Getting rid of the mages portal recall

Malyore · May 4

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

The portal is something I was hoping to get, but due to life circumstances I simply cannot afford to spend the money on the preorder yet, I'd planned to buy it later though. But now with them removing the recall animation bonus, I have zero desire to preorder at all, and I may even wait a while after release before buying the new chapter.

Is it likely to show back up in the crown store for a collectors edition resale, like they've done with some chapters?

Soarora · May 4

This is not new, there’s usually an early preorder bonus and then a preorder bonus. (Iirc in previous years it was a non-combat pet as the early preorder bonus and a mount as a general preorder bonus.) Yes, it’s FOMO to get early prepurchases. No, prepurchase items do not ever get put up for sale. It’s not the same as the collection items.

Barovia87 · May 4

In theory, the pre-order bonus(es) are supposed to be a "Thank you" from the company for players paying them for content that isn't done at that point, and has not been vetted for quality, based on little more that faith and brand loyalty. People who pre-order games and DLC often get burned by rushed or delayed releases, games that fail to meet expectations, etc. Pre-order players are taking a risk, and the freebies are a small reward for taking said risk.

I understand and empathize with the feeling of missing out (I've spent most of my adult life a poor artist), but this is one small aspect of ESO's FOMO I don't really begrudge them. None of it is pay to win. It's strictly cosmetics. They're rewarding the players who take a risk that their new content is worth the price. It's fine.

Cooperharley · May 4

ZOS employs just about every microtransaction strategy and this is just another FOMO tactic. Nothing new tbh.

Elsonso · May 4

Malyore wrote: »

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

A reasonable guess, to be honest.

The Content Pass is expensive, relative to the content value from previous years. Studios are talking about $80 and $100 games and players are going be asked to spending more for the same, or less, for a little while. This is not a happy-happy environment for anyone. It will be interesting to see if enough players buy it. FOMO will help.

redlink1979 · May 4

This is the usual marketing strategyy.
FOMO has always been involved. And always will.

Malyore · May 4

Soarora wrote: »

This is not new, there’s usually an early preorder bonus and then a preorder bonus. (Iirc in previous years it was a non-combat pet as the early preorder bonus and a mount as a general preorder bonus.) Yes, it’s FOMO to get early prepurchases. No, prepurchase items do not ever get put up for sale. It’s not the same as the collection items.

Oh yeah like that ugly cookie horse and stuff. I never care about pets and mounts so I guess I didn't realize they were a "special" early-early reward.

Oh well. No amount of FOMO for a cosmetic is going to change my real life situation or finances. Maybe there will be different portal recalls down the road.

SkaiFaith · May 4

OP, I'm afraid to admit this but I am one of those that were asking for this specific recall and I prepurchased just for it - without it I would have probably skipped Solstice since I hate that I've been forced to purchase 2 Dungeons I did not want to own.
Still, I think the recall should've stayed until launch and also be purchasable afterwards - thing I don't think will ever happen and the reason why I fell for the prepurchase.
Not proud of myself.

Malyore · May 4

Barovia87 wrote: »

In theory, the pre-order bonus(es) are supposed to be a "Thank you" from the company for players paying them for content that isn't done at that point, and has not been vetted for quantity, based on little more that faith and brand loyalty. People who pre-order games and DLC often get burned by rushed or delayed releases, games that fail to meet expectations, etc. Pre-order players are taking a risk, and the freebies are a small reward for taking said risk.

I understand and empathize with the feeling of missing out (I've spent most of my adult life a poor artist), but this is one small aspect of ESO's FOMO I don't really begrudge them. None of it is pay to win. It's strictly cosmetics. They're rewarding the players who take a risk that their new content is worth the price. It's fine.

Removing those same rewards from what are still pre-orders does not sound like they're saying "Thank you"

Syldras · May 4

Malyore wrote: »

Maybe there will be different portal recalls down the road.

Of I course I don't know for sure, but I think you might have good chances. They do recolors of all kinds of things often, after all. So I think it's possible that at some time they'll release another portal recall with a slightly different effect or color. I really hope you'll be lucky!

barney2525 · May 4

Malyore wrote: »

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

The portal is something I was hoping to get, but due to life circumstances I simply cannot afford to spend the money on the preorder yet, I'd planned to buy it later though. But now with them removing the recall animation bonus, I have zero desire to preorder at all, and I may even wait a while after release before buying the new chapter.

Is it likely to show back up in the crown store for a collectors edition resale, like they've done with some chapters?

The package might. But no guarantee the specific one shots, such as the portal will. I haven't seen any Gold Road leaf recalls showing up anywhere. And IMHO that one is just a tick above all the others - although Mage portal is IMHO # 2.

Elvenheart · May 5

SkaiFaith wrote: »

OP, I'm afraid to admit this but I am one of those that were asking for this specific recall and I prepurchased just for it - without it I would have probably skipped Solstice since I hate that I've been forced to purchase 2 Dungeons I did not want to own.
Still, I think the recall should've stayed until launch and also be purchasable afterwards - thing I don't think will ever happen and the reason why I fell for the prepurchase.
Not proud of myself.

There is no reason to feel that way and not be proud of yourself for simply choosing to buy the pre-order for one of the rewards. That’s totally fine if you were able to do so.

I’ll happily admit that I bought the pre-order not just for the recall, but that was a big part of it. I feel sad for those that can’t for whatever reason, but I don’t feel ashamed because I could.

Orbital78 · May 5

Elsonso wrote: »

Malyore wrote: »

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

A reasonable guess, to be honest.

The Content Pass is expensive, relative to the content value from previous years. Studios are talking about $80 and $100 games and players are going be asked to spending more for the same, or less, for a little while. This is not a happy-happy environment for anyone. It will be interesting to see if enough players buy it. FOMO will help.

The quality of indie games is rising, I haven't bought a AAA game at full price in years. Even this season pass I got a pre-order discount on.

SpiritKitten · May 5

Orbital78 wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

Malyore wrote: »

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

A reasonable guess, to be honest.

The Content Pass is expensive, relative to the content value from previous years. Studios are talking about $80 and $100 games and players are going be asked to spending more for the same, or less, for a little while. This is not a happy-happy environment for anyone. It will be interesting to see if enough players buy it. FOMO will help.

The quality of indie games is rising, I haven't bought a AAA game at full price in years. Even this season pass I got a pre-order discount on.

How did you get that discount? It doesn't show on my Steam.

Orbital78 · May 5

SpiritKitten wrote: »

How did you get that discount? It doesn't show on my Steam.

Check large online retailers and or https://gg.deals/dlc/the-elder-scrolls-online-2025-content-pass/

Green Man Gaming is my newest favorite for getting new games, I picked up the ESO Content Pass and the last X4 DLC Kingdom End during the Spring sale 52% off the X4 dlc, yay. X4 is an underrated game, when I get bored with ESO I have been playing it. I was using Fanatical previously, both seem quite reliable for getting your pre-order codes and content and both save you a few more bucks since they don't seem to tax. Fanatical did have an international exchange fee the last time I used them for like .50-80 cents, unsure what that was about.

twisttop138 · May 5

SkaiFaith wrote: »

OP, I'm afraid to admit this but I am one of those that were asking for this specific recall and I prepurchased just for it - without it I would have probably skipped Solstice since I hate that I've been forced to purchase 2 Dungeons I did not want to own.
Still, I think the recall should've stayed until launch and also be purchasable afterwards - thing I don't think will ever happen and the reason why I fell for the prepurchase.
Not proud of myself.

Hey bud, no reason to feel bad or not proud of yourself. You worked hard for your money and spent it on something you wanted. I also bought the content pass. While the recall was not the main point it was a big part. Also tradition. I get every chapter and have since Wrothgar, even when I wasn't playing and on a break for a few years. You're supporting a game you enjoy.

For the OP. Man that's a bummer. I didn't see they had done this. I very much hope a different version of the same version comes to the store for you it gets released as an in game thing.

Ishtarknows · May 5

barney2525 wrote: »

Malyore wrote: »

Why is that specifically the only thing being removed from the preorder bonus for the new solstice chapter? Is there some quota ZOS is trying to reach of getting a certain amount of preorders before the date they're removing it, and so they're hoping if they get rid of the "cooler" thing it will make people have FOMO and prepurchase?

The portal is something I was hoping to get, but due to life circumstances I simply cannot afford to spend the money on the preorder yet, I'd planned to buy it later though. But now with them removing the recall animation bonus, I have zero desire to preorder at all, and I may even wait a while after release before buying the new chapter.

Is it likely to show back up in the crown store for a collectors edition resale, like they've done with some chapters?

The package might. But no guarantee the specific one shots, such as the portal will. I haven't seen any Gold Road leaf recalls showing up anywhere. And IMHO that one is just a tick above all the others - although Mage portal is IMHO # 2.

Gold Road leaf recall wasn't a preorder bonus though.
It was a limited time claim from the crown store for completing a Morrowind achievement and part of the anniversary celebration.

SkaiFaith · May 5

Elvenheart wrote: »

SkaiFaith wrote: »

OP, I'm afraid to admit this but I am one of those that were asking for this specific recall and I prepurchased just for it - without it I would have probably skipped Solstice since I hate that I've been forced to purchase 2 Dungeons I did not want to own.
Still, I think the recall should've stayed until launch and also be purchasable afterwards - thing I don't think will ever happen and the reason why I fell for the prepurchase.
Not proud of myself.

There is no reason to feel that way and not be proud of yourself for simply choosing to buy the pre-order for one of the rewards. That’s totally fine if you were able to do so.

I’ll happily admit that I bought the pre-order not just for the recall, but that was a big part of it. I feel sad for those that can’t for whatever reason, but I don’t feel ashamed because I could.

twisttop138 wrote: »

SkaiFaith wrote: »

OP, I'm afraid to admit this but I am one of those that were asking for this specific recall and I prepurchased just for it - without it I would have probably skipped Solstice since I hate that I've been forced to purchase 2 Dungeons I did not want to own.
Still, I think the recall should've stayed until launch and also be purchasable afterwards - thing I don't think will ever happen and the reason why I fell for the prepurchase.
Not proud of myself.

Hey bud, no reason to feel bad or not proud of yourself. You worked hard for your money and spent it on something you wanted. I also bought the content pass. While the recall was not the main point it was a big part. Also tradition. I get every chapter and have since Wrothgar, even when I wasn't playing and on a break for a few years. You're supporting a game you enjoy.

For the OP. Man that's a bummer. I didn't see they had done this. I very much hope a different version of the same version comes to the store for you it gets released as an in game thing.

Thanks for the support, much appreciated. The reason "I'm not proud" is because I feel like we need to show the devs what is something they should continue doing and what they should stop, but with my impulse purchase I am promoting what I think is a bad practice on their part. Honor to those who have chosen to fight the good fight; I've been weak XD

To be clear I'm not saying it was wrong to sustain the game we love, and those who have happily purchased have definitely done well, but speaking for myself my purchase could end up being counterproductive for what is my desire for ESO in the long run - for example not forcing the purchase of dungeons next times, which I instead incentivized. At least I've given my feedback on it in the survey...

Elsonso · May 5

SkaiFaith wrote: »

Thanks for the support, much appreciated. The reason "I'm not proud" is because I feel like we need to show the devs what is something they should continue doing and what they should stop, but with my impulse purchase I am promoting what I think is a bad practice on their part. Honor to those who have chosen to fight the good fight; I've been weak XD

To be clear I'm not saying it was wrong to sustain the game we love, and those who have happily purchased have definitely done well, but speaking for myself my purchase could end up being counterproductive for what is my desire for ESO in the long run - for example not forcing the purchase of dungeons next times, which I instead incentivized. At least I've given my feedback on it in the survey...

My take is that restraint does not matter. Pick your reason, they are probably all correct to some degree.

I bought it, with the pre-order recall, because that maximizes the value. This year has that world event, and participation in that depends on buying the content pass before it happens. It may go on sale before then. Who knows.

Waiting for it to go on sale or have a price reduction, essentially betting that there will be one, is the better value, but it does come with that risk that it might not go on sale until after the event, or that the sale might happen at a time when purchasing it is not feasible. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Syldras · May 5

Elsonso wrote: »

My take is that restraint does not matter. Pick your reason, they are probably all correct to some degree.
I bought it, with the pre-order recall, because that maximizes the value. This year has that world event, and participation in that depends on buying the content pass before it happens. It may go on sale before then. Who knows.
Waiting for it to go on sale or have a price reduction, essentially betting that there will be one, is the better value, but it does come with that risk that it might not go on sale until after the event, or that the sale might happen at a time when purchasing it is not feasible. ¯\(ツ)/¯

I'm also curious about the world event, but I'm a bit wary that we maybe expect too much. Maybe I'll be positively surprised, I don't want to make any judgements yet, obviously - I'll just wait and see; but I think it lies in the realm of possibility that during that event we won't see more than some groups of enemies spawning near the wall and when a certain number of them is killed, the wall will be deactivated. It could be that simple. I hope it will be more interesting, of course.

Elvenheart · May 5

Syldras wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

My take is that restraint does not matter. Pick your reason, they are probably all correct to some degree.
I bought it, with the pre-order recall, because that maximizes the value. This year has that world event, and participation in that depends on buying the content pass before it happens. It may go on sale before then. Who knows.
Waiting for it to go on sale or have a price reduction, essentially betting that there will be one, is the better value, but it does come with that risk that it might not go on sale until after the event, or that the sale might happen at a time when purchasing it is not feasible. ¯\(ツ)/¯

I'm also curious about the world event, but I'm a bit wary that we maybe expect too much. Maybe I'll be positively surprised, I don't want to make any judgements yet, obviously - I'll just wait and see; but I think it lies in the realm of possibility that during that event we won't see more than some groups of enemies spawning near the wall and when a certain number of them is killed, the wall will be deactivated. It could be that simple. I hope it will be more interesting, of course.

Also, it could very easily happen while we aren’t in the game…I have a feeling that I’ll get home from work and log in to discover that the wall is no more and the other side of the island is accessible without getting to experience the wall actually coming down.

licenturion · May 5

Elvenheart wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

My take is that restraint does not matter. Pick your reason, they are probably all correct to some degree.
I bought it, with the pre-order recall, because that maximizes the value. This year has that world event, and participation in that depends on buying the content pass before it happens. It may go on sale before then. Who knows.
Waiting for it to go on sale or have a price reduction, essentially betting that there will be one, is the better value, but it does come with that risk that it might not go on sale until after the event, or that the sale might happen at a time when purchasing it is not feasible. ¯\(ツ)/¯

I'm also curious about the world event, but I'm a bit wary that we maybe expect too much. Maybe I'll be positively surprised, I don't want to make any judgements yet, obviously - I'll just wait and see; but I think it lies in the realm of possibility that during that event we won't see more than some groups of enemies spawning near the wall and when a certain number of them is killed, the wall will be deactivated. It could be that simple. I hope it will be more interesting, of course.

Also, it could very easily happen while we aren’t in the game…I have a feeling that I’ll get home from work and log in to discover that the wall is no more and the other side of the island is accessible without getting to experience the wall actually coming down.

They said in the direct that this event was something with huge production values. So I assume/hope this will be more that a set wall=0; on the server.

Syldras · May 5

Elvenheart wrote: »

Also, it could very easily happen while we aren’t in the game…I have a feeling that I’ll get home from work and log in to discover that the wall is no more and the other side of the island is accessible without getting to experience the wall actually coming down.

Maybe it will be like with those community events in the past years where everyone would have to do a certain activity and when it reached 30, 50 and 100% (or whatever that was), things will unlock (In general I think the event will take several days just like community events did before - the fighting, not the coming down of the wall, of course).

Weirdly, the 100% were never missed in those events, so who knows, maybe the wall will come down - absolutely by chance, of course

- during server prime time... They said it was seperate for EU and NA servers, right? Of course that would still be a bit annoying for people who live in a different time zone or can't play on that day.

licenturion wrote: »

They said in the direct that this event was something with huge production values. So I assume/hope this will be more that a set wall=0; on the server.

I really hope it's not just basically those old community events reskinned.

But would it make sense lorewise for the collapse of that wall to look spectacular anyway? I've been wondering. Because that thing is very similar to Morrowind's Ghostfence as seen in TES3, no? After Morrowind's main quest, it was also deactivated - the magical glow was gone, the pillars remained, but that's it. Basically just the light effect was deactivated and you could walk through it then.

wolfie1.0. · May 5

Syldras wrote: »

Elvenheart wrote: »

Also, it could very easily happen while we aren’t in the game…I have a feeling that I’ll get home from work and log in to discover that the wall is no more and the other side of the island is accessible without getting to experience the wall actually coming down.

Maybe it will be like with those community events in the past years where everyone would have to do a certain activity and when it reached 30, 50 and 100% (or whatever that was), things will unlock (In general I think the event will take several days just like community events did before - the fighting, not the coming down of the wall, of course).

Weirdly, the 100% were never missed in those events, so who knows, maybe the wall will come down - absolutely by chance, of course - during server prime time... They said it was seperate for EU and NA servers, right? Of course that would still be a bit annoying for people who live in a different time zone or can't play on that day.

licenturion wrote: »

They said in the direct that this event was something with huge production values. So I assume/hope this will be more that a set wall=0; on the server.

I really hope it's not just basically those old community events reskinned.

But would it make sense lorewise for the collapse of that wall to look spectacular anyway? I've been wondering. Because that thing is very similar to Morrowind's Ghostfence as seen in TES3, no? After Morrowind's main quest, it was also deactivated - the magical glow was gone, the pillars remained, but that's it. Basically just the light effect was deactivated and you could walk through it then.

It's very likely that it will be like the community events, and they indicated that it will eventually come down it's a matter of when not if. Though it would be funny if everyone held out. Lol

Elsonso · May 7

Elvenheart wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

My take is that restraint does not matter. Pick your reason, they are probably all correct to some degree.
I bought it, with the pre-order recall, because that maximizes the value. This year has that world event, and participation in that depends on buying the content pass before it happens. It may go on sale before then. Who knows.
Waiting for it to go on sale or have a price reduction, essentially betting that there will be one, is the better value, but it does come with that risk that it might not go on sale until after the event, or that the sale might happen at a time when purchasing it is not feasible. ¯\(ツ)/¯

I'm also curious about the world event, but I'm a bit wary that we maybe expect too much. Maybe I'll be positively surprised, I don't want to make any judgements yet, obviously - I'll just wait and see; but I think it lies in the realm of possibility that during that event we won't see more than some groups of enemies spawning near the wall and when a certain number of them is killed, the wall will be deactivated. It could be that simple. I hope it will be more interesting, of course.

Also, it could very easily happen while we aren’t in the game…I have a feeling that I’ll get home from work and log in to discover that the wall is no more and the other side of the island is accessible without getting to experience the wall actually coming down.

I am going to guess that it is going to be a little like those "community goal events" that they sometimes run in the latter half of the year. The ones where lots of players have to contribute to get the ultimate prize and it takes about a week to get there.

An ill-timed vacation, or other long term distraction from the game, would be the main issue.

Vonnegut2506 · May 7

I have to be honest: I actually like that the only thing I am missing out on by not pre-ordering is the recall animation. I don't think it looks that good and allows me to wait until they put this new content on a large sale or wait until next year when the story becomes free to ESO subscribers. I have pre-ordered every chapter, and this will be the first time I have sat one out, but I don't see anything in the season pass that is worth $50.

SpiritKitten · May 7

Vonnegut2506 wrote: »

I have to be honest: I actually like that the only thing I am missing out on by not pre-ordering is the recall animation. I don't think it looks that good and allows me to wait until they put this new content on a large sale or wait until next year when the story becomes free to ESO subscribers. I have pre-ordered every chapter, and this will be the first time I have sat one out, but I don't see anything in the season pass that is worth $50.

I always pre-order whatever they release. This is the only game I play so I just suck it up and pay whatever I need to to gain access to new zones on release. I think they count on players like me to do this.

JeroenB · May 8

Orbital78 wrote: »

SpiritKitten wrote: »

How did you get that discount? It doesn't show on my Steam.

Check large online retailers and or https://gg.deals/dlc/the-elder-scrolls-online-2025-content-pass/

Green Man Gaming is my newest favorite for getting new games, I picked up the ESO Content Pass and the last X4 DLC Kingdom End during the Spring sale 52% off the X4 dlc, yay. X4 is an underrated game, when I get bored with ESO I have been playing it. I was using Fanatical previously, both seem quite reliable for getting your pre-order codes and content and both save you a few more bucks since they don't seem to tax. Fanatical did have an international exchange fee the last time I used them for like .50-80 cents, unsure what that was about.

You can also check 'Is There Any Deal'; they include Steam and Green Man Gaming and a number of others, and you can even set triggers to alert you when the price drops below a certain level.

In previous years around Black Friday the year's Chapter was always some 75% off (The Elder Scrolls Online Deluxe Upgrade: Gold Road: €14.24), so if you don't need to play the content immediately, and can hold off the FOMO enough to miss the preorder items, you can save a lot that way. Of course this year you'd miss the Wall event if you waited until then.

Malyore · May 8

Haha I actually just dreamt that I caved and bought it on impulse, then immediately regretted it and tried to refund it. How silly.