ZOS - Stand Strong and do what's right for the game, but work on your presentation.

Elijah_Crow

I watched ESO live yesterday and everything I heard was great info. The plans on getting new content into the game, combat and skill balances, ets all great work and much of this in response to your community of players. You should be proud of the work you have done and the direction you are headed.

Your plan is solid and good for the game. Get new content out now, work on itemization and removal of Vet ranks later. Don't listens to the vocal minority on the forums who have no clue what is good for the game and would promptly quit if you gave them half of what the ask for.


With that said you need to work on your presentation a bit.

When it came time to talk about the addition of veteran ranks, it almost appeared that the team was hesitant and nervous about the topic as they knew it would be controversial.

Next time roll out this information with enthusiasm and confidence and don't be afraid to tell everyone that "This is how we are going to execute this and you are going to love it!"

Make sure that whenever you talk about a level cap increase it's hand in hand with the discussion on new content. Talking about level cap increase and waiting two weeks for the new content discussion led many to believe there would not be new content.

I think this would have been better as a "Road Ahead" article prior to the live interviews so you could be sure points were not missed. This way Eric isn't on the hot seat to roll it out, but to explain it in more depth.

A little careful thought in presentation can have a great effect on how the community receives the info.


EDIT: Let me add that when my wife read this, she thought it was a little presumptuous of me to tell you how to conduct your business. In fairness I just wanted to add that from a consumer standpoint, I and my guild members are very excited about the upcoming changes and raise in level cap, new gear to aspire to, etc. However I had to dispel some misunderstandings (such as time from 50 to VR16 is now cut by 25% to 30% through questing, etc. Just wanted to share some thoughts on how the reveal might have gone better for the community as a whole when dealing with something controversial. Keep up the great work.

Tandor

I sort of agree with with the OP, but the problem with only giving some basic information up front is that it will get steam-rolled on the forums before the broadcast fills out the details, and the broadcast will then inevitably become even more defensive.

I enjoy the broadcasts, they can be quite entertaining and informative, but they are certainly not a substitute for a more substantial presence on the game's official forum. Perhaps the current hiatus at Reddit is an opportune time to remind ZOS that here is where they should be communicating with their players, not on an external site.

The broadcasts should not be a substitute for the Road Ahead (which is woefully neglected at present), or for important official news like the departure of Paul Sage. I was surprised not to see his replacement being introduced on the show. I was also disappointed that the news item on the Imperial City was such a weak one, if it was going to be mentioned then something more substantial should have been said. "We'll start to discuss it in a week or two's time" doesn't really cut it and it will have been known in advance from the forums that such a weak comment would only serve to wind up the community even more than they are already over the lack of new content. It was without doubt a missed opportunity.

I get that the mood of the show is intended to be light, and the camaraderie in front of the camera is great, but if I have a criticism of the show it is in relation to the chat between those in front of the camera and those behind it. That can give the impression that we are intruding on a little private clique and it doesn't really come across as very professional. I hesitate to make the criticism because I think Jessica and Gina do a fantastic job and it's not something most people would choose to do, and on the whole they carry it off well.

I think that on the whole the broadcasts are useful, and I know off-hand of no other developers who broadcast live to their community on a fortnightly basis. However, they could be improved, that's for sure.

Elijah_Crow

Tandor wrote: »

Perhaps the current hiatus at Reddit is an opportune time to remind ZOS that here is where they should be communicating with their players, not on an external site.

The broadcasts should not be a substitute for the Road Ahead (which is woefully neglected at present), or for important official news like the departure of Paul Sage.

I just wanted to point out that I agree very much with Tandor here.

Zheg

Elijah_Crow wrote: »

I watched ESO live yesterday and everything I heard was great info. The plans on getting new content into the game, combat and skill balances, ets all great work and much of this in response to your community of players. You should be proud of the work you have done and the direction you are headed.

Your plan is solid and good for the game. Get new content out now, work on itemization and removal of Vet ranks later. Don't listens to the vocal minority on the forums who have no clue what is good for the game and would promptly quit if you gave them half of what the ask for.


With that said you need to work on your presentation a bit.

When it came time to talk about the addition of veteran ranks, it almost appeared that the team was hesitant and nervous about the topic as they knew it would be controversial.

Next time roll out this information with enthusiasm and confidence and don't be afraid to tell everyone that "This is how we are going to execute this and you are going to love it!"

Make sure that whenever you talk about a level cap increase it's hand in hand with the discussion on new content. Talking about level cap increase and waiting two weeks for the new content discussion led many to believe there would not be new content.

I think this would have been better as a "Road Ahead" article prior to the live interviews so you could be sure points were not missed. This way Eric isn't on the hot seat to roll it out, but to explain it in more depth.

A little careful thought in presentation can have a great effect on how the community receives the info.


EDIT: Let me add that when my wife read this, she thought it was a little presumptuous of me to tell you how to conduct your business. In fairness I just wanted to add that from a consumer standpoint, I and my guild members are very excited about the upcoming changes and raise in level cap, new gear to aspire to, etc. However I had to dispel some misunderstandings (such as time from 50 to VR16 is now cut by 25% to 30% through questing, etc. Just wanted to share some thoughts on how the reveal might have gone better for the community as a whole when dealing with something controversial. Keep up the great work.

While it's easy to make the blanket assumption that forum complaining is always a vocal minority, this is one of those cases where you're way off the mark. If anything, I'd say the people still playing the game are the minority given how many people in my guild and friends list left strictly because of the veteran leveling system. Your wife should've told you it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that the majority of players are happy that the level cap is being raised for the third time in about 16 months. No other major mmo does this, and for good reasons. Level cap raises are fine, so long as they are spaced out and come with a ton of new and exciting content. The fact that we had two level cap raises for craglorn alone proves that ZOS just doesn't get it.

They were nervous during ESO live because they know how the playerbase feels as a whole about veteran levels, and ZOS made decisions counter to what they've been leading players to believe for the last 6-9 months about vet levels being phased out. Sure, they'll probably go at some point, but after waiting this long with the expectation of them going away, who in their right mind at ZOS came up with the bird-brained idea to bump it up some more so a few pve'ers feel like they're accomplished having grinded out another two levels. ZOS needs to shift to horizontal leveling for a good while to let players catch up to the constant increases in vertical leveling. That was supposed to be the whole point of the champion system.

Elijah_Crow

Zheg wrote: »

Elijah_Crow wrote: »

I watched ESO live yesterday and everything I heard was great info. The plans on getting new content into the game, combat and skill balances, ets all great work and much of this in response to your community of players. You should be proud of the work you have done and the direction you are headed.

Your plan is solid and good for the game. Get new content out now, work on itemization and removal of Vet ranks later. Don't listens to the vocal minority on the forums who have no clue what is good for the game and would promptly quit if you gave them half of what the ask for.


With that said you need to work on your presentation a bit.

When it came time to talk about the addition of veteran ranks, it almost appeared that the team was hesitant and nervous about the topic as they knew it would be controversial.

Next time roll out this information with enthusiasm and confidence and don't be afraid to tell everyone that "This is how we are going to execute this and you are going to love it!"

Make sure that whenever you talk about a level cap increase it's hand in hand with the discussion on new content. Talking about level cap increase and waiting two weeks for the new content discussion led many to believe there would not be new content.

I think this would have been better as a "Road Ahead" article prior to the live interviews so you could be sure points were not missed. This way Eric isn't on the hot seat to roll it out, but to explain it in more depth.

A little careful thought in presentation can have a great effect on how the community receives the info.


EDIT: Let me add that when my wife read this, she thought it was a little presumptuous of me to tell you how to conduct your business. In fairness I just wanted to add that from a consumer standpoint, I and my guild members are very excited about the upcoming changes and raise in level cap, new gear to aspire to, etc. However I had to dispel some misunderstandings (such as time from 50 to VR16 is now cut by 25% to 30% through questing, etc. Just wanted to share some thoughts on how the reveal might have gone better for the community as a whole when dealing with something controversial. Keep up the great work.

While it's easy to make the blanket assumption that forum complaining is always a vocal minority, this is one of those cases where you're way off the mark. If anything, I'd say the people still playing the game are the minority given how many people in my guild and friends list left strictly because of the veteran leveling system. Your wife should've told you it's a little presumptuous of you to assume that the majority of players are happy that the level cap is being raised for the third time in about 16 months. No other major mmo does this, and for good reasons. Level cap raises are fine, so long as they are spaced out and come with a ton of new and exciting content. The fact that we had two level cap raises for craglorn alone proves that ZOS just doesn't get it.

We will have to agree to disagree. From my point of view it's the best time for a level cap increase and gear reset. I think it's time that end game players have something to work towards once again. Craglorn was a long time ago.

Zheg

Elijah_Crow wrote: »

We will have to agree to disagree. From my point of view it's the best time for a level cap increase and gear reset. I think it's time that end game players have something to work towards once again. Craglorn was a long time ago.

Console players just got the game, and PC players are burnt out from the constant XP nerfs and veteran grinds. Seems like a horrible decision for both playerbases. You can do gear resets and have goals to work towards that don't involve new levels. New armor sets (v14), allowing existing armor sets that don't drop at v14 to now drop at that level, champion system features, different gear traits (like nirnhoned), different buffs (like mundus), different skill lines (legerdemain) ... these are all things that accomplish what you're talking about, and do it better than adding on a few more levels. Tacking on another 2 levels yet again is the lazy way to go about things because they don't want to put in the work and come up with creative and balanced iterations of the things I just mentioned.

Talemire

Lol someone got a little wife aggro.

Elijah_Crow

Talemire wrote: »

Lol someone got a little wife aggro.

It's been known to happen

ZOS_UlyssesW

Hello folks.
We've removed a few comments from this thread that were violating our Code of Conduct or otherwise were not in line with our Community Vision. We ask that everyone stay on topic, and refrain from personal attacks and baiting. We value and appreciate your continued feedback, but we do ask that it stays constructive. Thank you for your understanding.

daemonios

I fully agree with the OP regarding presentation. I have serious doubts regarding the options that were announced, but in any case, and I've said this before, Eric Wrobel looked like a frightened rabbit in front of a barking dog. He was insecure and hesitant throughout the whole thing. At some point it was almost painful to watch.

Elijah_Crow

daemonios wrote: »

I fully agree with the OP regarding presentation. I have serious doubts regarding the options that were announced, but in any case, and I've said this before, Eric Wrobel looked like a frightened rabbit in front of a barking dog. He was insecure and hesitant throughout the whole thing. At some point it was almost painful to watch.

He should have just stood up and said "This is what we are going to do and you're going to Freaking Love It!". Same info, just a change in presentation tone could have made all the difference.

pmn100b16_ESO

Kind of like a hypnotist?

"look into my eyes. V16 is a good idea. V16 is a good idea"

Elijah_Crow

pmn100b16_ESO wrote: »

Kind of like a hypnotist?

"look into my eyes. V16 is a good idea. V16 is a good idea"

Lol. Maybe not so much, but a little confidence that this is the right way to go in the short term for speedy release of content would be enough for me.

Kuroinu

There is nothing wrong with the show or how they inform us. The fact they they show varied emotions depending on subject makes the show more human and less like a show made by a corporate robot; faking a smile just to make things seem ok.

I don't want people to hide behind a smile just to please an audience that should be able to understand and know better. We all have varied emotions depending on the situation we're put in, just accept, understand and deal with it. But don't tell people how to go about things just because we/you/he/she felt awkward. We're all human and it's better that way, lol.

Elijah_Crow

Riko_Futatabi wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with the show or how they inform us. The fact they they show varied emotions depending on subject makes the show more human and less like a show made by a corporate robot; faking a smile just to make things seem ok.

I don't want people to hide behind a smile just to please an audience that should be able to understand and know better. We all have varied emotions depending on the situation we're put in, just accept, understand and deal with it. but don't tell people how to go about things just because we/you/he/she felt awkward. We're all human and it's better that way, lol.

I get where you are coming from and respect your opinion, but in a professional environment you need to temper your tone and presentation when dealing with items that may not be popular. Working every day in a professional environment in a leadership capacity has probably ingrained this into my thinking. I know it's a game but this is also a business and these presentations are presentations by a business to their consumers.

Kuroinu

Elijah_Crow wrote: »

Riko_Futatabi wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with the show or how they inform us. The fact they they show varied emotions depending on subject makes the show more human and less like a show made by a corporate robot; faking a smile just to make things seem ok.

I don't want people to hide behind a smile just to please an audience that should be able to understand and know better. We all have varied emotions depending on the situation we're put in, just accept, understand and deal with it. but don't tell people how to go about things just because we/you/he/she felt awkward. We're all human and it's better that way, lol.

I get where you are coming from and respect your opinion, but in a professional environment you need to temper your tone and presentation when dealing with items that may not be popular. Working every day in a professional environment in a leadership capacity has probably ingrained this into my thinking. I know it's a game but this is also a business and these presentations are presentations by a business to their consumers.

I understand everyone is different in the ways they can go about things. Just because some are used to a certain way of professionalism doesn't mean that's the way it should be. I'm sure people will agree with your view because some will find it more comforting to hear it in that tone. But I personally find it more pleasing to watch a show that's semi-winging it, I just like it when people can be more themselves.

Zazaaji

Elijah_Crow wrote: »

[...]it almost appeared that the team was hesitant and nervous about [adding VR ranks] as they knew it would be controversial.
Next time roll out this information with enthusiasm and confidence and don't be afraid to tell everyone that "This is how we are going to execute this and you are going to love it!"

^^The entire point of this thread seems to boil down to that statement in the OP^^

They did that overly confident/cheery/optimistic announcement in ESO Live with the Voice-Chat-only on consoles, but it was still incredibly negatively received overall.
I strongly disagree that presentation is the only thing that needs work here. Yes it needs work in general, because as you pointed out that when a dev seems nervous it can reflect poorly on customers. The bigger problem is that they need to start working on what was already promised (in this case, REMOVAL of the VR system) before trying to add more Band Aids.

My point is this: Even if they do have an overly confident/cheery/optimistic presentation for what they know will be a much controversial feature (as they did with Voice-Chat-only console communications), it's been proven that won't effect what the playerbase thinks.
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