Crafting commands are just a very small part of a bigger project, called LivingWorld, I'm working on and I've still a lot planned, so don't worry
Still unimproved inventory management (except the new crafting interface) was one - and I don't think the smallest - part of the critic players offered after EE was released and it was time for me to address that, as far as it is possible without programming skills.
I've already implemented new NPC reactions on player actions (going invisible, appearing after invisibility, invisibly moving objects in sight of an NPC, sneaking right behind an NPC, moving objects behind an NPC (dependend on weight of the object and perception of the NPC), creating fire surfaces in town, summoning undeads or spiders in town etc.), also reactions related to Gerome's rooster painting and much more. Enhancing the crime system - which also contains reactions of the legion when too many things 'disappear' or NPCs get killed, making guards suspicious towards the player, depending on glory, previous crime acts, story progression etc. - is also part of what I work on. And I will also think about reducing value of paintings (maybe part of Baardvark's mod Scales, too?) and offering other ways to make money beside stealing and crafting. A more useful food system is also on my list.
Ooh, that sounds quite interesting. When you mentioned about the game being "too easy", my immediate reaction is "but I'm kinda crap at combat, I don't want it to be any harder" but I actually love this sort of in-depth modding. I recently mentioned FCOM for Oblivion elsewhere (well, more properly, Oscuro's and Fransesco's overhauls, Mart's Monster Mod, Warcry and a whole bunch of other stuff) as well as assorted other bits and pieces that add NPCs, requirements to actually do basic stuff like eating and sleeping and so on, loads of stuff that adds an extra dimension to the game. I guess I wouldn't call it hardcore, just planning and, well, role-playing! If my Sims have to eat and sleep, I figure my adventurers need to as well, and as you describe, other characters' reactions to their behaviour too.
Edit: apologies for the slightly rambling paragraph, I'm not entirely awake at the moment.
Next stage would be the Codex, eh?
(sorry Codex, but the wild nature of some creatures living under your brightly sky darkens the minds and frightens the timid souls that step on your fertile ground...)
Oh God no. I used to drive myself nuts by being on e.g. newsgroups. I'm too old for that sort of, erm, diversity of discussion now.
