MMO Yes, RPG...Not So Much

Scorpio_Alik'ri

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

clips_Ahoii

I stopped after "this is my first ever mmo"

BuggeX

If you exepted ES6, then you were wrong.

xeneblaze

online mmo - OP wants to play solo... smh

Scorpio_Alik'ri

BuggeX wrote: »

If you exepted ES6, then you were wrong.

Not really an ES6 since ESO wasn't developed by Bethesda. Guess I was just ignorant about MMOs in general.

Syntse

I'm having big dejavus here from year back. Especially at launch there will be huge amount of players in the same area doing the same things and yes it might be bit off putting as you compete even to get the delve boss count for you. Nothing is actually really hard as well there is at least 10 other people helping you all the time.

It indeed is multiplayer RPG not single player RPG and one does need to live with that there are other people too. Always. Not only when you would like. Maybe someday Borderlands style of co-op game will happen on popular title where you can choose when to have friends with you. MMO is not one of those.

Frawr

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

BuggeX wrote: »

If you exepted ES6, then you were wrong.

Not really an ES6 since ESO wasn't developed by Bethesda. Guess I was just ignorant about MMOs in general.

MSO would be more appropriate here tbh. its a fun game but beyond PVP and a few dungeons, lacks the stuff that draws people to play together.

asteldian

Thing is, rpg is different to other types of people. To me a key element of an rpg escaping reality and teaming up with friends to overcome foes and develop your char - maybe its because I am part of the pen and paper geek world, but sharing a gaming experience is important to me which is why I have little interest in single player rpgs as I get bored.

Scorpio_Alik'ri

Syntse wrote: »

It indeed is multiplayer RPG not single player RPG and one does need to live with that there are other people too. Always. Not only when you would like. Maybe someday Borderlands style of co-op game will happen on popular title where you can choose when to have friends with you. MMO is not one of those.

A separate co-op or PvP multiplayer option at the main menu of the game would've been nice.

Thumbdunked

Hang in there OP, the herd will start to thin as soon as they move onto other zones atm it is really congested because its launch and every one is in the same areas clogging it up but it will get better

Iselin

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

Since this is your first MMO, you don't really know what to expect.

What you're experiencing right now is the anomaly us MMO players know all too well called "launch day" ...or even "launch week " It's simply because a huge number of players all started at the same time and are doing the same things. Yes, it can be annoying when you want to test your new skill against those 2 bandits over there and you start to cast your opening spell and BAM! 5 other players stroll by and demolish them before your first spell has even landed.

The good news is that it doesn't stay this way for very long. Players will level up and go to other level-appropriate areas and eventually you'll get to experience things in a more solo-friendly way... which is what you're describing.

Turelus

ESO is an MMO first and a TES game second.

I don't mean this in a rude way OP but you probably should have done some research before purchasing the game, it's been out for a year on the PC and there was a lot of videos/reviews which could have told you this information.

That being said you can still enjoy the game as an RPG. If you think what Tamriel would be like during this age there would be hundreds of adventurers running around banding together and travelling the lands. I understand sometimes it can be frustrating to have other players around you but try embracing the differenced and you'll have some fun down the line.

The story for each faction/zone is normally very lore based and interesting and there are some nice little throwbacks to the older games hidden around the world.

KhajitFurTrader

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

Well, after my first rounds of ESO back in the stress test beta, I found myself to be in this very same place. Not from a roleplaying point of view, mind you, because for me playing a role implies an audience which can be performed for. But for me as a veteran of older Elder Scrolls games, it felt strange at first to have to share the world with others, to almost never be completely alone in delves and dungeons, in short: that my feeling of single player immersion was gone.

Over time though, I came around to the unique prospect this "Elder Scrolls gone MMO" has to offer: the world feels so much more lively and lived-in, on a scale that no single player game can ever produce. If I want to roleplay (even if it's just strolling leisurely through a city), suddenly there is an audience. If I want to be alone, I can set out to find a way off the beaten paths. By now, I don't mind other fellow adventurers I come across in my journeys any more. They're either a part of the scenery, or a pleasant distraction. (Sorry, fellow adventurers! )

Korah_Eaglecry

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

In MMOs the RPG part is heavily dependent on you. If you WANT to RP then you can. But otherwise its just like any other multiplayer game.

smokes

i've been playing solo since i hit VR1 - the vet zones are practically deserted, i ran into a few people between VR1-5 but since hitting the VR6 zone, i've been solo 99% of the time.

so yea, you could say i'm getting that single player RPG experience inside of an mmo - if i want to play with people, i'll go on a lower level alt, or drop into cyrodiil.

admittedly, that starting area experience of hundreds of people everywhere fades out eventually, it's especially bad at the moment though as it's like day 3 of console launch. but as people move on at their own pace, the herd will thin out.

coryevans_3b14_ESO

clips_Ahoii wrote: »

I stopped after "this is my first ever mmo"

Still read the rest, but you did lose me at "this is my first mmo". So you don't know what an mmorpg is but you have a strong opinion about what it isn't.

Trollwut

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

What do yo umiss for an RPG exactly?

You only adress immersion. And this is not a definition of a RPG - every type of game can have immersion or not.
And to be honest, ESO is the first multiplayer game where I really enjoyed the singleplayer/PvE stuff. IMHO they did a freakin good job on immersion.

Korah_Eaglecry

smokes wrote: »

i've been playing solo since i hit VR1 - the vet zones are practically deserted, i ran into a few people between VR1-5 but since hitting the VR6 zone, i've been solo 99% of the time.

so yea, you could say i'm getting that single player RPG experience inside of an mmo - if i want to play with people, i'll go on a lower level alt, or drop into cyrodiil.

admittedly, that starting area experience of hundreds of people everywhere fades out eventually, it's especially bad at the moment though as it's like day 3 of console launch. but as people move on at their own pace, the herd will thin out.

Unfortunately I have yet to find an MMO that doesnt have this issue through out its zones and social areas. Players do tend to congrgate in certain areas regardless of level as long as it provides everything they need and is not difficult to get to and from for their quests. Most areas will fall into disuse after the bulk of the player base moves through it. Its a shame but theres not much Developers can do besides tick players off by moving things around.

Emma_Overload

Feel bad for the OP, who is going to get scolded by snobby, old fashioned MMO players who will probably tell him to "go play Skyrim, this isn't Elder Scrolls 6" blah blah blah.

Anyway, welcome to ESO... LOL! Don't worry, it's a great game, and there is much fun to be had in spite of all the MMO crap.

coryevans_3b14_ESO

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

Feel bad for the OP, who is going to get scolded by snobby, old fashioned MMO players who will probably tell him to "go play Skyrim, this isn't Elder Scrolls 6" blah blah blah.

Anyway. welcome to ESO... LOL! Don't worry, it's a great game, and there is much fun to be had in spite of all the MMO crap.

"mmo crap"

So here it comes.....wait for it....

Go back to Skyrim!!!! (shaves beard from neck)

kk, all better

Danikat

@Scorpio_Alik'ri this isn't my first MMO but I know what you mean. For some reason I get that kind of feeling every time I start one. I think as I'm watching the introduction, going through character creation etc. I'm approaching it a lot like a single-player RPG - getting into the lore and the story and how I see my character as a person and the contrast between that and the world full of other real people, many of them not attempting to stay in character, is very jarring at first. I don't think it ever goes away, but you do get used to it and may actually come to enjoy it.

It still seems weird to me to think that 'my' game is still going when I'm not playing it, that items I've listed for sale might sell while I'm at work, people I play with will continue to level up without me, bosses will spawn and die and spawn again and next time I log in I won't know at first what state the world around me is in. (On a related note: never assume you're logging out in a safe spot simply because there's no enemies around at that moment, try to make sure they're not likely to spawn there either.)

But whilst things like that, and simply the sheer number of people in the game, can mess with immersion it's also a huge part of what gives MMOs their replayability, in both the long and the short term. The fact that you don't know, and will never know, exactly what's going to happen when you're playing - who you'll meet, what they'll do, how you'll react - is one of the big things that keeps them interesting and keeps some people coming back every day, sometimes for years.

It will definitely take some time to adjust, but try to remember that it's a new game and even if you've played other TES games before it's going to be different. But those differences aren't automatically worse (or better), they're just different.

JD2013

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

Feel bad for the OP, who is going to get scolded by snobby, old fashioned MMO players who will probably tell him to "go play Skyrim, this isn't Elder Scrolls 6" blah blah blah.

Anyway, welcome to ESO... LOL! Don't worry, it's a great game, and there is much fun to be had in spite of all the MMO crap.

Yes, but this *IS* an MMO. You share your game space with other players.

Elsonso

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

Welcome!

It is important to remember that an MMO will have other people around, even in situations where this does not always make sense from an immersion perspective. You will not be the only person there killing the one top boss in some quest. You will not be the only person entering some place that has been abandoned for hundreds of years. In these situations, you learn to suspend disbelief and just go with it.

As others have stated, right now it is pretty cramped in the lower level zones, and this will even out over time. There are tons of people around. It gets crazy, even to the point of bosses re-spawning behind me as I loot the previous version of the boss I just killed. There are so many people crowded around quest markers and crafting stations that it is sometimes hard to find the spot to activate.

It does get better. I've been puttering around PC Tamriel for a long long time now, and have just recently started exploring the PS4 version. Players will thin out, but there will almost always be someone else nearby. Even if you are not seeing them, you will see the impact they have on the game world if you watch for it.

The game has a ton of stuff that can be done solo, without the necessary help of other people. It also works when there are a couple people there doing the same thing and they just cooperate to clear monsters.

All I can say is hang in there. I very much preferred single player games, even at the peak of my World of Warcraft days. Now, when I play Fallout 3, New Vegas, Morrowind, Oblivion, or Skyrim the world feels so empty and lifeless that it is almost depressing.

Nermy

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

A separate co-op or PvP multiplayer option at the main menu of the game would've been nice.

Eh? Why?

Zorrashi

Ok, first off welcome to your first MMO! And I applaud you for your first choice! As far as most other MMORPGs are concerned, this game by far the most solo friendly and an ideal MMO starter for those who have never touched the genre.

With that said though, you should be made aware that most MMOs focus more the MMO part than the RPG part in terms of atmosphere and gameplay with many downright requiring you to be in groups to progress. ESO is noteworthy for trying to bring forth two entirely different crowds (RPG-interested TES fans and MMO-interested MMORPG fans), and amny of its design choices reflect that, but as to weather it is doing so successfully is up for debate.

But for your main concerns:
The massive influx of population that breaks immersion for you when you want to run dungeons solo is partly the result of the recent launch. I expect the population to thin out in a couple of weeks in which case many dungeons will be less populated. But you should understand that despite that, many are simply going to have many player runners regardless, and you can't really expect the game to shift them out into a different instance for immersion reasons. Creating all of those separate instances take technological resources and technological stress and the game has to constantly balance that along with player input information.

Now for some tips:
Lag is a common problem in PvP Cyrodil. I recommend turning down the graphics found in the settings to the minimal level before entering to reduce the chance of major lag. Conversely, if you are in a PvE area and want it to look better, just raise the graphics setting higher.

You will, without a doubt, meet a particularly rude player. Like on the internet in general, they are always there and loitering around, but in MMOs you can't avoid them as easily. Just know that they exist and its best for you to remain as level headed as possible.

For the love of god start saving for bag space, bank upgrades and horses.

And of course don't forget to have fun!

lsneakl

Like some others have said just give it some time and people will spread out.

Think of it like a huge maple tree that you have in your backyard. If all the ants start climbing up it at the same time its packed. Once everyone starts to branch out into all the different storyline/quests/regions and develop at different paces you will start to see less people.

It just happens to be that the starter area is going to be PACKED right now and if you wait until July you likely would have something a little closer to your liking. You will grow to like having others around at times when you run into trouble and some random archer takes out an enemy for you or a templer heals you out of no where.

marshi1981

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

My fist mmo was A realm reborn(ffxiv) and I was much the same. With some situations I wanted to be alone but the game was populated with players. I know it sounds a bit daft to assume you can be on your own in a massively MULTIPLAYER online game but I did. HOWEVER, where the mmo comes in to surpass rpgs is when you get to a level that you can do a group dungeon or quest. This is where it will just be you and your team and following the story and set peaices in that dungeon or area is an amazing experience. Having you and 40 other players taking down Ifrit is a gaming experience I wint soon forget and im hoping with a more real time combat system ESO will be even more imersive.

nastuug

marshi1981 wrote: »

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

My fist mmo was A realm reborn(ffxiv) and I was much the same. With some situations I wanted to be alone but the game was populated with players. I know it sounds a bit daft to assume you can be on your own in a massively MULTIPLAYER online game but I did. HOWEVER, where the mmo comes in to surpass rpgs is when you get to a level that you can do a group dungeon or quest. This is where it will just be you and your team and following the story and set peaices in that dungeon or area is an amazing experience. Having you and 40 other players taking down Ifrit is a gaming experience I wint soon forget and im hoping with a more real time combat system ESO will be even more imersive.

As much of a troll that I wanted to be here, I just can't. You'll enjoy it once all the derps spread out into neighboring zones. Unfortunately though, you should reasonably be expecting hundreds/thousands of nearby players at any given time. This is a new platform launch, son!

coryevans_3b14_ESO

marshi1981 wrote: »

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

My fist mmo was A realm reborn(ffxiv) and I was much the same. With some situations I wanted to be alone but the game was populated with players. I know it sounds a bit daft to assume you can be on your own in a massively MULTIPLAYER online game but I did. HOWEVER, where the mmo comes in to surpass rpgs is when you get to a level that you can do a group dungeon or quest. This is where it will just be you and your team and following the story and set peaices in that dungeon or area is an amazing experience. Having you and 40 other players taking down Ifrit is a gaming experience I wint soon forget and im hoping with a more real time combat system ESO will be even more imersive.

Group dungeons are a great point. That's a good lithmus test (that and pvp) on whether or not you would enjoy an mmorpg. Obviously not the be all end all, but a good thing to look at. Most everything else could be copy pasted into an action rpg.

marshi1981

nastuug wrote: »

marshi1981 wrote: »

Scorpio_Alik'ri wrote: »

This is the first ever MMO I've played and I have to admit, I was impressed at how beautiful the game looked aesthetically. As a huge fan of many role playing games such as The Elder Scrolls Series (of course), Dragon Age and more, there were a few things that I found weird. To me it feels like being always online is a problem. Sometimes I want to explore places by my self without hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. It really breaks the immersion aspect which is the main point of an RPG to begin with.

The game's open-world environment is beautiful on console (ps4) and even the most basic armor sets look amazing. The physics on the other hand is pretty basic and combat looks kind of goofy but I guess its alright for an MMO. I'm not complaining though. Its a pretty decent game.

My fist mmo was A realm reborn(ffxiv) and I was much the same. With some situations I wanted to be alone but the game was populated with players. I know it sounds a bit daft to assume you can be on your own in a massively MULTIPLAYER online game but I did. HOWEVER, where the mmo comes in to surpass rpgs is when you get to a level that you can do a group dungeon or quest. This is where it will just be you and your team and following the story and set peaices in that dungeon or area is an amazing experience. Having you and 40 other players taking down Ifrit is a gaming experience I wint soon forget and im hoping with a more real time combat system ESO will be even more imersive.

As much of a troll that I wanted to be here, I just can't. You'll enjoy it once all the derps spread out into neighboring zones. Unfortunately though, you should reasonably be expecting hundreds/thousands of nearby players at any given time. This is a new platform launch, son!

Oh I know that now, im hoping the game is super busy!

Emma_Overload

JD2013 wrote: »

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

Feel bad for the OP, who is going to get scolded by snobby, old fashioned MMO players who will probably tell him to "go play Skyrim, this isn't Elder Scrolls 6" blah blah blah.

Anyway, welcome to ESO... LOL! Don't worry, it's a great game, and there is much fun to be had in spite of all the MMO crap.

Yes, but this *IS* an MMO. You share your game space with other players.

Yes, and that's great. Elder Scrolls fans begged for YEARS for an online, multi-player version of the game. What we didn't ask for was months long VR grinds, group-gated/solo-impossible content like Trials and all the lame MMO mechanics like rubber-banding mob aggro.