A Note to the ESO Community from Rich Lambert

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

Game Director Rich Lambert’s role at ZOS is changing. Read about the adjustment to ESO’s leadership team in this community letter.

Link To Rich's Letter: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68593

Aliyavana · August 19

Congratulations to rich and nick!

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO · August 19

@ZOS_Kevin
Would this indicate that ZOS is taking on additional games? for example is project Blackbird being uncancelled?
Otherwise it would be interesting to know the difference between Game Director and Studio Game Director if you are only working on 1 title (ESO).

Assuming Jo Burba is still onboard as Studio head?

spartaxoxo · August 19

It says we would know Nick as a player but is he a player that was well-known prior to joining on an official team member? Or is he just some guy? For example, did he ever stream?

Anyway, congratulations on the promotion to the both of you! With Jo and Nick as our new captains, this really is the beginning of a new era for ESO.

twisttop138 · August 19

I can't tell if these changes will be bad for ESO or are needed and will take us in a good direction. Since he is a dev and a player, one would hope he would help steer the ship back to more content. I know many of us enjoyed Solstice, but there is no denying that much of it was short and the island a little sparse. Especially when compared to something like Summerset or Orsinium. Maybe the Eastern half of the island will be huge and packed but I somehow doubt it. I've played ESO a long time and I think we can all agree we'd love it to be around a long time more.

Welcome to the role of game director man! I wish you well and good luck.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO wrote: »

@ZOS_Kevin
Would this indicate that ZOS is taking on additional games? for example is project Blackbird being uncancelled?
Otherwise it would be interesting to know the difference between Game Director and Studio Game Director if you are only working on 1 title (ESO).

Assuming Jo Burba is still onboard as Studio head?

Jo is still on as Studio Head. You'll be hearing from him soon. Nothing to announce right now, Rich is going to be advising on ESO, like he said, he will still be around. But he's working on other macro studio level items as well. The details of which are well above my paygrade.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Anyway, congratulations on the promotion to the both of you! With Jo and Nick as our new captains, this really is the beginning of a new era for ESO.

We did promise a year of transition! The community will be hearing more from Jo and Nick soon.

spartaxoxo wrote: »

It says we would know Nick as a player but is he a player that was well-known prior to joining on an official team member? Or is he just some guy? For example, did he ever stream?

I think Rich was trying to highlight that Nick has been a long time player and you may have run into him at some point between beta and now. But to my knowledge, Nick is not a steamer or content creator.

Hamfast · August 19

So we are told Rich Lambert, whom I have met and like (Quake-con) will still be around, but in a higher roll (Grats to him for that)...

So will we get our Rich Lambert Houseguest soon? (Special feature, his outfit will change each time he spawns)

colossalvoids · August 19

Hamfast wrote: »

So will we get our Rich Lambert Houseguest soon? (Special feature, his outfit will change each time he spawns)

Question is pants or shorts.

Hamfast · August 19

colossalvoids wrote: »

Hamfast wrote: »

So will we get our Rich Lambert Houseguest soon? (Special feature, his outfit will change each time he spawns)

Question is pants or shorts.

Shorts, he needs to show off his tats!!!

shadoza · August 19

I get stressed when a game player becomes an employee of power. My concern is that the game will go in the direction that suites that player and his guild / friends. Then there will be lots of guild and group content and nothing for those who run solo.

Hamfast · August 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMOAdR5vjTk

shadoza · August 19

Hamfast wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMOAdR5vjTk

I want to see what this is about, but needle in the skin is a huge NOPE for me. Please use words to tell what I am missing.

RedJohn_COF · August 19

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO wrote: »

@ZOS_Kevin
Would this indicate that ZOS is taking on additional games? for example is project Blackbird being uncancelled?
Otherwise it would be interesting to know the difference between Game Director and Studio Game Director if you are only working on 1 title (ESO).

Assuming Jo Burba is still onboard as Studio head?

Jo is still on as Studio Head. You'll be hearing from him soon. Nothing to announce right now, Rich is going to be advising on ESO, like he said, he will still be around. But he's working on other macro studio level items as well. The details of which are well above my paygrade.

So Nick is the new Game Director. But wasn't Rich Game Director AND Creative Director at the same time? Who is now the Creative Director?

Hamfast · August 19

shadoza wrote: »

I want to see what this is about, but needle in the skin is a huge NOPE for me. Please use words to tell what I am missing.

A few years back Rich issued a challenge he thought would not be met, if it was met, he would get a Tattoo.

The ESO Community stepped up and not only met the challenge, but as I remember it, blasted past it.

Being a man of his word, Rich got the tattoo, and the video was made available and can still be found on YouTube.

As this is part of Rich's commitment to ESO, I can see no reason why a Rich Lambert Houseguest would not show off that tattoo.

twisttop138 · August 19

shadoza wrote: »

I get stressed when a game player becomes an employee of power. My concern is that the game will go in the direction that suites that player and his guild / friends. Then there will be lots of guild and group content and nothing for those who run solo.

While I have concerns, this seems a bit of an overreaction. Let's let the man start his job before we start conspiracy theories.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

shadoza wrote: »

So Nick is the new Game Director. But wasn't Rich Game Director AND Creative Director at the same time? Who is now the Creative Director?

The Creative Director role got revamped to Game Director. So Rich's title was Game Director. That is now Nick's title.

Elsonso · August 19

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO wrote: »

@ZOS_Kevin
Would this indicate that ZOS is taking on additional games? for example is project Blackbird being uncancelled?
Otherwise it would be interesting to know the difference between Game Director and Studio Game Director if you are only working on 1 title (ESO).

Assuming Jo Burba is still onboard as Studio head?

Jo is still on as Studio Head. You'll be hearing from him soon. Nothing to announce right now, Rich is going to be advising on ESO, like he said, he will still be around. But he's working on other macro studio level items as well. The details of which are well above my paygrade.

You obviously need a pay raise so you can keep us informed! Tell Jo he has my permission.

Stamicka · August 19

I’m curious if the vision for the game and plans for the future have changed significantly with these leadership changes. Will we ever get info on that?

shadoza · August 19

twisttop138 wrote: »

shadoza wrote: »

I get stressed when a game player becomes an employee of power. My concern is that the game will go in the direction that suites that player and his guild / friends. Then there will be lots of guild and group content and nothing for those who run solo.

While I have concerns, this seems a bit of an overreaction. Let's let the man start his job before we start conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theory? I was expressing a concern. A concern based on past experiences.

SilverBride · August 19

What will happen to projects Rich was working towards, such as the increase to Overland difficulty? When asked about it Rich acknowledged that Overland is difficult for some players and they were looking to make any changes optional so that it doesn't become more difficult for those players. Will this still be the goal or will it all depend on what direction Nick now takes things?

shadoza · August 19

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

shadoza wrote: »

So Nick is the new Game Director. But wasn't Rich Game Director AND Creative Director at the same time? Who is now the Creative Director?

The Creative Director role got revamped to Game Director. So Rich's title was Game Director. That is now Nick's title.

Something went wrong. I did not write what was quoted to me.

Personofsecrets · August 19

I'm interested in a couple of things here.

@ZOS_RichLambert We haven't gotten to play a second game of Tales of Tribute yet. Does this change mean that I won't ever get that chance?

@ZOS_Kevin Does Nick play Tales of Tribute? Can us two play a few games for gold or fun?

That invite is open to you too. You know how to message me

Oh, and what is Nick's forum name?

Estin · August 19

Pretty optimistic about this news. Hopefully Nick can address some long standing player concerns, mainly those surrounding taking PTS feedback into consideration much earlier rather than much later, and leaving behind last gen consoles that hold back the game.

Bo0137 · August 19

I don’t fully understand what this means but I’m glad you guys seem glad. I owe a huge portion of the last 10 years of entertainment in my life to ZOS in general. Even though I never talked to any of the staff directly, I cherish for you guys.

Lysorris · August 19

Rich has been with ESO for longer than some of the players were alive. This is a lifetime achievement on this own. Congratulations to Rich, after 18 years he for sure tenfold the 10000 hours rule to master a craft. I was ESO players since 2021, I joined bit late to the party but I the world that he and his team manage to created is one of the kind, so thank you!

That being said, I strongly believe in looking on problems with fresh set of eyes - and we can all agree that ESO has many. I don't feel like community and ZoS always seen eye to eye, and often our concerns were reflected by major buff called "We have the data". As someone who is professionally works with data that directly impacts people I can tell you that data not always shows you the true picture about people behind it. Sometimes mechanisms put in place didn't allow for another result. So Nick, always have an eye on the data, but I wish you will be able to see eye to eye with the people behind it!

twisttop138 · August 19

shadoza wrote: »

twisttop138 wrote: »

shadoza wrote: »

I get stressed when a game player becomes an employee of power. My concern is that the game will go in the direction that suites that player and his guild / friends. Then there will be lots of guild and group content and nothing for those who run solo.

While I have concerns, this seems a bit of an overreaction. Let's let the man start his job before we start conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theory? I was expressing a concern. A concern based on past experiences.

Not wanting to discount your experience but I did take 4 year break so maybe I'm not up on all I missed. When did ESO promote a player that took the game in the direction that his guild wants and make only group content? This sounds like your worried about the boogyman. This game has gotten the same amount of group content for years. 4 dungeons and a trial. The pve community seems pretty happy with that, I wish there was 2 trials but it is what it is. The game thrives when it includes many play styles.

Destai · August 19

Definitely some good news here. I think getting some new creative energy on the game could be really good. I also hope that Nick fosters a better relationship with the community. Having them actually engaged here would be a nice change, hopefully without the gaffes we've seen before.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

Destai wrote: »

Definitely some good news here. I think getting some new creative energy on the game could be really good. I also hope that Nick fosters a better relationship with the community. Having them actually engaged here would be a nice change, hopefully without the gaffes we've seen before.

Nick, Jo and others are working on having more opportunities for communication and interaction with the community. You'll be hearing from them very soon. Again, actions speak louder, so we'll leave it there for now.

Rich will also still be around at community events and such.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

SilverBride wrote: »

What will happen to projects Rich was working towards, such as the increase to Overland difficulty? When asked about it Rich acknowledged that Overland is difficult for some players and they were looking to make any changes optional so that it doesn't become more difficult for those players. Will this still be the goal or will it all depend on what direction Nick now takes things?

Overland Difficulty is still actively being worked on (talked to some team members about a few weeks ago). Rich and Nick have been working in lockstep over the last several months, so Nick is involved in everything Rich was working on. And Rich is still around for advising. So no worries about anything Rich is working on. He is still here to carry immediate things through. And anything mid to long term, Nick has been involved.

You'll hear a bit more from Nick soon and over the coming weeks.

ZOS_Kevin · August 19

Stamicka wrote: »

I’m curious if the vision for the game and plans for the future have changed significantly with these leadership changes. Will we ever get info on that?

Nick and team still need some time to get that info together. You will hear more about long term planning next year.