Obtainable mounts through rare achievements - A plea by a frustrated fan

Reyn

I have been playing the Elder Scrolls Online for around 3 years now and have enjoyed the game immeasurably, however, one thing ESO does lack, in my opinion, is depth at high level content. I feel as though after reaching the end game, participating in difficult dungeons, raids, slaying away in Cyrodiil/ battlegrounds, things begin to get monotonous without a proper reward - for example, an item that one might "show off" to friends/ guild mates. I see just how much people have loved earning costumes added in the Orsinium DLC and I am wondering if ESO may be interested in adding the ability to earn mounts to the game.

Looking at games such as WoW, earned mounts are a symbol of effort, hard work and skill. People may 'flaunt' these mounts around cities or in mount competitions. I believe this level of depth may be needed in ESO to keep the end game content more rewarding for existing players, and may bring back old players who see nothing left to gain. Personally, I have not considered purchasing the DLC Murkmire. Although the story may be fun and interesting, as a player who enjoys delving deep into everything zones may offer, there is simply a lack of reward for completing these achievements. I believe for myself and many others who seem to agree with me, this level of depth in the game is necessary to increase the longevity of the players interest. Addition of these high level mounts into upcoming DLC's may increase the likelihood of people like me purchasing these DLCs/ membership.

Player satisfaction would definitely be met, with loot boxes (in ESO's case crown crates) being heavily criticised. This type of backlash is evident in games such as Shadow of War, Battlefront II, Overwatch and more. Stocks in companies like Ubisoft and EA have been falling rapidly, due to a number of reasons but including in all is the appearance of loot boxes. From these examples it is clear to see just how much consumers despise loot boxes. Players in ESO do not seem to be too phased over crown crates, however the issue in player satisfaction in the game lies with the hesitance of Zenimax Online Studios to add other content on may be able to earn into the game (e.g. mounts).

I am a huge fan of ESO's storytelling, combat and gameplay. However, without this depth at endgame it is easy to see just how much a player might get 'tired' of the game. I hope this post will not go un-noticed as this is an issue I believe is affecting the game that I have grown to love in a negative manner. ~Reyn

Exalted_Goose

110% agreed. I'm always stopped more by players using something like the Worm Wizard personality - something rare and reflective of proper effort and achievement to get - than someone flaunting this season's Radiant Apex Mounts. Currently, all that Mounts indicate is how much money you've thrown at the game and/or how lucky you've been with Crown Crates - I'm not, "impressed", by them at all. In contrast, Skins and PvE-earned Personalities denote skill, achievement, and are therefore so much more satisfying and impressive to see used.

In my opinion, providing more incentives for end-game content is a very good thing, and fancy Mounts that show that you've overcome the challenges of such content is a fantastic means of doing so. +1 to the OP.

Enemy-of-Coldharbour

Apex players already get skins, titles and the best gear. Greedy much?

Shezzarrine

I love the idea, even if it were tied to something like Gryphon Heart. More variety with DLC dungeon achievements would be nice too. Something the Dro-M'athra Senche should be a reward for vMoL HM. Earnable mounts should be in game.

Unfortunately many people who dont want to put in effort to get cosmetic would be dead-set against this. There are already people who complain about skins being locked behind "hard" content. So instead of it just being end game, the more flamboyant or more unique ones could be locked behind end game content but there should also be some unlocked by simple questing or things like that. Maybe an alliance horse for each faction questline completed, things of that nature.

Reyn

Enemy-of-Coldharbour wrote: »

Apex players already get skins, tiles and the best gear. Greedy much?

Skins are definitely the step in the right direction, however titles simply don't portray the same effects as skins/ mounts. By this I mean by walking around through cities, one may feel a sense of pride wearing their hard-gotten skin. However this is the extent of that point. Only through skins does one show their effort and skill. And for the point of gear, most of that is irrelevant through ESO's amazing outfit system, most of those clothing pieces however, may be bought through nothing more than gold.

Ragged_Claw

I agree too, I'm not really interested in crown-crate items, but when I see people with things like the Dro'Mathra skin, I drool I recall seeing someone on a Dro'Mathra mount for the first time and assuming they earned it through completing MoL, it was only later I realised it was from crown crates. I loved the costumes that were rewarded from the various quests in Orsinium too, and would like to have seen something similar from Murkmire. Each DLC seems to include less in the way of rewards (why could that be I wonder? /s) and I have found my interest and motivation waning a bit.

So yes, I'd love to see far more earnable mounts, pets and costumes in-game.

TheGreatBlackBear

Skin selling is already a thing. Mount selling would be too. I trust nobody until I've stood with them in a vet dlc trial. Regardless of what skin, title or personality they show me.

Hoolielulu

I'd still like to see some crown crates hidden in-game.

SanguineMyBrother

The Orsinium costumes and the personality from Morrowind were great. They weren't locked behind the hardest content in game. More skins, mounts, personalities, etc from questing would be neat. They could put that coveted Maomer fish skin that was datamined as a reward for earning the Master Angler title for example.

I need that fish skin, Zos

Hoolielulu

SanguineMyBrother wrote: »

The Orsinium costumes and the personality from Morrowind were great. They weren't locked behind the hardest content in game. More skins, mounts, personalities, etc from questing would be neat. They could put that coveted Maomer fish skin that was datamined as a reward for earning the Master Angler title for example.

I need that fish skin, Zos

I'd fish my butt off for that skin.

Jaraal

I agree with rewarding hard work with exclusive prizes, but unfortunately it would just lead to the lazy whining about not being able to get good stuff. And with the current business model, ZOS caters to these folks by making most stuff available for cash...... errr...... crowns.

eso_nya

that had me dream of a world w/ a superawesome mount that costs 10m gold and requires all the trial dungeon/achievs, ava 50, master angler, explorer, tamriel hero and maxed out guildlines to buy.

back to "lul, i got a radiant apex from a free crate, but is so ugly i never use it".

Katahdin

There are enough things locked behind super hard content/achievements so I would disagree with adding special mounts to that list

Reyn

Katahdin wrote: »

There are enough things locked behind super hard content/achievements so I would disagree with adding special mounts to that list

I might have to disagree with you there. Compared to many games the content rewarded through hard achievements are quite lacking. The skins rewarded are great but other than those, there is little in the way of reward. These mounts would be exclusive but not "locked", only an option to those with the will to get them.

Reyn

I feel the need to bump this post now, Zenimax have released a mount from the Crown Crates for 600 gems. A complete lack of respect to their community. To those who claim I may be greedy for asking they add content to the game instead of overpriced gambling for cosmetics, I simply can't argue with you any longer. I hope Zenimax recognizes the issue in their own greed and compensates for it.

Callous2208

You're essentially asking them to turn their backs on a bunch of [snip] to offer incentives to real players for actually playing the game. No way they even consider that with all the [snip] dropping 100's for shinies in the CS. You know who hates working hard and playing the game for achievement rewards? [snip].

[Edit for baiting.]

Reyn

Callous2208 wrote: »

You're essentially asking them to turn their backs on a bunch of [snip] to offer incentives to real players for actually playing the game. No way they even consider that with all the [snip] dropping 100's for shinies in the CS. You know who hates working hard and playing the game for achievement rewards? [snip].

[Edit for baiting.]

I've come to hate how true that statement is. I love ESO but have just felt so betrayed by ZoS and can only hope they see reason. I only hope the see how the addition of crown crates and reluctance to add meaningful content will only eventually lead to the death of their game.

Sylvermynx

Jeez louise. What a couple of nasty posts from a couple of nasty people. I play the game - in fact I roleplay each of my girls while I'm playing. I love the game, it's huge fun. I don't have any interest in "endgame" stuff - quests and overland are my fun (well, quests would be my fun if my ping wasn't sky high - 2000+ ms - so that I could actually DO the quest lines.... *sigh*)....

I am also a whale. I have sufficient disposable income to buy whatever I want. I draw the line at the crates right now for a couple of reasons: first, there's really not much in the "buy with gems" stuff I want; and second, I'm so far ahead on ZOS right now I just hate to buy any more of them. (In other words, since I started playing in June, I have got so much really cool stuff from the previous crates - free and purchased - that ZOS is WAY WAY in the hole....)

So yeah - color me offended.

Jaraal

Reyn wrote: »

I feel the need to bump this post now, Zenimax have released a mount from the Crown Crates for 600 gems. A complete lack of respect to their community. To those who claim I may be greedy for asking they add content to the game instead of overpriced gambling for cosmetics, I simply can't argue with you any longer. I hope Zenimax recognizes the issue in their own greed and compensates for it.

Just a matter of time before the Radiant Apex mounts will be available for "purchase." I'm guessing they will start at 1200 gems each.

Callous2208

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Jeez louise. What a couple of nasty posts from a couple of nasty people. I play the game - in fact I roleplay each of my girls while I'm playing. I love the game, it's huge fun. I don't have any interest in "endgame" stuff - quests and overland are my fun (well, quests would be my fun if my ping wasn't sky high - 2000+ ms - so that I could actually DO the quest lines.... *sigh*)....

I am also a whale. I have sufficient disposable income to buy whatever I want. I draw the line at the crates right now for a couple of reasons: first, there's really not much in the "buy with gems" stuff I want; and second, I'm so far ahead on ZOS right now I just hate to buy any more of them. (In other words, since I started playing in June, I have got so much really cool stuff from the previous crates - free and purchased - that ZOS is WAY WAY in the hole....)

So yeah - color me offended.

If I could somehow find a way to offend all the whales of the gaming world so much so that they went back to spending their money, hard earned or given by daddy/hubby, elsewhere, I'd be tickled pink.
I've got the disposable income to be a whale many times over. But I remember being a gamer before I had wealth and that means something to me. I'd like to see games designed for people to enjoy and earn rewards based on time and effort while having fun, not the size of their wallets.

Sylvermynx

I earned my money. And I earned my retirement. NO ONE HAS TO BUY ANYTHING IN ANY GAME.

Reverb

This works in WoW because their primary revenue is subscriptions, so they can incentivize content for the sake of running content. The eso b2p model relies on crown store purchases more heavily than subscriptions, so almost everything worth showing off will remain behind a pay wall. Even content reward skins are locked in dlcs.

Katahdin

Reyn wrote: »

Katahdin wrote: »

There are enough things locked behind super hard content/achievements so I would disagree with adding special mounts to that list

I might have to disagree with you there. Compared to many games the content rewarded through hard achievements are quite lacking. The skins rewarded are great but other than those, there is little in the way of reward. These mounts would be exclusive but not "locked", only an option to those with the will to get them.

Yea the 600 gem mount is a bit much. Ive no interest in it at all.

There has been a series of events that will give people a neat new mount of their choice if they do the things.
Yea its not super hard content to do but if you work anyone can get it with out beating their head against the keyboard.

Im all for in game earnable rewards but I am not for rewards that only the super elite 50K DPS players can get while the <30K DPS peasants cant touch it with a 10 foot pole

There are motifs that only really drop in vet DLC HM dungeons that many cant get unless they spend stupid amounts of gold
There are people that sell vet trial achievement and skin runs, again for stupid amounts of gold.

You sound like someone that mades a lot of gold selling skin runs and cant make enough from the motifs to make you happy so you want yet something else to gouge the people that cant do those things with. Either that or you just arnt getting your "Im a special snowflake" feeling from what is available to you already

Callous2208

Game has changed a lot over the years. It's never had very many content completion incentives compared to other mmos. But it used to at least drop a steady supply of decent content. Now all the dlc's and chapters are quick garbage merry go rounds with lackluster stories and dailies, as well as pretty underwhelming scenery. The cash shop is the only thing thats gotten any meaningful attention in quite a few years.

Jaraal

Callous2208 wrote: »

I'd like to see games designed for people to enjoy and earn rewards based on time and effort while having fun, not the size of their wallets.

This is a noble sentiment, but I don't foresee anyone donating millions of dollars to fund a totally free to play game (of any quality) out of the kindness of their heart. These game studios are big business, with shareholders to satisfy, so they will look for every penny available to collect. Some companies are just more subtle about how they acquire revenue.

Reyn

Katahdin wrote: »

Reyn wrote: »

Katahdin wrote: »

There are enough things locked behind super hard content/achievements so I would disagree with adding special mounts to that list

I might have to disagree with you there. Compared to many games the content rewarded through hard achievements are quite lacking. The skins rewarded are great but other than those, there is little in the way of reward. These mounts would be exclusive but not "locked", only an option to those with the will to get them.

Yea the 600 gem mount is a bit much. Ive no interest in it at all.

There are motifs that only really drop in vet DLC HM dungeons that many cant get unless they spend stupid amounts of gold
There are people that sell vet trial achievement and skin runs, again for stupid amounts of gold.

You sound like someone that mades a lot of gold selling skin runs and cant make enough from the motifs to make you happy so you want yet something else to gouge the people that cant do those things with. Either that or you just arnt getting your "Im a special snowflake" feeling from what is available to you already

Actually I have earned almost all of my money through simply farming raw mats in Craglorn ahahah. I also enjoy PvP alot more than PvE and there is even less in the way of money making or rewards in PvP

Callous2208

Jaraal wrote: »

Callous2208 wrote: »

I'd like to see games designed for people to enjoy and earn rewards based on time and effort while having fun, not the size of their wallets.

This is a noble sentiment, but I don't foresee anyone donating millions of dollars to fund a totally free to play game (of any quality) out of the kindness of their heart. These game studios are big business, with shareholders to satisfy, so they will look for every penny available to collect. Some companies are just more subtle about how they acquire revenue.

Oh I understand and agree completely. It's why I was and still am a fan of the subscription model. Sadly that's just not sustainable or even near as lucrative anymore.

Sylvermynx

Reverb wrote: »

This works in WoW because their primary revenue is subscriptions, so they can incentivize content for the sake of running content. The eso b2p model relies on crown store purchases more heavily than subscriptions, so almost everything worth showing off will remain behind a pay wall. Even content reward skins are locked in dlcs.

Eh, but WoW went in directions that meant I didn't find it fun any more - well, so did RIFT actualy. Unlike ESO, which IS fun. I don't care about the locked skins, as I've never seen one I'd use anyway - talk about UGLY crap....

And I'd be fine with mounts locked behind content I'd never be able to do.

I'm NOT fine with people dissing whales like me.

Callous2208

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Reverb wrote: »

This works in WoW because their primary revenue is subscriptions, so they can incentivize content for the sake of running content. The eso b2p model relies on crown store purchases more heavily than subscriptions, so almost everything worth showing off will remain behind a pay wall. Even content reward skins are locked in dlcs.

Eh, but WoW went in directions that meant I didn't find it fun any more - well, so did RIFT actualy. Unlike ESO, which IS fun. I don't care about the locked skins, as I've never seen one I'd use anyway - talk about UGLY crap....

And I'd be fine with mounts locked behind content I'd never be able to do.

I'm NOT fine with people dissing whales like me.

You're not gonna find much sympathy for whales in the gaming world [snip]. Nor should you.

[Edit for bait.]

Sylvermynx

*laughing* You're not getting any sympathy from me since you don't seem to get how things work....

You go your way, I'll go mine. Note please, I haven't called you names.... or said anything that's not totally true. I'm not sure what your issue is, but hey - you can feel quite free to ignore me.

Katahdin

Callous2208 wrote: »

Game has changed a lot over the years. The cash shop is the only thing thats gotten any meaningful attention in quite a few years.

I can agree with you on the above statements. It does seem as though the crown store gets the bulk of the time these days, which is really sad honestly