The Trading Floor – A Rare Rant in Skyrim
by Adam Rodricks January 6, 2012 in Action, Adventure, Open World, PC, PlayStation, Roleplay, Xbox
As I finished up my latest stint of looting and pillaging outside Whiterun, I became encumbered and found it difficult to flee the scene of my latest crime. I turned to Jenessa, my faithful servant in hopes that she could lighten my load by carrying some items from me only to find out that she too was at her maximum carrying capacity. Suddenly, I’ve been thrust into a difficult decision that can really only end in a loss for me – do I drop some heavy but powerful weaponry, or neglect to take my latest spoils?
These are among the only choices that are unwelcome in Skyrim. Before the Bethesda-faithful banish me to the barracks for neglecting to point out that there are ways to increase carrying capacity such as perks, let me tell you to shut your mouth. In a game as rich with content as this, there should be numerous, accessible opportunities to control your inventory. Later in the game, options such as storing items in your house become viable but 20 hours in, I’d be hard-pressed to scrounge up the gold and besides, there are more dire needs I have for which I must pay.
"I know this looks threatening, but I really just want you to hold my bow"
My question then becomes “where are the traders in Skyrim”? To those of you angrily pointing to your world maps, it was (somewhat) rhetorical. I know exactly where they are but the fact remains that there are not enough selling opportunities. The effect of this is two-fold: 1) I’m finding it tedious to manage my inventory as I’m constantly near or at capacity, as is my follower 2) I’m missing out on many money-making opportunities by holding on to the trinkets I’ve found along the way that have little to no use but still carry a hefty price-tag.
Surely I should cut them some slack – the game is absolutely gargantuan and the developers had no way of knowing that I would search, raid and pickpocket to this extent. But that’s the type of scrutiny that falls on the ambitious RPGs of today. The risk here is that players who meticulously examine environments with attention to detail like myself have a real deterrent to playing the way we want to play very early in the game. It’s a damn shame because I’ve barely scratched the surface content-wise, but the problem poses a real threat to the game’s longevity nonetheless.
The solution shouldn’t have to be that the player changes their play-style, or prioritizes how they collect differently. Rather, there should be more opportunities earlier to sell some inventory, make some coin and continue exploring the beautiful world without that heavy feeling in your boots or the pit of your stomach.
Henry said on January 6, 2012
Are you looting absolutely everything or just what’s valuable? You should really try only taking the stuff that has a good price to weight ratio. Also try leveling up your stamina early on in the game instead of health and magica as it increases your carry weight.
Jeremy said on January 7, 2012
There should be a Skyrim stock exchange and storage warehouses you can rent!
Zoomer said on January 8, 2012
Wait until the Creation Kit is released and mod it.
Alex McMillan said on January 8, 2012
The house in Whiterun is only 5000 gold in case you were not aware. It’s definitely a good starting base.
Devon Black said on January 8, 2012
You could always just kill someone and take their house?
Graham Patterson said on January 9, 2012
Don’t forget you can usually safely store your stuff (at least temporarily) in the houses of people who are “friendly” to you, for example like the guy you escape from the chopping block with at the beginning of the game (in Riverwood). I wouldn’t store items there long term though.
Devon Black said on January 9, 2012
won’t they just think you’re stealing it though if they see you take it back tho? :/
Graham Patterson said on January 10, 2012
Valid question granted but that’s not how the NPC’s react. If it’s not assigned to them to start with they don’t’ consider it thievery. Think about it, otherwise everything you drop and pickup in view of some NPC would be considered theft. Wouldn’t make for a very realistic game now would it?
Clark said on January 8, 2012
Never had a problem with trading in this game.
evey hammond said on January 8, 2012
Why not just level your speech skill? I’m at level 35 and can sell anything to anyone, plus if you invest $500 in any merchant they will always have at least 2000 gold on hand.
lollopop said on February 6, 2012
wil be wonderful to have a mule waiting out of the dungeon with your horse, to carry a big part of your equipment!!!