The silence of zenimax

TheValkyn · November 2018

Greysson wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

.... and RDR2

Is it only my opinion or could this be the worst a ComManager could say?

There is a reason why incest is bad. You have to go outside of the gene pool to get the best results. Playing other games guarantees exposure to fresh and new ways of game design. ESO has been out for 4.5 years now and some of us have been playing since for 5.5 years. I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't play other games.

Linaleah · November 2018

/still trying to get past people actualy thinking that developers apparently are not people and are not allowed to enjoy hobbies in their free time. imagine if writers weren't allowed to read any books other then the ones they wrote.....

Sun7dance · November 2018

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

That's totally nonsense of course. ESO was especially designed for consoles. Best examples are menu navigation and the fact that you can only slot 5 skills.

Lifemocker · November 2018

ZOS employees are not allowed to play other games? Then what are you people doing here? Get back to your work/school/whatever, unless you're unemployeed, then it's ok to play video games.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · November 2018

Sun7dance wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

That's totally nonsense of course. ESO was especially designed for consoles. Best examples are menu navigation and the fact that you can only slot 5 skills.

Not really.
The reason they had to release console versions over a year after PC launch is they couldn't get console UI right.
Development of ESO began before Skyrim launch and was designed with PC in mind.

Pops_ND_Irish · November 2018

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

Rak_am · November 2018

@ZOS_GinaBruno
a date for a possible patch?
a plan for the future of the game on ps4?
any ideas to make cyrodiil playable?

Thx

Sun7dance · November 2018

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Sun7dance wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

That's totally nonsense of course. ESO was especially designed for consoles. Best examples are menu navigation and the fact that you can only slot 5 skills.

Not really.
The reason they had to release console versions over a year after PC launch is they couldn't get console UI right.
Development of ESO began before Skyrim launch and was designed with PC in mind.

That's not true, sorry.
The idea of a console version already exists from the beginning. Why do you think, PC players can only slot 5 skills? Because ZOS has already considered the consoles.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · November 2018

Sun7dance wrote: »

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Sun7dance wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

That's totally nonsense of course. ESO was especially designed for consoles. Best examples are menu navigation and the fact that you can only slot 5 skills.

Not really.
The reason they had to release console versions over a year after PC launch is they couldn't get console UI right.
Development of ESO began before Skyrim launch and was designed with PC in mind.

That's not true, sorry.
The idea of a console version already exists from the beginning. Why do you think, PC players can only slot 5 skills? Because ZOS has already considered the consoles.

Well, I must disagree, sorry.
I followed ESO development since 2010-2011, and even their first trailer video, in 2012, Matt, Paul & Nick mention that the target base is MMO players and Mouse/Keyboard playability.
After the 2014 PC/Mac release the coding had to be totally re-done for each console system which led to the delay of over a year for console release. (1 year, 3 months actually). If they planned it all along, why did they have to re-develop it? And the 5 skill bar, actually 6 with ultimate, is another way ZoS tried to set ESO apart from games like WoW and other MMO's.

But back on subject, while looking at the "Old" vids and interviews, it made me think....
WHY doesn't ZoS do the "Year Forward" videos like Matt & Paul used to do? Where are the peeks and interactivity that ZoS had with us the first couple of years??
Heck, the "Bi-Weekly" ESO-Live that I used to love is now almost "Bi-Monthly".
Communication hasn't always been like this. Perhaps this thread will help....

MajBludd · November 2018

No updates, no other communication other than they might do something at some point?

Another friend just left the game yesterday. He said the game wasn't worth spending money on in its current state. He was a sub for 3+ yrs.

agegarton · November 2018

"We know that we are not communicating with you enough; this does not mean that we intend to communicate with you more"

Thoragaal · November 2018

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

But back on subject, while looking at the "Old" vids and interviews, it made me think....
WHY doesn't ZoS do the "Year Forward" videos like Matt & Paul used to do? Where are the peeks and interactivity that ZoS had with us the first couple of years??
Heck, the "Bi-Weekly" ESO-Live that I used to love is now almost "Bi-Monthly".
Communication hasn't always been like this. Perhaps this thread will help....

Yeah, that's part of what I've noticed as well and I hope for some better results, just like you.
There is lots that can be done, but it's not being done and I wholeheartedly believe it's because of the ppl at the top deciding where the money should be spent.

Vinylll · November 2018

MajBludd wrote: »

No updates, no other communication other than they might do something at some point?

Another friend just left the game yesterday. He said the game wasn't worth spending money on in its current state. He was a sub for 3+ yrs.

There has been already but there also will be a lot of good dedicated players leaving soon if there wont be massive improvement ASAP.

TequilaFire · November 2018

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Sun7dance wrote: »

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

Sun7dance wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

That's totally nonsense of course. ESO was especially designed for consoles. Best examples are menu navigation and the fact that you can only slot 5 skills.

Not really.
The reason they had to release console versions over a year after PC launch is they couldn't get console UI right.
Development of ESO began before Skyrim launch and was designed with PC in mind.

That's not true, sorry.
The idea of a console version already exists from the beginning. Why do you think, PC players can only slot 5 skills? Because ZOS has already considered the consoles.

Well, I must disagree, sorry.
I followed ESO development since 2010-2011, and even their first trailer video, in 2012, Matt, Paul & Nick mention that the target base is MMO players and Mouse/Keyboard playability.
After the 2014 PC/Mac release the coding had to be totally re-done for each console system which led to the delay of over a year for console release. (1 year, 3 months actually). If they planned it all along, why did they have to re-develop it? And the 5 skill bar, actually 6 with ultimate, is another way ZoS tried to set ESO apart from games like WoW and other MMO's.

But back on subject, while looking at the "Old" vids and interviews, it made me think....
WHY doesn't ZoS do the "Year Forward" videos like Matt & Paul used to do? Where are the peeks and interactivity that ZoS had with us the first couple of years??
Heck, the "Bi-Weekly" ESO-Live that I used to love is now almost "Bi-Monthly".
Communication hasn't always been like this. Perhaps this thread will help....

They had to re-develop because of wait for stable PS4/XBone release as when dev started there was only PS3/Xbox360 which had total different processors and architecture. They also wanted to make sure the new Justice and Champion system were added by console launch date which along with changes to the console UI had to be added.
This was complicated by problematic PC launch which threw off development schedule and negotiations with Sony/M$ over the subscription fee. I got to play a year on PC and cheap transfer to PS4 out of the deal.

Marlew · November 2018

TheDuck wrote: »

Instead of complaining on these boards (which accomplishes nothing) complain with your wallet.

Stop spending money on this game, and when the coffers run dry, Zen will do something about it.
Or not, and the game goes under. Either way, problem solved.

Exactly this was the Reason i stopped playing after more than 4 Years!

Haashhtaag · November 2018

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

TequilaFire · November 2018

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

Elsonso · November 2018

Linaleah wrote: »

/still trying to get past people actualy thinking that developers apparently are not people and are not allowed to enjoy hobbies in their free time. imagine if writers weren't allowed to read any books other then the ones they wrote.....

There would be a lot less plagiarism.

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

while looking at the "Old" vids and interviews, it made me think....
WHY doesn't ZoS do the "Year Forward" videos like Matt & Paul used to do? Where are the peeks and interactivity that ZoS had with us the first couple of years??
Heck, the "Bi-Weekly" ESO-Live that I used to love is now almost "Bi-Monthly".
Communication hasn't always been like this. Perhaps this thread will help....

Communication has been like this since Firor decided to discontinue his regular "Road Ahead" updates in 2014. I don't know why they did that. My guess is that it was intended to be temporary and it just takes too much time. Instead, they went with less personal press release articles. They have even changed ESO Live to get away from communicating. ESO Live turned into more of a marketing platform and they tend to do it when they want to promote some DLC or Chapter.

As to why they don't tell us the future further out than a few weeks, I chalk that up to two reasons. First, these things tend to be treated as promises instead of outlooks, so when things don't happen exactly as described, people start complaining. Happened in the past, most famously with the Champion System conversion. This is likely the reason why Class Representatives are sworn to secrecy.

Second, I think that "Marketing" wants to control new feature introductions. It takes away all the fun at conferences if someone at ZOS is constantly telling people what is going to be happening.

This all leads to the "too soon to talk about that" phrase that we hear.

Now that they are offering 1 year ESO Plus terms, I think they need to step up the information flow and let people know what is going to be happening the whole year, in much more specific terms than they have been. Chapter and DLC titles, major systems that are going to be rolled out, new classes and skills that are coming. If they expect players to commit to a year, it is not unreasonable to suggest that ZOS provide an outlook that supports that commitment.

They can do this in the year-end letter that Firor drafts before he sends everyone home for the last two weeks of the year.

Haashhtaag · November 2018

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

If you think the game performs the same on both platforms you’re not a very intelligent person. Yes the bugs are the same but console is far worse.

TequilaFire · November 2018

Haashhtaag wrote: »

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

If you think the game performs the same on both platforms you’re not a very intelligent person. Yes the bugs are the same but console is far worse.

Insults are your defense?
You are entitled to your opinion even if it is wrong.

Valrien · November 2018

@ZOS_GinaBruno I know there is a Known Issues section of the Patch Notes to show the community what known bugs there are that have yet to be fixed, but can we have an all-encompasing list of all of the bugs in ESO that ZOS is aware of that gets updated every patch so that we can see some real progress with the bug fixes?

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/150534-Official-Known-Issues

Something like that

Elsonso · November 2018

Valrien wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno I know there is a Known Issues section of the Patch Notes to show the community what known bugs there are that have yet to be fixed, but can we have an all-encompasing list of all of the bugs in ESO that ZOS is aware of that gets updated every patch so that we can see some real progress with the bug fixes?

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/150534-Official-Known-Issues

Something like that

That leads to the question of how large forum threads can be. There is a limit to the size of each comment. The largest thread I can think of is around 500 pages. Is the forum big enough to hold a list of known issues?

More seriously, I am sure that the last thing that ZOS wants is to make and maintain a public tally of bugs and fixes so that players can keep score. There are bugs that ZOS knows they will never fix. That is not information they will share with us, but we all know that there will be bugs they never fix. All a list like this is going to do is highlight the negative, and they will have to take time to maintain it.

ZOS is not nearly outgoing and gregarious enough to embark on a path like that.

Haashhtaag · November 2018

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

TequilaFire wrote: »

Haashhtaag wrote: »

MoTeets wrote: »

Jimmy wrote: »

I will never understand why anyone would play this game on console. It's not a console game. Console launch was only there as a money grab, it's not the platform this game is meant to be on. Eventually consoles will get no support so focus can be 100% on PC.

Runs fine on console. Not complaining like PC'ers. What do you mean "it was not to be on" ? Geez Seems to run better on console

As someone who transferred from console to Pc the game is crap on console and far worse than PC.

And as someone who still plays on PS4 and PC, I have the same problems on both.
They share common code, so quit making this platform wars.

If you think the game performs the same on both platforms you’re not a very intelligent person. Yes the bugs are the same but console is far worse.

Insults are your defense?
You are entitled to your opinion even if it is wrong.

So you’re honestly saying console performs as good as pc? Not including known bugs and etc?

TequilaFire · November 2018

I am saying I enjoy myself equally on both platforms socially PS4 is better PvP wise but yes PC does have better graphics and addons but that alone does not make PS4 "crap" as graphics are more than adequate for play. I can't speak for Xbox.
And bugs are the issue here.

maboleth · November 2018

While I always appreciate Gina responding anywhere on these forums, what she said happened so many times in the past.
Zeni representative didn't respond to people here or in Bug forums and then suddenly, when people demanded it heavily, they showed, apologized, hanged out for a few days and disappeared again. IMO, not the best way to communicate.

I wish we could have one person doing that job - hang out with the community on daily basis, giving insights, appreciating bug reports - like we have so many mods filtering our words. Or like that super friendly Kai guy that Germans have.

But oh well... keep writing Bug reports, speaking with yourself most of the time and occasional "me too" from other players.

Elsonso · November 2018

maboleth wrote: »

While I always appreciate Gina responding anywhere on these forums, what she said happened so many times in the past.

Zeni representative didn't respond to people here or in Bug forums and then suddenly, when people demanded it heavily, they showed, apologized, hanged out for a few days and disappeared again. IMO, not the best way to communicate.

I wish we could have one person doing that job - hang out with the community on daily basis, giving insights, appreciating bug reports - like we have so many mods filtering our words. Or like that super friendly Kai guy that Germans have.

But oh well... keep writing Bug reports, speaking with yourself most of the time and occasional "me too" from other players.

This much is true. It is odd, therefore, that they hired THREE people to do that at the beginning of this year.

"Starting tomorrow, we’re excited to welcome three new community reps to our forums: ZOS_Edward, ZOS_Chris and ZOS_Holden. You’ll be seeing them across all categories answering questions and providing help, and will also be working closely with the ESO Community Team. "

Then, these three people vanished.

I don't think astronomers need powerful telescopes to study distant black holes when ZOS has one in Maryland.

Linaleah · November 2018

lordrichter wrote: »

Linaleah wrote: »

/still trying to get past people actualy thinking that developers apparently are not people and are not allowed to enjoy hobbies in their free time. imagine if writers weren't allowed to read any books other then the ones they wrote.....

There would be a lot less plagiarism.

I hope you are not serious. exposing yourself to variety of thought and getting inspired by it =/= plagiarism.

here's another example. imagine if a professional painter... is not allowed to look at any other paintings by any other artists. you know what happens then? they stagnate. their art actualy becomes WORSE.

I will never EVER understand the kind of thinking that thinks immersing yourself in your job and ONLY your job, isolating yourself from any other influences.. is a good thing. its NOT a good thing. its a horrible thing.

I mean... consider for the moment that this is how we ended up in this communication limbo in a first place.

maboleth · November 2018

lordrichter wrote: »

maboleth wrote: »

While I always appreciate Gina responding anywhere on these forums, what she said happened so many times in the past.

Zeni representative didn't respond to people here or in Bug forums and then suddenly, when people demanded it heavily, they showed, apologized, hanged out for a few days and disappeared again. IMO, not the best way to communicate.

I wish we could have one person doing that job - hang out with the community on daily basis, giving insights, appreciating bug reports - like we have so many mods filtering our words. Or like that super friendly Kai guy that Germans have.

But oh well... keep writing Bug reports, speaking with yourself most of the time and occasional "me too" from other players.

This much is true. It is odd, therefore, that they hired THREE people to do that at the beginning of this year.

"Starting tomorrow, we’re excited to welcome three new community reps to our forums: ZOS_Edward, ZOS_Chris and ZOS_Holden. You’ll be seeing them across all categories answering questions and providing help, and will also be working closely with the ESO Community Team. "

Then, these three people vanished.

I don't think astronomers need powerful telescopes to study distant black holes when ZOS has one in Maryland.

Oh really? I didn't know that. Sigh, well, another failed promise. I'm not one of those that always dis everything ZOS guys say. To the contrary. But I'm kind of tired of - we apologize, we will ... <snip>, and never actually move from there.

Like do something guys. One time I complained of ZOS chronically not giving a damn for Bug reports. Gina soon responded and replied to most of newest bug reports. Of course that brief crack of light ended very soon. But, for real, get someone to do that on a regular basis. To keep reporters in the right track. We know there's a big hierarchy of bug reports, but knowing whether it's intended, needs more info or it's really a bug, could do wonders.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · November 2018

maboleth wrote: »

lordrichter wrote: »

maboleth wrote: »

While I always appreciate Gina responding anywhere on these forums, what she said happened so many times in the past.

Zeni representative didn't respond to people here or in Bug forums and then suddenly, when people demanded it heavily, they showed, apologized, hanged out for a few days and disappeared again. IMO, not the best way to communicate.

I wish we could have one person doing that job - hang out with the community on daily basis, giving insights, appreciating bug reports - like we have so many mods filtering our words. Or like that super friendly Kai guy that Germans have.

But oh well... keep writing Bug reports, speaking with yourself most of the time and occasional "me too" from other players.

This much is true. It is odd, therefore, that they hired THREE people to do that at the beginning of this year.

"Starting tomorrow, we’re excited to welcome three new community reps to our forums: ZOS_Edward, ZOS_Chris and ZOS_Holden. You’ll be seeing them across all categories answering questions and providing help, and will also be working closely with the ESO Community Team. "

Then, these three people vanished.

I don't think astronomers need powerful telescopes to study distant black holes when ZOS has one in Maryland.

Oh really? I didn't know that. Sigh, well, another failed promise. I'm not one of those that always dis everything ZOS guys say. To the contrary. But I'm kind of tired of - we apologize, we will ... <snip>, and never actually move from there.

Like do something guys. One time I complained of ZOS chronically not giving a damn for Bug reports. Gina soon responded and replied to most of newest bug reports. Of course that brief crack of light ended very soon. But, for real, get someone to do that on a regular basis. To keep reporters in the right track. We know there's a big hierarchy of bug reports, but knowing whether it's intended, needs more info or it's really a bug, could do wonders.

Just to add a little "Hope", here are the 2 threads from this year on Community Reps and by the new game designer.
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/391225/welcome-to-our-new-community-reps
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/431222/hello-from-the-lead-gameplay-designer/p1

Ashilda_Dragonheart · November 2018

TheDuck wrote: »

Instead of complaining on these boards (which accomplishes nothing) complain with your wallet.

Stop spending money on this game, and when the coffers run dry, Zen will do something about it.
Or not, and the game goes under. Either way, problem solved.

I think the game might be going under already...I'm sorry, I'm not trying to insult the game or anything, I love it so much, but...the vibe I'm getting is that the servers may be shut down within the next few years, or even early next year.
I'm going to miss this game but I am planning to delete it in the next few days. I had such a fun time with it but now...I just can't play because it's so laggy. It seems like they are not maintaining it like they used to. This has been going on since Summerset. I was expecting this to happen eventually, but I'm going to miss it so much.