

Skyrim uses DirectX-9 shaders and is authored on PCs. Since the new engine incorporates foliage animations, Bethesda has dropped SpeedTree for Skyrim. There are also meteorological effects like clouds gathering around mountain tops. It also features dynamic weather effects like snow falls and improved animations for trees, like leaves and branches reacting to violent winds. The new engine aims to improve draw distances and shadowing on all objects in the world.

It uses a new gameplay and graphics engine, dubbed the Creation Engine, developed internally at Bethesda. Todd Howard mentioned on Bethesda's podcast that the ideas for Skyrim took form immediately after Oblivion's launch but principal development began after the release of Fallout 3.

Development and Technology Creation Engine Longer draw distances and improved foliage Additionally, the old quest system has been updated to produce more varied content. Skyrim's gameplay expands on Oblivion with the addition of dual-wielding, a new perk system, new Dragon Shout (Thu'um) abilities and a variety of changes to character progression. The game is set two centuries after the end of the Third Era and the closing of the Oblivion gates in Elder Scrolls IV. Taking place in the eponymous province of Skyrim, home of the Nords, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim continues the series' tradition of open-ended gameplay and also introduces dragons to the franchise.
