[quote=genghismike]
And this is what I'm really worried about here.I cringe to imagine a series which I've enjoyed turned into what I've heard about WoW.
[/quote]

It plays more like an MMO with ES influence than the reverse. It isn't nearly as free form or stream lined like an ES game. You still have hot keys, annoying crafting systems, and you can't freely explore until you've completed main quests.