Veteran Ranks on console? Prepare for bad reviews round 2!

Rioht

As many have seen the live Q&A with Paul Sage and Chris Strasz brought forward some information regarding the removal(?) or Veteran Ranks.

Specifically, it was revealed that Veteran Ranks would still be in game at the time of console release and are expected to be around for quite some time after.

While I am excited for the console release, as I have been since it was announced over a year ago. I am very disappointed in this recent news. I was fine with waiting (and waiting...) for console release, but I was doing so under the assumption that ZoS was delaying it for the sake of ensuring the game was up to par with theirs, and their player bases expectations. One of those expectations being the removal of veteran ranks as stated.

However this recent news goes against that ideal and to be honest, I am surprised with the decision.

The console release is almost like the second revival of ESO. This was the one chance ESO had to bring their game to a new market and say "Hey, we know we messed up with the old system and we know it drove a lot of you away, BUT we have changed, we have improved. Come give us another shot!"

With the release of Elder Scrolls Online WITH the veteran ranks to console, how are gamers and reviewers going to take this information?

Do you think they are going to review the game positively when one of the biggest issues with the game is still there, and noone really knows what is going to happen with end-game?

Do you think console gamers will rejoice when they learn that they are still faced with a grueling grind to VR14, only to have that system completely change on them at a later date?

That is, if Veteran Ranks are even still being removed...uncertainty does not build good relationships!

Honestly good luck ZoS, I wish only for this game to succeed because I love the Elder Scrolls world you have created. However I am dreading the first day reviews for the console version and I am afraid that the games reputation cannot handle another bad wave of reviews.

AlnilamE

With all the complaints about veteran ranks and levelling in general, I kind of which they'd change the game so that everyone is level 1 forever...

AshySamurai

AlnilamE wrote: »

With all the complaints about veteran ranks and levelling in general, I kind of which they'd change the game so that everyone is level 1 forever...

With only one skill - light attack.

Heruthema

WHY is this a surprise. Vet levels were never going away until phase 4 of the champion system release. Phase 4 was always 1.7 NOT 1.6.

Rioht

Heruthema wrote: »

WHY is this a surprise. Vet levels were never going away until phase 4 of the champion system release. Phase 4 was always 1.7 NOT 1.6.

Yes but it was not clear whether console would release with veteran ranks.

PC it would make sense to keep VR while players transfered to using CP until 1.7. However, console players were a different matter and would be starting fresh. Without already being committed to their VR ranks.

Heruthema

They also said the the console release would be 1.6. Not sure how that is confusing.

firstdecan

Does anyone know when Zeni's fiscal year ends? I expect the game will switch to completely F2P shortly afterward (unless it ends within the next 3 months). When Console players find out there's no way they can compete with the PC players who switched over to console (because it takes months to level a toon), they'll stop playing the game. Zeni's only strategy here is a quick cash grab from initial console sales. They're going to squeeze every dime out of this product as quickly as they can and then relegate it to maintenance only.

Watch how quickly the price of the game drops on console. If it drops as quickly as it did for the PC, it's doom on.

Crowzer

VR on consoles, it will not help the game purchase...

rophez_ESO

Skyrim sold 20 million copies - most of them console. I think they'll make plenty of cash off B2P. Am I happy with how ZOS is doing things? Not at all. Do I think they are honest with us PC veterans? Not at all. That doesn't change the fact that console B2P is going to be a huge cash cow for the company.

Potenza

Rioht wrote: »

Do you think console gamers will rejoice when they learn that they are still faced with a grueling grind to VR14, only to have that system completely change on them at a later date?

This is the real question here regarding the release on console.

NewBlacksmurf

I ran across this today.....this wasn't the kind of news that I was hoping to hear.

Crowzer ✭✭✭
1:01PM
VR on consoles, it will not help the game purchase...
-very true, but we made this point last year when most had not reached VR and then the console was pushed back 6 months...now over 12

firstdecan ✭✭✭✭
12:59PM
Watch how quickly the price of the game drops on console. If it drops as quickly as it did for the PC, it's doom on.
-The value may drop over time but on consoles people are still pay $60 for Destiny...lets be honest, this game offers a heck of a lot more content so...yeah


Heruthema wrote: »
WHY is this a surprise. Vet levels were never going away until phase 4 of the champion system release. Phase 4 was always 1.7 NOT 1.6.
-I think many of us were looking at a "new" and "fresh" console experience especially looking at the name change by adding "Unlimited"

AlnilamE ✭✭✭✭
12:31PM
With all the complaints about veteran ranks and levelling in general, I kind of which they'd change the game so that everyone is level 1 forever...
-That may be going too far....just my perspective

technohic

Folks. They are not looking for staying power here. Just FYI.

Samadhi

rophez_ESO wrote: »

Skyrim sold 20 million copies - most of them console. I think they'll make plenty of cash off B2P. Am I happy with how ZOS is doing things? Not at all. Do I think they are honest with us PC veterans? Not at all. That doesn't change the fact that console B2P is going to be a huge cash cow for the company.

It is a good thing that the game is going b2p instead of f2p, so they can report successes based on box sales rather than subscriptions.

dharbert

Players complaining about veteran ranks just want everyone to be on the same level, regardless of playing time. That's not the way it is, nor should it be. Someone who installed ESO two days ago shouldn't be anywhere near the level of someone who has been playing for a year. In EVE Online, for example, if you installed it today, you will never catch up to those who have been playing for years. Put in the time, earn the ranks and gear like everyone else had to, and stop whining.

technohic

dharbert wrote: »

Players complaining about veteran ranks just want everyone to be on the same level, regardless of playing time. That's not the way it is, nor should it be. Someone who installed ESO two days ago shouldn't be anywhere near the level of someone who has been playing for a year. In EVE Online, for example, if you installed it today, you will never catch up to those who have been playing for years. Put in the time, earn the ranks and gear like everyone else had to, and stop whining.

I don't think it has anything to do with wanting to be on the same level so long as there is a chance to catch up. Its more about it being a content gate and they have really tried railroading people into questing, which the creative have been railroaded into grinding. Pushing people away from doing what they loved about the game in the first place is a bad idea.

The pace is also painful. When you go from VR1 to VR10 and the power level gained at best is that of gaining 10 levels but the time it takes is equivalent of 100 levels; you put people off. Makes people wonder if the game is even trying to entertain them or just keep them too busy to notice they are not having fun.

NewBlacksmurf

technohic wrote: »

dharbert wrote: »

Players complaining about veteran ranks just want everyone to be on the same level, regardless of playing time. That's not the way it is, nor should it be. Someone who installed ESO two days ago shouldn't be anywhere near the level of someone who has been playing for a year. In EVE Online, for example, if you installed it today, you will never catch up to those who have been playing for years. Put in the time, earn the ranks and gear like everyone else had to, and stop whining.

I don't think it has anything to do with wanting to be on the same level so long as there is a chance to catch up. Its more about it being a content gate and they have really tried railroading people into questing, which the creative have been railroaded into grinding. Pushing people away from doing what they loved about the game in the first place is a bad idea.

The pace is also painful. When you go from VR1 to VR10 and the power level gained at best is that of gaining 10 levels but the time it takes is equivalent of 100 levels; you put people off. Makes people wonder if the game is even trying to entertain them or just keep them too busy to notice they are not having fun.

+1 and you literally hit the nail on the head!
+let me add in, they seemingly broke the LFG tool and then add in another grinding component called CP unless you're VR14.

So players who aren't at max VR level have to grind out CP whether they want to or not but are drastically limited in the rate in doing so by the VR level issue.

david.haypreub18_ESO

I can't really understand why they would want to keep VR ranks in just to get rid of them. It makes no sense... unless they just don't have the resources to fix the system before the console launch.

SirKeka

They cannot do this. They cannot AFFORD to do this. I love the game and I wish Zeni the best, but if they don't grit their teeth and rip the VRs from the game by the time it launches on consoles, the game may be in big trouble.

I loved the 1-50 experience, I wanted to do it again on a new alliance, with a new char, but being forced to go trough it twice more with the came character just really put me off and it is true what others have said. It completely pulls you away from everything you loved about the experience to make you try and push trough dead horse meat in hopes that when you come out the other end, you'll be able to rekindle the feeling you got when you first played it, but VRs completely change your perspective and honestly, burn you out completely on the game.

RSram

Rioht wrote: »

Heruthema wrote: »

WHY is this a surprise. Vet levels were never going away until phase 4 of the champion system release. Phase 4 was always 1.7 NOT 1.6.

Yes but it was not clear whether console would release with veteran ranks.

PC it would make sense to keep VR while players transfered to using CP until 1.7. However, console players were a different matter and would be starting fresh. Without already being committed to their VR ranks.

When has any decision that ZOS did made sense?

technohic

david.haypreub18_ESO wrote: »

I can't really understand why they would want to keep VR ranks in just to get rid of them. It makes no sense... unless they just don't have the resources to fix the system before the console launch.

Or maybe the plans have changed and behind all the smoke and mirrors of TES lore; we really just have a Korean grind MMO and that is to be the content.

Heruthema

david.haypreub18_ESO wrote: »

I can't really understand why they would want to keep VR ranks in just to get rid of them. It makes no sense... unless they just don't have the resources to fix the system before the console launch.

They have stated that they want to let the champion system settle before removing the VR system. That is why CS is 1.6 (phase 3) and removal of VR is 1.7 (phase 4). This was discussed over and over last year long before the console announcement.

Roechacca

I'm beginning to believe their never going away . Just a lot of lip service .

NewBlacksmurf

Heruthema wrote: »

david.haypreub18_ESO wrote: »

I can't really understand why they would want to keep VR ranks in just to get rid of them. It makes no sense... unless they just don't have the resources to fix the system before the console launch.

They have stated that they want to let the champion system settle before removing the VR system. That is why CS is 1.6 (phase 3) and removal of VR is 1.7 (phase 4). This was discussed over and over last year long before the console announcement.

That is just BS....if that is what they want, then adjust the VR level to give the CP bonuses.

_What we have instead are two different systems that cannot co-exist in addition to adding millions upon millions on PC and console players back into the mess which even they admit is a problem... they = ZOS

bg22

Rioht wrote: »

As many have seen the live Q&A with Paul Sage and Chris Strasz brought forward some information regarding the removal(?) or Veteran Ranks.

Specifically, it was revealed that Veteran Ranks would still be in game at the time of console release and are expected to be around for quite some time after.

While I am excited for the console release, as I have been since it was announced over a year ago. I am very disappointed in this recent news. I was fine with waiting (and waiting...) for console release, but I was doing so under the assumption that ZoS was delaying it for the sake of ensuring the game was up to par with theirs, and their player bases expectations. One of those expectations being the removal of veteran ranks as stated.

However this recent news goes against that ideal and to be honest, I am surprised with the decision.

The console release is almost like the second revival of ESO. This was the one chance ESO had to bring their game to a new market and say "Hey, we know we messed up with the old system and we know it drove a lot of you away, BUT we have changed, we have improved. Come give us another shot!"

With the release of Elder Scrolls Online WITH the veteran ranks to console, how are gamers and reviewers going to take this information?

Do you think they are going to review the game positively when one of the biggest issues with the game is still there, and noone really knows what is going to happen with end-game?

Do you think console gamers will rejoice when they learn that they are still faced with a grueling grind to VR14, only to have that system completely change on them at a later date?

That is, if Veteran Ranks are even still being removed...uncertainty does not build good relationships!

Honestly good luck ZoS, I wish only for this game to succeed because I love the Elder Scrolls world you have created. However I am dreading the first day reviews for the console version and I am afraid that the games reputation cannot handle another bad wave of reviews.

Agreed!!

Sausage

Maybe they want to keep their options open? If consoles gets high population and start to sell like hotcakes they go with veteran ranks, but even then, Champion System is much better, they can make it more powerful if thats the deal, they can put all stuff from VRs to Champion System and add even more.

delushin

Maybe the majority of the people who subscribe to ESO+ are VR's and don't want the work taken off them therefore ZOS is not going to remove something that could end up in a direct impact to bottom line?

If I had of known about VR and CP when I parked ESO after 4 months, I would have keep playing. PvP sounds kind of scary now if coming up against long standing PC transfers.

I wonder what the figures are on those who are transferring, it would be good to know what levels and how much CP those that are switching have.

ADarklore

Oh, I am sure ZOS has some sort of plan, just because they don't tell us doesn't mean they don't have a plan; thus, all we're seeing here are tons of "the sky is falling" with no evidence either way. All this speculation is nothing but a continuation of rumors and complaints. Apparently many players in the forums have never heard the term, 'beating a dead horse'- as there are tons of these same threads found over the past few months.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Tankqull

SirKeka wrote: »

They cannot do this. They cannot AFFORD to do this. I love the game and I wish Zeni the best, but if they don't grit their teeth and rip the VRs from the game by the time it launches on consoles, the game may be in big trouble.

I loved the 1-50 experience, I wanted to do it again on a new alliance, with a new char, but being forced to go trough it twice more with the came character just really put me off and it is true what others have said. It completely pulls you away from everything you loved about the experience to make you try and push trough dead horse meat in hopes that when you come out the other end, you'll be able to rekindle the feeling you got when you first played it, but VRs completely change your perspective and honestly, burn you out completely on the game.

i don´t se the difference if its called vet 14 or lvl 65...

Ojustaboo

Spectral_Lord wrote: »

I honestly do not understand why people complain about Veteran Ranks. I'd say it's too easy to level to VR 14.

The problem is more that a load of new players team up with their online friends, also new players.

They get to level 10 and join the non vet campaign.

Meanwhile a load of us who transfered, join a guild (or guild moves across) and we also start new characters and at level 10 join non vet pvp.

That would be bad enough for the new players as we know what we are doing.

But, on top of that, we can put all our CP into our new characters and craft really good gear.

Meaning, the guild of new players will have almost zero chance if they run into us.

Then there's things like the economy with our transfered gold and crafting traits/mats

I understand why Zenimax did this but it could annoy the hell out of a lot of new players.

LadyDestiny

dharbert wrote: »

Players complaining about veteran ranks just want everyone to be on the same level, regardless of playing time. That's not the way it is, nor should it be. Someone who installed ESO two days ago shouldn't be anywhere near the level of someone who has been playing for a year. In EVE Online, for example, if you installed it today, you will never catch up to those who have been playing for years. Put in the time, earn the ranks and gear like everyone else had to, and stop whining.

Totally agree with this. Problem is that gamers nowadays have the "I want it now" attitude. Mmo's are suppose to be a grind toward leveling. Its all about enjoying the story and lore, working towards the end and accomplishment. Not max level in a few days and then complaining because you have nothing to do. Those players need to go play a single player game and be done with it....