To ZOS - Please allow a console PTS so we too can participate

Sting864

FloppyTouch wrote: »

Yes bc we don't own PCs and live under rocks...
No way a console player could ever figure out how to join the forums and give feed back.

You really live under rocks?? I thought that was just a bedtime story PC mommas told their kids...

OGLezard

What you need to understand OP is that our voices have very little affect on the pts. Balance changes that they implement in test phase 1 is more often than not what will end up in live. They dont listen.

Bugs reported during pts will still be there when it goes live. Other ones will show up. Exploits people find will be abused until someone else discovers them during live, no bans handed out all Ill gotten gains will remain.

Even if there was a pts for consoles, it would only be to make you people feel happy about thinking you have a voice (no offense). They are going to do what they already implemented and no out cry will change that, With a few rare exceptions.

Not trying to have a cynical outlook, just stating what I know to be truth. The above is exactly why I no longer participate in pts anymore.

Leandor

1. The purpose of the PTS is to get testing done that cannot be performed by ZOS, i.e. the behaviour under heavy player load and testing of mechanics by very varied players with very varied minds for finding possible exploits.

This requires short notice updates, which is what is actually happening. A console PTS would possibly be feasible for the first iteration, but subsequent builds could not get through the Sony/Microsoft verification process within the timeframe available.

2. The issue with addons on consoles is not that ZOS is not IP owner or anything. The problem is that the API of ESO is quite open, allowing a lot of functionality. If ZOS wants to put addons on console, these addons would have to satisfy the same requirements as all other software.

This means that ZOS would have to take the responsibility for software not created by themselves and proove that the same quality control measures are implemented.

In other words, ZOS would need to scrutinize every line of code in every addon that they want to allow on console. That, or the addon developers themselves would have to be accredited for software development on console. I don't think that either party would be willing to bear the associated cost.

SmellyUnlimited

Sting864 wrote: »

SmellyUnlimited wrote: »

But...what about the fact that these are player-made and not ZOS property?

I don't know from where you got this idea that plug-ins remain "open source" and not ZOS property but I suggest you check your sources...

@Sting864

Just because they allow its use, doesn’t mean they “own” it. My argument was that they can still use it, though, because there is no trademark/licensing contract precluding them from doing so. To “own” intellectual property means it’s exclusive, and any modifications made to that property have to be allowed by the owner. ZOS can’t dictate any changes to these because they’re player-made. They can choose not to allow it if they like, but they otherwise can’t control its outside modifications, use tailored to other software etc.

You’re arguing the same point I’m making. ZOS CAN, and should, use the software. Right now they simply allowing it, but I’m arguing that they can TAKE proprietary interest in it, but would need to change enough of the open-source code to distinguish it and file a patent.

This all gets in the weeds. Feel free to hit me up in a msg anytime, though, I like talking about this kinda stuff. I’ve worked on a number of trademark/copyright infringement cases, so know IP law pretty well (attorney). The finer points though usually bore folks to tears.

jlboozer

Waffennacht wrote: »

It would be sooo much harder for ZoS though.

The console population is barely on the forums.

Most console players wouldn't even know it exists, how to get on, and then how to leave feedback.

While I'd love such a thing, I can see why it wouldn't make sense for them to implement.

You're wrong there good sir, I play on console and am constantly on the forums. We know how to use a computer, lol. What makes you assume console players are too ignorant to give feedback?

SmellyUnlimited

There are a lot of assumptions we’re making without knowing the truth asserted. The first is the amount of time/scrutiny that console companies require before allowing an update. Take Fortnite for example. The game began on PC, and migrated to console. There is a constant stream of updates to the game, and they are released simultaneously with the PC updates. ESO doesn’t have even a fraction of the amount of updates a lot of games have. Maybe they are larger, but there is nothing to suggest the frequency would somehow be a big factor, given how commonly many games update their software.

That does bring up an additional, though somewhat tangential, point. Why do consoles receive DLC’s often more than a month behind PC? If they’re using that time to determine what console-specific changes have to be made, then that’s all the more reason to have a PTS.

So why not release the game updates on PC/console at the same time? (The answer isn’t ‘because the console companies.’ Numerous games regularly release simultaneously on PC/Console. True, some don’t, but one could infer that the reason is the game company’s choice, not Sony/Xbox. They want to make money too, so having a needlessly cumbersome system for companies to release updates would hurt their bottom-line. And since both companies reported profits in the last quarter, it seems they’re doing something right.

Sting864

SmellyUnlimited wrote: »

they can TAKE proprietary interest in it,

See, though?? They don't have to do that.... As soon as an add-on is used to modify software that ZOS developed, it's already ZOS'... As per TOS....

bongtokin420insd16

lol ya im console all the way and im on the forums very often. We are one large community after all. Things are very catered to pc players, its true, but i dont feel like spending 1k on a pc that can run the game awesomely when im happy to sit on my couch with my console. No hate, just saying.

SmellyUnlimited

Sting864 wrote: »

SmellyUnlimited wrote: »

they can TAKE proprietary interest in it,

See, though?? They don't have to do that.... As soon as an add-on is used to modify software that ZOS developed, it's already ZOS'... As per TOS....

In order them to use it lucratively, though, it has to be copyrighted.