For those concerned about "Seasons" (memory lane)

Defatank

Can we please just take a moment and go back 10 years and there are plenty of interview videos out there to validate what I'm saying, but for those that was not there 10 years ago. The original plan per ZOS was to provide updates to the game every 6 - 12 weeks. (2 - 3 months) and that was changed to yearly because of the amount of work that was having to be put into developing new content so quickly while the devs were just trying to get the game up on its feet and rolling while dealing with natural problems from launch. Video link below of a bit of what I just mentioned. You can go to 3:05 if you like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZxPS81ASE

Desiato

Defatank wrote: »

Can we please just take a moment and go back 10 years and there are plenty of interview videos out there to validate what I'm saying, but for those that was not there 10 years ago. The original plan per ZOS was to provide updates to the game every 6 - 12 weeks. (2 - 3 months) and that was changed to yearly because of the amount of work that was having to be put into developing new content so quickly while the devs were just trying to get the game up on its feet and rolling while dealing with natural problems from launch. Video link below of a bit of what I just mentioned. You can go to 3:05 if you like

It should be noted the content team was drastically reduced in size in Sept 2014 when the decision was made to scrap the aggressive content release schedule. So they had the workforce, but they decided to go in a different direction. Most likely because the subscription based model had failed or was failing industry-wide and could no longer support their ambitious plans.

I_killed_Vivec

Desiato wrote: »

Defatank wrote: »

Can we please just take a moment and go back 10 years and there are plenty of interview videos out there to validate what I'm saying, but for those that was not there 10 years ago. The original plan per ZOS was to provide updates to the game every 6 - 12 weeks. (2 - 3 months) and that was changed to yearly because of the amount of work that was having to be put into developing new content so quickly while the devs were just trying to get the game up on its feet and rolling while dealing with natural problems from launch. Video link below of a bit of what I just mentioned. You can go to 3:05 if you like

It should be noted the content team was drastically reduced in size in Sept 2014 when the decision was made to scrap the aggressive content release schedule. So they had the workforce, but they decided to go in a different direction. Most likely because the subscription based model had failed or was failing industry-wide and could no longer support their ambitious plans.

The subscription model lasted for a year (I have the senche to prove it). Then the rumour that I heard was that they had been too adventurous and broke the bank releasing Craglorn (Upper), Wrothgar, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood in the space of a couple of years.

So we had pay to buy the game, and further DLCs, but DLCs would be free forever for subscribers...

Then to monetize further they brought in chapters, which weren't DLC (yes, they were) and so didn't come free with subscription (boo!).

DLC were still free for subscribers, but the cadence was reduced to allow for bug fixes - another reduction for subscribers.

I do not know how seasons will be able to recoup the loss of revenue from Chapters (paid by everyone) and DLC (non-ESO+), particularly with the big plans for PvP (which presumably are outside seasons and so would not be paid for directly...).

More worryingly, I can't see the benefit for continuing to subscribe (craft bag). I doubt that we'd get seasons for free, otherwise they'd call them DLCs - the fact that they haven't shows they are still honouring their promise of all DLCs free forever if you subscribe. Chapters, Seasons... oh they aren't "DLC" and everyone has to pay for them...

RomanRex

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

DLC were still free for subscribers, but the cadence was reduced to allow for bug fixes - another reduction for subscribers.

Literally the same line they have used for years as they reduce content output or as they justify failing to meet player expectations.

Taril

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

More worryingly, I can't see the benefit for continuing to subscribe (craft bag). I doubt that we'd get seasons for free, otherwise they'd call them DLCs - the fact that they haven't shows they are still honouring their promise of all DLCs free forever if you subscribe. Chapters, Seasons... oh they aren't "DLC" and everyone has to pay for them...

Chapters are free for subscribers. They're just delayed until they're incorporated into ESO+.

So you can pay to access them "NOW" or you can wait and get them for free with subscription.

Desiato

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

The subscription model lasted for a year (I have the senche to prove it). Then the rumour that I heard was that they had been too adventurous and broke the bank releasing Craglorn (Upper), Wrothgar, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood in the space of a couple of years.

I didn't mean to imply they switched to B2P in Sept 2014, but that was the time the content team was reduced. And of course, we now know they were working on plans to refactor the game, ultimately into what it is today.

The recognition that the sub-to-play model wasn't viable would have happened a long time before the introduction of the Crown Store and ESO+ in Tamriel Unlimited (2.0.1 in March 2015).

In terms of content, there was a long pause after Upper Craglorn was released in Nov 2014 and the introduction of Imperial City in Sept 2015. Basically, they used the time in between to radically revamp combat and implement the Crown Store and B2P model.

Orsinium (wroth) was essentially the first chapter without being called one, and was released after regular content updates resumed in the fall of 2015, in the update after IC. Regular content updates have been ongoing since, with TG and DB following Orsinium. In the time between Orsinium and Morrowind, we saw the major additions of 1T and Homestead, in addition to the second wave of DLC dungeons.

Necrotech_Master

yeah this is what i feel they are going back towards with the new content release cadence, or seasons (as they call them)

i personally miss the standalone dungeons (the Q1 dlc dungeons that try to tie in to the chapter are sometimes so loose that it doesnt really make sense, i much preferred the standalone stories like ruins of mazzatun, or continuation of dungeon stories as their own thing like with the series of 2 dungeons for non dlc dungeons (which we are still missing a lot of 2 dungeons for several of the non dlc dungeons))

wenchmore420b14_ESO

The subscription model was changed because of the up coming console release and the fact that Sony and Microsoft couldn't play well together and agree on working with Zeni about their own sub pricing. It boiled down to where X-Box users would have to pay 2 subscriptions for ESO, so Zeni just decided to do away with it as mandatory. FYI, have subed since early access, 03/31/2014.

oldbobdude

Taril wrote: »

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

More worryingly, I can't see the benefit for continuing to subscribe (craft bag). I doubt that we'd get seasons for free, otherwise they'd call them DLCs - the fact that they haven't shows they are still honouring their promise of all DLCs free forever if you subscribe. Chapters, Seasons... oh they aren't "DLC" and everyone has to pay for them...

Chapters are free for subscribers. They're just delayed until they're incorporated into ESO+.

So you can pay to access them "NOW" or you can wait and get them for free with subscription.

Chapters aren’t free to subscribers until they are reclassified as DLC the year after release.