind and short stories in the books u come across it really gave more depth and made this world come to life like how Tolkien would add so much detail about the life in the shire, even the mailing system lol but it all adds with creating the atmosphere and environment more real

[@DeeEditor1]

Same, I recently became obsessed with book collecting. The library in my Lakeview Manor is almost completely. 0 repeats and filed away in alphabetical order, journals stored in their own little chest, letters in a lock box.

[@skyworm8006]

@@DeeEditor1 haha i've done this before as well. reading books in-game is great. i've always enjoyed it over the years, in the other elder scrolls games too.

[@jeremiahmacclure]

Skyrim is one of the best games I have played in my life. I played the game at release in November 2011 and it blew me away. Still pick it up, thanks to all the devs for all of their hard work and passion.

[@MrZork33]

I played Skyrim the day it came out when I was 16. I've played a lot of oblivion (and even some morrowind before that, one of my very first rpgs). Before Skyrim came out, I was thinking that there is no way this game would exceed Oblivion, it's a game that I cherished a lot at that time. But then I played that intro sequence for the first time with my brother, I don't know how, but I immediately knew that I was proven wrong. I felt overwhelmed by everything, the tone, the setting, the music… I remember thinking: "My god, they might've done it!" - Youcef from Algeria

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I love this story - thank for sharing. Hope you get a chance to watch my fallout video!

Man, I can only say THANK YOU! Skyrim is the game of my life... seriously! I started my KZbin channel to make cosplays for the game (I made the Ancient Nord Armor, the Dragonbone Armor, the Yngol helmet and the Iron Armor for my wife); I did architectural projects in college based on the Skyrim setting. I have 8 tattoos with the wonderful symbolism of Tamriel. There were nights when I would come home from class or work and simply open the game to read the books. Skyrim was one of the turning points of my life, and I thank you deeply for that. A big hug from Brazil!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Yooo amazing!! Can you please hit me up on Instagram and send me pics of the Ancient Nord Armor, Dragonbone Armor, and Yngol's helmet??? I made all three of those things and I'd love to see your rendition of them. Much love brotha! Also, hope you subscribed :)

[@flyingplantwhale545]

Dude, that's awesome! I have some Thuum scripture inked on my chest too!!

[@JaxAndree]

I just started playing Skyrim for the first time recently and it quickly became my favorite game of all time. 👑 Absolute masterpiece! Thank you to all who made it. ❤

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Better late than never, welcome to the game Jax!!

[@Justin-fd7tg]

Honestly the story about the ants was really great for me. When I saw them in game back in 2011 it was really special for me and it was really great seeing the guy who made them

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Mark is a genius!

[@Iron_Stigmata]

Me too! I remember seeing them and being astounded by the detail

[@chrisdavies9520]

This game changes my life, still at the age of 29 it’s one of the only things that can snap me out of a slump so it’s cool to see some of the people that a responsible for that , great video and thank you all !

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Much love Chris, thank you my friend! Hope you subscribed for more like this...

[@nickswisher5261]

Nothing will compare to the feeling of excitement and magic Skyrim gave me when I was 11 and it came out. It’s very cool to learn that you made some of that art that is iconic to me!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

It was a pleasure and an honor to do so!

[@godofawsome02]

I rewatch this about once a year and I’m utterly captivated every time. This game is a work of art, thank you and the team for pouring your hearts and souls into making it.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I really appreciate that, fawsome! I'm pleased with how this turned out, and it definitely helped to document some important years in our lives!

[@Doomgel]

Its amazibg to see people accomplish when they have a shared vision, unwavering drive, and good management. Thanks for all you and your friends have done. The world is a brighter place beacuse of it

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Much love Doomgel!

[@jgrowland24]

The background of the skill menu is so good, im glad he took the time to make it beautiful

[@thomasdavison7184]

Y'all made a true masterpiece man. This is honestly the best game i ever played.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Yay thanks Thomas! Appreciate watching, hope you subscribed :)

[@SM-ew6pb]

I just wanted to say thanks to all of the people working at Bethesda at that time and now, you guys made my life and especially my childhood slightly or even much better. Thanks❤

[@jeremyb7611]

This was great Jonah. It is so nice to see everyone and to re-visit all of these old pictures and accounts of us doing what we love. Something really special happened on that journey that I haven't felt again, before or since. These were some of my favorite times... Miss you all!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Jeremy! So glad that you got to watch this! Indeed, those were very special times. Everyone was just on the same page in a really big way, the company did not have any major problems, we all worked well together, and the end product turned out so well. We are very lucky to have experienced that! Miss you buddy, hope you are well.

[@ImYourBias]

holy smokes that list of what you made was incredible. seriously, how have I not been recommended this in the entire year I've been re-obsessed with this game? thanks so much for this.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you so much Bias! Hope you get a chance to watch the Fallout video I just released (oh, and that you subscribed ;)

[@ImYourBias]

@@JonahLobeDraws Not a Fallout player, but you just might make me one. Love 3D and game design, so I'll definitely check it out. Very much appreciate the response!

[@RedtheMudkip]

I don't have words to describe how thrilled & grateful I am that you put out this documentary. It's so heartwarming to watch behind-the-scenes vids of Skyrim, because it reminds me that Elder Scrolls isn't just a game series-- it's a vessel for good memories, for both the devs and the players. You all put an insane amount of love and passion into crafting this world, and playing the game feels more special because we know every little detail is heartfelt. Thank you guys, for 10 years of one of the best games of all time.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Mudkip thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure and an honor to work on such a great game with such a great cast of characters. Appreciate your support so much!

[@francoinyourmind]

it's just the perfect imperfection. doesn't get better than this.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

So glad you enjoy it man!

[@MRSketch09]

Thanks for doing this vid & the other team members who we're willing to talk. It was nice to see how the sausage was made in this case.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Much love, thanks for watching!

[@mdogg094]

It’s so clear that this game was made with love. I was in high school when Skyrim came out and I really thought then that I could play it forever and never run out of things to see. I’ve since played and beaten every other elder scrolls game (even arena!) but Skyrim still brings a special feeling of coming home. I’ve seen the intro so many times I could probably quote it word for word from Helgen to the Greybeards. Thank you for your part in my formative memories!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you so much for playing and for watching! I do hope you've subscribed, so you don't miss what I'm working on next...!

[@kas5564]

This was a really enjoyable time and do hope you're able to get your book published if it isn't already. 🎉

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you so much Kas! I would love for you to be a part of my world. Please google my Substack and join up, it's totally free and I'd love to have you. It's called "The Tree of Worlds" and it details the development of my upcoming comic (which I'll also make videos of here on KZbin).

[@thatboy799]

So Sal is responsible for that trailer that still gives chills 10 years later haha! I hope she occasionally reads the comments on that video to remind herself what an impact that video still has. Obviously Max's voice is awesome as well.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Zane, Sal and another video editor put that together. She's talented right??

[@hiroocampo]

You guys made my childhood, you are my heroes, thank you for making Skyrim V. If I am going to live on another realm, I will look for you, I will look for Skyrim again...

[@JonahLobeDraws]

much love Hiro!

[@seb0rn739]

Thank you for making this absolute gem of a game.

[@vtheman1850]

Seeing the Skyrim trailer still brings a tear to my eye, I was in my 20's starting a familly, striking out on my own, and every time I see it I remind myself of helping my late Mom, a kindergarten teacher in Eastern Europe put together a children's play that was, basically skyrim. It was a fond thread and a project that connected me with my folks. My dad will work the garden listening to the Skyrim soundtrack to this day :D

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Wow I absolutely love this story. Thank you so much for sharing it V! My condolences about your mom - she sounds absolutely incredible. The world needs more educators like her!!

[@Wizards0nly]

I always appreciate behind-the-scenes glimpses into projects like this, it demystifies the scale of it all into much more tangible, personal contributions... It makes me feel like I can help make something just as good.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Absolutely Wizards! That's why my whole channel is geared toward helping and informing and de-mystifying the process of creative art and projects. Thanks for watching, and for commenting.

[@Henlak-]

We need more videos like this kn youtube to increase the appreciation people have for how much goes into making a game and the negative reaction to game delays. It's not as easy as "Go into door, black screen and ur there" behind the scenes that had to be programmed, not easy. Thank you for sharing this and to all the people who poured their souls into this game and made fantastic memories dating back 10years for all of us. Skyrim is timeless❤

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks RH For the lovely comment! It was a pleasure to put this together, and I’m glad that it was informative for you.

[@danielbeyerlein]

I take my hat off to every person. That worked on skyrim. You all have managed to make a game that can pull me back in time and time again. I have been playing the game since its release and I have only completed the main quest 4 times because of all of the beauty in the landscap. And all of the attention that you all have paid to making brilliant Content

[@Capper_Bra]

I still remember when i got Skyrim. I was sick laying in my parents room asking my mom over the phone to buy the game while she was out grocery shopping. I still remember the weather was good. This was one of the best days in my life. This was of course 13 years ago Thanks for having made the game possible.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

You're so welcome, and thanks for sharing this memory with me!

[@victorkreig6089]

It's sad how few in the world understand just how much we all lost with Adam, thank you for mentioning him; means a lot that his friends haven't forgotten him

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you Victor. He really was special, I learned a lot from him. I will carry what I learned through life… Did you know him?

[@arc88arc88]

I just started playing Skyrim as a 50 year old, and it’s given me such joy (and frustration lol). Thanks for the inside look. Now go down to the barracks for some food and rest. You’ve earned it.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

lol thanks Arc!

[@PatriotJedi]

For years I've always tossed around games in my mind pondering what is my ultimate favorite. This game comes up with Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. I always said if I had to live inside a video game, Skyrim would be it. I'll never forget how I first experienced it...living in this college dorm place at KSU, my buddy would always come over and we'd smoke and hang out then I bought Skyrim not knowing much about it, I had 2 crt tv's in my room and two Xbox 360's and got another copy of the game he and I would both play exploring similar areas in our games to see what we would find. Then using the official guide we hunted for Daedric artifacts finding the information in the guide then both setting out to find them. This game is VERY special to me. Thank you to ALL of the Developers who put in their hearts and creativity to bring us something so special 🙌

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Hell yeah, thanks for this Patriot. Glad you had so many good memories of this game. And I hope you subscribed to my channel for more like this!

[@nodraw_]

Jonah, I want to thank you and all the amazing people who helped create such a beautiful world! I’ve been playing Skyrim for around a decade, and to this day, I still find myself literally just walking around the map, getting lost in the incredible details of a world that feels so real and like home. Also, thank you for making this documentary (love your mask collection!)

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks so much for watching Nodraw, this was a pleasure to put together and I had a blast doing so. I hope you also subscribed and watched my Fallout documentary too, it's a bit different but you might enjoy it. And stay tuned for my graphic novel, Quiet: Level One! As a lover of Skyrim, I think you'll dig it :)

[@quattroclub]

So awesome to hear how passionate the devs are, really shows that this game really had the right people behind it, a very rare thing

[@JonahLobeDraws]

It was a special time..

[@punishedprops]

Fantastic work on the documentary Jonah! =D

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Means a lot coming from you guys! Would love to Zoom chat with you sometime in the new year if possible. I am going to be expanding this channel in a big way and I would love your sage wisdom and advice.

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

First, thank you for this. There has been scant behind-the-scenes material available over the past decade, so many of us have been pining for something like this. With some video games, I never forget that I'm sitting on my couch and staring at my tv with a controller in my hand. Skyrim is completely transportive. The physical world disappears, as though the television frame expands beyond my field of view, and I'm simply there. How many times have beautiful moments occurred that felt unique to me, thanks to the alchemy of ingredients you lovingly poured into the game? How many music cues have hit at just the right time, as I've rounded a bend to see a beautiful vista after emerging from a dank dungeon, greeted by the sunset - until the "dun-dun!" approaching enemy kicks in, and my heart races not knowing what's behind me. I hope you keep it going! I'd love to see spotlights on more of the team. And to each of you, what was it like hearing Jeremy Soule's score for the first time? It had to be like Lucas, having labored on Star Wars, hearing how Williams's score enhanced and elevated everything he'd worked so hard on. And did you expect to snag such A-list talent like Christopher Plummer?! I'd be like, "I am going to design the **** out of this next flower!"

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Christopher Plummer was such a great and unexpected pleasure. And to have his voice alongside my dragons... couldn't ask for a better feeling! Thanks Chad for this lovely comment, I really appreciate it. Am releasing new content in 1 month, I look forward to showing you! Thanks for your support.

[@HenriqueM7732]

I'm a huge Skyrim fan and and I would like to thank you so much for bringing that amazing content to all of us! As a 3D artist I feel very inspired by your journey and all of your coworkers experience working in such an amazing game like TES V Skyrim. We have to always remember that games are made by people! All the best, Jonah, and thank you again!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

You’re so welcome Henrique! I wish you luck on your own 3d/art discipline. If you have any questions or want any advice or anything, hit me up on Instagram!

[@flyfishizationjones4940]

I just watched this again in its entirety 2 years later. How serendipitous that all these great, driven talents came together at the same time on one project. Someone should make a docu-series about this. I could watch hours of this.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

thanks so much FlyFish! Glad you enjoyed this. I would have liked to make more - I certainly have the content, in interview format! - but I always feel that it's best to leave them wanting more. You can also watch my Fallout video...

[@flyfishizationjones4940]

@ Doing that right away.

[@kaishaker5663]

I still go back to Skyrim to feel that peace of nature and music.

[@Tetramir1]

Very emotional, thanks a lot for this. That part about team culture and speaking the same language is very dear to me.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Rashad started a sweet new company and he and his partners are hiring with that principle in mind! Thanks so much for watching Florent.

[@ellies6578]

Found this fascinating. I’ve always tried (and failed) to put my finger on why after all this time I still come back to this game. It’s my comfort game. I’m still finding new stuff! The fact that’s how it felt at the time for the people making it - and still is when you think of that time in your careers, is both mind blowing and the most logical thing ever. You can’t fake a good team culture and the magic it produces. And I bet that chasing the bottom line instead of allowing that creative, collaborative, competitive environment to develop and thrive, is why there’s still no other game quite like it.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

It really was a special time for us! Glad you could feel that.

[@lordannatar9316]

Thank you so much all of you for making, in my opinion, the greatest game of all time. I still play Skyrim to this day.

[@ItsMrConnor]

Skyrim was a game that made me fell in love with Fantasy RPG genre. I was 11 when the game first came out and I barely understand english at that time, as it is my second language. So as a kid who didn’t know what to do I had to figure out everything on my own and had a great time while at it. I remember coming back home from school hyped up to play and discover something new each time. That also helped me to learn and improve my english, word after word, so I could understand each of the items, quests, characters, etc. Even now, with over 3000 hours across three generations of consoles, from PlayStation 3 to 5. once in a while I start it up, create a new character and dive into the masterpiece that you, and all the other guys from the DEV team managed to create. As the atmosphere that Skyrim has is truly unbeatable and even after all these years, it can still surprise with all the hidden details. Always gonna hold a special place in my heart.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I really enjoy this Connor, thank you for sharing my friend! Also, I'd love for you to be alerted to my graphic novel, Quiet: Level One! It just launched on Kickstarter! www.kickstarter.com/projects/quietlevelone/quiet-level-one-by-jonah-lobe

[@PeeWeeHermitGames]

Your work and your game saved my life and rejuvenated my faith and has brought me endless comfort and got me through COVID in one piece. I could go on forever, but you helped save my life, thank you.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Aww much love Vagabond, thank you. I'm thrilled that Skyrim was there for you when times were tough! I also hope you subscribed, I've got some stuff in the works I don't want you to miss...

[@acewhitey9862]

Thank you for this video Jonah 🖤 . Thank you ALL for being part of certainly the greatest gaming experience in my life. I've been gaming for over 35 years, no game has had such an impact on me. Skyrim has always been my go to - in good times, the bad, COVID lockdowns, late night bottle feeds with my children while playing on the switch 😅 and has really helped me escape when in some low points in my life. The work you all did was amazing - you can really sense you all captured lightening in a bottle, you should all be so proud. A true great work of gaming, accomplishment and art, so much so I even got the Dragonborn tattooed on my arm.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment Ace! Really appreciate you my friend. Hope you subscribed, so that you don't miss my upcoming comic book!!

[@hnasr]

Fantastic work you guys, thanks for sharing this beautiful details makes us appreciate the game even more now. You built something great

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks for saying so Hussein, and thanks for watching! I think you will enjoy what I'm announcing soon...

[@Andrea_Manconi]

I'm watching this once again, and I noticed that I forgot to write how entertaining you are every time I happen to see you!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Heyyy thank you so much Andrea! I super appreciate the kind words, and I appreciate you watching this twice.

[@3clectic0]

I just started playing for the first time. I bought it for the switch. Im starting to love it. This is an amazing documentary and it really shows in the game that it breathes passion and dedication. It connects. Because you were all connected. I love it because it was made with love. Thank you

[@JonahLobeDraws]

It's true, the game is special because of who we were at the time. A very special period for us all!

[@williambiggs3699]

10:08 I was happy to hear Harvey Smith mentioned in this video. When I was much younger (30's) than I am now(62) Harvey was our dungeon master, but after a couple of years he became distracted by this computer sim of some kind of war game stuff, that I wasn't interested in. Later I learned that he and Steve another d&d player and my coworker, had been part of Deus Ex, a game I very much enjoyed.😊

[@pedrohpf1990]

God you guys are awesome, since 2011 the first game I ever install in any new PC I get is always Skyrim. I got so much joy out of playing Skyrim throughout all these years, thank you so much for putting in all that effort. Can't wait for TES 6 and hope the team that's working on that is every bit as passionate as you guys were back then. Much love

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thanks so much, and I hope so too! I can’t wait to play it, even if I have to wait for like 6 years (which is probably accurate),

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

@@JonahLobeDraws Official statement here press! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TKsMantis]

Very informative, guys! Thank you so much for sharing this and for all the hard work over the years!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

So glad you enjoyed it Mantis!

[@JordUK]

This is great Jonah. Big fan of the werewolf section and the healthy competition

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I love that section too, Jord, thanks. The competition powered some great work!

[@RomusSixgriffe]

Thank you so much for your work on one of the most memorable game of my life, one i still come back to today, and thank you for this documentary, and showcasing the work of your friends and colleagues. The work you did means so much to me, some of my dearest friends, and so many people around the world.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I super appreciate that Romus, thanks so much for leaving this great message!

[@YourWaywardDestiny]

Well, knowing the giants were modeled off a dad now certainly makes it make sense why the little hot spring area with a giant mourning a dead mammoth is so incredibly heartbreaking now. Because it's a real man's face and it was crafted with love. That giant needs a hug bigger than any of my character's model can give. I guess I've just been a knee height little gremlin desperately trying to throw flowers at Jonah Dad as some sort of stand-in for comfort for years, haha!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Haha awww Destiny that’s so sweet!

[@JB3D_]

Just finished! Like I said on ArtStation, this game was a huge part of my teenage years, and a big reason why I got into game development to begin with. I put so much time into the quests, the storyline, listening to the music, all of it. Even now I'm eagerly awaiting ES6 hahaha. I thought it was cool to hear you talk about creating Alduin and never having gotten to see him yourself ingame, yet that character is so well known by millions of people now. It's got to be really cool for you and everyone else who worked on this title to see the kind of longevity it's had and how it's affected so many people. Thank you for allowing us some insight into the production of this and allowing us to hear everyone else's stories. :)

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you Jordan! It is quite a great feeling, we are all eternally grateful for having gotten the chance to work together on such a great project!

[@justmordecai]

What a lovely set of conversations. This was wonderful, Jonah. I remember sitting down and playing Oblivion for the first time when I was 10 years old, at a friend's house. In just a few moments I started realizing the scope of the game and the sheer amount of options I could make. I thought to myself "Oh wow, I can do almost anything in this game!" It was my first time playing an open world RPG and it absolutely blew my pre-adolescent mind. Fast forward to 2011 and I had played Oblivion, Morrowind, Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas to death, plus any other similar games I could find. When I came home from school on November 11th, I had Skyrim waiting for me and I sat up playing it until 1 AM, knowing I had to get up at 6. During that first play session I felt such extraordinary emotions. It was different from the first time I played Oblivion, but it was in the same vein and more intense. Once again my mind was blown, only this time I was a teenager. Today, I'm 24 years old and I have probably played Skyrim for at least a thousand hours. Modding became a huge drive for me, because once again it gave me that feeling of "Oh wow, I can do almost anything in this game!" But with the extension of "I just have to find the right combination of mods and I can experience the game once again, as if it was new!" Bethesda games have been a huge part of my life, and has had a massive impact on who I am as a person today. Skyrim is my favorite game of all time, and it has inspired me to start writing my own fantasy stories and creating my own fantasy world! In the future, I hope to publish these stories and perhaps one day my creations will come to inspire others, just like The Elder Scrolls has inspired me. Thank you for this video and thanks to everyone at Bethesda and the people in this video for a decade of entertainment!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Thank you for leaving such a lovely note! I’m so glad that you felt so inspired by those games, and that they were part of the impetus for you to start creating your own worlds! Our concept Artist Adam loved that part of concept art the most, I think… Making some thing that would inspire others to new ideas. I hope you always continue with creating, because creating cool things, I believe, its one of the true rare pleasures in this world. I am wishing you the best in your creative endeavors! Thank you for the comment and for the follow, I think you will like the stuff that I have coming out next…

[@littlesquishy9951]

A friend got me Skyrim earlier in the year after my dog passed away. I was really heartbroken and needed a distraction. I’ve played a lot of games… and never no game ever got me hooked like Skyrim. I can’t believe I never played it sooner. I’m 200 hours in and still have so much to discover. Thank you for this masterpiece! ❤

[@JonahLobeDraws]

I'm so glad that Skyrim was there for you when something so terrible happened. We all need a place to go to sometimes, when the real world is too tough!!

[@ClearlyAwesome83]

Skyrim got me through a lot as a kid/teen. It became my virtual home, if you will, which was far better than my real one. I genuinely wish I could repay everyone who helped create it as much as I feel they truly deserve. So, if any of you see this, thank you for the amazing world you created, down to even the smallest of details. Thank you for being my escape, and filling my mind with wonder.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

So glad to hear that Tamriel was a place you could retreat when the real world was far worse. If you enjoyed this and want to see more stuff to pique your interest, Kiinara, I hope you follow! Got some stuff you might like coming soon...

[@JAMIEvstheVOID]

Man, watching this is just HUGELY inspirational. I feel like this vid was recommended to me at just the right time. I've been in a bit of a slump with trying to juggle YT stuff and wanting to work back in industry. Been feeling a lot of stagnation over the last two years, and I know I need to take steps towards getting out of it. I was just starting to pursue my artistic career path when Skyrim was released. I was a broke ass student 17 year old, but managed to get a copy on 360 after xmas 2011. I'd come back from my days at my 1 year art foundation course ('cus I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career, I just knew I wanted to be a creative), and snuggle up on the brick of a mattress in my room at the student halls, with a monitor on the desk at the end of my bed, boot up the game... and just get lost in the world. I remember thinking to myself, 'Wow. Real people made this. I wonder if I could do that?'... Experiencing Skyrim definitely played a role in driving me to get my animation degree, and work in industry. It's just so wonderful to hear your personal experiences and stories in putting together the game. I totally relate to the friendly rivalry/competitiveness, haha! Put me in a room of crazy talented and driven folks, and YOU BET I'll be working my ass off to impress! It suddenly becomes a fun (and sometimes adrenaline induced) challenge to push yourself to solve problems, rather than getting bogged down by self doubt... Plus you get to see how others work, and improve skills crazy amounts in such a short space of time. Don't get me wrong, it's not a glamourous industry. Crunch is fucked up... but after being out of studios for so long because of the pandemic (and also because of where I'm currently living), I really miss the comradery that can come with working around creatives. I revisit Skryrim pretty much every Winter (thematically, it just feels right, hahah!) since getting the remastered version on PS4. Still haven't done ANY of the DLC yet! :') . Bonus fact: I don't think a single month has gone by since Skryrim originally came out where I didn't have the soundtrack/atmospheres on in the background. Anyway, thanks for putting together this video. It's amazing to hear stories directly from people like yourselves. It's given me a bit more drive to work on/fill out my portfolio again for a potential return to industry work. Cheers!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Meow- I'm so glad this provided you a nice jolt of positive energy and motivation. These last two year have indeed been very difficult for creatives (and EVERYONE) so I'm glad you're feeling roused again. And yeah, I miss working at a studio too. The comradery, the friendship, the learning, the sense of being on a team together (instead of alone)... I miss it! Don't think I'll ever do that again though... I enjoy what I'm doing now too much. Thanks for the kind words and memory. I assume you've subscribed - hope you enjoy what I have coming out next month!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Love your channel btw, just discovered it. And congrats on the name change!

[@todddouglas7231]

As I grew into an adult, I find myself admiring more sunsets, cloud formations, inclement weather and landscapes. I believe this to be thanks to this game. I would spend so much of my playtime just staring at the vistas in awe of the sun piercing through the clouds or the massive arouras in the night sky while Soule’s chill-inducing music sung over the scenery, and since then I've found myself admiring our own real-world beauty. Skyrim is my favorite gaming world to this day. I remember sitting in high school classes daydreaming about what I'm going to find when I get home and explore the northern land of Tamriel. Would I find a cave with treasure, a new enemy I haven't seen yet or another priest mask to add to my collection? No matter what I did, climb to the top of a mountain and slay a dragon or stay in breezehome and do some interior decorating, I had the same amount of fun and immersion. Thank you so much for making this video! It brought so much joy to hear from the talented people who created one of the most special experiences of my life.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Lovely comment, thank you so much Todd for telling me this story. Have a great day my friend.

[@Aidan1488]

Stories like this both warm my heart and fill it with such sadness. This industry is full of such wonderful, motivated, passionate people, and they are threated so poorly.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Aidan I agree! We had it pretty good, tbh, but the corporate games world is a pretty shitty place sometimes...

[@elijahmandeville8475]

So late to this video, but what an amazing showcase of the team. So thankful for y’all, and Todd for allowing the team to express things they were passionate about. I can’t thank you all enough for having such an impact on my childhood. Wishing you all the best on your current endeavors, Jonah!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Elijah thank you so much my friend! I really appreciate you. And I would love to make you a part of my current endeavors: I'm making a fantasy graphic novel called "Quiet: Level One." I hope you decide to back it and pick up a copy for yourself! www.kickstarter.com/projects/quietlevelone/quiet-level-one-by-jonah-lobe

[@wallandbauf2678]

Just thanks, thanks a lot for the joy you brought to many of us, the dream of a vivid, epic world, your passion can be felt anywhere in the game. Thank you all

[@JonahLobeDraws]

You're so welcome, I'm really glad you enjoyed this video!

[@jankhambrams]

I'm only 32min in, but I am having the time of my life watching this. I've always been fascinated by how things are pieced together and how they work, and this documentary is very much making me even more excited about that than I already was. Thank you and everyone you interviewed (and everyone who made the game!) for this wonderful video on a game I thoroughly love exploring! EDIT: Okay yeah that was amazing. I can't wait to see what you have planned for the future of this channel!

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Yaaaay thanks Jank for watching! Am very proud of the finished project. :)

[@davishickey1465]

Holy cow, man. You literally listed off the most iconic character and armor designs in the game. You are a legend. Thank you so much for your contributions to this incredible experience.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Kind of you to say! Loved working on this game, the art felt made for me.

[@CrabtreeCAD]

32:25 I feel like everyone I knew noticed the ants on the stump in Riverwood. Even as an 11 year old, that detail absolutely blew my mind, still does to this day. Beautiful attention to detail

[@bowiesensei5574]

No sight will ever match the statue of azura in the sunset. Absolutely beautiful, picturesque even.

[@danieldennehy3578]

I was about 8 or 9 when I first started playing Skyrim. I remember the summer morning and nights where I would lose myself in the world, and snowy winters where I would spend hours and hours creating my character. At the time I was playing on my brother’s old ps3, and I didn’t even really understand the game due to my age. But something just reeled me in permanently, and it manifested into a larger piece of me as time moved on. I remember the first time I played Skyrim Special Addition, and if you were a young console player you will remember how groundbreaking this was for us. That new button that says “mods” and the two huge new DLC’s that added hundreds of hours of content. It was a new world, my Skyrim could be even more tuned to my liking and updated to look like it came out recently. A new bright and realistic world, with dozens of very deep and personal player-characters to the point I would just dream of the game. And now It is 2022. A decade after the release of the game and the fire and passion of the game still lights inside of all of us. And yes the nostalgia and fond memories are great, but I am still making new memories and worlds to explore till this very day to the point where I have a 40+ page document of my characters lore and life in the game. And I want to finally say thank you. This game is truly the shining diamond of a entire generation of people. It is a piece of our personality, our creativity and passion, and memories. It has given me such a positive creative impact and joy that I don’t believe is possible to recreate in another video game, this is bluntly the best game ever made.

[@JonahLobeDraws]

Wow thank you for this Daniel. I really loved reading this memory and tribute.