Lacking PVE Content

SanderBuraas

I am a big fan of eso, along with previous Elder Scrolls games, most specifically Skyrim, hence why I will use this for comparison since the game was and still is a big hit. As of now, the eso pve content is very lacking, in a way that is boring and similar to other mmo games, which is obviously not wanted. This game is good, but it has a lot of potential to be better - so I have decided to go over parts of the pve content and contribute with suggestions on how to increase the player experience.

Quests

There should be more quests and tasks in the various areas. As of now you complete about forty quests in one area, and you move on to the next. You basically never return, which is not how it should be. The eso world should be different from the other mmo games, upholding the ways of the previous Elder Scrolls games, where you have massive amount of quests all over. By no means do you have to complete them all, but the opportunities should be there.

A system should be implemented, where the quests either somehow scale to your current level, or they are unlocked by completing earlier quests in that area. Obviously you don't want to complete quests that are of way lower level than your character, so they have to figure out a way to scale the quests without completely changing the online game quest system.

Couriers, mail and speaking to tavern people could be a good way to start quests in previously discovered areas, similar to how it was done in Skyrim. Clearing a bunch of quests in an area, for then to return to the area with a higher level with more issues to resolve would be exciting for players, and provide something that is not usually done in a mmo game. The amount of quests and things to do in Skyrim was one of the key factors that kept me interested. More of this and less 'clear one area, move on to another'.

Exploration

This game is supposedly an open world, obviously bound by some mmo factors such as monster levels, but for being just that there is a lot of the content that is expected. For being an Elder Scrolls game, there is too little unexpected and excitement. There are some random occurences, such as mages attempting to summon and thugs beating on a poor fellow, but it simply feels so automated. In comparison to Skyrim, where anything could happen - dragons came out of nowhere and attacked towns causing hysteria, bandits intruding homes and fighting the home owners and more. It would be nice to have random fights in the wilderness where it would actually result in death and not just constant beating on each other, strange people walking by, handing you a quest for a reward and so on. There obviously are endless opportunities, but it's just about implementing it in the game contributing to a more exciting experience.

Loot and Drops

Currently, dungeon drop, monster drops and chests offer way too little variation, uniqueness and actual value. One of the factors that kept me playing Skyrim was the item chase, which is even more important in a mmo. The fact that I could obtain the armour and weapon of the person I killed was exciting. Hunting for unique loot in the various dungeons was exciting. Killing a Dragon Priest for so to obtain it's unique mask was exciting. Aside from the newly added Undaunted sets, there is basically nothing of this in eso. Sure, you have an 'unique item' that was dropped from a boss, but ultimately it is simply a regular improved item with an enchant and a different name. No unique property or connection to the dungeon, boss or enemy. For each dungeon, there should be some sort of unique gear that will also contribute to more excitement and variation between the items of players. This will also separate dungeon delvers from power levelers simply because of the unique items. As for the chests, there is also improvement to be made. A chest should provide actual treasure, not some crawlers and an iron sword, especially when you spend time picking the lock.

I write this out of my love for the game, and also because I see so much potential to make the game even more appealing. The reason I use Skyrim for comparison a lot is simply because it is a game that was and is enjoyed by many, and it allows me to illustrate the factors of which made the game so good as it is.

Skullemainia

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

SanderBuraas

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

Even if that was to be made, it would not be out before a long time. There is no official confirmation for that 'game'.

DDuke

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia Hammerfell

Fixed that for you.

CaptainObvious

Hammerfell got a smaller scale game after Battlespire. First one to use 3-D graphics iirc.

Cody

You can't compare Skyrim to ESO. Skyrim is a single player RPG, ESO is an MMORPG.

with that said, there is also the PvP to consider. PvP, currently, is in a bad way, and I think it needs more attention at the moment than PvE.

and is there really a TES VI Argonia?? hope so!:D Will always like to go to Black Marsh:)

miahq

Honestly both PvE and PvP suffer from similar as well as unique problems. I don't think there's anything wrong with comparing it to past elder scrolls games though, after all why make ESO if not to attract the built in audience the franchise comes with?

PvP, I like the AvA concept, but for one the game can't seem to handle the huge scale battles they promised in the beginning, mostly though the map is just bland and there's a complete lack of incentive to take and hold keeps. Or to care why you're doing it. Instead everything is built around who has the most AP, which is completely absurd in a pvp where it's all about guilds/groups holding territory for an alliance.

PvE, part of it is that it's similarly bland. Many of the quests are the same old go collect this or kill that, kind of quests they promised us it wouldn't be. And there's a complete lack of immersion like you see in ES games. Instead it's about 70% generic MMO and 30% ES.

Both frankly could use changes-- and not the stupid champion system. Putting a shiny new coat of paint on an old idea doesn't make it something new and exciting. It will be 8 months or less before everyone starts getting all the cp, at which point we'll be right back to where we are today. What to do about end of game content. Oh, more new dungeon crawls. Awesome.

Within another year it will be largely like every other MMO at this rate, if it's not already p2p or f2p, people will just unsub until new content comes out and they can do a new dungeon. Virtually every other inch of old content will be vacant, and why should it? It's really only designed for one time use. Unless you just want to grind. Even then you'll only go back to the high level parts of the map.

DDuke

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Hammerfell got a smaller scale game after Battlespire. First one to use 3-D graphics iirc.

You mean Redguard?

That took place in Stros M'kai alone :P

CaptainObvious

DDuke wrote: »

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Hammerfell got a smaller scale game after Battlespire. First one to use 3-D graphics iirc.

You mean Redguard?

That took place in Stros M'kai alone :P

M'kai Mr. Macky.

CaptainObvious

The problem that they are running into is content creation in general is hard in comparison to playing through the content. Let alone making it compelling. Instead of writing movies like they are used to doing, they are writing weekly serials. Additionally, given the 3 factions twined, they cannot reuse existing material.

Since the updates they have talked about are either PvP focused or refactoring existing game systems, don't think there is a plan for PvE, except make a vet version of one of the existing dungeons that doesn't have it yet.

miahq

CaptainObvious wrote: »

The problem that they are running into is content creation in general is hard in comparison to playing through the content. Let alone making it compelling. Instead of writing movies like they are used to doing, they are writing weekly serials. Additionally, given the 3 factions twined, they cannot reuse existing material.

Since the updates they have talked about are either PvP focused or refactoring existing game systems, don't think there is a plan for PvE, except make a vet version of one of the existing dungeons that doesn't have it yet.

Maybe they should've taken the time from the beginning then, since they had seven years of development. We've a small fraction of the map as a whole, and I doubt the rest will ever be filled in as the point of keeping it blank seems to be they can continue to release new updates instead-- but most of those are just your every day MMO dungeon crawls. I'd rather just have the entire continent actually stitched together and made interesting.

Elder Scrolls biggest selling point is the detailed sandbox world and immersion. Once you start you can go anywhere, do anything, you don't even have to pay attention to the main quest. ESO gives you a rigidly linear story line, enforced by strictly leveled zones that once you've cleared you've little reason to go back to or care that they exist.

More ES, less generic MMO. I don't think that's too much to ask for, considering that's what they sold the game on.

DDuke

CaptainObvious wrote: »

DDuke wrote: »

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Hammerfell got a smaller scale game after Battlespire. First one to use 3-D graphics iirc.

You mean Redguard?

That took place in Stros M'kai alone :P

M'kai Mr. Macky.

CaptainObvious

Yay, a Kitty!

Agree. Given that you used to be able to plot a course and hold w till morning in previous games.

Read via the wiki that Daggerfall had 75k locations and 150k+ NPCs to talk to.

Used to enjoy just delving random dungeons in that one as they were randomly generated.

Maybe we just have a MO instead?

Maybe they should take a page from their old playbook and implement Mages' and Fighters' guild random quests.

There used to be random quests like deliver this Daedra heart to this alchemist shop and the Daedra would be interested in taking it back etc.

miahq

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Yay, a Kitty!

Agree. Given that you used to be able to plot a course and hold w till morning in previous games.

Read via the wiki that Daggerfall had 75k locations and 150k+ NPCs to talk to.

Used to enjoy just delving random dungeons in that one as they were randomly generated.

Maybe we just have a MO instead?

Maybe they should take a page from their old playbook and implement Mages' and Fighters' guild random quests.

There used to be random quests like deliver this Daedra heart to this alchemist shop and the Daedra would be interested in taking it back etc.

I've always thought dynamic quests should play a far greater role. Especially if you use the justice system, the thieves guild, and the dark brotherhood, you can actually pit small groups of players against each other on opposite sides of a small story. For instance, how do you figure out who put a huge bounty on you for stealing an item from seemingly a nobody while dodging actual PC guards or assassins?

You just need a few randomized elements and then to let the players fill in the middle of the story.

WraithAzraiel

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

NO

It's Elder Scrolls 21: Skyrowblivion The Wreckoning duh.

And this game is NOT AT ALL lacking in PvE content. There's 19 zones of it. 20 if you include Craglorn.

WraithAzraiel

Smepic wrote: »

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

Even if that was to be made, it would not be out before a long time. There is no official confirmation for that 'game'.

By the way, that was that guys way of telling you - your requests and complaints are unreasonable and unnecessary and you should go play Skyrim. Without telling you to go play Skyrim.

Just in case you didn't catch it.

miahq

WraithAzraiel wrote: »

Smepic wrote: »

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

Even if that was to be made, it would not be out before a long time. There is no official confirmation for that 'game'.

By the way, that was that guys way of telling you - your requests and complaints are unreasonable and unnecessary and you should go play Skyrim. Without telling you to go play Skyrim.

Just in case you didn't catch it.

Why do you think the reviews and the numbers were so crappy? Most people did.

Cody

miahq wrote: »

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Yay, a Kitty!

Agree. Given that you used to be able to plot a course and hold w till morning in previous games.

Read via the wiki that Daggerfall had 75k locations and 150k+ NPCs to talk to.

Used to enjoy just delving random dungeons in that one as they were randomly generated.

Maybe we just have a MO instead?

Maybe they should take a page from their old playbook and implement Mages' and Fighters' guild random quests.

There used to be random quests like deliver this Daedra heart to this alchemist shop and the Daedra would be interested in taking it back etc.

I've always thought dynamic quests should play a far greater role. Especially if you use the justice system, the thieves guild, and the dark brotherhood, you can actually pit small groups of players against each other on opposite sides of a small story. For instance, how do you figure out who put a huge bounty on you for stealing an item from seemingly a nobody while dodging actual PC guards or assassins?

You just need a few randomized elements and then to let the players fill in the middle of the story.

If a player put's a bounty on my head, they die.

I may end up killing dozens of innocents during the hunt, and accumulate an even larger bounty in the process, but it will be worth it.

miahq

Cody wrote: »

miahq wrote: »

CaptainObvious wrote: »

Yay, a Kitty!

Agree. Given that you used to be able to plot a course and hold w till morning in previous games.

Read via the wiki that Daggerfall had 75k locations and 150k+ NPCs to talk to.

Used to enjoy just delving random dungeons in that one as they were randomly generated.

Maybe we just have a MO instead?

Maybe they should take a page from their old playbook and implement Mages' and Fighters' guild random quests.

There used to be random quests like deliver this Daedra heart to this alchemist shop and the Daedra would be interested in taking it back etc.

I've always thought dynamic quests should play a far greater role. Especially if you use the justice system, the thieves guild, and the dark brotherhood, you can actually pit small groups of players against each other on opposite sides of a small story. For instance, how do you figure out who put a huge bounty on you for stealing an item from seemingly a nobody while dodging actual PC guards or assassins?

You just need a few randomized elements and then to let the players fill in the middle of the story.

If a player put's a bounty on my head, they die.

I may end up killing dozens of innocents during the hunt, and accumulate an even larger bounty in the process, but it will be worth it.

Lol, I meant an NPC, like if you stole from some nobody who turned out to be a messenger for some crooked politician and suddenly you'd a bounty on your head, or an assassination contract out on you. PC could take the job of trying to claim your bounty, putting them in your way of figuring out who the npc is, what you stole that's done it, what's it good for, etc. it's a lot harder to solve a quest when you're dodging bounty hunters and other PC.

But I kind of hope PC can put bounties on other PC as well, that would be interesting.

phairdon

You do return to previous zones; as a veteran. Then proceed to do the same quests over & over if you have more than one veteran character.

Think they needed to come up with different quests for veteran/champion levels, if possible on the same zone maps. Or created new zones entirely for veteran quests (not talking Craglorn or the likes).

Only other option is to introduce dynamic events (as seen in other mmo's), across all zones.

Jitterbug

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia

Wouldn't that be Black Marsh?

Homm

Cody wrote: »

You can't compare Skyrim to ESO

Fixed that.

Skyrim is one of the best games ever created, ESO is.. well it's *** atm.

Teloryn

Might I stir the pot? MMOs generally suffer from this... The only game that's successfully created new content at a rapid rate has been Guild Wars 2, which lacks in other areas. I think you need to understand the sheer fact that even less than hardcore MMO players will complete 90% of the content a game has to offer before new content is created. The amount of resources needed to generate content at a "satisfactory" rate is, I'm sure, staggering.

I agree the feedback is necessary, but calling the game sh*t and saying that it is lacking in content really doesn't help anyone out. OP provided some genuine feedback, and everyone else just jumps out of the woodwork calling the game horrible.

It's fine if you want to compare the game to Skyrim since its the same universe, but you also need to understand that 100,000s of people are playing this game in the same world...not one. It's an entirely different social landscape with a completely different set of requirements.

In short, the "lack" of content is going to occur, and you will just have to deal with it until new content and updates arrive. The best you can do is provide feedback on what to improve upon.

Lord Xanhorn

Teloryn wrote: »

In short, the "lack" of content is going to occur, and you will just have to deal with it until new content and updates arrive. The best you can do is provide feedback on what to improve upon.

Good point. I am so surprised that ESO didnt release a tookit to allow people to create new content. Even if the people had to submit the content to ZOS for review and QC before being added to the game. With the thousands of mods for a game like Skyrim and the ability to add hundreds of hours of gameplay, I would have though ZOS would have adopted a similar though process and let the community help in content creation.

I am surprised no major MMO has done this effectively...well ever!

A real head scratchier since players chewing through content has been a problem for theme parked MMOs since their creation.

Bouvin

Lord Xanhorn wrote: »

Teloryn wrote: »

In short, the "lack" of content is going to occur, and you will just have to deal with it until new content and updates arrive. The best you can do is provide feedback on what to improve upon.

Good point. I am so surprised that ESO didnt release a tookit to allow people to create new content. Even if the people had to submit the content to ZOS for review and QC before being added to the game. With the thousands of mods for a game like Skyrim and the ability to add hundreds of hours of gameplay, I would have though ZOS would have adopted a similar though process and let the community help in content creation.

I am surprised no major MMO has done this effectively...well ever!

A real head scratchier since players chewing through content has been a problem for theme parked MMOs since their creation.

Actually, Neverwinter has done this effectively.

Morthur

.

yelloweyedemon

Skullemainia wrote: »

I think you better wait for The Elder Scrolls 6: Argonia The Witcher 3

Fixed properly.

phairdon

Not lacking content as such, just the fact the veteran & level 4-50 quests are exactly the same, and there are no dynamic events.
One of my chars is pretty much stuck at vet level 11 because I cannot be bothered spending hours trying to find groups in Craglorn.
More end game zones are required. Solo & group play.

Robbmrp

Smepic wrote: »

QUESTS

There should be more quests and tasks in the various areas. As of now you complete about forty quests in one area, and you move on to the next. You basically never return, which is not how it should be. The eso world should be different from the other mmo games, upholding the ways of the previous Elder Scrolls games, where you have massive amount of quests all over. By no means do you have to complete them all, but the opportunities should be there.

EXPLORATION

This game is supposedly an open world, obviously bound by some mmo factors such as monster levels, but for being just that there is a lot of the content that is expected. For being an Elder Scrolls game, there is too little unexpected and excitement. There are some random occurences, such as mages attempting to summon and thugs beating on a poor fellow, but it simply feels so automated. In comparison to Skyrim, where anything could happen - dragons came out of nowhere and attacked towns causing hysteria, bandits intruding homes and fighting the home owners and more. It would be nice to have random fights in the wilderness where it would actually result in death and not just constant beating on each other, strange people walking by, handing you a quest for a reward and so on. There obviously are endless opportunities, but it's just about implementing it in the game contributing to a more exciting experience.

I couldn't agree with these more. Other than to go run a dungeon there's NO reason to EVER visit an area that you have completed. All of these changes would greatly expand the game. Once you hit the max level there's nothing more for PVE other than dungeons. You've explored it all, completed most of the quests and killed the same mobs over and over. Things are already getting stale causing people to go find something else to play. A lot of people don't want to have to keep making a new character over and over again just to experience the EXACT SAME CONTENT they've already completed.

ashlee17

Not sure if you are talking about a lack of pve rewards or just a lack of solo questing rewards. The daily dungon pleges are great examples of repeatable daily pve content with good drops.

Maybe they could implement a daily zone challenge after completion of cadwels gold to encourage replay ability in past zones.

Brother_Numsie

There is enough PVE content in the game.

It's just the way the story is set up makes it seem like there isn't that much.

When we enter the game we should not do so as a member of some faction (that we can't even remember we belong to in the first place), but as a citizen of Cyrodiil. It is then our goal in game to get the factions to work together to free our homeland (to save the world, and get some sweet revenge). We only need to get one faction to the point in the storyline that we enter Coldharbour, completing the other two before you enter nets you Cadwell Silver and Gold. This also will put everyone on the same shard (server), everyone will be together (no more EP playing with only EP, AD with only AD, DC only with DC). The choice of a faction to join should be only for Cyrodiil and PVP (or roleplaying, example further on) so such a decision should be made when and if you go to Cyrodiil (what happens in Cyrodiil, stays in Cyrodiil).

Your level should scale to the area level you are in (GW2 Dynamic leveling adjustment system). This allows you to add new content to all areas to the game and will help with the ganking players problem you are going to have with the justice system. You can also add an option to the justice system to tint the tabards (or what ever you choose to use) to the different factions colors, so people who wish to role-play as an AD invading EP can do so in fashionable faction colors.

For the dungeons, how about a crafting pattern drop for a unique look (different for each dungeon)? That way crafters can get some love and dungeon farmers have something worthwhile to farm and sell.