I don't think we need an assistant who collects surveys. Instead, it's better to make sure that we can collect all the resources at once, depending on the number of surveys in the inventory. Or at least several at once (for example, 5 at a time). Players will still have to come to the locations, but in general it will take less time to collect resources. For me, this is a good alternative to an assistant.

I do complete the surveys as I get them. But it takes another half hour or more after doing the daily writs that I'd rather spend on other activities. Then add in any maps I got that need collected too, and master writs, and completing the daily endeavors. It's not unusual for me to spend an hour and a half on these chores before I get to actually play.

I'm not asking for anything more than I'm already receiving, and I'm willing to take less mats for the convenience. I see nothing wrong with that.

kargen27 wrote: »

If you don't want to do them then don't do them. Simple solution to a player created problem.

I will pay ZOS money to have these surveys automatically collected for me. I'm sure ZOS knows this and will consider giving people a way to pay to cut down on the time it takes to collect surveys and treasure maps.

If you don't want to use an Assistant to collect surveys for you, then don't use that Assistant. That's a simple solution to the problem people have with such an Assistant — you can continue going out into old zones to collect surveys. You can be one of the people you want to see in the world.

kargen27 wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

If you don't want to do them then don't do them. Simple solution to a player created problem.

I will pay ZOS money to have these surveys automatically collected for me. I'm sure ZOS knows this and will consider giving people a way to pay to cut down on the time it takes to collect surveys and treasure maps.

If you don't want to use an Assistant to collect surveys for you, then don't use that Assistant. That's a simple solution to the problem people have with such an Assistant — you can continue going out into old zones to collect surveys. You can be one of the people you want to see in the world.

No that is not a simple solution if you read my objection to the assistant. My objection is it takes away incentive for players to go into different zones leading to those zones feeling more empty. That isn't good for the game. ESO is an MMO and should feel like it.

Population density should not be uniform everywhere. Cities should be more populated than the wilderness, for instance. There is an ongoing war in Cyrodiil, so there should be a lot more players there than in most places. There should be emptier places in the world because it makes the populated places feel genuinely livelier.

Surveys only serve to take time away from other activities to briefly populate predetermined places in the wilderness for 5 seconds or so.


If I were to give a suggestion, it'd be to create some sort of incentive for players to visit towns instead, rather than the wilderness. Maybe Surveys and Treasure Maps could be automatically collected by visiting a special NPC in the main town of that zone? You could pay them a fee in Gold, Writ Vouchers, Alliance Points, or something else to get the rewards.

That way, instead of people riding all the way out into the wilderness, they have the option to quickly port to town and harvest that zone's Surveys and Treasure Maps automatically, which takes less time overall.

Araneae6537 wrote: »

Material prices are already the lowest by far since I’ve started playing. Make everyone’s surveys take no time and there really will be no point in farming anything.

You say that like that's a bad thing.

kargen27 wrote: »

My objection is it takes away incentive for players to go into different zones leading to those zones feeling more empty. That isn't good for the game. ESO is an MMO and should feel like it.

Not having a Survey Assistant takes away time for players to go into different zones.

I like to complete every quest in every zone on all of my characters. Right now only 4 of my 7 have finished them all. I still need a handful of zones on 2 of them and almost every zone on 1, so I am spending most of my time out in the world. Being able to spend less time on chores would give me more time to do that.

Just running across another player walking from node to node gathering surveys then running off doesn't feel like an MMO to me. Running into others fighting World Bosses, or clearing Dolmens and other zone events, and in Delves and Public Dungeons, and even in towns are what makes it feel like an MMO to me. All things players would do more of if they had more time.

I’m okay with whatever might be added, as long as I can still go out and get my free mats without losing anything.

Personally, I’d rather see furnishing mats added to the surveys.

SilverBride wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

My objection is it takes away incentive for players to go into different zones leading to those zones feeling more empty. That isn't good for the game. ESO is an MMO and should feel like it.

Not having a Survey Assistant takes away time for players to go into different zones.

I like to complete every quest in every zone on all of my characters. Right now only 4 of my 7 have finished them all. I still need a handful of zones on 2 of them and almost every zone on 1, so I am spending most of my time out in the world. Being able to spend less time on chores would give me more time to do that.

Just running across another player walking from node to node gathering surveys then running off doesn't feel like an MMO to me. Running into others fighting World Bosses, or clearing Dolmens and other zone events, and in Delves and Public Dungeons, and even in towns are what makes it feel like an MMO to me. All things players would do more of if they had more time.

Why not coordinate? Do your surveys and treasure maps as you go through the different zones. When I am doing surveys I like to keep an eye on zone chat and help players that ask for information, help killing a boss or about anything else that might pop up.
Even if players don't ask I join in if a dolman or boss is nearby. Surveys don't need to feel like a chore but if you want the rewards you should have to do them.

kargen27 wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

If you don't want to do them then don't do them. Simple solution to a player created problem.

I will pay ZOS money to have these surveys automatically collected for me. I'm sure ZOS knows this and will consider giving people a way to pay to cut down on the time it takes to collect surveys and treasure maps.

If you don't want to use an Assistant to collect surveys for you, then don't use that Assistant. That's a simple solution to the problem people have with such an Assistant — you can continue going out into old zones to collect surveys. You can be one of the people you want to see in the world.

No that is not a simple solution if you read my objection to the assistant. My objection is it takes away incentive for players to go into different zones leading to those zones feeling more empty. That isn't good for the game. ESO is an MMO and should feel like it.

Population density should not be uniform everywhere. Cities should be more populated than the wilderness, for instance. There is an ongoing war in Cyrodiil, so there should be a lot more players there than in most places. There should be emptier places in the world because it makes the populated places feel genuinely livelier.

Surveys only serve to take time away from other activities to briefly populate predetermined places in the wilderness for 5 seconds or so.


If I were to give a suggestion, it'd be to create some sort of incentive for players to visit towns instead, rather than the wilderness. Maybe Surveys and Treasure Maps could be automatically collected by visiting a special NPC in the main town of that zone? You could pay them a fee in Gold, Writ Vouchers, Alliance Points, or something else to get the rewards.

That way, instead of people riding all the way out into the wilderness, they have the option to quickly port to town and harvest that zone's Surveys and Treasure Maps automatically, which takes less time overall.

Didn't say population should be uniform I said they should include things in the game that makes sure a population exists. Trials only serve to take away from other activities. Treasure maps, antiquities, fishing, dolmans and world bosses only serve to take away from other activities. Surveys take less time than most those activities and give better rewards. So if your statement is true mine is more so.
Surveys need not exist at all if players don't have to venture into the world to complete them.

Surveys are an activity for some players who enjoy them. The same can be said for Trials, Cyrodiil, and anything else that takes up our time.

I highly disagree with the notion of activities that should only exist to get players out into the world. Surveys should still exist even if players weren't required to venture into the wilderness to collect them. To claim that Surveys shouldn't exist at all if the trip was optional is insane — what about all of the people who genuinely do enjoy the treasure hunt?

More options won't hurt. People who want to treasure hunt, can. People who want to pay to skip the treasure hunt, should.


Further, players will always have a reason to look around the wilderness. That's called exploration, and it's something we choose to do in our Elder Scrolls games.

Zones typically have a myriad of things to do like main/side quests, repeatable quests, resource nodes, incursions, and world bosses that players will be in the wilderness for anyway. Surveys are not the last line of defense for ensuring there's always a player in the world.

Besides, sometimes it's nice to explore in a place without other players nearby.

kargen27 wrote: »

Why not coordinate? Do your surveys and treasure maps as you go through the different zones. When I am doing surveys I like to keep an eye on zone chat and help players that ask for information, help killing a boss or about anything else that might pop up.

I may not have anything to do in some of the zones I have surveys for. And I am not one to just hold on to them until I need to go to that zone. I hate having unfinished tasks hanging over my head, so getting these done is a priority for me.

It's not the actual harvesting surveys that is my issue. It's the time it takes away from what I'd rather be doing.

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

Erickson9610 wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

If you don't want to do them then don't do them. Simple solution to a player created problem.

I will pay ZOS money to have these surveys automatically collected for me. I'm sure ZOS knows this and will consider giving people a way to pay to cut down on the time it takes to collect surveys and treasure maps.

If you don't want to use an Assistant to collect surveys for you, then don't use that Assistant. That's a simple solution to the problem people have with such an Assistant — you can continue going out into old zones to collect surveys. You can be one of the people you want to see in the world.

No that is not a simple solution if you read my objection to the assistant. My objection is it takes away incentive for players to go into different zones leading to those zones feeling more empty. That isn't good for the game. ESO is an MMO and should feel like it.

Population density should not be uniform everywhere. Cities should be more populated than the wilderness, for instance. There is an ongoing war in Cyrodiil, so there should be a lot more players there than in most places. There should be emptier places in the world because it makes the populated places feel genuinely livelier.

Surveys only serve to take time away from other activities to briefly populate predetermined places in the wilderness for 5 seconds or so.


If I were to give a suggestion, it'd be to create some sort of incentive for players to visit towns instead, rather than the wilderness. Maybe Surveys and Treasure Maps could be automatically collected by visiting a special NPC in the main town of that zone? You could pay them a fee in Gold, Writ Vouchers, Alliance Points, or something else to get the rewards.

That way, instead of people riding all the way out into the wilderness, they have the option to quickly port to town and harvest that zone's Surveys and Treasure Maps automatically, which takes less time overall.

Didn't say population should be uniform I said they should include things in the game that makes sure a population exists. Trials only serve to take away from other activities. Treasure maps, antiquities, fishing, dolmans and world bosses only serve to take away from other activities. Surveys take less time than most those activities and give better rewards. So if your statement is true mine is more so.
Surveys need not exist at all if players don't have to venture into the world to complete them.

Surveys are an activity for some players who enjoy them. The same can be said for Trials, Cyrodiil, and anything else that takes up our time.

I highly disagree with the notion of activities that should only exist to get players out into the world. Surveys should still exist even if players weren't required to venture into the wilderness to collect them. To claim that Surveys shouldn't exist at all if the trip was optional is insane — what about all of the people who genuinely do enjoy the treasure hunt?

More options won't hurt. People who want to treasure hunt, can. People who want to pay to skip the treasure hunt, should.


Further, players will always have a reason to look around the wilderness. That's called exploration, and it's something we choose to do in our Elder Scrolls games.

Zones typically have a myriad of things to do like main/side quests, repeatable quests, resource nodes, incursions, and world bosses that players will be in the wilderness for anyway. Surveys are not the last line of defense for ensuring there's always a player in the world.

Besides, sometimes it's nice to explore in a place without other players nearby.

Players that enjoy surveys are doing surveys. They are using them as intended. If ESO is going to just give the materials away why bother with the extra step? My entire point is that surveys give an incentive to go out into the world and the world appears empty sometimes now so why take that away. I agree, more options won't hurt but taking a potential population out of zones will. Surveys should probably be like treasure maps. Allow them to be traded. Surveys are one of the many things we can do and should remain as something that needs completed by a player if that player wants the reward.

All we want is to spend our game time doing the things we enjoy. A Survey Assistant could give that time to us. I hope ZoS seriously considers this suggestion as it would be very beneficial for a lot of players.

i play many hours and i do farm everything that can be picked up but because i play in both servers i have no time to do the surveys -and with daily 20/14 toons writs per server,i now have so many that its impossible to do then and play the game
i try do the 100+ ones for saving inv slots but still too many, so the assistant will help me focus doing the stuff i like

ZOS ,ill buy 2 the moment you put them in store -easy money :

ClericPro wrote: »

I'm watching the modernization of the game and the introduction of new solutions with interest.
I would like to offer a number of ideas that I will post one after another.

Assistant for survey maps

1. How it works
We call (similar to the banker) and put survey maps.
The interface has 6 tabs for each type of craft (there are no survey maps for provisioning).
When the dailies refresh, all survey maps from the assistant disappear, and letters with resources collected from these maps are sent to the mail.
Letters have a 7-day expiration and are located in their new unic section.

2. How to get
Sold in the "Assistants" section for the same price - 5000 crowns.

no thank you. isn't that similar to the system in FFXIV?

the only change i'd like to see is a button/UI element to refresh the nodes if the toon is carrying more than one of the same survey, etc. or maybe consume all of the surveys at once and multiply the amount harvested by how many the toon has on hand.

you can already make the surveys easier with the BeamMeUp addon where it will show you how many you have on hand per zone and give you a free teleport to that zone.

kargen27 wrote: »

SilverBride wrote: »

All we want is to spend our game time doing the things we enjoy. A Survey Assistant could give that time to us. I hope ZoS seriously considers this suggestion as it would be very beneficial for a lot of players.

I see this as detrimental to the overall game. Something detrimental to the game isn't beneficial for any player. At it's most base there is an activity that gets players out into different zones. The players are offered a reward for participating in that activity. You want the reward but don't want to participate. A decent solution would be to allow you to sell/trade surveys to a player that believes the reward is worth the effort.

I view leaving it the way it is as detrimental to the game, tbh. The devs have already had to take away time they could have been using on a different QOL feature because they was causing a problem across a wide swath of the playerbase.

If the surveys are causing such large problems that they devs need to engineer solutions because that's how many people hate doing them, then I think that is important they address why people hate doing it to that extreme degree and fixing it.

It does not need to be an assistant. I like the idea of an assistant but I'm not married to it. But surveys are not so important that they should come at the expense of the game's perception and the playerbase's overall level of satisfaction with the game.