Companions up for purchase, really?

DreamyLu · September 11

Personally, I would prefer if companions would be in store, because this would have two advantages (again, for me):
- Players not interested in more companions - like me - would skip them.
- Chapters/DLCs would have a potentially bigger content in replacement (treasure hunts and such..).

Fact is, I have no need for more companions. I stopped caring after Mirri (or maybe one more than that). I know it's probably hard for many to see it with my perspective, but at each new chapter with companions, I feel like half of what I pay is a waste because the key feature isn't for me. That's not so nice.

Sorry All, I understand that I'm probably a tiny minority, but that's how I feel about. Can't help it.

Syldras · September 11

DreamyLu wrote: »

Chapters/DLCs would have a potentially bigger content in replacement (treasure hunts and such..).

But do they really do this? To me it looks like they just reduce content and we don't get anything else as a replacement.

fizzylu · September 11

Cutting chapter/DLC content but not the price and charging for content that was once included in the chapter content is tight~

Syldras wrote: »

DreamyLu wrote: »

Chapters/DLCs would have a potentially bigger content in replacement (treasure hunts and such..).

But do they really do this? To me it looks like they just reduce content and we don't get anything else as a replacement.

They don't. Other than with Blackwood, companions were never even half of what we pay for or the key feature in chapters. They were just like antiquities, simply a continuation and expansion of an existing feature. Now, if Zenimax is really having to put so many resources into companions that they are starting to treat them as a key feature or half of what we pay for.... then honestly, I might have to agree with people that there is already enough companions as is and they need to give us some real new content/features. #reworkedBGs (do people hashtag anymore?)

And while I'm here, there's enough ToT decks too.

Hotdog_23 · September 11

Indifferent above new companions in the crown store. As long as they are ESO plus, I'm fine personally.

Honestly I would not be surprised if they didn't give them away free as a daily reward at some point in the future.

What concerns me more is not a lot of content released that I play for the year.

Stay safe 🙂

Syldras · September 11

fizzylu wrote: »

Now, if Zenimax is really having to put so many resources into companions that they are starting to treat them as a key feature or half of what we pay for.... then honestly, I might have to agree with people that there is already enough companions as is and they need to give us some real new content/features.

In my opinion, if they still charge the same price for chapters, I expect them to deliver as usual. Especially as they are a big company. It's not like they couldn't afford hiring more staff if it's obvious they can't fulfill their plan otherwise.

Who knows how this will develop. Maybe they decide to split everything up and sell additions to each "game system" seperately through the crown store? Quest pack, new ToT deck, new companion, zone antiquities, trial, dungeons... And probably choosing only half of these parts would still become more expensive than a chapter originally was as a whole? Well - let's really hope they don't go that path. I'm sure it wouldn't end well.

I'm honestly disappointed btw that they only had the companions included with the chapters for three releases. They could have at least offered 1 companion per class (or even race) like this.

Hapexamendios · September 11

This is the introductory lesson on Consumer Alienation 101

ApoAlaia · September 11

zaria wrote: »

ApoAlaia wrote: »

I hope that given that they are 'purchased' there is no unlock quest.

I do understand that a lot of people put time and effort into creating the companion quests, however after doing each one of them x30 (once per each non-mule character) and meaning no disrespect for the work, I am all quested out.

I say Mirri, Bastian and Ember is fast to unlock, Isobel is an long quest even if not hard it take time. Sharp and Azandar is even longer and probably hard for new players more so if they do the public dungeons at off hours.
Now having an option to get them after the initial dialogue after doing it with the warning that you looses the following quest like the introduction to Cyrodil siege training quest can be skipped but not recommended unless joining an guild run as it unlock faster mounts.

For me the problem is the multiplication factor more than the length of the quest. Doing it once is allright, I kinda enjoy them.

Doing it 10 times... m'kay I guess.

By the time I am approaching x30 I start pondering my life choices...

MidniteOwl1913 wrote: »

ApoAlaia wrote: »

I hope that given that they are 'purchased' there is no unlock quest.

I do understand that a lot of people put time and effort into creating the companion quests, however after doing each one of them x30 (once per each non-mule character) and meaning no disrespect for the work, I am all quested out.

No, there is a quest required.

I just hope it's a short one. I hate doing those things over and over and over.

I hope so too. Dreading that, given that now are monetised separately, they might have gone 'above and beyond' with the introductory quest.

Wish we could just pick them up in a tavern or something, then 'get to know them' along the way with their 'loyalty' quests.

DenverRalphy · September 11

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I don't know what percentage of players are Non-ESO+ players, so dunno how big of an issue this really is.

But too, you can aways just purchase one month of ESO+, unlock the companions, the let the subscription expire. It'll put a few crowns in your wallet too.

Dunno that they'd be giftable, so dunno if you can buy them for gold from a Crown seller.

Except the companions won't be accessible if the player ever lets eso+ expire, most likely anyway.

Not according to this statement...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8182574/#Comment_8182574

Tommy_The_Gun · September 11

Wait, new companions are not base game ?! LOL Wut ?!

If it is true, then it is very much like:
*micromachines dude voice*
Each companion sold separately. Batteries not included.

Wolfkeks · September 11

DenverRalphy wrote: »

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I don't know what percentage of players are Non-ESO+ players, so dunno how big of an issue this really is.

But too, you can aways just purchase one month of ESO+, unlock the companions, the let the subscription expire. It'll put a few crowns in your wallet too.

Dunno that they'd be giftable, so dunno if you can buy them for gold from a Crown seller.

Except the companions won't be accessible if the player ever lets eso+ expire, most likely anyway.

Not according to this statement...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8182574/#Comment_8182574

Yeah okay that is good! I thought we would lose them if ESO plus expires 😅 but getting them for free with ESO plus is okay (and for my baby non ESO plus I can wait for a free tial 😁)

Orbital78 · September 11

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order. With the state of the game currently it is probably best to join the full casual crowd and only log in casually [Snip].

[Edited for Advertising]

Orbital78 · September 11

Wolfkeks wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I don't know what percentage of players are Non-ESO+ players, so dunno how big of an issue this really is.

But too, you can aways just purchase one month of ESO+, unlock the companions, the let the subscription expire. It'll put a few crowns in your wallet too.

Dunno that they'd be giftable, so dunno if you can buy them for gold from a Crown seller.

Except the companions won't be accessible if the player ever lets eso+ expire, most likely anyway.

Not according to this statement...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8182574/#Comment_8182574

Yeah okay that is good! I thought we would lose them if ESO plus expires 😅 but getting them for free with ESO plus is okay (and for my baby non ESO plus I can wait for a free tial 😁)

I don't think that is how it works, it will likely be a timed store purchase for "free" similar to Scion's of Ithelia. If you wait for the next free ESO Plus trial, you will have to buy them with crowns. I hope they are under 1000 but with the prices of homes, I doubt it.

AzuraFan · September 11

Orbital78 wrote: »

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order.

Agree on all points. I have ESO+ so I'll get the companions for free, but I figured they'd either be free for everyone or free for those who bought Gold Road. I don't like this precedent.

Whether I preorder or not will depend on the price. If they're charging AAA price again, then nope, not preordering. I'll wait until the chapter goes on sale, unless day 1 reviews state that the chapter is on par with the earlier chapters in terms of content. In that case I'll be happy to give them the dollars.

Orbital78 · September 11

AzuraFan wrote: »

Orbital78 wrote: »

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order.

Agree on all points. I have ESO+ so I'll get the companions for free, but I figured they'd either be free for everyone or free for those who bought Gold Road. I don't like this precedent.

Whether I preorder or not will depend on the price. If they're charging AAA price again, then nope, not preordering. I'll wait until the chapter goes on sale, unless day 1 reviews state that the chapter is on par with the earlier chapters in terms of content. In that case I'll be happy to give them the dollars.

Yup they are going to need to really up their game and not half ... it. Textures looked off for the past few chapters like things were rushed and not polished. If you're going to charge the price of two games or one "AAA" I expect high polish and quality content. Lucent Citadel was the only thing I'd really miss from the chapter (and spending the year doing it with guild/friends). Skingraad is a good hub city but we already had Vvardenfell and Layewiin. Scribing could be nice and the skill styles are not bad, but worth the price of a full game or two? IMO not really. I hope they can revitalize this game which feels aged and dying to me. At least I still have the friends i've made to casually come back to do stuff with.

WitchyKiki · September 11

Orbital78 wrote: »

AzuraFan wrote: »

Orbital78 wrote: »

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order.

Agree on all points. I have ESO+ so I'll get the companions for free, but I figured they'd either be free for everyone or free for those who bought Gold Road. I don't like this precedent.

Whether I preorder or not will depend on the price. If they're charging AAA price again, then nope, not preordering. I'll wait until the chapter goes on sale, unless day 1 reviews state that the chapter is on par with the earlier chapters in terms of content. In that case I'll be happy to give them the dollars.

Yup they are going to need to really up their game and not half ... it. Textures looked off for the past few chapters like things were rushed and not polished. If you're going to charge the price of two games or one "AAA" I expect high polish and quality content. Lucent Citadel was the only thing I'd really miss from the chapter (and spending the year doing it with guild/friends). Skingraad is a good hub city but we already had Vvardenfell and Layewiin. Scribing could be nice and the skill styles are not bad, but worth the price of a full game or two? IMO not really. I hope they can revitalize this game which feels aged and dying to me. At least I still have the friends i've made to casually come back to do stuff with.

I do hope when ESO comes to its end, it goes on an 'offline' mode. I enjoy the quests too much, and it would be a big loss for the TES lore if ESO just disappeared.

Destai · September 11

I'm not the biggest companion fan, I've only ever really used the Argonian guy for some fishing, but this really disappointed me. When companions first came out, I was concerned it'd be another monetized feature eventually. We enjoyed several expansions where it was a feature of the Chapter. We're currently in a climate where people feel releases have diminishing value, and this just reinforces that sentiment. And their language was really safe when they said it was coming in Q4. I was under the impression it was just delayed and was going to be a Chapter feature. To find this out, feels like a bait and switch.

Yes, I realize, it's apart of ESO Plus. That's great. But, I just think there's better ways to add more value to ESO Plus. And really that's not the core issue. The core issue is here the feature list we get with releases is now going to be treated a la carte in the store. Why should I buy a chapter day one? You're going to put it up for sale months after, the motifs aren't there day one, and now the companions aren't there anymore.

WitchyKiki · September 11

Destai wrote: »

I'm not the biggest companion fan, I've only ever really used the Argonian guy for some fishing, but this really disappointed me. When companions first came out, I was concerned it'd be another monetized feature eventually. We enjoyed several expansions where it was a feature of the Chapter. We're currently in a climate where people feel releases have diminishing value, and this just reinforces that sentiment. And their language was really safe when they said it was coming in Q4. I was under the impression it was just delayed and was going to be a Chapter feature. To find this out, feels like a bait and switch.

Yes, I realize, it's apart of ESO Plus. That's great. But, I just think there's better ways to add more value to ESO Plus. And really that's not the core issue. The core issue is here the feature list we get with releases is now going to be treated a la carte in the store. Why should I buy a chapter day one? You're going to put it up for sale months after, the motifs aren't there day one, and now the companions aren't there anymore.

Theres still value in pre-ordering and buying the chapters on day one. For instance, they give pre-order incentives you wont get if you purchase at a later date. And some of us do enjoy engaging the new quest zones as soon as they release. I don't play the PTS, so to me pre-ordering still has value.

coop500 · September 11

I have ESO+ and bought Gold Road so I am not affected...
[snip] I hope they reconsider going forward cause this is... kind of a yikes NGL.

[edited for bashing]

Fischblut · September 11

I am not happy that the chapter value is reduced

However, I am not really against the option to purchase companions (or get them with subscription), but only if such companions are highly customizable. I don't really care about their pre-made stories and preferences, because it's very difficult to satisfy me - no matter what fandom I'm in, I always remake something in personalities of famous characters to fit into my own story. There is no famous fictional character whom I 100% like - but after I re-imagine something in them, I like many characters

If I could select class/abilities/gender/race/polymorph/curse/personality traits for my companions, I would be very satisfied. Silent Skeleton for my necromancer, cute little vampire lady for my male Bosmer vampire (feeding animations on small character are so good

), loyal Xivkyn for my Molag Bal (if his original voice will be returned, of course), serious werewolf berserker for my werewolf character, cheerful Spriggan for my warden, sexy Altmer vampire guy for my Altmer vampire girl, mysterious evil apprentice for my Sith Lord... To be honest, it scares me how much money I would need to spend on all companions of my dream

But the joy from such gameplay would be worth it.

SilverBride · September 11

I'm ESO+ so I guess I will pick them up, but if they have long unlocking quests that I have to do on every character then I probably won't go any further.

I gave up long ago on getting a Companion my characters could romance. Azandar is the closest to what I like but he is a lot older than my characters. I just want a handsome young man but they just won't create one. Why?

CrazyKitty · September 11

Wolfkeks wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I don't know what percentage of players are Non-ESO+ players, so dunno how big of an issue this really is.

But too, you can aways just purchase one month of ESO+, unlock the companions, the let the subscription expire. It'll put a few crowns in your wallet too.

Dunno that they'd be giftable, so dunno if you can buy them for gold from a Crown seller.

Except the companions won't be accessible if the player ever lets eso+ expire, most likely anyway.

Not according to this statement...
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8182574/#Comment_8182574

Yeah okay that is good! I thought we would lose them if ESO plus expires 😅 but getting them for free with ESO plus is okay (and for my baby non ESO plus I can wait for a free tial 😁)

ZOS has always blocked companion access for people using the free trials of ESO+. Not sure this is going to work.

Ingenon · September 11

I do not think that putting companions up for sale in the crown store is a good idea, when previously everyone who bought the chapter got them.

I have an ESO Plus subscription, and the passives look useful, so I will probably unlock and level the new companions on a alt, so that all my alts can benefit from their passives.

WitchyKiki · September 11

SilverBride wrote: »

I'm ESO+ so I guess I will pick them up, but if they have long unlocking quests that I have to do on every character then I probably won't go any further.

I gave up long ago on getting a Companion my characters could romance. Azandar is the closest to what I like but he is a lot older than my characters. I just want a handsome young man but they just won't create one. Why?

Sharp-As-Night is a very handsome man

tindomiel4 · September 11

tom6143346 wrote: »

For those that are upset about the companions being moved to crown store/ eso+ . Start vote with your money. As long as they can cut content and move it after behind a pay wall , they will do so.As long as people still willing to pay the dlc prices and even preorder the dlc nothing will change. We will see what next will be moved to the crown store. At least for me it was the last preorder. I will vote from now on with my money. That’s the only language company’s understand sadly. Cheers

I've come to agree with this enough to override my reliance on extra inventory space and store freebies. The trend the last few years has really concerned me. Reducing rewards for no apparent reason (such as Zeal of Zenithar). More locked behind real money or time grind to get in-game money. And they just added YET ANOTHER task to keep us FOMO-tied. The last two years in particular are troubling:

Remove Q3 dungeons.
Remove Q4 story/zone content.
Give away a number of older Q4 DLCs and dungeons for free.
Price of ESO+ stays the same.
Release a minimized Q2 chapter.
Price of chapter stays the same.
Charge money for a feature that used to be included with full-size chapters.*

*I am glad to see confirmation that you will not lose the companions if you leave Plus. That should have been stated on the announcement summary page.

I will be letting my ESO Plus lapse. I already dread the QoL loss, but I am angry that they expect me to be okay paying USD$140 for digital closet space. Who knows if they will even put out a chapter next year, but I won't be pre-ordering it. I still love the world, but I am very frustrated by the game.

SilverBride · September 11

WitchyKiki wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

I'm ESO+ so I guess I will pick them up, but if they have long unlocking quests that I have to do on every character then I probably won't go any further.

I gave up long ago on getting a Companion my characters could romance. Azandar is the closest to what I like but he is a lot older than my characters. I just want a handsome young man but they just won't create one. Why?

Sharp-As-Night is a very handsome man

Actually he isn't. He is funny and one of my favorites but handsome he is not.

GuuMoonRyoung · September 11

JonnAndCo wrote: »

I have several thoughts on the matter:

First, it doesn't bother me personally that I have to subscribe to get the companions.

Secondly, yes we are paying the same amount for less, but with inflation being what it is, we are paying more for less all across the board.

Thirdly, what REALLY bothers me is not what we are paying, but what we are getting... which is LESS. If this trend continues, it doesn't bode well for the game. Raise the price if you must, but don't give us LESS. I don't want to watch this game die a slow death.

It will die a slow death and before dying, it will scam a lot of people with "lifetime subscription for only X00$!!" or "Unlock crafting bag permanently for only X00$!" type of sale.

It will happen sooner than later if people continue to indulge ZOS with the kind of nonsense they are pulling with this companion addition.

Necrotech_Master · September 11

Orbital78 wrote: »

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order. With the state of the game currently it is probably best to join the full casual crowd and only log in casually and enjoy my new main game No Man's Sky which all updates are FREE. Imagine that, and no subscription or cash shop.

the companions were never included with gold road, the main feature of gold road was scribing and they explicitly stated the companions were going to be separate and included in the Q4

i was never expecting the companions to be part of or related to gold road because we knew months before gold road release there would be no companions with it

im happy that people with eso+ will be able to get them for free instead of paying out for them, there were a lot of complaints on the forum that eso+ did not have enough value so this is the decision they made to change that

Einar_Hrafnarsson · September 11

Even more Glad i did not buy Gold Road. It absolutely is not worth the money.

AlienSlof · September 11

Orbital78 wrote: »

I had assumed the companions were part of the Gold Road chapter but just delayed. Overall Gold Road has been the lowest point overall for chapters for me personally. I think this will be the last chapter I buy, and definitely pre-order. With the state of the game currently it is probably best to join the full casual crowd and only log in casually [Snip].

So very much this!

Never have I regretted a game purchase as much as this. Small zone with no secondary area (like Blackreach, Oblivion, etc), Bosmer shoehorned in where I felt they don't belong (can't stand wood elves!). Not enough Imperial stuff (would have loved to learn more about them instead of Bosmer); scribing would have been more viable if not for the ridiculous grind for ink (and I refuse utterly to grind - I play games for fun.)

The trial is its one saving grace and I don't even get to play that as my regular trial group has faded away into real life stuff.

[Snip]

[Edited quote and for advertising]

Daimonion82 · September 11

This bring memories... Horse armor from Oblivion...
If people are OK with cutting companions from chapter and selling them separately, what can I say? Pay if you want. But don't be surprise, when they'll cut more things from future chapters. I'm not going to pay for defective content, Necrom was my last purchase. Gold Road seemed not worth the cost for me and now I'm really glad I didn't bought it.