RIddle Me This, ZoS...

Darkrogue671

So you announced the B2P format that we can expect here in the near future. Can you tell us what plans you have for the megaserver for the mass increase in population when you guys can't even keep the server stable with the pop you have now? I keep hearing all these wonderful things about the new features and items, but nothing on what to expect after this goes into effect. This tells me what I can expect is an even less stable game in the future with more crashes and lock-ups than I have now (which already gets worse with every update, btw). What plans are there? Clearly what you have now is not working, so do you expect it to work better in the future with more population?

Throw in the fact that 2/3 of the pop won't be paying a sub, while 100% of the pop now is paying a sub. I'm starting to get legitimately worried now as to what will happen to this game 6 months down the road.

Panda244

Darkrogue671 wrote: »

So you announced the B2P format that we can expect here in the near future. Can you tell us what plans you have for the megaserver for the mass increase in population when you guys can't even keep the server stable with the pop you have now? I keep hearing all these wonderful things about the new features and items, but nothing on what to expect after this goes into effect. This tells me what I can expect is an even less stable game in the future with more crashes and lock-ups than I have now (which already gets worse with every update, btw). What plans are there? Clearly what you have now is not working, so do you expect it to work better in the future with more population?

Throw in the fact that 2/3 of the pop won't be paying a sub, while 100% of the pop now is paying a sub. I'm starting to get legitimately worried now as to what will happen to this game 6 months down the road.

As am I, but I simply turn my brain off and play the game. If I lose interest in 6 months due to unstable gameplay, crappy playerbase, boring, bad Dev involvement, etc. I'll just stop playing, until then... Kill things in Cyrodiil.

But I would indeed like a response on how they plan to handle the large migration of players on March 17th.

Darkrogue671

Oh, I've kept my mouth shut about it too, Panda. But after crash after crash when they fired up PTS recently, I feel like we got a snapshot of what's to come. And since no sub required, they aren't going to do a thing about it.

Smaxx

The nice thing is there's no direct/hard limit. While there might be lag spikes the same way they are now, you have to keep in mind that they can instantiate pretty much any zone behind the scenes. You won't notice that and it's already happening.

Ever collected a crafting survey? Once you approach the target location you're put into your own exclusive instance. You won't notice the transition unless there are other players nearby who'll disappear.

In a similar way the game intsantiates group dungeons. Any zone can be instantiated multiple times (except Cyrodiil, which is population capped and instantiated once per campaign), as we've seen in the past shortly after release.

This became less and less common since player population spread (no longer everyone in the starter regions).

In a similar way, they can add more actual server hardware based on population. You don't have to worry about servers being full, due to easy scalability.

Of course you can't scale everything endlessly, due to added overhead (e.g. code trying to find an instance where you fit in or code tracking your current "position" etc.

Overall, I think Panda's approach is probably the best one: If you're enjoying the game, just continue doing so. Being mad at the devs now or even quitting the game won't help. If things get worse and they don't fix them, you can still quit.

Panda244

Darkrogue671 wrote: »

Oh, I've kept my mouth shut about it too, Panda. But after crash after crash when they fired up PTS recently, I feel like we got a snapshot of what's to come. And since no sub required, they aren't going to do a thing about it.

I'm just disappointed that my DK won't be a threat in Cyrodiil anymore, probably convert him to a trials monkey and PvP on my Nightblade, or make a Templar for PvP. The ultimate change hurt everyone and it hurt DKs the most... Suppose I should grab the most expensive ultimate in the game and use it as a resource crutch from now on? lol..

Run around spamming Replenishing Barrier to regen resources?

Tiveria

Smaxx wrote: »

Ever collected a crafting survey? Once you approach the target location you're put into your own exclusive instance. You won't notice the transition unless there are other players nearby who'll disappear.

Um I'm not sure where you get this but it is false. I've come upon the location and helped other players do it.

Stravokov

they love releasing these massive patches as apposed to incremental patches (which would be smarter to reduce/fix bugs.). so it isnt any wonder they always have a slew of bugs that linger for months on end.

also consider that allot of their development crew is working on the console version/release. rather than focusing on one platform, they have stretched their work force thin. hence why everything is slow going and they cant focus consistent content updates to the game.

i don't know who is calling the shots, but they know nothing about simple task management, let alone creating and managing an MMO...

EsORising

Panda244 wrote: »

Darkrogue671 wrote: »

I'm just disappointed that my DK won't be a threat in Cyrodiil anymore, probably convert him to a trials monkey and PvP on my Nightblade, or make a Templar for PvP. The ultimate change hurt everyone and it hurt DKs the most... Suppose I should grab the most expensive ultimate in the game and use it as a resource crutch from now on? lol..

Run around spamming Replenishing Barrier to regen resources?

You can't be serious? DK's are buff. With the Heavy armor improvements and everything DK's got the upperhand. What was the nerf? I must of missed it?

EsORising

Money won't be an issue the B2P model will prob bring in a better cash flow which is why many korean mmo's convert over. You'll be suprised what those B2Pr's will pay on misc items. I've seen people spend up to 500$ on 1 month just to buy enchants (which thankfully ZoS won't offer). That's an extreme case but people do spend unusal amounts which is more than you would think. What they lack in premium fee's they will gain in mass quanity purchases x 10. Imagine when console release comes out.. there isn't a mmo out there or a game of it's kind. ESO will dominate the ps4 and xboxone (don't even get me started with how destiny is not an mmo).

timidobserver

PvP is bumpy, particularly when every PVPer in the game decides to go PvP at the same spot at the same time, but the general megaserver is pretty solid atm.

Panda244

EsORising wrote: »

Panda244 wrote: »

Darkrogue671 wrote: »

I'm just disappointed that my DK won't be a threat in Cyrodiil anymore, probably convert him to a trials monkey and PvP on my Nightblade, or make a Templar for PvP. The ultimate change hurt everyone and it hurt DKs the most... Suppose I should grab the most expensive ultimate in the game and use it as a resource crutch from now on? lol..

Run around spamming Replenishing Barrier to regen resources?

You can't be serious? DK's are buff. With the Heavy armor improvements and everything DK's got the upperhand. What was the nerf? I must of missed it?

DKs don't use Heavy Armor and kill people in PvP.... There are very rare exceptions to that matter, being @Lefty_Lucy‌

The change to ultimate generation was a nerf, because it slows down our resource management. The change to Cinder Storm was a nerf because it removed the 30% miss chance. The change to reflect was a nerf. Dragonknight's still technically have the upper hand in raw damage output and strength, but they won't be able to 1vX as well anymore.

If you're talking about tanks, then sure. Dragonknight's got buffed, but to DPS DK's or PvP DK's there are a few nerfs in the bucket.

Overall everyone was nerfed to, so take that into consideration and Nightblades' Dragonknights' and Sorcerers' got the short end of the stick this patch. I know personally that I'll have to remove Unstable Flame from my bar and replace it with something else, as well as slotting a third piece of medium armor and replacing Cinder Storm with Hardened Armor, nothing big. Dragonknight's just won't be a threat anymore, they're on par with everyone else, which isn't a bad thing... I just liked being the big bad wolf

deepseamk20b14_ESO

I have crashed once in maybe 4 or 5 months? I run the game on ultra and mainly PvP. Perhaps it's your setup if your crashing? Try making sure you close the launcher before your game starts. That helped immensely for me. I also have very few programs running after going through services and such back when I first build the computer. Make sure you're optimizing everything because a lot of people I know who used to crash haven't crashed in a good while.

@Panda244: You're saying this patch nerfed NB? You serious? Because last time I checked PTS the changes are awesome and a step in the right direction. Sure I have to change my bar around almost completely but I have found another solid build along the same lines as my old build. Not sure about sorc or DK but NB is going to be stronger than ever.

Panda244

deepseamk20b14_ESO wrote: »

I have crashed once in maybe 4 or 5 months? I run the game on ultra and mainly PvP. Perhaps it's your setup if your crashing? Try making sure you close the launcher before your game starts. That helped immensely for me. I also have very few programs running after going through services and such back when I first build the computer. Make sure you're optimizing everything because a lot of people I know who used to crash haven't crashed in a good while.

@Panda244: You're saying this patch nerfed NB? You serious? Because last time I checked PTS the changes are awesome and a step in the right direction. Sure I have to change my bar around almost completely but I have found another solid build along the same lines as my old build. Not sure about sorc or DK but NB is going to be stronger than ever.

Should of been more specific, it nerfed magicka NBs into oblivion... They can still use the other morphs but won't be as effective.

Sky Chancellor

I agree with OP 100%, this thread needs to stay near the top of the forums. I want to know what they plan to do with the servers in the future. This is a legit question, and one of the major questions that needs to be addressed.

Darkrogue671

Smaxx wrote: »

The nice thing is there's no direct/hard limit. While there might be lag spikes the same way they are now, you have to keep in mind that they can instantiate pretty much any zone behind the scenes. You won't notice that and it's already happening.

Ever collected a crafting survey? Once you approach the target location you're put into your own exclusive instance. You won't notice the transition unless there are other players nearby who'll disappear.

In a similar way the game intsantiates group dungeons. Any zone can be instantiated multiple times (except Cyrodiil, which is population capped and instantiated once per campaign), as we've seen in the past shortly after release.

This became less and less common since player population spread (no longer everyone in the starter regions).

In a similar way, they can add more actual server hardware based on population. You don't have to worry about servers being full, due to easy scalability.

Of course you can't scale everything endlessly, due to added overhead (e.g. code trying to find an instance where you fit in or code tracking your current "position" etc.

Overall, I think Panda's approach is probably the best one: If you're enjoying the game, just continue doing so. Being mad at the devs now or even quitting the game won't help. If things get worse and they don't fix them, you can still quit.

I know about everything you said, Smaxx. That isn't the issue with me, it's financial aspect which I unfortunately have dealt with on too many occasions. If you honestly think that they will scale up and purchase increased server space when it goes B2P, you're just kidding yourself.

Vaerth

From the Crown store I wont buy a thing, I do not even want the crowns, there is nothing of interest to me in the store. I see no desire to have a pet follow me around, and I dislike all the costumes, and I do not want a Guar. Most people love the new mounts, Guar especially, but I personally do not.

Now add in the Dark brotherhood horse (black with red eyes) or cloaks, and you got me buying both at any reasonable cost.

DaniAngione

I'll be honest to the OP and state that I've never experienced a third of these issurs... I mean, have I ever experienced lag? Yes, of course I have. Especially because I live far away from the servers...

But I think that since the game has launched (And I have been playing since then) I might've crashed 2 times at most. Loading screen freezes and lock-ups haven't affected me since May, 2014, I guess...

I'm in no way saying the game is perfectly stable nor am I defending anyone, just saying that the way we treat and take care of the "health" of our machines (and our hardware/software .) have a lot to do with crashes and such, more than server instability..

MW2K

Vaerth wrote: »

From the Crown store I wont buy a thing, I do not even want the crowns, there is nothing of interest to me in the store.

I endorse this view. Everything in the Crown Store is about as appealing as a dead tadpole in a sewer.

MorHawk

Vaerth wrote: »

From the Crown store I wont buy a thing, I do not even want the crowns, there is nothing of interest to me in the store. I see no desire to have a pet follow me around, and I dislike all the costumes, and I do not want a Guar. Most people love the new mounts, Guar especially, but I personally do not.

Now add in the Dark brotherhood horse (black with red eyes) or cloaks, and you got me buying both at any reasonable cost.

Ask and ye shall receive...

FriedArgonian

Agree with OP. They seem to keep quiet about issues like this. I just resubbed recently to see if stability was fixed, I'm still getting random disconnects, losing interactivity. Not to mention bugs thats been here seemingly forever, like weapon charge animation bugs.

It's as if they dont have anybody working on these things.

Glierhuin

Anyone remembers launch? They had overflow servers. Those will be more than likely to come back

Kalman

Darkrogue671 wrote: »

Oh, I've kept my mouth shut about it too, Panda. But after crash after crash when they fired up PTS recently, I feel like we got a snapshot of what's to come. And since no sub required, they aren't going to do a thing about it.

Must be your computer. I don't think I've had this game crash except when it was an add-on causing the crash. I played plenty on PTS and never had a crash. I even tested add-ons with 1.6, no crashes.

Darkrogue671

Glierhuin wrote: »

Anyone remembers launch? They had overflow servers. Those will be more than likely to come back

I doubt it. Those cost money. I will not argue with you that they need them - badly!

Elsonso

Panda244 wrote: »

But I would indeed like a response on how they plan to handle the large migration of players on March 17th.

Back on topic....

I am already starting to see indications of server strain now that we are inside the 30 day window. So far, it is basic PVE server inattention. Slow container opens, slow to register that combat is done, and slower environmental updates. Nothing new, just a lot more of it.

My concern is that part of the B2P deal is a dialing back of the server hardware to make room for consoles. They won't attempt to make a responsive server anymore. No subscription model, no quality server. A"good enough" server that is laggy on weekends and nights.

Darkrogue671

lordrichter wrote: »

Panda244 wrote: »

But I would indeed like a response on how they plan to handle the large migration of players on March 17th.

Back on topic....

I am already starting to see indications of server strain now that we are inside the 30 day window. So far, it is basic PVE server inattention. Slow container opens, slow to register that combat is done, and slower environmental updates. Nothing new, just a lot more of it.

My concern is that part of the B2P deal is a dialing back of the server hardware to make room for consoles. They won't attempt to make a responsive server anymore. No subscription model, no quality server. A"good enough" server that is laggy on weekends and nights.

BINGO! That's my concern too!