Will you be able to play ESO when the servers go down in 20 years?

Gix

OutcastVP wrote: »

The difference of ESO and other modern mmo:s and Ultima Online is that in Ultima you need to be onilne, the game would be pretty much pointless if not. In ESO i don't see any reason at all why you could not play without other players if it comes to that. Just transfer your character to your computer and done. There is no meaningful interaction with other players or the server anyway that prevents you from playing the game as usual. (Beside Cyradill).

You just run around doing quests and there are other players running past you sometimes or standing in a big lump at the bank. Would not be different AT ALL without any other players around.

First of all, there's more to it than that than merely copying your character over. Even if you copied the entire data-center, you have to make the game NOT call for an non-existing server. That's easier said than done.

Secondly, there's a lot of content that is designed for 4 or more players. So your argument that the game wouldn't be any different is null.

Third, if you believe that you're playing solo online, you probably haven't tried playing multi-player which, in that case, why do you care how the game is in 20 years? You might as well quit playing now.

Celless

It's really been 20 years since Arena now hasn't it? I think with the mechanics in ESO, if the game ever reached the end of its MMO life, it would be absolutely wonderful for us that enjoy abandonware (or sometimes not abandonware heheh) to be able to play the game again.

Much how anyone plays games on emulators, watch TV shows, or listen to music from 20+ years ago. Some folks can enjoy the activity regardless of age and we're just hoping the "option" is still there if we happen to be alive and healthy enough to enjoy it.

Vikova

OutcastVP wrote: »

The difference of ESO and other modern mmo:s and Ultima Online is that in Ultima you need to be onilne, the game would be pretty much pointless if not. In ESO i don't see any reason at all why you could not play without other players if it comes to that. Just transfer your character to your computer and done. There is no meaningful interaction with other players or the server anyway that prevents you from playing the game as usual. (Beside Cyradill).

You just run around doing quests and there are other players running past you sometimes or standing in a big lump at the bank. Would not be different AT ALL without any other players around.

They, and most likely their fans, would rather any extra development time be spent on continuing the singleplayer series.

OutcastVP

Gix wrote: »

First of all, there's more to it than that than merely copying your character over. Even if you copied the entire data-center, you have to make the game NOT call for an non-existing server. That's easier said than done.

Secondly, there's a lot of content that is designed for 4 or more players. So your argument that the game wouldn't be any different is null.

Third, if you believe that you're playing solo online, you probably haven't tried playing multi-player which, in that case, why do you care how the game is in 20 years? You might as well quit playing now.

No, it would not be much trouble at all. The game has nothing really that require online. The content that is designed for 4 players could be done by one high level character. Finally maybe some challange in this casual game.

I would quit playing now if I did not still have free game time left from my purchase. I am itching to get back to playing Skyrim and Morrowind.

Sarenia

OutcastVP wrote: »

Gix wrote: »

First of all, there's more to it than that than merely copying your character over. Even if you copied the entire data-center, you have to make the game NOT call for an non-existing server. That's easier said than done.

Secondly, there's a lot of content that is designed for 4 or more players. So your argument that the game wouldn't be any different is null.

Third, if you believe that you're playing solo online, you probably haven't tried playing multi-player which, in that case, why do you care how the game is in 20 years? You might as well quit playing now.

No, it would not be much trouble at all. The game has nothing really that require online. The content that is designed for 4 players could be done by one high level character. Finally maybe some challange in this casual game.

I would quit playing now if I did not still have free game time left from my purchase. I am itching to get back to playing Skyrim and Morrowind.

I have to agree that adapting a multiplayer game to singleplayer or small server scale (since we're theorycrafting here) is in practice likely to be a mess.

At the very least, you would have to replicate the backend of the server. At a bare minimum that's likely to mean SQL.

ESO is designed to operate on a server cluster as well, mind you. Since most of us don't have modern server clusters laying around that we can adapt game servers to, somebody would need to mutilate ESO's code to make it work properly on a single server.

And if all those conditions were met, you'd want a good dedicated server to host it, too. My game server has about 20,000 accounts, with a humble 30-60 people on at most times throughout the day. Even that small number of players, on an older game, is a considerable overhead to the CPU and RAM, making virtualization on a personal system impractical or even impossible.

OutcastVP

Sarenia wrote: »

I have to agree that adapting a multiplayer game to singleplayer or small server scale (since we're theorycrafting here) is in practice likely to be a mess.

At the very least, you would have to replicate the backend of the server. At a bare minimum that's likely to mean SQL.

ESO is designed to operate on a server cluster as well, mind you. Since most of us don't have modern server clusters laying around that we can adapt game servers to, somebody would need to mutilate ESO's code to make it work properly on a single server.

And if all those conditions were met, you'd want a good dedicated server to host it, too. My game server has about 20,000 accounts, with a humble 30-60 people on at most times throughout the day. Even that small number of players, on an older game, is a considerable overhead to the CPU and RAM, making virtualization on a personal system impractical or even impossible.

I don't really care for the multiplayer part. I would be satisfied to just play the solo content. I play solo as it is now. The only thing is that there are a lot of players running around like crazy. You don't interact with them in any way though that has any bearing on the game.

Malediktus

OutcastVP wrote: »

Gix wrote: »

First of all, there's more to it than that than merely copying your character over. Even if you copied the entire data-center, you have to make the game NOT call for an non-existing server. That's easier said than done.

Secondly, there's a lot of content that is designed for 4 or more players. So your argument that the game wouldn't be any different is null.

Third, if you believe that you're playing solo online, you probably haven't tried playing multi-player which, in that case, why do you care how the game is in 20 years? You might as well quit playing now.

No, it would not be much trouble at all. The game has nothing really that require online. The content that is designed for 4 players could be done by one high level character. Finally maybe some challange in this casual game.

I would quit playing now if I did not still have free game time left from my purchase. I am itching to get back to playing Skyrim and Morrowind.

Good luck soloing veteran lvl group content. I doubt that would work without cheating or tuning it down. Especially the upcoming map will be tuned for 4 man and larger groups I think

tallenn

I can't fathom how you just refuse to get it. MMOs are client-server applications. They can't be "adapted" to work as single player. There has never been, in the history of MMOs, one that was re-released as single player. No one who might have had the resources has ever even considered doing it. It's just not possible.

There have been a few that have had private servers built for them, but that's as close as it comes- that's as close is it CAN come to a game like this becoming single player. It's not a matter of just copying your character over. The entire game, less the graphics, I/O operations, and some other minor systems, is run on a server farm. You can't just "port" that over to run on a single machine. In order for ESO to become a single player game, it would have to be re-built from the ground up that way.

Let me save you some trouble. It's pointless to discuss this, because it CAN'T happen. It's not a matter of if they want to, they simply don't have the resources. It's never going to be a single player game, ever. You need to come to terms with that fact. When the servers go dark, unless there is someone running a private server somewhere you simply won't be able to play the game anymore. That is just a fact of life when dealing with MMOs. It's not going to change, no matter how much you'd like it to.

By the way, I get compulsion, I really do. I still play Heretic from time to time. However, I also understand that MMOs simply aren't built the same way.

OutcastVP

tallenn wrote: »

I can't fathom how you just refuse to get it. MMOs are client-server applications. They can't be "adapted" to work as single player. There has never been, in the history of MMOs, one that was re-released as single player. No one who might have had the resources has ever even considered doing it. It's just not possible.

There have been a few that have had private servers built for them, but that's as close as it comes- that's as close is it CAN come to a game like this becoming single player. It's not a matter of just copying your character over. The entire game, less the graphics, I/O operations, and some other minor systems, is run on a server farm. You can't just "port" that over to run on a single machine. In order for ESO to become a single player game, it would have to be re-built from the ground up that way.

Let me save you some trouble. It's pointless to discuss this, because it CAN'T happen. It's not a matter of if they want to, they simply don't have the resources. It's never going to be a single player game, ever. You need to come to terms with that fact. When the servers go dark, unless there is someone running a private server somewhere you simply won't be able to play the game anymore. That is just a fact of life when dealing with MMOs. It's not going to change, no matter how much you'd like it to.

By the way, I get compulsion, I really do. I still play Heretic from time to time. However, I also understand that MMOs simply aren't built the same way.

Sorry but that is just laughable what you wrote. There is nothing "impossible" at all about this. Stop just saying things you have no experience about. The "entire game" is not run on a server. The fact is that nothing major is changed in this game if you would remove all other players from it is the key. That is what it is all about, that is why it is "online", because of the other players.

Coggage

At my age I'll very likely be dead in 20 years, so I don't care.

rawne1980b16_ESO

OutcastVP wrote: »

Sorry but that is just laughable what you wrote. There is nothing "impossible" at all about this. Stop just saying things you have no experience about. The "entire game" is not run on a server. The fact is that nothing major is changed in this game if you would remove all other players from it is the key. That is what it is all about, that is why it is "online", because of the other players.

You're just baiting now.

No way can anyone possibly be this ignorant.

You got me, I fell for it. I gave answers as if you were asking a genuine question but after reading your posts it's painfully clear you are just baiting now.

Nobody is this ..... stupid, i'm going to go with.

Graogrimm

I see it like Coggage, the chances are good that i'm dead in 20 years, so i don't care too.

OutcastVP

rawne1980b16_ESO: You did not answer anything. Just coming up with stuff you have no idea about.

This review pretty much sums up why the mmo genre is going in the wrong direction and why there is no point at all to it even being an mmo. It would actually work better as a singelplayer game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov3B26h12C4

tallenn

OutcastVP wrote: »

tallenn wrote: »

I can't fathom how you just refuse to get it. MMOs are client-server applications. They can't be "adapted" to work as single player. There has never been, in the history of MMOs, one that was re-released as single player. No one who might have had the resources has ever even considered doing it. It's just not possible.

There have been a few that have had private servers built for them, but that's as close as it comes- that's as close is it CAN come to a game like this becoming single player. It's not a matter of just copying your character over. The entire game, less the graphics, I/O operations, and some other minor systems, is run on a server farm. You can't just "port" that over to run on a single machine. In order for ESO to become a single player game, it would have to be re-built from the ground up that way.

Let me save you some trouble. It's pointless to discuss this, because it CAN'T happen. It's not a matter of if they want to, they simply don't have the resources. It's never going to be a single player game, ever. You need to come to terms with that fact. When the servers go dark, unless there is someone running a private server somewhere you simply won't be able to play the game anymore. That is just a fact of life when dealing with MMOs. It's not going to change, no matter how much you'd like it to.

By the way, I get compulsion, I really do. I still play Heretic from time to time. However, I also understand that MMOs simply aren't built the same way.

Sorry but that is just laughable what you wrote. There is nothing "impossible" at all about this. Stop just saying things you have no experience about. The "entire game" is not run on a server. The fact is that nothing major is changed in this game if you would remove all other players from it is the key. That is what it is all about, that is why it is "online", because of the other players.

Ok, well you go ahead and keep waiting and hoping for ESO to release a single player edition. Good luck with that.

xenowarrior92eb17_ESO

lets face it... like blizzard still goes on with WoW and they improve so can Zos.. and ESO is a good and high potential game so if they want to they will improve update and "The Spice will flow!" so /chill.. and honestly so far i cant wait for the time when they can add new graphics(not saying the current ones arent good... no they kick ass but as a hardcore gamer i want an extra option for ppl wit beast machines that can run games with uber graphics and uber fps )also they gamplay is good and it will be even better... unless they go pokemon like blizzard did with wow... and ofc.. ofc i cant pass over this... Stable Connection (not cuz i have any issues with connections.. but i see a lot of ppl QQ and i still believe 80% of them should check their ISP 1st but still) anyway i like the way the game goes now and honestly im still positive for my dream to get pvp arenas and small scale pvp also i hope servers will merge in the future since ..atleast on EU is kinda lonely... compared to NA where is litteraly 90% active population in every zone no matter the hour... well good day to all of u and dear ZoS keep up the good work... this one is happy =^.^=

Volkodav

Thechemicals wrote: »

Has anyone bothered to ask what exactly are he is doing in elder scrolls arena nowadays?

Because he likes it maybe? I still play Morrowind,since it came out in 2002. That's 13 years.And people still make more content for it all the time.So it never gets boring.

Silverado

As much as I would like to have Elder Scrolls online in my collection 20 years from now, it won't happen. They would have to strip the game and rebuild it from the ground up. The server they are using to host the content has got to be massive in order to load every instance etc. If they were to "take" out the pvp areas and nerf every group dungeon\event, even then they would have to reconstruct it so that it was entirely downloadable on pc's and console. Even with the portion of data that exists off site of the server they would still have to reconstruct it so that it worked all together offline....so much more compiling. Just like new updates create new errors and flaws, the same is true when reconstructing, reformatting etc. The amount of time it would take to change Elder Scrolls Online to Elder Scrolls "Offline" would be big enough to merit calling it Elder Scrolls 6. So sure, it can be done but to what gain other than pleasing collectors and fans such as myself. It will be a sad day indeed when eso dies for good, and unless eso proves me wrong in 20 years, I guess I'll be saving all those screenshots I've been taking for my collection.

NativeJoe

Eh... Eso is beloved by so many... I think it will get saved and put on a private server if/when it shuts down.

I think alot of old mmo's eventually will be. especially when it becomes dirt cheap and it's a "retro funk" thing.
I mean... People are still gaming ONLINE with commodore 64s... so..... yeah.

Danikat

Chirru wrote: »

Ah.... question...how old are you?

Why the question...will you still be alive in 20 years.
okay...I will be positive and assume you are still alive then...

in 20 years time the game industry
will bring out games that make ESO a dinosaurs, and everyone
will be playing these new virtual reality games.

If the game really finds a following then there will be follow up ES games...single and MMO's

There will be new and better games coming out, but that doesn't mean people will stop playing the older ones. Retro gaming has actually been getting more popular in recent years.

There's several 15+ year old MMOs still running (Ultima Online is probably the best known), and even MUDs and MUSHs that have been going longer than that.

Single player games too. One of my personal favourites - Creatures - is coming up for it's 20th anniversary this year and the community is talking about how to celebrate it. The TES games and Fallout are obvious examples, but there are many more. RTS games in particular seem to have fans who stick with older games even while playing newer ones, I know of people who still regularly play the original StarCraft, Warcraft 1 & 2 (which honestly are better than 3), various Command and Conquer games and various Total War games.

Come to think of it the popularity of older games was the entire basis of the website gog.com (good old games) for a long time. They only recently started selling some newer ones.

So yes, newer and arguably better games will come along. But that's no reason to think everyone will give up on ESO or the servers will be shut down. Look at the various polls on what people will do when TES VI comes out - the vast majority say they'll play both, with the expectation that ESO will actually outlast the single-player game.

tallenn wrote: »

By the way, I get compulsion, I really do. I still play Heretic from time to time. However, I also understand that MMOs simply aren't built the same way.

I remember Heretic! That game was amazing. (And in retrospect possibly not appropriate for a 9 year old girl, but that probably contributed to how amazing I remember it being.)

Mellimal12

Huh...I feel that the naysayers also lurk on other MMO games like LOTRO. I am hearing the same arguments and the same sources cited. I think alot of people discount the playerbase. Sure, you might get the tween, teen, youngun' that plays for PvP action or grind to just get the best loot or gear (let's face it...that's a big draw for some people) but older, more mature people who have resources to buy subs and perks are what carries the long-term profitability of the game. People have been saying the same thing about LOTRO and it's still there. Everquest..still there. Ultima Online..still there. Gemstone 3 now 4, a freaking text game people will pay almost $20 per month to play from the 80's..still going strong. Unless you're significantly anti-social, most people play to interact with other people in a genre that they love (see:LOTRO). Build a solid world, build a solid game and the $pice will flow.
I don't want to highlight the schism between PvP'er and RP'ers, it's easy to point out the people who are PvP'ers who grind through the game just for stuff. Just as it's easy to find the RP'ers who make me feel like I need to take a shower and go to church to save my soul. The nature of the game draws people and it draws people with money. If Bethesda keeps showing up at Cons and pushing their products, people will keep this game going.

22max5

Probably won't exist in 20 years. Games come and go, maybe there will be a newer variant of the Elder Scrolls Online in 20 years, or the Elder Scrolls franchische is way behind us by then. Either way, we can still have fun now on the game.

Lumenn

As one of the original players of EQ I'm actually smiling reading this. I played for 10 years and saw these posts over and over. To answer the question no, YOUR game (toon) would be gone as much of the information is on THEIR side. Should someone who has enough love for the game AND the resources to create a private server and maintain it then you can start on their server(assuming they aren't sued for using the code) and who knows? Technology my improve to the point you could easily run it. (i remember playing EQ with DIAL up before dual core was a thing)

GivvumBoane

20 years ago people said "we'll be playing virtual reality games in 20 years." 20 years later, people are saying the same thing. The industry is what the consumer makes it. The gaming industry was DOA until Nintendo necro'd it with the nes and Rob the robot marketed as an entertainment system instead of a game system. Home PC's were so rare and expensive, pc gaming wasn't even heard of. We can pretty much thank Nintendo for reviving the gaming industry. There is no way to know where the industry will be in 20 years

Warraxx

I wonder if they'll raise the CP cap in that time period...

Pheefs

Star Wars Galaxies was enough beloved that it has an emulator for Pre-NGE & Post-NGE versions of the game...
there are people are currently playing EQ, DAoC & Ultima too right?

So I'm going to say YES, YES INDEED!
when the time comes if enough of us want it, its ours.

bloodenragedb14_ESO

whoa, Necromancy was used on this post, this is a oldie.

20 years is being rather generous, IMO, at least with the current dev team. no offense, but they suck at balance.

CombatPrayer

I think the servers in most MMOs probably outlast the games and when they close them it's more likely due to becoming quite inactive. I think by the time they shut them down there wouldn't be much activity at all. You have to take into account that no matter how much you love this game right now, years from now you probably wouldn't want to play it because there will be new and better games out. People don't seem to realize this whenever this question comes up but how many games do you actually go back to play five years later? Only a very small amount of people actually do.

Rva_Kun

20 years? lol

robwolf666

OutcastVP wrote: »

Ok, this may sound like a silly point and question to some, but have there been any word on what will happen to ESO when the plug is pulled? I have a hard time investing in a game that may go "dead" in the future. I still play Elder Scrolls Arena and Daggerfall now some 20 years later.

Will we be able to play the game even if it would go offline? (As a singelplayer game, or by player hosted servers)

Or will the game be totally useless the next time the Elder Scrolls Anthology is released?

I hope, when the time comes, that they'll put out some kind of patch that will enable you play solo and offline instead of rendering the game useless... it would only be fair to do this after the money players would've put in to it by then. Personally, I could live without the MP/PvP elements.

SentientFlesh

Rva_Kun wrote: »

20 years? lol

Half way there. Wonder if OP is still playing, remembers making this post, or if their existential anxiety has gotten any better.