Found a new interview with Paul Sage
TESO is being criticized for becoming too much of a WoW-clone.
We implemented some familiar systems from WoW because we think it will not only attract a bigger customer base and increase sales, but also make it easier for everyone to play. Easy to play is important today, because everybody have become more or less retarded. We don't want to interrupt the player with innovation and learning new systems. We want them to have a familiarity with our game so we don't have to spend any effort making it. We can do that, you know, because we have a good franchise here. We call it the "make WoW gamers play our franchise shit"-approach. SWTOR didn't manage that approach correctly. We can look at that and learn. So what we're doing is injecting a shit-ton of money into marketing.
Speaking of competitors, what are your thoughts on GW2?
The Guild Wars dudes are certainly making an effort here, and I think that's to be applauded. I mean who the hell would actually sit down and develop new systems for a game? Ultimately, though, I think that they are way off mark. Our product will be much better. We have a stronger franchise, better ties with Game Informer, and Todd Howard.
I thought Todd Howard had nothing to do with this title?
Yeah but you know, it's Elder Scrolls. I'm sure there are some people out there who thinks we're actually Bethesda making this. Hell, some people might even think it's another game in the Bethesda TES series! We'll call those Hell yeah-sales.
The game is set 1000 years before Skyrim-
Is it?
Yes, and it's a relatively unexplored period in TES history. How will you balance creating your own history and intrigue with staying canon to TES lore set by previous titles?
Well, you see, I think what's most important is that we have that "Elder Scrolls" slapped on the box. What's even more important is that we can appeal to WoW gamers. This means we will have to completely ignore any sort of 'lore' and just go with whatever tweaks we have to in order to create a WoW-like experience. For instance, we'll allow for some seriously awesome alliances. We need our Alliance and Horde, you know? Red and blue. That's important. Doesn't make any sense in context of the game's setting? Who gives a shit.