ESO Longevity

Hauztein

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

phaneub17_ESO

As long as they can generate income with their current setup, they were losing out with the standard monthly subscription model, if they could have kept that up then content wouldn't be as shallow as it is now. There will never be a full fledged expansion, all new content will be paid DLC's.

Elsonso

I expect them to drop back to two DLC per year at some point, possibly as soon as 2017.

I think they will drop a full paid expansion on us within the next 36 months. (I say this because they have already said that they are working on unannounced projects. If ZOS is not working on an ESO expansion, they are working on a new title.)

flguy147ub17_ESO

As long as its profitable it will keep going but IMO the game is about to be dead very fast if they dont fix it extremely fast. In my 12 years of MMOs i havent played a game in worst condition performance wise than this game currently. And i love so much about the game even with many problems with the game that dont include performance. But i just sat in Selene's Web for over an hour with a group and we couldnt even make it to a boss without getting booted or ported back to the entrance. And it was happening to the everybody in the group, one player would get booted, 2 minutes another player get booted then it would all of a sudden port us back to the entrance of the dungeon for no reason. Worst experience i have ever had in an MMO trying to do a dungeon.

WldKarde

Been subbed since the start with no reason to quit at this time.

Is ESO perfect...NO

Do I think things are looking brighter...YES

Yes I get frustrated at times, but I think that ZOS is learning, and I believe they are moving things in a good direction.

And YES I expect a few more bumps in the road along the way. All in all, I'm just having too much fun to worry about the occasional pothole

kalimar44

I think the console version will be around when the pc version has died off. The reason being is the game plays like it was meant for console all along,and as a MMO consoles don't have a lot to choose from. I play this on my ps 4,and I haven't this much fun with a MMO since Everquest online adventures on the ps 2. This is the best fantasy rpg on the ps 4 right now. My opinion of coarse.

ADarklore

kalimar44 wrote: »

I think the console version will be around when the pc version has died off. The reason being is the game plays like it was meant for console all along,and as a MMO consoles don't have a lot to choose from. I play this on my ps 4,and I haven't this much fun with a MMO since Everquest online adventures on the ps 2. This is the best fantasy rpg on the ps 4 right now. My opinion of coarse.

Considering it took them an extra YEAR after PC launch just to get the console version finished, PC always does beta testing for consoles, and they had to create a completely different UI just for consoles... so 'meant for consoles' doesn't apply... ESO was first and foremost designed for PC and ported/re-designed for consoles.

We've also seen several threads of console players wanting to transfer to PC, very few PC players are talking about wanting to go to console anymore. PC population ebbs and flows, but population is still high and constantly growing.

Also, the devs have stated time and time again that their plan is for constant QUARTERLY DLC releases along with major game updates... this is pretty much standard in the MMO industry. I don't expect any type of 'expansion' that players keep mentioning because I don't believe ZOS has the budget or manpower to take on such a large undertaking while also continuing the quarterly DLC releases and major updates. However, you'll know if ZOS is in trouble financially if they suddenly start doing the same thing DCUO does by offering 'monthly' content using rehashed zones most of the time in order to generate revenue faster.

PainGod

flguy147ub17_ESO wrote: »

As long as its profitable it will keep going but IMO the game is about to be dead very fast if they dont fix it extremely fast. In my 12 years of MMOs i havent played a game in worst condition performance wise than this game currently. And i love so much about the game even with many problems with the game that dont include performance. But i just sat in Selene's Web for over an hour with a group and we couldnt even make it to a boss without getting booted or ported back to the entrance. And it was happening to the everybody in the group, one player would get booted, 2 minutes another player get booted then it would all of a sudden port us back to the entrance of the dungeon for no reason. Worst experience i have ever had in an MMO trying to do a dungeon.

With this comment it does not sound like you have been playing MMO's very long. DCUO is so bad performance wise that it would take days for you to log in and get 3hours of game play at certain times.

This is a great game and I will be here until they shut the server s down. There is no MMO out there right now that compares to ESO right now. You have options so just do what's best for you, just don't bash a great game because your miserable about your play style.

ADarklore

PainGod wrote: »

With this comment it does not sound like you have been playing MMO's very long. DCUO is so bad performance wise that it would take days for you to log in and get 3hours of game play at certain times.

This is a great game and I will be here until they shut the server s down. There is no MMO out there right now that compares to ESO right now. You have options so just do what's best for you, just don't bash a great game because your miserable about your play style.

^THIS! Having played DCUO for almost two years, it can get downright horrible... but guess what, the game is still going and survived all the "this game is dying" threads and is about to launch on XBOX One this spring. So apparently 'performance' isn't a problem for players who just downright enjoy the game overall.

jcasini222ub17_ESO

Well I really hope ESOTU can make improvements going forward. I would like to come back to this game in the future to recapture the funsies found in 1.1,1.2,1.3. But I've finally dropped subbed and moved back to swtor for the time being until I see what happens with CU. (for mmos i only play games i sub)

If it wasnt for being set in the Elder Scrolls universe I may have bounced sooner. I think gameplay was more dynamic at launch then today. Losing dynamic ult gen I think is a big reason and the removal of different skills/effects. Plus I hear you @ADarklore but pvp was better pre lighting/audio patch than after, it hasnt changed back into the state it was launched in (which was awesome) its still sub optimal performance wise.

Just hope they get back to the creative skill use that really makes ESO shine.

Sigma957

Well I think there is a lot of content still to be implemented. I for one would like to see Winterhold and its College, how it looked before its devastation in Skyrim . Tamriel is a big continent with plenty of areas not done yet.

Wolfshead

If ZoS just fix all know bug and the random DC many people have atm this game will 1 off best game out on market to be honest.

And as answer to OP questions as long as ZoS is lay 2 to 4 DLC infront of the release on the know DLC we know off i dont see any problem form them to keep push out new DLC content to ZoS as for expansion i dont think we will every see one for you can basically say the all DLC is small expansion pack.

Alcast

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The moment TES 6 drops this game will be dead.

Reevster

ADarklore wrote: »

PainGod wrote: »

With this comment it does not sound like you have been playing MMO's very long. DCUO is so bad performance wise that it would take days for you to log in and get 3hours of game play at certain times.

This is a great game and I will be here until they shut the server s down. There is no MMO out there right now that compares to ESO right now. You have options so just do what's best for you, just don't bash a great game because your miserable about your play style.

^THIS! Having played DCUO for almost two years, it can get downright horrible... but guess what, the game is still going and survived all the "this game is dying" threads and is about to launch on XBOX One this spring. So apparently 'performance' isn't a problem for players who just downright enjoy the game overall.

EverQuest 1 is still around too, although it changed hands I believe, it came out in 1999.... I loged into an old account that I had recently , but just couldn't play it, the grafixs were just too poor in comparison with ESO.

Elsonso

Alcast wrote: »

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The moment TES 6 drops this game will be dead.

I think you will be surprised. The main problem with a new single player TES is interference due to saturation, not because people abandon ESO. Too many active Elder Scrolls titles at the same time, all doing something new that demands payment by the customer. I can't speak for BethSoft marketing, but I only have so much I spend on games and they lose me if too much comes out too fast.

I find games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 to be enjoyable, but ultimately lonely. That might work for a game that features the "lone wanderer" but Skyrim is now a terribly depressing and lonely game. I have made 2 characters in that game since ESO came out, and not one of them has made it to Whiterun. I have not even bothered to check up on my mods to see if anyone is using them.

Legoless

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

Craglorn and Orsinium were not a surprise. Lower Crag was developed before launch, and Orsinium was talked about in 2014.

Reevster

lordrichter wrote: »

Alcast wrote: »

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The moment TES 6 drops this game will be dead.

I find games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 to be enjoyable, but ultimately lonely. That might work for a game that features the "lone wanderer" but Skyrim is now a terribly depressing and lonely game.

Same, i get bored of single player games quite fast, atleast with MMOs you can choose to interact with other players or not. Sometimes I perfer to play alone, sometimes do some PvP or do a few quests/PvE content, there is lots to do in ESO but some players rush to "end game" and QQ about no new content when they have missed 80 percent of the game...oh well, cant please everyone.

Elsonso

Legoless wrote: »

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

Craglorn and Orsinium were not a surprise. Lower Crag was developed before launch, and Orsinium was talked about in 2014.

Yup. Back in 2014, we called it Wrothgar.

Abeille

Alcast wrote: »

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The moment TES 6 drops this game will be dead.

Prediction time!

I think ESO will definitely suffer when TES 6 comes out, but just for a while. Like a couple of months at most. Then, people will have finished the main quests in TES 6, ZOS will release a big DLC (like Wrothgar-sized) and people will flock back for more TES. ESO will get a population boost, because some people who will start with TES 6 will want to try ESO.

But of course, that will depend on the state of this game when TES 6 comes out (not before 2019 they said, right?).

Korah_Eaglecry

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The DLC release cycle is misleading. It gives new comers and anyone that hasnt been paying attention the impression that theyre spitting these new areas and new content out every three months. This just isnt so. Imperial City, Wrothgar, Clockwork City and Murkmire has been in the works for a long time. I dont know how long Hews Bane has been in the works but from what theyve said in ESO Live in the past. Id say it was a 5-6 month job just like the rest. Id also assume that they treat these DLCs like theyre on a factory belt being moved from department to department to make it more efficient. Only to have everyone jump back on it at the end just before the release of it to polish it up for release.

Even now Id argue ZOS is working on content thats probably a year + from release with their current launch cycle. Longevity in this instance is more about how well will the Crown Store maintain sales with the current tactics being used by Sales. As even with the bugs and glitchiness of new content. The game itself is rather sound.

Aquanova

Abeille wrote: »

Alcast wrote: »

Hauztein wrote: »

ESO was launched two years ago, and since the beginning we knew about thieves guild and dark brotherhood. Craglorn and Orsinum was a surprise for most.

The question is: how long (years and expansions) do you guess that ESO will still endure with constant dlcs from Zos?
Can we expect a 2017 as busy as last 12 months was?

Theres is no official statements about it, i know... but people who knows Zos and ESO maybe could make a good guess.

The moment TES 6 drops this game will be dead.

Prediction time!

I think ESO will definitely suffer when TES 6 comes out, but just for a while. Like a couple of months at most. Then, people will have finished the main quests in TES 6, ZOS will release a big DLC (like Wrothgar-sized) and people will flock back for more TES. ESO will get a population boost, because some people who will start with TES 6 will want to try ESO.

But of course, that will depend on the state of this game when TES 6 comes out (not before 2019 they said, right?).

If ZOS fixes the LAG! Then there will be a slight drop in players for a given time period and then again when ever dlc for TES 6 comes out but the game will surely endure. ZOS needs to focus on the LAG!!!!! Period. That is what's making PVP and PVE unbearable. Get rid of that and this game could easily rebound with constant updates to trials, undaunted pledges and new content in general. EVERYTHING hinges on them fixing the LAG!

Aquanova

ZOS! FIX THE LAG!.....IT WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS!!!!!!!

Elsonso

Korah_Eaglecry wrote: »

The DLC release cycle is misleading. It gives new comers and anyone that hasnt been paying attention the impression that theyre spitting these new areas and new content out every three months. This just isnt so. Imperial City, Wrothgar, Clockwork City and Murkmire has been in the works for a long time. I dont know how long Hews Bane has been in the works but from what theyve said in ESO Live in the past. Id say it was a 5-6 month job just like the rest. Id also assume that they treat these DLCs like theyre on a factory belt being moved from department to department to make it more efficient. Only to have everyone jump back on it at the end just before the release of it to polish it up for release.

Even now Id argue ZOS is working on content thats probably a year + from release with their current launch cycle. Longevity in this instance is more about how well will the Crown Store maintain sales with the current tactics being used by Sales. As even with the bugs and glitchiness of new content. The game itself is rather sound.

Just a couple of interesting things that I have come across over the last two years that you might be interested in.

From an ESO Live, they apparently have three DLC teams that work in rotation. While one works on the content for Orsinium, the next one works on Thieves Guild, and the third one works on Dark Brotherhood. When Orsinium was done, the implication was that the team moved to the 3Q DLC that has not been named. Extending that, the Thieves Guild team is now working on the 4Q DLC, also not announced.

Some, if not all, of these DLC have prior work, so what these teams may be doing for the early DLC is bringing the existing work up to date. This will be true through Murkmire and Clockwork City. I assume that the Gold Coast area also applies, but it is possible that Gold Coast is actually new work since I am not aware of any prior statements about this area.

Also from an ESO Live, they revealed that a zone can take 9 months to create, depending on the size of the zone and what is in it. This is an interesting number since that is about how long a team has to bring a DLC to Live.

Moving on to speculation, I think the DLC teams have it easy right now. Once the existing content runs out, I think they will realize what they have done and decide that quarterly is an unsustainable pace the way they are currently doing it. They will either have to spread out the DLC and stop doing them quarterly, whip the teams more to get them to crank stuff out quarterly, or add a fourth team to help maintain the pace. While the studio should be able to do the last one, I expect them to do the first one. The middle one rarely gives desired results, although it always gives predictable results.

EDIT: I also meant to include that they could reduce the size of the DLC and make them much smaller, and thus easier to complete in 9 months.

Sausage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEvfX1gPa_4

Clockwork City and Mephala is still coming at least.

flguy147ub17_ESO

PainGod wrote: »

flguy147ub17_ESO wrote: »

As long as its profitable it will keep going but IMO the game is about to be dead very fast if they dont fix it extremely fast. In my 12 years of MMOs i havent played a game in worst condition performance wise than this game currently. And i love so much about the game even with many problems with the game that dont include performance. But i just sat in Selene's Web for over an hour with a group and we couldnt even make it to a boss without getting booted or ported back to the entrance. And it was happening to the everybody in the group, one player would get booted, 2 minutes another player get booted then it would all of a sudden port us back to the entrance of the dungeon for no reason. Worst experience i have ever had in an MMO trying to do a dungeon.

With this comment it does not sound like you have been playing MMO's very long. DCUO is so bad performance wise that it would take days for you to log in and get 3hours of game play at certain times.

This is a great game and I will be here until they shut the server s down. There is no MMO out there right now that compares to ESO right now. You have options so just do what's best for you, just don't bash a great game because your miserable about your play style.

I have played many MMOs man for many years. I said worst perfomance i have played. Never played DCUO. I sold my PC last year so no i dont have other options currently on PS4. Maybe you arent having the same bad experiences i am, but i literally cant play the content of the game at all. Its impossible to get worse than that. And i never said one thing about my playstyle, i said i cant complete dungeons without being booted, and the other 3 people in my group was dealing with the same crap until we all just gave up. What dont you understand about the content being completely unplayable for many players. We all had to quit the dungeon last night cause we couldnt do it

Hauztein

Sausage wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEvfX1gPa_4

Clockwork City and Mephala is still coming at least.

Where Dark Brotherhood will take place? Clockwork? Murkmire? Some other new one? The existing areas?

Abeille

Hauztein wrote: »

Sausage wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEvfX1gPa_4

Clockwork City and Mephala is still coming at least.

Where Dark Brotherhood will take place? Clockwork? Murkmire? Some other new one? The existing areas?

An area of Cyrodiil called the Gold Coast.

Necrelios

Given the unique time line, there's a lot of stuff we could see happen lore wise. They could feature areas seen in other TES games but it will seem vastly different in this time line. They have a lot of artistic leeway with this perspective and it makes sense that we would see a lot more content in the future if it continues to be profitable. The one drawback is that we probably won't see many more large DLC's like Orsinium, since everything has to fit onto a console hard drive for continued support of those console platforms.

roguestrike01ub17_ESO

I just wan t to see all of tamriel at some point.

PhantomSpaceCop

Was there ever talk of implementing Morrowind or Elsweyr into ESO? I feel like there wsa but I can't remember. That'd be kind of gnarly to re-explore Morrowind or Elsweyr for the first time. I'd stick around for that if I ever get bored of the rest of it.