What is "end game?"

Starlock

I've heard this term used here and there, and if I'm honest, I don't really know what it means... probably because the term makes no sense with respect to how I play the game. I start with a character concept - a vision, as it were - and then figure out how I can utilize the game system to see that vision realized. A big part of that is playing through story and quests, but other significant components of it include gear choices, skill choices, and aesthetics. When my vision for one character is realized and their story reaches a natural pause point, I don't perceive that as an "end game." There's always more the character can do in a game of this size and scope, and there are always more character concepts to roll up and play with. To me, "end game" suggests my imagination has run out and I can't come up with new character ideas to do. That is, the game has reached it's end and it is time to quit or stop playing entirely.

While I don't understand what "end game" is, I'm pretty sure the above is not what folks mean by the term. Folks don't mean "my imagination has run out, time to quit and stop playing." What is this "end game" for you folks who use this term?

XGCAlbatr0ss

end game is techically speaking of the the hardest content the game has to offer. So in this game its basically trial leaderboard scores by completing veteran trials and arenas. Also the new dlc dungeon Hard modes and achievements can be considered end game as well.

OneForSorrow

Vet content for some, PvP for others. Really though I feel like ESO lacks an endgame. There is high end, challenging content, certainly, but compared to other MMOs there is no real point where the adventure ends. I like that.

At best you will be CP maxed with perfect gear but that will change when the CP cap lifts again and more gear is released and the meta changes.

Kagukan

Can mean different things to different people. Getting the best gear possible, hardest content, PVP, achievements, housing...

Shadow-Fighter

Fighting against lag and bugs

keevil111

Pvp is what I consider "end game." While I agree with others about new DLC content, leaderboards, and HMs, we get new versions of those 4 times a year. Although they are difficult, they can be figured out and soon enough people are just blasting through relatively quick. Pvp is always the same but it's the players who are constantly changing, making it a challenge. Like running a dungeon or trial but each time the mechanics are new and different. You figure it out and then have to re-figure it out, over and over.

Finviuswe

Historically, we have said "PVP is endgame".

And that is a true statement. However, Vet trials and even your daily vet pledges can be considered endgame because that is difficult content, vet dlc dungeons are difficult content, and vet trials are most certainly difficult content.

Housing, achievement hunting, Maxing out your crafting disciplines, motif library, any of that can be considered endgame.

Endgame is the heart of MMOs, and must be nurtured at any/all opportunities by devs !!

exeeter702

End game content in an mmo is simply content that objectively incentivizes character power at the highest to achieve a win condition.

Its not a subjective term. If you value more than anything else to collect mounts and finish all the overland queat lines, those are your own personal gameplay goals, but that is not end game content in regards to the pinnicle of challenge set in place by the ones that design the game.

Artim_X

Endgame is very subjective. For me homestead is my endgame. This involves ranking up in PvP so that I can finally get my elder scroll, completing new achievements for cool furnishings, making gold so that I can buy the achievement furnishings/hard to get furnishings from guild stores, and completing group content for those undaunted trophies.

AhPook_Is_Here

OOOooo aHHHH
JOJOJOJOJOJOJO
FA FA FA FA Fashion

Starlock

Ah, so me being a bit confused about what "end game" means is in part a reflection of the term genuinely having no standard meaning?

Datolite

Starlock wrote: »

Ah, so me being a bit confused about what "end game" means is in part a reflection of the term genuinely having no standard meaning?

There is a standard meaning. exeeter702 just above explained it very well. It's basically any content that is designed for the highest level/gear/skilled players to keep busy and challenged.

Inb4 someone calls me a challenged player...

eso_lags

Starlock wrote: »

I've heard this term used here and there, and if I'm honest, I don't really know what it means... probably because the term makes no sense with respect to how I play the game. I start with a character concept - a vision, as it were - and then figure out how I can utilize the game system to see that vision realized. A big part of that is playing through story and quests, but other significant components of it include gear choices, skill choices, and aesthetics. When my vision for one character is realized and their story reaches a natural pause point, I don't perceive that as an "end game." There's always more the character can do in a game of this size and scope, and there are always more character concepts to roll up and play with. To me, "end game" suggests my imagination has run out and I can't come up with new character ideas to do. That is, the game has reached it's end and it is time to quit or stop playing entirely.

While I don't understand what "end game" is, I'm pretty sure the above is not what folks mean by the term. Folks don't mean "my imagination has run out, time to quit and stop playing." What is this "end game" for you folks who use this term?

Well to me it means doing the hardest content in the game without much trouble. Being able to run your own builds and make it through trials and harder dungeons.

For pvp it means going into cyrodil with your own build and trying to battle through the lag to actually kill people.. For me anyway.

Nestor

The easy answer is anything you do post CP160.

How much you want to complicate or narrow that down is up to you.

mocap

collecting stuff like motifs and achivements as non combat end game. Also traiding. I am a casual player, despite i beat vMA on first attempt in 3 hours, i mostly enjoy collectable endgame with less combat.

Finviuswe

Starlock wrote: »

Ah, so me being a bit confused about what "end game" means is in part a reflection of the term genuinely having no standard meaning?

In my humble opinions, yes.

Endgame is often used as a "buzzword" with no set meaning. One person may be talking about non-combat endgame and another may be talking about PvP as their endgame.

Both are true. However, sometimes additional clarification is needed in order to determine the form of endgame being referred to.

Agenericname

I believe the phrase originated with chess, although it applies elsewhere. It referred to a point in the game where a significant portion of the pieces were removed from the board. It signified the final stage of the game, but wasnt used to signify that it was over.

Valrien

ESO_GOD wrote: »

Starlock wrote: »

Ah, so me being a bit confused about what "end game" means is in part a reflection of the term genuinely having no standard meaning?

In my humble opinions, yes.

Endgame is often used as a "buzzword" with no set meaning. One person may be talking about non-combat endgame and another may be talking about PvP as their endgame.

Both are true. However, sometimes additional clarification is needed in order to determine the form of endgame being referred to.

Generally people don't take any use of the word endgame seriously that isn't PvP or PvE (specifically PvE raiding).

Skinzz

Lol questing is so boring and requires no skill or gear. Anything that requires a proper build and skill/difficult mechanics is end game.

ArchMikem

Character Level = 300CP+

Content = Veteran difficulty Dungeons, Trials, and CP PvP

Kiralyn2000

AhPook_Is_Here wrote: »

OOOooo aHHHH
JOJOJOJOJOJOJO
FA FA FA FA Fashion

This.

Fashion.

Fashion is endgame.

Starlock

xskinzcity wrote: »

Lol questing is so boring and requires no skill or gear.

What makes you say that? I hear people claim this, but it is simply not true in my experience. There are may kinds of skills. "I push buttons in this perfect sequence and kill stuff" is not the be all and end all of skill.

FloppyTouch

10 star forum rank

Tasear

It depends on the player, personally I doubt I will run out of things to do so maybe there's no end?

SweetrollBunny

Master Fisher Achievement!

driosketch

Starlock wrote: »

I've heard this term used here and there, and if I'm honest, I don't really know what it means... probably because the term makes no sense with respect to how I play the game. I start with a character concept - a vision, as it were - and then figure out how I can utilize the game system to see that vision realized. A big part of that is playing through story and quests, but other significant components of it include gear choices, skill choices, and aesthetics. When my vision for one character is realized and their story reaches a natural pause point, I don't perceive that as an "end game." There's always more the character can do in a game of this size and scope, and there are always more character concepts to roll up and play with. To me, "end game" suggests my imagination has run out and I can't come up with new character ideas to do. That is, the game has reached it's end and it is time to quit or stop playing entirely.

While I don't understand what "end game" is, I'm pretty sure the above is not what folks mean by the term. Folks don't mean "my imagination has run out, time to quit and stop playing." What is this "end game" for you folks who use this term?

End game doesn't literally mean the end of the game. Quite the opposite. It signifies the end of your progression period where playing your character is less about building and designing, and more about refining. It's where you take on the hardest challenges in the game, and after conquering it, repeat it ever continuing to become more proficient in it.

Finviuswe

Valrien wrote: »

ESO_GOD wrote: »

Starlock wrote: »

Ah, so me being a bit confused about what "end game" means is in part a reflection of the term genuinely having no standard meaning?

In my humble opinions, yes.

Endgame is often used as a "buzzword" with no set meaning. One person may be talking about non-combat endgame and another may be talking about PvP as their endgame.

Both are true. However, sometimes additional clarification is needed in order to determine the form of endgame being referred to.

Generally people don't take any use of the word endgame seriously that isn't PvP or PvE (specifically PvE raiding).

In general, this is true.

Historically, I've viewed the term in a competitive sense, but if other players who do other things in game want to interpret the term moar broadly, I don't necessarily see that as harmful.

ESO incorporates casual elements into some aspects of its gameplay and if some people want to broaden the more traditional definition of endgame to incorporate those elements, that can potentially be beneficial as it may help more people get into crafting, achievement hunting, or whatever. And more people getting into those things is good for the game.

Just because someone isn't highly proficient in the combat of this game whether it be PvP or PvE based , doesn't mean that the way they spend their time in game isn't necessarily valuable. Someone like that should get some form of recognition as well.

Royaji

End Game does have a pretty well defined meaning: "In MMORPG. Used to describe the playing done by people who have reached the maximum progression and/or the most advanced content currently available." Sometimes people will jokingly call other (usually fashion related) activities "end game" but in those cases it is not used in it's direct meaning.

WrathOfInnos

End game is the content you can repeat after doing one-time content. This is usually referring to trial score runs and PvP, since both are focused on outperforming other groups. The definition can vary a little though, sometimes including any difficult content, like vet DLC dungeons, intended for fully leveled and well-geared players. End-game content is arguably the most important in the game, because it keeps people playing for years.

Things like story and guild quests cannot be considered end-game because you can really only do them once, then you are done (with the exception of daily repeatable of course). Nobody would say that finding Mages guild books or Psijic portals is end-game, because it is a one-time (per character) grind that unlocks skills needed for later content.

I’m sure there are varying opinions on this topic, and some probably consider guild trading or role playing to be their “end-game”, but these are not the common meaning of the term when referring to game content or builds.

eso_nya

imho, the closes definition would be the part of the game inbetween
"i cant progress my char any further" (cause im at max level and got that legendary weapon)
and
"theres nothing left to do" (so i move on to the next game).

keevil111

Tasear wrote: »

It depends on the player, personally I doubt I will run out of things to do so maybe there's no end?

END GAME...