Read all of Skyrim's literature on your iPad

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim isn't available on the Mac yet, but odds are that if you're a big fan of gaming, you're probably already playing it on consoles or the PC. Bethesda's latest role-playing game is just a massive piece of world-building, with tons of dungeons to crawl through, a huge world full of cities and places to explore, and a collection of a couple hundred actual in-game books that you can pick up and read.

Turns out those books come straight from a plain text file in the game's documents, so a blogger named Capaneus has kindly assembled them into an actual ebook that you can download and read on your iPad (or any other e-reader or app you happen to use). The book's got its own cover and table of contents, and since its available in epub format, you can change the text to whatever size you want.

Good deal. Unfortunately, I'm not sure this is legal. Bethesda undoubtedly owns the copyright on these texts, and they likely didn't authorize them being shared like this. Still, all of this text is just background lore on the game, not spoilery or anything, so maybe they'll let it fly as a nice promotion for just how densely packed with fun content this game has.

[via Joystiq]

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Source: http://capane.us/2011/11/24/dovahkiin-gutenberg/

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Software iPad

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim isn't available on the Mac yet, but odds are that if you're a big fan of gaming, you're probably already...

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spilth

I have a similar project running here: http://www.arcanaeum.com/

It's basic HTML but it's readable on iPads, iPhones, laptops, etc. I tried to keep a little bit of the style used in the game itself.

November 29 2011 at 12:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Erik N

If you own the game then there is no difference between downloading these or between creating your own epub from the files on your hard drive. The publisher of the game probably won't appreciate some guy posting their content for free on the internet though.

November 28 2011 at 6:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Erik N's comment

dorjesyber

True, however it should indicate to them that there is perhaps an actual market for their work beyond the game. Also Bethesda has been fairly receptive to modders in the past.

Unlike previous games, there is now an actual method to deliver it. As I said on another site, I'd pay for a way to synchronize books I've already found and collected/read in game with my iPad. FYI, Capaneus collection is not all the books and written material that is available in Skyrim, not even close. There are plenty of quest book items, skill books, and little letters/notes are not included. I need to go digging myself, but Bethesda really should consider an eBook strategy.

If there was a way for Bethesda to get an iOS(Android) App to link with the Steam Cloud to sync a "book list" from the game we'd get a whole new achievement craze in finding every last book.

-Here parent's. Not only is our game off-line, so no foul language of multiplayer FPS like Call of Duty, but we also offer a iOS/Android book Apps which lets users gain in-game extras for reading our in-game books. In terms of rated R baby sitting what would you rather have? A bloody, repetitive, not nice people infested, non-intellectual thing? Or an open fantasy world with puzzles, books, and stories (plural).

November 29 2011 at 12:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

scamper

Loving this game (Mac user who bought a PS3), and the attention to detail — including the number of books lying around in the Skyrim world — is pretty phenomenal. It’s cool to see the texts being made available on the iPad… only it’s unfortunate that you won’t level up by reading them there. :)

November 28 2011 at 6:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply