So here's my piece about what devs could have done with followers and the followers system. I know we have mods, it's not about correcting the game but what could have been great (feel free to comment if you don't want to read my convoluted thoughts on the matter) :
- Immortality for your dog followers.
- The possibilty to have multiple followers, 1 by category (a dog, an armored troll, a regular follower etc)
- I would have like to see children as follower with at least a minimum set of new animations and lines. You know, you're an adventurer and you have children, maybe you built your house in a frozen plot of land far from everything like I did. It would make sense in a land such as Skyrim to teach your child hunting skills for exemple.
- The Thieves Guild has no followers at all (and no marrigeable characters but that's another problem), so maybe you think it's because it's a stealthy activity but it's the same for the DB and they HAVE Cicero + unnamed rookies. For exemple, imagine being able to tell your follower to be a diversion. There's plenty you could do as a team for the guild.
- Why Brynjolf and Karliah are not regular followers is beyond me. I'm not even talking about these characters who are just training in the HQ and nothing more (No wonder this guild is failing, we're the only one doing anything). Way to contrast with the Companions and the College of Winterhold.
- The Dark Brotherhood has a similar problem according to me, except it makes more sense considering how the questline ends. Other than Cicero it would have been great to see Nazir as a follower.
- Non humanoid followers other that your dog. I think sabre cats, wolves etc.
- Being able to access your follower inventory just by talking.
- Having true relationship with your followers (and most characters) as in Fallout 4. You don't just befriend someone because s/he was hired in your guild. Most of them are barely different from regular NPCs personality wise.
- Some character classes are absurd, Sven for exemple is a lumberjack (yes, it's the name of his class. Also his job when he goes to work) and cap at lvl 20. Why even bother making him a follower?
Any other ideas? Am I missing something else?