Well yeah, Morrowind's skill system has definitively its issues with that. But on the other hand, there's no pressure to resort to this "gamey" actions.
So the amount of "abuse" of the skill system is not something dictated by the game itself, but is just one of many possible ways to play the game. It's completely up to the player to decide.
And honestly I'm quite impressed you defend Gothic with your critique of Morrowind Because in the end, the optimal skilling in Gothic is much more dictated by the game. There are certain portions of the game you won't survive unless you level in a very specific way. That's much more restrictive than Morrowind's system.
Well of course, because Morrowind's system is not restrictive enough.
If you can buy some pots and pans and stand among 5 mud crabs for five hours, you're suddenly an expert on heavy armor? In Gothic, you actually need experience before you can learn something. Even though it is definitely far more restrictive, as you say, I feel restrictive is a much better choice. It's like having a God Mode button in the corner of the screen. You'll be compelled to switch to god mode every time things get tough. But how much fun is a game in god mode? Gothic basically made you struggle to get better at things, struggle to get enough money to buy decent equipment. It's completely feasible for a Morrowind character to be a half god before it even leaves Seyda Neen. This is not to say I didn't like Morrowind, though. I loved Morrowind. It had a great character creation, a great environment, good quests and fun factions, and it's a game I rate about 8 out of 10, which is 3 more than Oblivion's disappointing 5. It would be up there in the 9 region, if it hadn't been for its godawful combat system, mindless skill system, afterthought 3d perspective and glowy item ugliness (which was modded out, thankfully).
Basically, creating a character has to be choosing your development. You can't (or shouldn't be able to) become a master at every type of weapon, every school of spells, and every type of armor in the game. Especially if it's all required. You don't learn how to levitate in Morrowind, you're basically screwed. You end up like a jack of all trades, except you're a master of all trades. Then you're not creating a character. You're not creating this craftsman, or this thief, because you can basically do it all and be fantastic at all of it. It really diminishes the 'role' in roleplaying, IMO.
