U21 launch day load times and how you can help

Sylvermynx

I loved all the games. In between playing TES, I went back to SSI Gold Box games (now THOSE are really antique - started playing them in 1985....) and then picked up WoW and RIFT.

TES owns my heart though - and that does include ESO. So I'm willing to deal with maybe 2 hours of a loading screen, so I can get back to playing! Love being retired.... means I get to play all day - eventually!

Tommy_The_Gun

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Next Monday with the PC launch of Update 21, we’ll be implementing some code related to ESO’s database that will allow us greater flexibility with updates and maintenance as it continues to grow over time. Due to this change, after downloading the patch on Monday, you are likely to encounter a very long load screen upon first logging into the game. This will only occur the first time you log in after character select, and it will not affect subsequent logins. That said, the length of the load screen could vary anywhere between 5-10 minutes to a couple hours. We understand this is far from ideal and is frustrating on launch day, but it’s a necessary evil just this one time.

Now, this loading is actually directly tied to the total number of bank items, inventory items, and mail attachments everyone has. This means if you’re able to clear out excess items in your inventory and attachments before maintenance begins Monday morning (or even just reduce them), this will greatly help the amount of loading the client will need to do! Additionally, once you’re at the load screen, please just wait until you’ve made it into the game; closing the client will not speed things up.

Thanks for your understanding, everyone, and we look forward to Wrathstone and Update 21 launch in just a few days!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OFCu2-jxHw&list=PL0AQIMR-tpokOX4kIXDp4oyq-oqJhjjES&index=7

FrancisCrawford

An article from 2014 seems relevant here.

http://www.dbms2.com/2014/04/16/the-worst-database-developers-in-the-world/

radiostar

O Snap, Francis!

FrancisCrawford

alexessory wrote: »

I think I'm going to pass out, there was a reply in the German forum that says that craft bag inventory DOES count (Also mentions that variety of different items is more critical than huge stacks)

ZOS_KaiSchober wrote: »

Der Handwerksbeutel zählt ebenfalls zum Inventar von daher werden ESO Plus Mitglieder garkeine Chance haben, komplett aufzuräumen. Allerdings ist das nicht so ausschlaggebend, da eine große Anzahl verschiedener Gegenstände viel kritischer ist als ein hundertfach vorhandener Gegenstand.

Obviously what's going on is:

• The game is going to be creating new database records or similar structures somewhere.
• They've chosen to do this upon log-in rather than in the background or offline.
• They've chosen to limit this to a low number of records per account per second.

Whether a record says that there's 1 of somthing or 200 of something shouldn't much impact the level of effort here. In fact, 27,000 Alkahest might be easier to memorialize than a single traited and enchanted piece of set gear.

FrancisCrawford

OrdoHermetica wrote: »

CasgarTheSomnolent wrote: »

Does the game need to be connected to the internet during this process?

The entire reason behind the slow load is the server scanning and indexing your stuff as part of a database update, so yes, you definitely need to be connected to the internet.

A few thoughts on that:

• There definitely will be a scan.
• I'm guessing there will be new records rather than just an indexing of old ones.
• It's quite possible that the read part will be fast, with the vast majority of the time being in the write.

FrancisCrawford

efster wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Next Monday with the PC launch of Update 21, we’ll be implementing some code related to ESO’s database that will allow us greater flexibility with updates and maintenance as it continues to grow over time.

Can we get an actual answer whether or not there is any likelihood of this process wiping out people's inventory items, be they in backpack, bank, craft bag, or storage?

No, you can't have an answer, because damage would be caused by a bug; it won't be intended.

And what are the chances there's a bug?

::cough::

fgoron2000

Sylvermynx wrote: »

I loved all the games. In between playing TES, I went back to SSI Gold Box games (now THOSE are really antique - started playing them in 1985....) and then picked up WoW and RIFT.

TES owns my heart though - and that does include ESO. So I'm willing to deal with maybe 2 hours of a loading screen, so I can get back to playing! Love being retired.... means I get to play all day - eventually!

yup...retirement...hehehe...know what you mean

FrancisCrawford

JimmyJuJu wrote: »

Monsieur wrote: »

Out of interest, why can’t this be done during normal maintenance - Why does it have to be activated upon login?

Because some developer said it had to be done this way and probably made a big effing deal about it.

There surely was an alternative to take the whole game down longer until the database move was made and somewhat tested.

FrancisCrawford

ValkyriesWolf wrote: »

So, what in the German thread was said: stacks count as stacks, as far as I understood. So stack up if you can. The item count on different items and stacks will be more crucial. Furthermore the ZOS person, Kai, said that tje craft bag counts as well. He also said he assumes houses will count somehow as they are linked inventory wise to our account as well, but isn't sure about that. So probably yes, it will count chests and houses as well, but perhaps not if we're lucky.

One likely possibility:

Items in houses are stored as database records (because they're items) with extra fields (for their location in houses).

In that case it might make little difference whether they were inside or outside of storage chests.

FrancisCrawford

R1ckyDaMan wrote: »

Will the load time be affected by hard drive type? if I throw the game onto my ssd will the load time be quicker?

I'm guessing the slowness will be due to a per-account rate limit on the server side.

FrancisCrawford

wtlonewolf20 wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno What I want to know is why this particular feature wasn't tested in the PTS. Or was it? your comment did not indicate this. Also why did you wait until the Friday before the update? Literally giving those of us with Full set ups literally 2 days or less to "help".


All i can say is that this had better be worth it.

If you recall: They had a failed database copy on the PTS abandoned after more than 24 hours of trying.

That probably has a lot to do with why they're trying a different database move process on live.

FrancisCrawford

NoTimeToWait wrote: »

Truthsnark wrote: »

Does inventory in your houses count as well, or is that scanned when you first load into the house?

This is important question, because I have lots of furnishings in stacks of 2-10 items, that would be reasonable to place inside the house, if house doesn't add to the loading time. On the other hand, if each item in the house is counted as a separate stack, I would prefer to keep these items in inventory

My guess is the same as yours: Spreading duplicate items out in a house will make things slower.

pod88kk

@ZOS_GinaBruno
Should we take precautions in case items or materials are lost?

I want to make sure my 45k Alkahest will be safe

Sylvermynx

pod88kk wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno
Should we take precautions in case items or materials are lost?

I want to make sure my 45k Alkahest will be safe

Screenshots.... I did all toons' bags today, will do banks and craft bags tomorrow after writs/surveys. Two accounts.... so looking at a very long day - though I'm logging in the newer account first as there's a LOT less on it; may leave my main account for a day or so.... nothing I care about missing in the daily rewards at this point (I'll make sure to grab Monday's daily on both accounts tomorrow evening).

xxthir13enxx

Huh....well....

When/Where are the garage sales?lol
I’m looking forward to inventory clearance discount sales....lol

ArchMikem

Mr_Wolfe wrote: »

This is unacceptable.

It already takes me the better part of a day to download each new update, but at least I can play other (offline) games while I wait. Now you want to completely tie up my Xbox as well as my internet connection for an indefinite period?

I've got a better idea: How about on release day I uninstall ESO, cancel my plus membership, and never look back?

Bye FELICIA?

CatchMeTrolling

Well this will surely turn people off on during launch. This couldn’t have been implemented before launch?

freespirit

I'm sad...…. multiple 700 slot houses fully decorated...…. many more houses partially decorated or being used for storage.

8 storage chests...… all full.

13 characters all with a minimum of 60 slots full...…

ESO+ so 480 bank slots..... not full but you get my point!

Seriously you must have known about this before Friday???

Edit:- I've spent all day today thinning the herd...… still massive tbh

Edit 2 :- Stuff disappearing is an horrific thought...…. how do I screenshot everything??? I've been playing for 5 years!!

@ZOS_GinaBruno I know it's the weekend BUT you won't be back in the office before maintenance...…. at least clarify if homes are part of this load,...…

Storage chests yes ok they are part of our inventory BUT are decorated homes??

Facefister

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Next Monday with the PC launch of Update 21, we’ll be implementing some code related to ESO’s database that will allow us greater flexibility with updates and maintenance as it continues to grow over time. Due to this change, after downloading the patch on Monday, you are likely to encounter a very long load screen upon first logging into the game. This will only occur the first time you log in after character select, and it will not affect subsequent logins. That said, the length of the load screen could vary anywhere between 5-10 minutes to a couple hours. We understand this is far from ideal and is frustrating on launch day, but it’s a necessary evil just this one time.

Now, this loading is actually directly tied to the total number of bank items, inventory items, and mail attachments everyone has. This means if you’re able to clear out excess items in your inventory and attachments before maintenance begins Monday morning (or even just reduce them), this will greatly help the amount of loading the client will need to do! Additionally, once you’re at the load screen, please just wait until you’ve made it into the game; closing the client will not speed things up.

Thanks for your understanding, everyone, and we look forward to Wrathstone and Update 21 launch in just a few days!

Is there a risk that items will disappear?

Krandor

freespirit wrote: »

Edit:- I've spent all day today thinning the herd...… still massive tbh

Seriously is spending all day thinning the herd worth reducing your load screen by 1-2 hours or whatever it is? Just sounds like you spent way more time thinning the herd then the processs would have taken.

Sylvermynx

@Facefister - apparently there are those who believe so. Anecdotal evidence perhaps.... But I prefer to - believe things like this can be very.... bad.

I use databases on websites - phpbb and wordpress. The stuff that can happen is - not funny, and can make a website unusable. So.... I have redundant backups, and every day when I pull a new backup, I'm waiting for the guillotine. So far.... I'm one head in the basket over MANY sites and databases....

But believe me when I say that one head in the basket was a balls-up of extreme proportions.... I have taken steps so that should never happen again. But one never knows....

freespirit

Krandor wrote: »

freespirit wrote: »

Edit:- I've spent all day today thinning the herd...… still massive tbh

Seriously is spending all day thinning the herd worth reducing your load screen by 1-2 hours or whatever it is? Just sounds like you spent way more time thinning the herd then the processs would have taken.

@Krandor ffs yes...…. ofc it's worth it...…. one hour instead of two...…. 20mins instead of an hour...….. definitely worth it imo!!

Nave_Horsespitoon

I hope these time estimates are accurate. I can handle 5 min-2hours like a breeze. It took me three (3) full days to download this game! I think it was somewhere on day two I lost my mind and started to question reality, thinking it possible that I had accidentally (in my delirium), hooked up my old 3 com modem and dialed up the emergency connection number.
I don’t think I can maintain my sanity at all this time if it went from hours into days again! shakey LOL
So ya I’m saying my connection is sweaty dog slow.

skywarnmc27

This new how? after every maintenance there is a 5-20 min loading screen time. Been going on for years. I have sent in tickets, and mentioned it before with deaf ears.

Thorvarg

Sylvermynx wrote: »

SSI games (now THOSE are really antique - started playing them in 1985)

Love being retired.... means I get to play all day - eventually!

Same here and still looking for equivalent real strategy games, not those "Flinkfinger and jump" games.

Another positive aspect of being retired is, that you can sit in front of the monitor (monday), in the middle of chips, flips and cool drinks, and watch the exploding chat, with at least 10 threads with the tenor "extreme loading screen, do you have the same?"

Corpier

Got over 3000+ items/item stacks across all characters, bank, craft bag, and house.
I'm not going to give a ***, or make a change hoping to improve my luck.
Venting isn't needed 'cause I'm not shackled to my keyboard and mouse.
Easy to wait when I have work and school, and I can go outside because I'm not a tool.
Most of all I can be patient, I'll wait it out and feel completely serene.
Especially because my body is ready, so bring it on loadscreen!

P.S.(A.) If you fear the loadscreen and want to clear space by giving up motifs or materials I will take your stuff.

Edit: This is why I shouldn't drink and check the forum at 2 a.m.

Thorvarg

Looking forward to monday and being totally relaxed.

https://youtu.be/eFEeW2RLYs0

haelene

98 photos later and I've got a nice neat index of everything I have on all 13 of my characters, my bank, my home storage, and my crafting bag. Not that I believe this will be entirely necessary, but I'm a woman who likes to play it safe. Also I love organization, so this was really just an excuse to index something.

I say bring on the load screens and their possible complications (although let's hope there are none), I'm ready.

fgoron2000

skywarnmc27 wrote: »

This new how? after every maintenance there is a 5-20 min loading screen time. Been going on for years. I have sent in tickets, and mentioned it before with deaf ears.

different how? 5 to 20 minutes to possibly 2hours... that's how it's different