Ideal companion character?

TaSheen

The reason I play ESO.... is because I do not have to mess with other people. BUT - the game world is very much more fluid and flexible than anything other than Skyrim (because of the sheer number of mods for that game).

So one can expect that this MMO will be.... ah.... a better experience than anything other than modded Skyrim or Oblivion, while still residing in the TES universe.

Syldras

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Ask any psychiatrist or related professional and they will tell you social people are happier people.

I'd assume people are happiest when they are allowed to live true to their nature.

Forcing an introverted person who has had more than enough human interaction during their workday to have even more human interaction against their will in their freetime will certainly not be beneficial for their wellbeing.

ArchangelIsraphel

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Another real life player will always be the best companion to have in any MMO. I actually think MMO's shouldn't even offer any other kind of companions. It is an MMO and grouping with and meeting other players should be encouraged, not discouraged.

It really depends on what your motivation is behind playing a game and becoming immersed in it's world. I enjoy the company of friends and family within ESO, but I also like to play solo. Companions are not something I require to complete content. I use them primarily as a mechanism of roleplay, a secondary character in addition to my own to create stories with. When I play alone, I am often using the game to inspire my writing.

When I'm in story-writing mode, I don't always want to interact with someone else. Sometimes I just want to be alone, entirely focused on whatever quest I'm doing, considering my characters reactions. I want to be at liberty to pause however long I please, and to write whatever I like, without worrying about asking someone else to wait for me. But if I'd like to imagine my character in the company of another, a companion can be interesting to facilitate dialogue in a story with.

And you know, I'll be frank- there are times when you just don't want to be someone else's entertainment, or have to meet their expectations, or play the content in accordance to their needs and desires. Sometimes, you just need to be alone, to recharge and nurture your own imagination.

Companions can be helpful in that regard, because if you do want get something done a little faster, you can pull them out of your pocket and be self-sufficient. (Mind you, I don't NEED the companion to complete most content, but I do like efficiency, and I have put a lot of work into building my companions to be efficient) I love being self-sufficient in game, whether it be in combat, crafting, furnishing, or what have you. Being able to take care of my own needs means I don't have to rely on anyone else, and it makes me a better player when I DO group up. Why? Because if I make a friend who is new to the game, then I can provide them with gear, tips, or run them through a dungeon with just me tanking and my companion providing backup DPS, so that they can enjoy the story without the interference of an impatient group.

Not only that, but I consider companions to be an accessibility feature. We've got a lot of older players in ESO- I have quite a few members of my family who play, that are much older than I am. My family loves video games, but some suffer from arthritis pain or other such issues that causes them to be unable to DPS/Tank the way they used to. Unfortunately, they always fear that they'll slow down a group that isn't family/friends, so they don't like to interact much with those outside of the people they trust to be patient with them. The addition of companions to the game has meant that those members of my family do not have to wait until myself or my cousins are online to assist them with a dungeon. They have some back up DPS in the form of a companion that gives them room to make mistakes and survive it.

So, really, I feel that saying "MMO's shouldn't provide companions, grouping with other people should be encouraged" is a rather narrow view of what companions are, and what they provide to the gamers who use them. They aren't a replacement or something that actually discourages interaction. Those that want interaction will seek it. Those that don't, wont, and there's no amount of digital candy that can be used to lure them into doing so- companions or not.

Removing companions won't make me any less inclined to solo group content during times when I don't want to socialize.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Ask any psychiatrist or related professional and they will tell you social people are happier people.

I'd assume people are happiest when they are allowed to live true to their nature.

Forcing an introverted person who has had more than enough human interaction during their workday to have even more human interaction against their will in their freetime will certainly not be beneficial for their wellbeing.

This.

Sadly, too many 'experts', no matter how many degrees they have, are more focused on forcing everyone into the same mold rather than seeing the individual. A 'one size fits all' approach rather than a nuanced approach.

Yes, many people are happy with a group of friends, but just because someone isn't 'social' in a game doesn't mean that they don't have a group of friends they are social with.

Just as someone whose only social interactions are in a game doesn't necessarily mean that they have any friends outside that game.

Forcing someone to be social in order to enjoy a game they like also does nothing to make them 'happy'. In fact, people are much more happy when they can *choose* when and where they want to be social.

Which, is the whole point. I haven't been playing the game long, but companions have been around longer than I have, but I still notice people looking to group up, I still see people talking about using the group finder, people are still joining guilds.

So, maybe, it is almost as if people who want to group up, will group up, whether or not there is a companion option or not. Just as people who don't want to group up will do content that doesn't require them to group, or they will find a different game altogether if there isn't a companion option available. Strange how that works.

As has been said, AI companions will never truly be able to replace a human who can have complex thought processes and be able to think 'outside the box' with regards to content. Even if companions get an overhaul to be able to do tasks such as pull levers or stand in certain spots to trigger mechanics, that still means that the players has to *order* them to do so, which takes time away from them doing other things needed. So a player that can see that this lever needs to be pulled will always be better than a companion that you have to manually order to pull that lever. So there is still incentive to group up with other players still in the game. Beyond that, there will always be people who like grouping with other players to do content.

Taril

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Ya, so they can get gear to play in raids both PvE and PvP.

Ahh, yes. The statistics that show that people mostly play ONLY ALONE in ONLY SOLO ACTIVITIES must be simply gearing for the GROUP ACTIVITIES THEY DON'T PARTICIPATE IN, AT ALL, EVER.

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Ask any psychiatrist or related professional and they will tell you social people are happier people.

I have. (As well as studied psychology, both generally and also specifically medical psychology)

They note that everyone needs time to themselves.

Even the most social extrovert, benefits from having time to themselves.

They also don't call social people happier. As there are plenty of introverts who are very much happy and aren't very social. There can be times when people are undersocializing and that is limiting their happiness, but it's not simply a case of more social is more happy.

Socializing is a core part of the human experience, and is necessary for most people to feel fulfilled. But it doesn't mean that 100% of the time MUST be spent socializing. Especially for hobby activities like playing video games (Or other such hobbies that lead to spending time alone, like fishing, playing golf, learning an instrument etc).

MMO's by there nature often have this freedom to socialize or not attached to them. There will be parts of the game that facilitate (Or mandate) solo play, while there are options to socialize for those that wish to (Such as things like general chats like zone chat)

Nothing about an MMO mandates forced socialization all the time. Hence why the genre is popular among solo players.

TheMajority

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Taril wrote: »

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Another real life player will always be the best companion to have in any MMO. I actually think MMO's shouldn't even offer any other kind of companions. It is an MMO and grouping with and meeting other players should be encouraged, not discouraged.

Statistics show that the majority of people who play MMO's, do so solo.

Even many instances of "Encouraging" group play in the couple of decades has been in the form of things like "Group Finder" and supporting that group finder with "Cross-server" grouping. Which is typically not very social at all and just reinforces solo mindsets where the other people in the group may as well just be NPC's.

Simply being an MMO thus doesn't necessitate forcing people to be "Social" just like the real world is "Massively Multiplayer" yet there are many people who like to spend time on their own.

Having companions and other such ways to facilitate solo play isn't "Discouraging" socializing, it's merely not forcing it. People can still be social and do things together, even if there's an option to do things alone. It's just it's players CHOICE to do so (Which generally promotes healthier social interactions because the people being social are doing so because they want to be social, not because they HAVE to be).

It's better to promote socialization via actually having socialization be the purpose of the interactions (Such as Guilds). Not by gating content behind arbitrary forced socialization (Which leads to increases in toxic behaviour because people who don't want to socialize, won't be social)

Ya, so they can get gear to play in raids both PvE and PvP.

Ask any psychiatrist or related professional and they will tell you social people are happier people.

My therapist did told me to take time for myself to explore who I am and what I like. She did encourage me to pursue my hobbies alone so that I could have my mental space to myself.

I'm a much happier person because I no longer have this unhealthy habit of letting others pressure me to be social when I know I need to take time for self care. Self care can look like playing a game alone cause it's what you want.

Companions are awesome. Want to see a create your own companion so there can be a thread showing off everyones companions. I would be so thrill to see other peoples version of this scholar we were talking of. Then we can all go off and play solo to level him lol

Erickson9610

ArchangelIsraphel wrote: »

It really depends on what your motivation is behind playing a game and becoming immersed in it's world. I enjoy the company of friends and family within ESO, but I also like to play solo. Companions are not something I require to complete content. I use them primarily as a mechanism of roleplay, a secondary character in addition to my own to create stories with. When I play alone, I am often using the game to inspire my writing.

I want to add that because each Companion is their own written character (with a questline, a motivation for joining you, their own likes and dislikes, and so on) that they add to the immersion of the world. They are quite literally quest NPCs who stick around to join you on an adventure. It is for that reason that "blank slate" or "create your own character" Companions won't be made — but of course players can headcanon their own story and lore for their Companions.

TaSheen

Syldras wrote: »

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Ask any psychiatrist or related professional and they will tell you social people are happier people.

I'd assume people are happiest when they are allowed to live true to their nature.

Forcing an introverted person who has had more than enough human interaction during their workday to have even more human interaction against their will in their freetime will certainly not be beneficial for their wellbeing.

Yeah. There's a reason I don't DO social....

And just spare me from "psychiatrists or related professionals". *gag*

katanagirl1

There are also players who want to be social but can’t find a group where they fit in, or those who have had some painfully bad social interactions recently and have just decided to go it alone. Let’s say I have some experience with both.

Bastian helps me do content on my own when there is nobody else.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Sadly, too many 'experts', no matter how many degrees they have, are more focused on forcing everyone into the same mold rather than seeing the individual. A 'one size fits all' approach rather than a nuanced approach.

Yes. It should be about helping people, not about standardizing them.

Unfortunately, not every "professional" seems to have realized that yet. I have no personal experiences with this topic, but it reminds me very much of a introverted acquaintance of mine who was always "encouraged" to be more outgoing, to talk to more people, go to parties, and these kind of things, because she would certainly feel better then. No surprise: She didn't, she just got increasingly tired and exhausted, both from the forced contact as well as from the pressure to "function". She had even been told that if she wasn't happy with this, she wasn't trying hard enough. Luckily at some point she managed to not to listen to this anymore. This was what actually improved her wellbeing.

Back to topic: Did anybody already mention in this thread that an ideal companion should not annoy us with obnoxious flirting and that, in general, our character should get the option to stop it immediately? I think this is something that bothers a lot of people.

Erickson9610

Syldras wrote: »

Back to topic: Did anybody already mention in this thread that an ideal companion should not annoy us with obnoxious flirting and that, in general, our character should get the option to stop it immediately? I think this is something that bothers a lot of people.

Speaking of this, I've noticed that quite a lot of the Companions at high rapport never explicitly show romantic interest in the player, but they are deeply appreciative of the player character to the point where it's the logical next step.

That's probably as far as the Companions system should go — they shouldn't be outwardly flirty towards the player, which means no Companion romance, but instead the player can headcanon it if they desire.

vsrs_au

A (preferably influential) ESO dev, playing another Vestige, so (s)he can see what the game's really like to play these days.

Syldras

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Speaking of this, I've noticed that quite a lot of the Companions at high rapport never explicitly show romantic interest in the player, but they are deeply appreciative of the player character to the point where it's the logical next step.
That's probably as far as the Companions system should go — they shouldn't be outwardly flirty towards the player, which means no Companion romance, but instead the player can headcanon it if they desire.

I have the feeling that ZOS is somehow already "preparing" companion romance (they stated years ago that they have this in mind for some time in the future). All companions are single, in some cases their storyline is even explicitly (also) about letting go of a former partner or love interest, which basically feels like the way gets paved for a relationship with the player character by solving that questline.

And honestly, I wouldn't mind, as long as it is strictly optional (the player character must have the option to say they are not interested and the flirting must cease immediately) and the dialogues are well-written.

The thing I personally really dislike is unstoppable and unfounded flirting. It's something different if a companion, even if I have no interest at all in them as a partner for my character, carefully asks my character whether they are interested in a relationship after they've become close friends and spent months travelling together, and accepts a no without further discussions, - or whether I get inappropriate comments thrown at me all the time without even having any possibility to react to that. It's annoying/frustrating, and it doesn't feel very respectful towards me as a roleplayer if I cannot let my character react. It even feels immersion-breaking if I know my character would 100% not accept this behaviour but I still can't do anything against it.

TaSheen

@Syldras - I fully and firmly agree with the entirety of your post. Thank you.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

Speaking of this, I've noticed that quite a lot of the Companions at high rapport never explicitly show romantic interest in the player, but they are deeply appreciative of the player character to the point where it's the logical next step.
That's probably as far as the Companions system should go — they shouldn't be outwardly flirty towards the player, which means no Companion romance, but instead the player can headcanon it if they desire.

I have the feeling that ZOS is somehow already "preparing" companion romance (they stated years ago that they have this in mind for some time in the future). All companions are single, in some cases their storyline is even explicitly (also) about letting go of a former partner or love interest, which basically feels like the way gets paved for a relationship with the player character by solving that questline.

And honestly, I wouldn't mind, as long as it is strictly optional (the player character must have the option to say they are not interested and the flirting must cease immediately) and the dialogues are well-written.

The thing I personally really dislike is unstoppable and unfounded flirting. It's something different if a companion, even if I have no interest at all in them as a partner for my character, carefully asks my character whether they are interested in a relationship after they've become close friends and spent months travelling together, and accepts a no without further discussions, - or whether I get inappropriate comments thrown at me all the time without even having any possibility to react to that. It's annoying/frustrating, and it doesn't feel very respectful towards me as a roleplayer if I cannot let my character react. It even feels immersion-breaking if I know my character would 100% not accept this behaviour but I still can't do anything against it.

I agree with this.

I don't want random people I just met flirting with me. I don't flirt with everyone I meet.

I don't mind companion romances, I even like them when there are companions I want to romance, but to me, the romantic dialogue, which includes flirting, should be something that you only see once you embark upon that romance path. The romance should also be obvious and optional (obvious because there have been games where you can easily accidentally end up romancing characters by just choosing normal seeming dialogue)

Or, as said, if it is something that comes with a high rapport and can be turned off if the player isn't receptive to it.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

the romantic dialogue, which includes flirting, should be something that you only see once you embark upon that romance path.

I'd find it okay if we are asked once whether we're interested, as soon as the disposition is high enough or in some quest context where it makes sense, in a not too vulgar or obtrusive way. Maybe give us a way to see the dialogue option again if we chose "no" first and change our mind later, but that should then be initiated by the player character and not pop up again unasked for.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

The romance should also be obvious and optional (obvious because there have been games where you can easily accidentally end up romancing characters by just choosing normal seeming dialogue)

I think I hugged a sleepless Ashlander once because I felt pity for him, and then... ah well. Or maybe it was some weird late night hallucination or a fever dream But seriously: This problem could easily be avoided if they marked the dialogue option that leads to accepting romance with a small symbol or something like that.

peacenote

I am 100% serious when I say I would love an actual dog companion so so much.

ZOS has so many cute individual quests with dogs communicating in various ways. It absolutely would be possible for them to make a dog companion with a back story that could be revealed with notes and body language, that would actually fight along side you. And bark, growl, whine, etc for rapport reactions.

This would be amazingly awesome, to me.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

the romantic dialogue, which includes flirting, should be something that you only see once you embark upon that romance path.

I'd find it okay if we are asked once whether we're interested, as soon as the disposition is high enough or in some quest context where it makes sense, in a not too vulgar or obtrusive way. Maybe give us a way to see the dialogue option again if we chose "no" first and change our mind later, but that should then be initiated by the player character and not pop up again unasked for.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

The romance should also be obvious and optional (obvious because there have been games where you can easily accidentally end up romancing characters by just choosing normal seeming dialogue)

I think I hugged a sleepless Ashlander once because I felt pity for him, and then... ah well. Or maybe it was some weird late night hallucination or a fever dream But seriously: This problem could easily be avoided if they marked the dialogue option that leads to accepting romance with a small symbol or something like that.

This wasn't in ESO, but two different games.

One was the Witcher, I was trying for a non-romance playthrough and I can't remember the options, but they were like 'rude' 'rude and dismissive' and 'polite' and polite was the one that lead to the romance. It was the same for the other game, which I think was one of the dragon age ones, where they had two bad options that came across as rude, while the polite one, which wasn't flirtatious, lead to the romance options.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

This wasn't in ESO, but two different games.

Well, in my case it was a TES3 companion mod. Although I can't remember all details after... years.

Anyway, I would also truly appreciate if the dialogue option for romance would be clearly marked as such.

Nerouyn

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

One was the Witcher, I was trying for a non-romance playthrough and I can't remember the options, but they were like 'rude' 'rude and dismissive' and 'polite' and polite was the one that lead to the romance.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the Netflix show. Haven't been able to watch later ones.

I picked up the games when they were on sale and started playing them but the sex is a bit much for my tastes. Especially being gay.

Made it as far as I think it was the mostly naked dryads or some kind of nature spirit women in the first game and decided I could just enjoy the show. Especially after a bit of reading and learning that the romance is kind of full on.

JemadarofCaerSalis

Nerouyn wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

One was the Witcher, I was trying for a non-romance playthrough and I can't remember the options, but they were like 'rude' 'rude and dismissive' and 'polite' and polite was the one that lead to the romance.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the Netflix show. Haven't been able to watch later ones.

I picked up the games when they were on sale and started playing them but the sex is a bit much for my tastes. Especially being gay.

Made it as far as I think it was the mostly naked dryads or some kind of nature spirit women in the first game and decided I could just enjoy the show. Especially after a bit of reading and learning that the romance is kind of full on.

I am asexual so, yeah I wasn't too happy with the in your face romantic parts. (I really prefer to be able to choose who my character romances and avoid it if I don't like any of the options)

I think I got one of the games for free, so I was just trying it out, and once I managed to get past those (and figure out how to avoid the majority of the 'romances') the games weren't bad.

I haven't read the books or watched the show, so don't have a clue about either of them.

Which that type of romance is definitely how I hope that any character romance that ESO does is NOT like. Let the romances be subtle, and completely optional (with no 'perks' locked behind needing to romance the characters)

SilverBride

I want a Companion that can be my character's life partner. Someone she can come home to and count on to always be there when she needs them.

I am not intending to play out any scenarios, but just rather share a home and wake up next to them when I log on.

Erickson9610

SilverBride wrote: »

I want a Companion that can be my character's life partner. Someone she can come home to and count on to always be there when she needs them.

I am not intending to play out any scenarios, but just rather share a home and wake up next to them when I log on.

There's a chance that Houseguests may be able to use animations in the future, which could make waking up next to them a reality:

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Q: Will we ever be able to let companions and houseguests do animations inside our home? I would love to have them just eat and sleep or spending some quality time like fishing/cooking/ just chilling.

TM: That sounds awesome! I’ll be sure to bring that idea to the team!

***

I do hope you find the Companion character you're looking for. I like the current roster of characters, but I'm always thrilled to meet more of them!

SilverBride

Erickson9610 wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

I want a Companion that can be my character's life partner. Someone she can come home to and count on to always be there when she needs them.

I am not intending to play out any scenarios, but just rather share a home and wake up next to them when I log on.

There's a chance that Houseguests may be able to use animations in the future, which could make waking up next to them a reality:

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Q: Will we ever be able to let companions and houseguests do animations inside our home? I would love to have them just eat and sleep or spending some quality time like fishing/cooking/ just chilling.

TM: That sounds awesome! I’ll be sure to bring that idea to the team!

***

I do hope you find the Companion character you're looking for. I like the current roster of characters, but I'm always thrilled to meet more of them!

That would be awesome! Now if we can convince them to make a Count Verandis Ravenwatch clone...

ArchangelIsraphel

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Nerouyn wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

One was the Witcher, I was trying for a non-romance playthrough and I can't remember the options, but they were like 'rude' 'rude and dismissive' and 'polite' and polite was the one that lead to the romance.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the Netflix show. Haven't been able to watch later ones.

I picked up the games when they were on sale and started playing them but the sex is a bit much for my tastes. Especially being gay.

Made it as far as I think it was the mostly naked dryads or some kind of nature spirit women in the first game and decided I could just enjoy the show. Especially after a bit of reading and learning that the romance is kind of full on.

I am asexual so, yeah I wasn't too happy with the in your face romantic parts. (I really prefer to be able to choose who my character romances and avoid it if I don't like any of the options)

I think I got one of the games for free, so I was just trying it out, and once I managed to get past those (and figure out how to avoid the majority of the 'romances') the games weren't bad.

I haven't read the books or watched the show, so don't have a clue about either of them.

Which that type of romance is definitely how I hope that any character romance that ESO does is NOT like. Let the romances be subtle, and completely optional (with no 'perks' locked behind needing to romance the characters)

I'm so happy that I'm not the only person who has played the Witcher and decided to do a no-romance play through. I'm a huge fan of the series, but I really dislike the way some of the romance options are portrayed in the games. I especially dislike how the games tend to shoe-horn Geralt into some kind of pairing even if you're successful at avoiding most of the romance. I mean, I know it's cannon to the books, but still.

I share your sentiment about hoping that companion romance in ESO is nothing like this. I'd really love a way to deepen platonic friendships, honestly. Given what I've seen in the "smolder scrolls" thing they do every year...I'm not sure I want to know what romance is going to be like in this game. I'm not ace, but it certainly isn't my idea of what's romantic.

Nerouyn wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

One was the Witcher, I was trying for a non-romance playthrough and I can't remember the options, but they were like 'rude' 'rude and dismissive' and 'polite' and polite was the one that lead to the romance.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the Netflix show. Haven't been able to watch later ones.

I picked up the games when they were on sale and started playing them but the sex is a bit much for my tastes. Especially being gay.

Made it as far as I think it was the mostly naked dryads or some kind of nature spirit women in the first game and decided I could just enjoy the show. Especially after a bit of reading and learning that the romance is kind of full on.

I loved the first two seasons. Henry Cavill Was amazing as Geralt

I can't say I blame you for completely avoiding the games, though. I enjoyed the games, but they're really overbearing when it comes to throwing adult content of that nature in your face, even when you're actively avoiding romance.

Syldras wrote: »

I'd find it okay if we are asked once whether we're interested, as soon as the disposition is high enough or in some quest context where it makes sense, in a not too vulgar or obtrusive way. Maybe give us a way to see the dialogue option again if we chose "no" first and change our mind later, but that should then be initiated by the player character and not pop up again unasked for.

This. I don't mind it if my character is approached once- so long as it's not some kind of creepy comment that comes out of the blue.

Also, please don't make the player characters replies creepy or overtly suggestive. At least give players a series of options to use so that if we do choose to romance, we can reply relatively in character.

Syldras

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Which that type of romance is definitely how I hope that any character romance that ESO does is NOT like. Let the romances be subtle, and completely optional (with no 'perks' locked behind needing to romance the characters)

I think this is an important point: I don't want to see achievements or perks related to it, or at least no important perks (I guess something like that "homecooked meal" thing in Skyrim would be okay - it's not neccessary for me, but more important nothing that's bad if it's missed out either).

In general, it very much comes down to how they portray the whole thing. What would seem wrong to me would be if it would end up feeling like a trophy collection, or something that's only rushed through to get a specific perk, or if it feels like mere fan service or making use of the old "sex sells" principle. That wouldn't do the companions (their writing, the stories they have carefully made up about them so far) justice. What I'd like to see would be a clear focus on roleplay/narration and the emotional development between the companion and the player character. For me, no need for big cut scenes either, narrating it through dialogues would be completely fine. Although that might lead to different problems...

ArchangelIsraphel wrote: »

Given what I've seen in the "smolder scrolls" thing they do every year...I'm not sure I want to know what romance is going to be like in this game. I'm not ace, but it certainly isn't my idea of what's romantic.
(...)
This. I don't mind it if my character is approached once- so long as it's not some kind of creepy comment that comes out of the blue.
Also, please don't make the player characters replies creepy or overtly suggestive. At least give players a series of options to use so that if we do choose to romance, we can reply relatively in character.

It all comes down to the writing quality again. The companion's romance dialogue should be true to their character instead of going for some cliché, no matter if the cliché is "sickly-sweet romance movie" or the creepy obtrusive innuendo we've often seen from characters in High Isle (at least I'm sure it would not be like they did it in Smolder Scrolls, as that was a joke,... It was a joke, wasn't it?). I really hope they don't go for "keep it neutral so it fits most people" either. I'm quite sure Mirri, Isobel and Azandar would express romantic interest completely differently, and it would feel out of character if it would be some completely generic line instead.

Nerouyn

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

I am asexual so, yeah I wasn't too happy with the in your face romantic parts. (I really prefer to be able to choose who my character romances and avoid it if I don't like any of the options)

I'm not asexual, but single by choice for good reasons and not bothered by that at all. Even though those reasons don't apply to video game romance, I just don't feel that way inclined.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

I haven't read the books or watched the show, so don't have a clue about either of them.

I've also not read the books and lost access to Netflix some time ago and. It's now borderline unaffordable for me so I haven't seen beyond the first two series but they were both brilliant.

Though if you ever happen to watch them, maybe skip the Blood Origin prequel series. That's garbage.

Fascinating idea. Love Michelle Yeoh. I think it was also nominally under the supervision of the same exec as the other series but made by a different production company.

Unless you enjoy making fun of trash. Like there's a scene where the protagonists are found by their enemies, who begin to encircle them.

Form up!
Don't let them get behind us.
Hold your ground!

To prevent them from being encircled, they need to back up (and they do), which is the opposite of holding your ground...

JemadarofCaerSalis

Syldras wrote: »

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Which that type of romance is definitely how I hope that any character romance that ESO does is NOT like. Let the romances be subtle, and completely optional (with no 'perks' locked behind needing to romance the characters)

I think this is an important point: I don't want to see achievements or perks related to it, or at least no important perks (I guess something like that "homecooked meal" thing in Skyrim would be okay - it's not neccessary for me, but more important nothing that's bad if it's missed out either).

In general, it very much comes down to how they portray the whole thing. What would seem wrong to me would be if it would end up feeling like a trophy collection, or something that's only rushed through to get a specific perk, or if it feels like mere fan service or making use of the old "sex sells" principle. That wouldn't do the companions (their writing, the stories they have carefully made up about them so far) justice. What I'd like to see would be a clear focus on roleplay/narration and the emotional development between the companion and the player character. For me, no need for big cut scenes either, narrating it through dialogues would be completely fine. Although that might lead to different problems...

ArchangelIsraphel wrote: »

Given what I've seen in the "smolder scrolls" thing they do every year...I'm not sure I want to know what romance is going to be like in this game. I'm not ace, but it certainly isn't my idea of what's romantic.
(...)
This. I don't mind it if my character is approached once- so long as it's not some kind of creepy comment that comes out of the blue.
Also, please don't make the player characters replies creepy or overtly suggestive. At least give players a series of options to use so that if we do choose to romance, we can reply relatively in character.

It all comes down to the writing quality again. The companion's romance dialogue should be true to their character instead of going for some cliché, no matter if the cliché is "sickly-sweet romance movie" or the creepy obtrusive innuendo we've often seen from characters in High Isle (at least I'm sure it would not be like they did it in Smolder Scrolls, as that was a joke,... It was a joke, wasn't it?). I really hope they don't go for "keep it neutral so it fits most people" either. I'm quite sure Mirri, Isobel and Azandar would express romantic interest completely differently, and it would feel out of character if it would be some completely generic line instead.

Yeah, one of the main reasons I don't want something like a perk or some sort of 'reward' for having a romance with a companion is because it cheapens the whole idea of a romance in general.

Most games that have companion romances will put some sort of quest or perk (or both) locked behind that romance, which makes it feel like you have to do ALL the romances in order to get all the perks (or your favorite companion has the garbage perk, while the one you hate has the best perk in the game that you need to finish it), and I really don't want that to come to ESO.

For me, when I said subtle, I meant more of in character and not constantly referring to it, as well as the lead up.

For instance, I feel that Tanlorin would be the exact opposite of what I am talking about with regards to how they would talk to the player if they were romancing them. While I feel that Isobel would probably be prone to wanting to make gestures to show her affection. This is based upon how they act during their quest lines and how their random dialogue lines. Tanlorin seems to love to shoehorn past conquests into a lot of dialogue, while Isobel often suggests finding a shop to get a trinket or souvenir.

So, I don't think that the dialogue has to be generic, but rather in character, but also not every single word out of their mouth is sickly sweet sentiment or constantly referring to the romance.

Basically, I would want them to act like normal people and not some cliche of a romance trope.

ArchangelIsraphel

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

Yeah, one of the main reasons I don't want something like a perk or some sort of 'reward' for having a romance with a companion is because it cheapens the whole idea of a romance in general.

Most games that have companion romances will put some sort of quest or perk (or both) locked behind that romance, which makes it feel like you have to do ALL the romances in order to get all the perks (or your favorite companion has the garbage perk, while the one you hate has the best perk in the game that you need to finish it), and I really don't want that to come to ESO.

This^ All of this. Also, I'm just inherently uncomfortable with the idea of showing romantic interest in someone just to get something out of them. -shudders- Ugh.

JemadarofCaerSalis wrote: »

For instance, I feel that Tanlorin would be the exact opposite of what I am talking about with regards to how they would talk to the player if they were romancing them. While I feel that Isobel would probably be prone to wanting to make gestures to show her affection. This is based upon how they act during their quest lines and how their random dialogue lines. Tanlorin seems to love to shoehorn past conquests into a lot of dialogue, while Isobel often suggests finding a shop to get a trinket or souvenir.

I feel like Isobel would be wonderful to romance if they do her justice. I love her knightly and considerate personality. I don't want to see it get overtly sickly sweet, but I wouldn't mind having one of my ladies get swept off her feet by a knight in shining armor

DinoZavr

@Syldras when Companions were introduced on Blackwood Rich Lambert said they might implement romancing Companions, so, in my understanding this feature is quite possible.
Zeni might also implement the game setting turning this ON of OFF, i guess this is not much complicated.