The game feels like a ghost town. Zenimax, DO SOMETHING!

Azurephoenix999

The Problem

The game world feels void of any real people. It's just NPCs. I remember a few months ago when it was packed, now it's just an empty shell. Riften had only 3 people in it for god's sake. You know, that city that literally EVERYONE in the Ebonheart Pact went to to get all their crafting done? It's almost a freaking ghost town!

In order to actually play with someone, you need to be on the same console, on the same megaserver, and in the same alliance. I believe that the pieces are being cut so small that the number of players in each is almost naught.

Let's say 100000 people are playing ESO right now.

Divide that number into 3 for PC/Mac, PS4, and XB1. That means 33333 people on each console (yes, I know the number will be different for each console. This is just a rough estimate).

Half that for NA and EU megaservers, so 16666 people on your server.

Divide that by 3 again for each faction. That's 5555.

So as it currently stands, of the people playing the game right now, you're only allowed to participate in PVE content with 5.5% of them.

How the problem affects me personally

I've been looking for people to help me with a public dungeon for the past three days, but there's barely anybody playing, at all, let alone anybody who cares about helping me get the last skyshard in the Alik'r Desert.

The solution

I believe that people in different alliances should be able to play with each other. As it stands right now, we're currently blocked from cooperating with 2/3 of the playerbase. Allowing us to access the silver and gold variants of zones we've travelled to would therefor allow us to play with each other and allow everyone on a server to cooperate with each other.

With regards to playing with people on the other server, I don't know if it's possible to move your character over as I've never had to do it myself. If it isn't possible, it should be. If it is possible, then it should either be a free service, or cost in-game currency.

This way, we will be able to play with 33.3% of players rather than only 5.5%. We will be able to cooperate with people more freely, and it will finally be possible to do group oriented content again.

Feedback

Anyone who's reading this, please give me your opinions on this. Anyone from Zenimax, please get this done. The game is no fun when you've got nobody to play with.

AtriasNaradan

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

Van_0S

AtriasNaradan wrote: »

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

Group tool sucks!!!! Tried it and its still useless.

Azurephoenix999

AtriasNaradan wrote: »

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

I am using the grouping tool. There are no visible options that allow me to play with people from other factions. In addition, there doesn't seem to be a "Public Dungeon" tab on there at all.

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

There are 2 tabs dedicated to Group Dungeons (one for normal difficulty, one for Veteran), one dedicated to trials, one dedicated to PVP, and one for "World" (which is basically EVERYTHING ELSE). Public dungeons, which, despite not being explicitly labelled as such, are obviously group-oriented content, only fit under one category.

That category just happens to be the vaguest one out of all of them (as opposed to the others which are MUCH more specific) and thus anyone you find when searching in it might not even care about Public dungeons.

Even if I do try and select "World", the only zones it has for me to choose from are Craglorn and Rivenspire (neither of which are what I need help with) meaning I'm not even allowed to look for people in this zone.

This is a huge freaking problem, as it means that players like me are essentially stuck by ourselves because of a tool that doesn't work.

Moonshadow66

The game is so immersive that today when I entered the crafting buildings in Belkarth, I felt sorry for the NPCs to get no customers anymore... no joke, I felt really bad for them.
The town's empty; with luck, you see 3-5 other players in the bank. Usually I prefer the zones when it's not too crowded, but now it's so empty that I feel like being the only one on the server, or playing a single player game. It's kinda creepy.

Edit: typo.

sagitter

You must also write the platform where you play in the title, i read xbox in signature...because on Eu pc serv. , Daggerfall side, it's very healthy during primetime.

Van_0S

Even in EP mournhold is still lively.

MrDerrikk

I greatly varies what time/day you're on; I'm on the EU server and live in Australia so I get most peoples mornings when it's 7PM here. If I play during the day I have what you're describing, but at night for me there are sooooooo many people in pretty much every main alliance town that my latency goes through the roof. Seems to also have at least one person questing with me too at those times

Artemisshrikes

AtriasNaradan wrote: »

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

does that work outside of orsinium?

TheDarkShadow

Wrothgar and 2 first zones of each alliance still look very alive to me. In the prime time, I can't even keep track on zone chat in Mournhold, too many people talking. Compare to my previous game LOTRO (which is FREE TO PLAY!), this game is very alive, even it's a B2P game.

Gern_Verkheart

Have you even been to Wrothgar? That place is packed.

Skinzz

If u need help clearing a public dungeon then shoot me a msg on xb1. Only if you're in ep. Xskinzcity

Vatter

Thats cute you think 100k people play this game.

Azurephoenix999

Vatter wrote: »

Thats cute you think 100k people play this game.

I was using that as an example you idiot.

WillhelmBlack

Don't worry Talos is coming to put it straight.

Fruitmass

AtriasNaradan wrote: »

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

Here's the problem with that:

1. If Azurephoenix999's signature is any indicator of what platform they're currently playing on then they can't use the new grouping tool as Orsinium doesn't go live on consoles until the 17th/18th of this month.

2. The new group finder tool does not currently have any options to queue for Public dungeons or open world objectives. Only Cyrodiil, Imperial City, normal dungeons, veteran dungeons.

So yeah, kind of shoots that idea in the foot at present.

As for why the OP is finding zones so empty, there are a number of reasons for that. It may be a matter of server, faction, map zone, when they're playing (prime time or off hours), maybe there are people but they aren't all visible because of phasing, whether it 1-50 content or Veteran zones, could be most of the population is currently hanging out in Cyrodiil/ Imperial City, so on and so forth.

While I don't think there's a reason worry overly much about player population being dangerously low, I do have to agree that as more content becomes available, population spreads out and old content becomes obsolete with little reason to revisit it some things will have to be restructured.

The group challenge for public dungeon in Alik'r is a good example of that as it requires multiple people to complete it. It's not like the others in that it's an actual puzzle where three or four people need to activate pressure plates in a specific order, rather than just a battle of attrition against a few waves of enemies and a boss fight. It was an annoying thing to have to find a group for back when the zone was fairly populated and it's only going to harder as time goes by.

Azurephoenix999

Fruitmass wrote: »

AtriasNaradan wrote: »

Here's my opinion: You got to learn to read more.

Here's the reason: ZOS already implement new system on group searching tool that allows grouping with people of different factions. What's more, those players are scaled to the dungeon level requirement (the dungeon requirement follows the leader's level).

Here's what you must do: Start using group search tool.

Here's the problem with that:

1. If Azurephoenix999's signature is any indicator of what platform they're currently playing on then they can't use the new grouping tool as Orsinium doesn't go live on consoles until the 17th/18th of this month.

2. The new group finder tool does not currently have any options to queue for Public dungeons or open world objectives. Only Cyrodiil, Imperial City, normal dungeons, veteran dungeons.

So yeah, kind of shoots that idea in the foot at present.

As for why the OP is finding zones so empty, there are a number of reasons for that. It may be a matter of server, faction, map zone, when they're playing (prime time or off hours), maybe there are people but they aren't all visible because of phasing, whether it 1-50 content or Veteran zones, could be most of the population is currently hanging out in Cyrodiil/ Imperial City, so on and so forth.

While I don't think there's a reason worry overly much about player population being dangerously low, I do have to agree that as more content becomes available, population spreads out and old content becomes obsolete with little reason to revisit it some things will have to be restructured.

The group challenge for public dungeon in Alik'r is a good example of that as it requires multiple people to complete it. It's not like the others in that it's an actual puzzle where three or four people need to activate pressure plates in a specific order, rather than just a battle of attrition against a few waves of enemies and a boss fight. It was an annoying thing to have to find a group for back when the zone was fairly populated and it's only going to harder as time goes by.

Yay! Someone that gets it!

ladyonthemoon

Well, this is good; the less players around, the less lag and stuttering.

TheLaw

They've ruined pvp, it's worse in almost every aspect vs a year ago. There goes a massive amount of the population. Pve is alright, but that's not enough.

Fruitmass

ladyonthemoon wrote: »

Well, this is good; the less players around, the less lag and stuttering.

Lol! Well there's a bright side to everything I suppose

jeppyboi

Are you on console or pc? The new group tool is not out on console. Console is still waiting for the new patch.

zZzleepyhead

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

jeppyboi

Yes pc has more players. I can always find people wondering around to help with quests. Towns on pc are usually packed during prime time.

Azurephoenix999

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

MrDerrikk

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Azurephoenix999

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Public dungeons are still a huge pain in the ass though. They're public, so they put tons of enemies inside expecting people to meet up and go through together. They do this intentionally, yet don't put it in the group finder tool.

I constantly run out of soul gems, meaning if I die I end up right back at the entrance, no matter how far into the dungeon I am.

SHADOW2KK

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Going by my experience, and I am sure many can resonate with this, Crag is nerfed to hell and has been not long after they released it last year, back then. it was actually hard.

Now, it is more than easy to solo pretty much everything bar Trials

Orsinium World Bosses are difficult however hahah.

MrDerrikk

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Public dungeons are still a huge pain in the ass though. They're public, so they put tons of enemies inside expecting people to meet up and go through together. They do this intentionally, yet don't put it in the group finder tool.

I constantly run out of soul gems, meaning if I die I end up right back at the entrance, no matter how far into the dungeon I am.

What build are you running and what level? I was able to solo almost all content when I reached VR1 on my first char, so perhaps you need to amend your build whilst we wait for ZOS to update the group play?

Azurephoenix999

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Public dungeons are still a huge pain in the ass though. They're public, so they put tons of enemies inside expecting people to meet up and go through together. They do this intentionally, yet don't put it in the group finder tool.

I constantly run out of soul gems, meaning if I die I end up right back at the entrance, no matter how far into the dungeon I am.

What build are you running and what level? I was able to solo almost all content when I reached VR1 on my first char, so perhaps you need to amend your build whilst we wait for ZOS to update the group play?

I'm VR3 (the dungeon is VR4) and I've split my attribute points between stamina and magicka (since I use both equally).

I'm capable of soloing most content myself, but public dungeons are a huge problem for me. I can't take on 6+ enemies at once because of my low max health.

MrDerrikk

SHADOW2KK wrote: »

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Going by my experience, and I am sure many can resonate with this, Crag is nerfed to hell and has been not long after they released it last year, back then. it was actually hard.

Now, it is more than easy to solo pretty much everything bar Trials

Orsinium World Bosses are difficult however hahah.

I included Craglorn simply because of the silly group quest checks with the standing on platforms; I've managed to solo most of the Delves at VR9 so I know it can be done now :P

SHADOW2KK

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

MrDerrikk wrote: »

Azurephoenix999 wrote: »

zZzleepyhead wrote: »

Being xbox 1 on EU.. you are the minority. That's just how it is man.. best bet is to switch to pc where there is more players.
I would recommend finding a guild at least

On the bright side this game is solid and i suspect it will bring in more players once people see what this game is all about.

Yeah...I am aware of the whole "minority" thing, but the fact that I can't play with people from other factions or servers is only making it worse. I don't have a pc capable of running this game.

This will change (at least for Group Dungeons) with Orsinium when that reaches Consoles. Pretty much everything else is actually soloable, discounting everything in Craglorn and the Orsinium World Bosses

Public dungeons are still a huge pain in the ass though. They're public, so they put tons of enemies inside expecting people to meet up and go through together. They do this intentionally, yet don't put it in the group finder tool.

I constantly run out of soul gems, meaning if I die I end up right back at the entrance, no matter how far into the dungeon I am.

Hmmm, they can be difficult for new players or players with unoptimised builds, take the Orsinium Public Dungeons, soloed them both and did not have much of a problem at all, but reasons being, not to be arrogant haha.

Take a look at your build and get gear that is optimised to your playstyle, and has decent enchants, e.g I am a stam nb so all my gear is wpn dmg based and legendary enchants on stamina and reduce stam costs/stam recov etc, then sort your rotations out so they are second nature.

Soul Gems are cheap and plentiful and you can get a lot of empty soul gems just by doing enchanting writs, or random drops, Undaunted Pledges give soul gems and bosses drop soul gems too.

Go in prepared, make sure you have buff food or regen drinks active before going in, all your gear repaired.