Who do ZOS listen to?

Dayv

I don't think ZOS pay a great deal of attention to things said on this forum. For one thing, it was probably really never meant for that. It's a place for players to talk (argue) with each other, not the devs. There's also so much petulant behaviour that much of the signal gets drowned out in noise.

So, do they actually listen to any players very much? I think they either disregard players as not knowing how a game should really work or maybe they listen to a few real hardcore gamers on the PTS. Whatever the situation is, it seems that they are way out of touch with the average player.

I really like this game and hope for long future for it, but I have serious concerns, particularly that VR difficulty is currently not suitable for a mass market game and that goes double if they're intending a console release. Other than this forum what other channels are there? Perhaps a letter on paper posted to the design team?

fyendiarb16_ESO

@Dayv‌ I think DK's will disagree on this assessment. As will the devs that have been working hard on fixing exploits and bugs. They still have ways to go, but it is clear they are listening to us and acting on it.

Does it go as fast as I wish? No, but that would be impossible to achieve.

nerevarine1138

There is a /feedback feature available in-game. It is a tool for actually reaching the developers with your constructive feedback.

Tabbycat

They do read the forums. The Community team that you see on the forums (Gina and Jess for example) do read what players post and, when you post constructive feedback, they do pass it along to the developers.

If you want ZOS to listen to you, it's always best to post constructively and be as polite as possible (even when you are angry). The best way to get someone to listen to you is not by shouting but by clearly stating the idea you want to get across.

Dayv

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

anakaki

Dayv wrote: »

I don't think ZOS pay a great deal of attention to things said on this forum. For one thing, it was probably really never meant for that. It's a place for players to talk (argue) with each other, not the devs. There's also so much petulant behaviour that much of the signal gets drowned out in noise.

So, do they actually listen to any players very much? I think they either disregard players as not knowing how a game should really work or maybe they listen to a few real hardcore gamers on the PTS. Whatever the situation is, it seems that they are way out of touch with the average player.

I really like this game and hope for long future for it, but I have serious concerns, particularly that VR difficulty is currently not suitable for a mass market game and that goes double if they're intending a console release. Other than this forum what other channels are there? Perhaps a letter on paper posted to the design team?

Noone, as proven since beta.

nerevarine1138

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

There was a poll (I know, one of those) where over 50% of the forum said they liked the current VR experience. And that's in the forums, where the negative side of a poll is always going to be over-represented.

If you (you don't get to speak for everyone) don't like the VR experience, then you need to type "/feedback" in-game and explain your issues. I'd be specific, since there are multiple VR experiences that you could be referring to.

Phantax

Dayv wrote: »

I don't think ZOS pay a great deal of attention to things said on this forum. For one thing, it was probably really never meant for that. It's a place for players to talk (argue) with each other, not the devs. There's also so much petulant behaviour that much of the signal gets drowned out in noise.

So, do they actually listen to any players very much? I think they either disregard players as not knowing how a game should really work or maybe they listen to a few real hardcore gamers on the PTS. Whatever the situation is, it seems that they are way out of touch with the average player.

I really like this game and hope for long future for it, but I have serious concerns, particularly that VR difficulty is currently not suitable for a mass market game and that goes double if they're intending a console release. Other than this forum what other channels are there? Perhaps a letter on paper posted to the design team?

You really had to ask? There are one group of people (and only one) that ZOS listen too and that is the suits ! Gone are the days when games companies listen to players, even longer gone when games companies consist of developers who make games purely for gamers !
I read an article many years ago where a company said we are just gamers making games for gamers ! (their next game sold a million copies)

Companies like ZOS, EA and others only care about one thing... PROFIT !
They put profit before the game, pity really because if they put the game before profit... the profit would come anyway... in its millions !

Dayv

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

nerevarine1138

Dayv wrote: »

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

Did you send it?

Then they received it.

dennissomb16_ESO

I would guess they get most of their valuable feedback from the in game feedback tool. The thing to remember about forums is likely less the 5% of the games population even read the forums, let alone post here, and those of us who do can be very....... lets say demonstrative.
I contend that the biggest concern to ESO not listening is the fact that they do not have an exit survey. Most of the people who quit will never come to the forums, but they would fill out a survey upon canceling the game

Dayv

I nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

Did you send it?

Then they received it.

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

Did you send it?

Then they received it.

I wish I could be sure, I always used to get an email back after reporting gold seller emails, but now I don't.

shaw487b16_ESO

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

There was a poll (I know, one of those) where over 50% of the forum said they liked the current VR experience. And that's in the forums, where the negative side of a poll is always going to be over-represented.

If you (you don't get to speak for everyone) don't like the VR experience, then you need to type "/feedback" in-game and explain your issues. I'd be specific, since there are multiple VR experiences that you could be referring to.

Read the posts on the forum right now... Most of them are about the problems in the Veteran areas. There may have once been a poll that said most players liked it, but I doubt that is a true representation of either this forum or the game in general.

Polls, like all census taking instruments are biased towards the group of people who answer them, they are very rarely accurate representations of the truth.

nerevarine1138

Dayv wrote: »

I nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

Did you send it?

Then they received it.

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

I have already left feedback with no tantrums in it, but didn't event get an acknowledgement that they'd received feedback.

Did you send it?

Then they received it.

I wish I could be sure, I always used to get an email back after reporting gold seller emails, but now I don't.

Because people complained about getting a bunch of e-mail every time they reported someone.

If you sent it, they received it. You don't need any confirmation beyond the in-game confirmation that you got immediately after your feedback was sent.

nerevarine1138

shaw487b16_ESO wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

There was a poll (I know, one of those) where over 50% of the forum said they liked the current VR experience. And that's in the forums, where the negative side of a poll is always going to be over-represented.

If you (you don't get to speak for everyone) don't like the VR experience, then you need to type "/feedback" in-game and explain your issues. I'd be specific, since there are multiple VR experiences that you could be referring to.

Read the posts on the forum right now... Most of them are about the problems in the Veteran areas. There may have once been a poll that said most players liked it, but I doubt that is a true representation of either this forum or the game in general.

Polls, like all census taking instruments are biased towards the group of people who answer them, they are very rarely accurate representations of the truth.

This poll was conducted last week.

In-game chat with my guild/any-given-VR-zone doesn't reflect the attitude on these forums, because these forums don't accurately reflect the attitude of the majority of players.

shaw487b16_ESO

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

shaw487b16_ESO wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

There was a poll (I know, one of those) where over 50% of the forum said they liked the current VR experience. And that's in the forums, where the negative side of a poll is always going to be over-represented.

If you (you don't get to speak for everyone) don't like the VR experience, then you need to type "/feedback" in-game and explain your issues. I'd be specific, since there are multiple VR experiences that you could be referring to.

Read the posts on the forum right now... Most of them are about the problems in the Veteran areas. There may have once been a poll that said most players liked it, but I doubt that is a true representation of either this forum or the game in general.

Polls, like all census taking instruments are biased towards the group of people who answer them, they are very rarely accurate representations of the truth.

This poll was conducted last week.

In-game chat with my guild/any-given-VR-zone doesn't reflect the attitude on these forums, because these forums don't accurately reflect the attitude of the majority of players.

My experience is exactly the opposite, especially in-guild, I think you need to accept that yours may not be the prevailing opinion, but think what you like, time will tell which of us is correct about prevailing player feelings.

JessieColt

Video Games are not a popularity contest regarding what is or isn't changed by the developers.

If you have a specific issue, then /Feedback or /Bug should be used. The issue needs to be clearly outlined and explained so that they understand what you are talking about/meaning. No one is a mind reader, so you need to be as clear and concise as possible so that they understand the issue that you are reporting.

Issues that you report may not be fixed, or may not be fixed in the way you hope them to be.

One person may find V content difficulty, or boring, yet others may find them interesting and easy.

It is subjective to the player themselves. So any Game Developer is going to be very cautious with changing how things work unless there is a clear issue/problem.

ZiRM

Their accountants and bankers?

Guppet

They listen to Mr Fibbles the sock puppet, he is very wise.

tawok

Their board of directors and principal investors (Zenimax Media)

Vikova

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

They are focusing on things that affect average players. Nightblades being broken, quests being bugged, trying to handle bots, that sort of thing - you personally not liking the speed or difficulty of leveling veteran content nowhere near as important.

Gedalya

Change for a project like ESO will be in small steps; the same as any software. That being said, small steps will seem to many to be anachronistic with the flow of conversations and comments, attitudes and opinions on these forums. Please be patient.

Gwarok

JessieColtub17_ESO wrote: »

If you have a specific issue, then /Feedback or /Bug should be used. The issue needs to be clearly outlined and explained so that they understand what you are talking about/meaning. No one is a mind reader, so you need to be as clear and concise as possible so that they understand the issue that you are reporting.

Issues that you report may not be fixed, or may not be fixed in the way you hope them to be.

One person may find V content difficulty, or boring, yet others may find them interesting and easy.

It is subjective to the player themselves. So any Game Developer is going to be very cautious with changing how things work unless there is a clear issue/problem.

[Positive /FEEDBACK ON]
Veteran Level Content is UNPLAYABLE
Stormhaven is a NIGHTMARE @ Vet 4-5 Ebonheart Pact, and I just dinged Vet 5
[Positive /FEEDBACK OFF]

RIDICULOUS NERFS THAT HAPPENED ON MONDAY 06/02/14 were RIDICULOUS

nerevarine1138

Gwarok wrote: »

how things work unless there is a clear issue/problem.

[Positive /FEEDBACK ON]
Veteran Level Content is UNPLAYABLE
Stormhaven is a NIGHTMARE @ Vet 4-5, and I just dinged Vet 5
[Positive /FEEDBACK OFF]

RIDICULOUS NERFS THAT HAPPENED ON MONDAY 06/02/14 were RIDICULOUS

This is a prime example of why I hope ZO doesn't actually listen to forum-based "feedback". Most of the posts in this forum represent the absolute worst the ESO community has to offer.

Dayv

nerevarine1138, do you think ingame feedback that people give is less angry. I suspect people vent just as much on there.

nerevarine1138

Dayv wrote: »

nerevarine1138, do you think ingame feedback that people give is less angry. I suspect people vent just as much on there.

I actually believe it's more measured, because it takes more time to create in-game feedback, and you know that it's going straight to the developers, not to some crowd of hungry trolls.

Dayv

Saiden wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they aren't doing anything, but I've seen things saying they're working on bots and class balance, fixing NBs but no acknowledgement that VR is not providing a satisfying experience to a lot of players.

They are focusing on things that affect average players. Nightblades being broken, quests being bugged, trying to handle bots, that sort of thing - you personally not liking the speed or difficulty of leveling veteran content nowhere near as important.

It's not just my personal liking, it's up there amongst the most contentious issues on the forum. I would have hoped that it would have been mentioned in some communication from ZOS, but I haven't seen anything. I'm not screaming about it or demanding instant fixes and prioritising it above all other things.

Rodario

Phantax wrote: »

Dayv wrote: »

I don't think ZOS pay a great deal of attention to things said on this forum. For one thing, it was probably really never meant for that. It's a place for players to talk (argue) with each other, not the devs. There's also so much petulant behaviour that much of the signal gets drowned out in noise.

So, do they actually listen to any players very much? I think they either disregard players as not knowing how a game should really work or maybe they listen to a few real hardcore gamers on the PTS. Whatever the situation is, it seems that they are way out of touch with the average player.

I really like this game and hope for long future for it, but I have serious concerns, particularly that VR difficulty is currently not suitable for a mass market game and that goes double if they're intending a console release. Other than this forum what other channels are there? Perhaps a letter on paper posted to the design team?

You really had to ask? There are one group of people (and only one) that ZOS listen too and that is the suits ! Gone are the days when games companies listen to players, even longer gone when games companies consist of developers who make games purely for gamers !
I read an article many years ago where a company said we are just gamers making games for gamers ! (their next game sold a million copies)

Companies like ZOS, EA and others only care about one thing... PROFIT !
They put profit before the game, pity really because if they put the game before profit... the profit would come anyway... in its millions !

What about Chris Roberts / Cloud Imperium Games? As far as I can tell at this stage, Star Citizen is gonna be the game Roberts always wanted to play/make. And since he's a gamer, that kinda fits the bill, doesn't it? Plus, it's crowd funded, so they kinda have to listen to the community, to an extent.

Singular

NiRN wrote: »

Their accountants and bankers?

And spouses!

But not their teenage kids. No-oooo. They hate us! They never pay attention to us! I'm going to get drunk, mom. Screw you!

Uh...can I borrow the car?

Genada

I would rather know if they play the game. Have they seen that EVERYONE is now switching to staffs and light armor.

Have they seen that two classes are about unloved as could be?

The one thing we do know for sure, they aren't listening to players.

ferzalrwb17_ESO

It's so cute you all think they read and consider the feedback.