Studio Director’s Letter: 2025 & Beyond

Hotdog_23 · January 8

MJallday wrote: »

WolfieVZ wrote: »

Please add the ability to turn off the sustainability features on console, it's really disgusting to treat xbox and ps users like second class citizens.

Over 6 months now the game has been unplayable for many of us with migraines and other disorders.

Those changes were reverted wernt they?

No, they were not completely. Only changed for the maps and nothing else.

katemedina666 · January 13

What I would personally like in TESO:
1. Screenshot creation mode in the updated PC interface with the ability to change the angle, play and pause emotions, souvenirs and skills to create atmospheric images.
2. The return of the 4x4x4 mode for BG - yes, the updated BGs are also not bad, but cutting the previous mode was a bad idea, many people liked it, it was better to give us a choice between 4x4x4 and new modes on new maps. And also a fix for the situation with the 5-minute wait for players at the spawn point, we would be happy to spend this time on something else.
3. Revise the racial passives of the wood elves - they are not just narrowly focused or specialized, they are useless, there are really 0 ideas on how to emphasize them because they are simply useless and many use a token to switch it to another race when they begin to understand this.
4. Revise the necromancer class. Will the necromancer get buffs "while placed on the panel"? Is it possible to remove the debuff from the necromancer's class healing? Will the class as a whole be revised, since it is currently very difficult to play due to an overly bloated rotation? Also, why are Sorcerer's pets not penalized in cities, but necromancer's pets are? Both undead and daedra are unacceptable according to logic and lore. Not to mention how annoying the sorcerer's chickens are in cities.
5. Excluding the weaving system from the game. Yes, yes, let's do this without judgment - there are only two opinions, you either love it or hate it and I'm from the 2nd team. This gameplay with interrupting animations and drooling over your DPS does not allow players who want to play normally, as they are used to in other games, to open up, we are "useless" in trials and vet. dungeons, so we are kicked from the party and called crayfish in the chat ... simply because we do not want to have an epileptic seizure with our fingers ...
6. Adding addon functions to the game interface. There are many useful addons, without which you can't imagine the game, such as a mini map, tracking group buffs, boss mechanics, etc. It would be good to rework the interface based on the most popular addons. Give us skyshards and resources on the map!

Avran_Sylt · January 13

BloodWolfe wrote: »

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

I have no concept of what seasonal content even is.

Its basically a battle pass. WoW does it now, New World does it now, SWTOR does it now. Its basically a way to get players to engage with limited time items (usually 3 months).

In New Worlds case, they charge 20 dollars for each battle pass. You get one line of "free content" and then a second that gives better rewards (but you pay for them, and then have to meet the goals to obtain them).

I do not personally like battle passes. They are fun at first, but like anything else it becomes mundane/same thing different day.

For sure ZOS will put there own twist on it, but it will be a battle pass and most likely involve the crown store, on top of some other monetization, on top of a monthly sub.

EDIT: Essentially season passes are a way to deliver less content (reused content) while generating more revenue.

Where and in what sense does WoW do battle passes? because this is new to me and I was playing WoW as recently as November into early December for the 20th Anniversary content and I see NO such battle passes going on there. If you refer to the Trading Post, sure it has some resemblance of a Battle Pass but WoW does not charge a fee for this and it is included with the subscription fee which everyone pays for anyway.

Problem in ESO it's replacing annual chapters, a source of monetization so now it means the Season/Battle Pass will be a separate fee every 3 or 6 months like other games, and they bring too much FOMO once the season is done the items are gone. In Chapters we have access to items as long as we play the content at our own rate, I hate feeling pressured into turning my game time into a chore. So less content, more costs to us and added FOMO is a no go for me at least. I will cancel my sub and take my business elsewhere.

I already refuse to spend on a single Crown Crate, and don't buy a lot in the Crown Store but I do buy a couple big packs a year of Crowns plus my sub and buy what I like from the Crown Store with those allotments of Crowns. I'll take my business and go elsewhere if the Season/Battle Pass model turns into the typical scummy style of COD, Overwatch, etc.

... WoW has a mandatory subscription...

Looks at ESO... Looks at the incentives to make subscribing alluring

Maybe if they scrap seasons altogether and follow the mandatory sub model like WoW, everyone would be happier? The "Free Tier" just includes non-DLC content, and to access all other content you need to be subbed?

SilverBride · January 13

I would be fine if they went back to a mandatory subscription. I would also like to see a subscription required to post on the forums. That way those posting would all have first hand experience with the current state of the game.

XSTRONG · January 13

SilverBride wrote: »

I would be fine if they went back to a mandatory subscription. I would also like to see a subscription required to post on the forums. That way those posting would all have first hand experience with the current state of the game.

I have never played wow and will probably never play it unless they release it on PS5.

But isnt a sub on wow necessary to play the game? On Eso a sub gives you extra perks.

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

SilverBride · January 13

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

VoxAdActa · January 13

katemedina666 wrote: »

5. Excluding the weaving system from the game.

There are plenty of games out there with auto-attack, all skills on cooldown timers, and mostly stationary, piano-playing-style combat. Please don't turn ESO into them. This is the only game I've found so far (that's not an ad-riddled p2w cash grab, looking at you, Neverwinter) where combat isn't boring [snip].

I'm sorry you have problems pushing one extra button in between using your skills, but there are lots of other MMO options for you where that's not an issue (GW2, WoW, FFXIV, etc). There are few-to-no MMO options for people who like to be actively involved in combat and watching the actual battle rather than staring at cooldown timers.

[edited for profanity bypass]

katemedina666 · January 15

VoxAdActa wrote: »

katemedina666 wrote: »

5. Excluding the weaving system from the game.

There are plenty of games out there with auto-attack, all skills on cooldown timers, and mostly stationary, piano-playing-style combat. Please don't turn ESO into them. This is the only game I've found so far (that's not an ad-riddled p2w cash grab, looking at you, Neverwinter) where combat isn't boring [snip].

I'm sorry you have problems pushing one extra button in between using your skills, but there are lots of other MMO options for you where that's not an issue (GW2, WoW, FFXIV, etc). There are few-to-no MMO options for people who like to be actively involved in combat and watching the actual battle rather than staring at cooldown timers.

[edited for profanity bypass]

The problem is not pressing the extra button, but at what speed I should do it according to the community's expectations, for the sake of a battle in 15 seconds instead of 30. This cult of admiration for DPS numbers on the screen is crazy.

katemedina666 · January 15

VoxAdActa wrote: »

katemedina666 wrote: »

5. Excluding the weaving system from the game.

There are plenty of games out there with auto-attack, all skills on cooldown timers, and mostly stationary, piano-playing-style combat. Please don't turn ESO into them. This is the only game I've found so far (that's not an ad-riddled p2w cash grab, looking at you, Neverwinter) where combat isn't boring [snip].

I'm sorry you have problems pushing one extra button in between using your skills, but there are lots of other MMO options for you where that's not an issue (GW2, WoW, FFXIV, etc). There are few-to-no MMO options for people who like to be actively involved in combat and watching the actual battle rather than staring at cooldown timers.

[edited for profanity bypass]

Besides, I want to play this MMO with comfort and I am not interested in others. I have already written above that there are only two opinions here, and there is hardly a solution to satisfy everyone.

Triipzzz · January 16

Where is the cross play though. Not even consoles? I’ve seen so many excuses from zos over the years yet they pump money in everywhere else. I’m not sure if it’s sheer ignorance or on purpose but it sure is disappointing year after year.

All this talk about returning players and new features means nothing if there are no options to get back into the game on another machine with your friends. Whether they like it or not people don’t play on the same one for life. The refusal to start again is real and they need to wake up to it if they want to see the game succeed into the future.

Slash8915 · January 16

How about a couple of new weapons? We've had the same weapons and skill lines since launch.

sarahthes · January 16

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

There are many, many long term players who pay cash/crowns for new content via the website and crown store and do not subscribe.

SilverBride · January 16

sarahthes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

There are many, many long term players who pay cash/crowns for new content via the website and crown store and do not subscribe.

This is true. But there are many that don't play that post feedback on the current state of the game that they do not have any first hand experience with.

I just wish there was some way to limit posting to those that actually play.

sarahthes · January 17

SilverBride wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

There are many, many long term players who pay cash/crowns for new content via the website and crown store and do not subscribe.

This is true. But there are many that don't play that post feedback on the current state of the game that they do not have any first hand experience with.

I just wish there was some way to limit posting to those that actually play.

It is better to be too open than too closed off. You already can't post unless you own the game.

Warhawke_80 · January 18

More focus on PVP
Increased overland difficulty
More zones like Craglorne

Well it was fun while it lasted...

sans-culottes · January 23

katemedina666 wrote: »

VoxAdActa wrote: »

katemedina666 wrote: »

5. Excluding the weaving system from the game.

There are plenty of games out there with auto-attack, all skills on cooldown timers, and mostly stationary, piano-playing-style combat. Please don't turn ESO into them. This is the only game I've found so far (that's not an ad-riddled p2w cash grab, looking at you, Neverwinter) where combat isn't boring [snip].

I'm sorry you have problems pushing one extra button in between using your skills, but there are lots of other MMO options for you where that's not an issue (GW2, WoW, FFXIV, etc). There are few-to-no MMO options for people who like to be actively involved in combat and watching the actual battle rather than staring at cooldown timers.

[edited for profanity bypass]

The problem is not pressing the extra button, but at what speed I should do it according to the community's expectations, for the sake of a battle in 15 seconds instead of 30. This cult of admiration for DPS numbers on the screen is crazy.

This, 💯. If for some reason the “weaving” gimmick is fun for you, then great. I’ve never understood the attachment to the frantic movement this requires.

@VoxAdActa asserts that “active involvement” in combat is somehow only present in ESO, at least relative to its competitors—thankfully, those competitors you mentioned of course do the same thing and have active combat systems. But if you really wanted complexity, then I’m not sure why you didn’t start suggesting that they turn this into World of Elden Ring Online. Then people would really have to “git gud”—and I say that as a big FromSoftware fan.

You mentioned Neverwinter—interesting! Like New World, this is a game with a bevy of issues. However, both demonstrate you can have a similar combat system to ESO that doesn’t require bizarre animation canceling.

olsborg · January 27

What about the revamp you said you were gonna do to alchemy system, hybridization of potions and their effects?

Surgee · January 28

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

That's an absolutely awful idea. People wouldn't even be able to say why they stopped playing without buying a subscription. That information is crucial for the Devs to bring back players and get new ones on board. Increasing player population is the only way to keep the game afloat. At the end this is a product that must evolve to sell. Leaving the games future to opinions of few hardcore fans on the forum who enjoy the game for what it is, would stop any meaningful progress. We already see it happening.

SilverBride · January 28

Surgee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

That's an absolutely awful idea. People wouldn't even be able to say why they stopped playing without buying a subscription. That information is crucial for the Devs to bring back players and get new ones on board. Increasing player population is the only way to keep the game afloat. At the end this is a product that must evolve to sell. Leaving the games future to opinions of few hardcore fans on the forum who enjoy the game for what it is, would stop any meaningful progress. We already see it happening.

We aren't supposed to create goodbye threads anyway so there shouldn't be any threads saying why we are leaving.

When someone that hasn't played for a long time comes to the forums and gives feedback that this or that is currently wrong with the game, without having any first hand experience with what they are claiming, there is no basis for their complaint. It is all just speculation and I would consider it spreading misinformation.

sans-culottes · January 28

SilverBride wrote: »

Surgee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

That's an absolutely awful idea. People wouldn't even be able to say why they stopped playing without buying a subscription. That information is crucial for the Devs to bring back players and get new ones on board. Increasing player population is the only way to keep the game afloat. At the end this is a product that must evolve to sell. Leaving the games future to opinions of few hardcore fans on the forum who enjoy the game for what it is, would stop any meaningful progress. We already see it happening.

We aren't supposed to create goodbye threads anyway so there shouldn't be any threads saying why we are leaving.

When someone that hasn't played for a long time comes to the forums and gives feedback that this or that is currently wrong with the game, without having any first hand experience with what they are claiming, there is no basis for their complaint. It is all just speculation and I would consider it spreading misinformation.

This is a solution in search of a problem. Former players chiming in to note “I left because of xyz” in no way disrupts conversations. If anything, then this enriches our and the developers’ understandings of what works and doesn’t in players’ eyes.

Elvenheart · January 28

sans-culottes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Surgee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

That's an absolutely awful idea. People wouldn't even be able to say why they stopped playing without buying a subscription. That information is crucial for the Devs to bring back players and get new ones on board. Increasing player population is the only way to keep the game afloat. At the end this is a product that must evolve to sell. Leaving the games future to opinions of few hardcore fans on the forum who enjoy the game for what it is, would stop any meaningful progress. We already see it happening.

We aren't supposed to create goodbye threads anyway so there shouldn't be any threads saying why we are leaving.

When someone that hasn't played for a long time comes to the forums and gives feedback that this or that is currently wrong with the game, without having any first hand experience with what they are claiming, there is no basis for their complaint. It is all just speculation and I would consider it spreading misinformation.

This is a solution in search of a problem. Former players chiming in to note “I left because of xyz” in no way disrupts conversations. If anything, then this enriches our and the developers’ understandings of what works and doesn’t in players’ eyes.

Former players can report why they are leaving directly to ZOS, they don’t have to post it here for everyone else to see.

sans-culottes · January 28

Elvenheart wrote: »

sans-culottes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

Surgee wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Only Eso+ subs are allowed to post on this forum would be an bad idea since this forum are already heavily moderated anf those people who say to much are banned...

I think it would be a very good idea because it would prevent those that haven't played in a long time from coming and giving feedback on the current state of the game, which they haven't experienced themselves.

That's an absolutely awful idea. People wouldn't even be able to say why they stopped playing without buying a subscription. That information is crucial for the Devs to bring back players and get new ones on board. Increasing player population is the only way to keep the game afloat. At the end this is a product that must evolve to sell. Leaving the games future to opinions of few hardcore fans on the forum who enjoy the game for what it is, would stop any meaningful progress. We already see it happening.

We aren't supposed to create goodbye threads anyway so there shouldn't be any threads saying why we are leaving.

When someone that hasn't played for a long time comes to the forums and gives feedback that this or that is currently wrong with the game, without having any first hand experience with what they are claiming, there is no basis for their complaint. It is all just speculation and I would consider it spreading misinformation.

This is a solution in search of a problem. Former players chiming in to note “I left because of xyz” in no way disrupts conversations. If anything, then this enriches our and the developers’ understandings of what works and doesn’t in players’ eyes.

Former players can report why they are leaving directly to ZOS, they don’t have to post it here for everyone else to see.

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

As others have pointed out, ESO’s a one-time purchase. Gating the forums behind ESO+ or a subscription would definitely work to throttle discussion, assuming that’s your goal. It wouldn’t facilitate equitable discussions, though.

spartaxoxo · January 28

Surgee wrote: »

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

As others have pointed out, ESO’s a one-time purchase. Gating the forums behind ESO+ or a subscription would definitely work to throttle discussion, assuming that’s your goal. It wouldn’t facilitate equitable discussions, though.

There's been a push the last few days on the forums to push criticism off the forums. I'm not going to discuss any individual and this isn't directed at any particular person in this thread. It's just something I have noticed the past few days.

This is a customer feedback site not a fan page. Most of what will get posted is cricitsm. I get it gets annoying to read. But this a site for gathering critique the devs can then use to improve the game. Anyone with an account is permitted to share their opinion, as long as they conform to the rules. As it should be.

SilverBride · January 28

sans-culottes wrote: »

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

I don't believe that anyone that hasn't played in a very long time can give accurate feedback on the current state of the game since they have not experienced it themselves.

And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen.

I just hope they see my feedback and take it into consideration.

sans-culottes · January 28

SilverBride wrote: »

sans-culottes wrote: »

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

I don't believe that anyone that hasn't played in a very long time can give accurate feedback on the current state of the game since they have not experienced it themselves.

And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen.

I just hope they see my feedback and take it into consideration.

I hope ZOS continues their current policy of not needlessly restricting forum participation. Since they’ve made no statements indicating they intend to do this, I’m not sure why you’d even make such a claim.

I should add that since they’ve already purchased the game, that’s the only necessary key to the gates at present. Needlessly gatekeeping by micromanaging players like this would be less than ideal.

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Surgee wrote: »

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

As others have pointed out, ESO’s a one-time purchase. Gating the forums behind ESO+ or a subscription would definitely work to throttle discussion, assuming that’s your goal. It wouldn’t facilitate equitable discussions, though.

There's been a push the last few days on the forums to push criticism off the forums. I'm not going to discuss any individual and this isn't directed at any particular person in this thread. It's just something I have noticed the past few days.

This is a customer feedback site not a fan page. Most of what will get posted is cricitsm. I get it gets annoying to read. But this a site for gathering critique the devs can then use to improve the game. Anyone with an account is permitted to share their opinion, as long as they conform to the rules. As it should be.

Agreed. The idea that this invalidates their opinions and the content of their posts is unreasonable.

spartaxoxo · January 28

sans-culottes wrote: »

Agreed. The idea that this invalidates their opinions and the content of their posts is unreasonable.

Especially since playing the game is factually not even the only way to engage with it. People have friends and family that play. People can watch the game on streaming sites. Is a football fan going "OMG what was that call ref!" automatically wrong because he isn't on the field? Obviously not.

And even if those things aren't the case, someone saying I left because say....PvP wasn't working. And they'd come back if it was. They might be excited about that vengeance test and want to leave feedback on it and the things they'd like to see out of Cyrodiil that would make them want to play more. And that's absolutely valid.

sans-culottes · January 28

spartaxoxo wrote: »

sans-culottes wrote: »

Agreed. The idea that this invalidates their opinions and the content of their posts is unreasonable.

Especially since playing the game is factually not even the only way to engage with it. People have friends and family that play. People can watch the game on streaming sites. Is a football fan going "OMG what was that call ref!" automatically wrong because he isn't on the field? Obviously not.

And even if those things aren't the case, someone saying I left because say....PvP wasn't working. And they'd come back if it was. They might be excited about that vengeance test and want to leave feedback on it and the things they'd like to see out of Cyrodiil that would make them want to play more. And that's absolutely valid.

This is a great post. You’ve clearly articulated the reasons why this would be a fool’s errand. Kudos to you for spelling things out well. 🙂

SilverBride · January 28

sans-culottes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

sans-culottes wrote: »

So it’s almost like you don’t think their opinions matter. You’re entitled to that opinion, but obviously ZOS disagrees.

I don't believe that anyone that hasn't played in a very long time can give accurate feedback on the current state of the game since they have not experienced it themselves.

And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen.

I just hope they see my feedback and take it into consideration.

I hope ZOS continues their current policy of not needlessly restricting forum participation. Since they’ve made no statements indicating they intend to do this, I’m not sure why you’d even make such a claim.

I never made any claim that ZoS intends to do anything. What I said was "And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen."

sans-culottes · January 28

SilverBride wrote: »

And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen.

People who aren’t necessarily current players have purchased the game. This is if not explicitly then implicitly their primary tool for determining whether or not one should have access to their forums. The “claim” in this case being something like “a lack of some kind of definitive statement from ZOS means there’s some kind of ambiguity in need of clarification.”

SilverBride · January 28

sans-culottes wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

And we don't know what ZoS feels about this because they have not made any statements that I have seen.

People who aren’t necessarily current players have purchased the game. This is if not explicitly then implicitly their primary tool for determining whether or not one should have access to their forums. The “claim” in this case being something like “a lack of some kind of definitive statement from ZOS means there’s some kind of substantive ambiguity.”

It means exactly what I said, which is that we don't know what ZoS feels about this. Nothing else was implied.

It is my idea to require a sub to post and I never claimed that ZoS had anything to do with it or even had an opinion.