I’m suggesting camera controls similar to those in WoW and FFXIV; apologies if this request doesn't

DartheBR · June 30

Hello ESO Online Team,

First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this incredible game to life. I am extremely excited to see this new era of ESO Online evolve into one of the most promising MMORPGs in recent years. The anticipation within the community is very high, and I am confident that the updates and improvements you are developing will create something truly remarkable.

I would like to share a suggestion that I believe could benefit many players while significantly improving both immersion and accessibility.

I have been playing MMORPGs for over 20 years, including titles such as World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, TERA, and many others. One feature I have always appreciated in these games is the ability to control the camera using the WASD keys, allowing the character to turn based on camera direction, keep the camera centered, and create a more fluid and natural movement system.

This type of control provides a smoother and more dynamic gameplay experience, especially during combat, gathering activities, exploration, and general movement. More importantly, it serves as a valuable accessibility feature for players who rely on WASD-based camera controls due to physical limitations, disabilities, or personal comfort needs.

My suggestion is not to replace the current control system, but simply to add this as an optional camera and movement configuration. By offering multiple camera behavior options and fixed-camera presets, ESO Online would allow players to customize their experience according to their individual needs and preferences.

Accessibility and inclusion are becoming increasingly important in modern game development. Implementing an alternative WASD camera control option would help make ESO Online more welcoming to a broader audience, including players with disabilities and those who depend on alternative control schemes to enjoy the game comfortably.

I truly believe this feature would not only improve gameplay but also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusivity. It could even become a compelling part of ESO Online's evolution into a modern, next-generation MMORPG:

"ESO Online – Updated for a New Generation, with modern, fluid, and accessible camera controls for everyone."

Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and for all the incredible work you are doing. I am excited to see what the future holds for ESO Online and look forward to continuing this journey with the community.

Sincerely,

From a veteran player who fell in love with ESO Online — a big hug from Brazil!

SugaComa · July 28

I support this request because I think it's fundamentally about accessibility and player choice rather than trying to make ESO play like another MMO.

Different players naturally interact with cameras in different ways. Some are perfectly happy with ESO's current controls, while others are more comfortable with alternative camera systems they've used elsewhere.

From an accessibility point of view, giving players additional optional camera interaction methods could benefit many areas of the game, including:

Exploration and searching for hidden objects.
Thieves Guild Heists and other stealth content where inspecting the environment is important.
Players with reduced vision or depth perception who may benefit from being able to alter their viewpoint more comfortably.
Players who have developed years of muscle memory from other MMOs and find alternative camera behaviour more natural.

I don't think the discussion should focus on a single implementation, whether that's leaning, shoulder swapping or another solution entirely.

Instead, I'd encourage ZOS to investigate a range of optional camera interaction methods and determine which best fits ESO while improving accessibility and player choice.

The important part isn't copying another game—it's recognising that different players naturally perceive and interact with the game world differently, and giving them optional tools that make the experience more comfortable without changing it for everyone else.

LunaFlora · July 28

this seems like a good idea

Baertram · July 29

As we are in the ESO AddOns forums I can only say that addons cannot change the movement methods (WASD keybindings etc.) or the camera + movement.
You maybe need to move this topic elsewhere, so ZOs and other users pay it more attention?

What addons could maybe do is change the actual position of the camera, the same way you'd manually do that via the given settings menu for the camera position (FOV etc.). e.g. put the camera behind you or more to the right at shoulder height etc.
But as far as I know, add-ons cannot alter the camera position, angle, rotation, etc., beyond the values provided by the game (in the settings), nor can addons match that to current movements (at least I do not know any way for that).