ESO & ZOS Q&A Information (London Elsweyr Press Event Info)

jhall03

Vapirko wrote: »

While I was initially really excited for Elsweyr because of the new combat team and some class reps who said they were pretty hyped for what was coming, this just looks like more of the same. These answers against seem like they dont really get the core of what's frustrating with the game and the new preview of the Necro class also indicates that they're going to continue to release the types of skills that make this game hell, and we will see yet another class that is way over tuned for a year+

I kind of agree, and it's evident in the Dev's response to a question about a performance improvement patch. The Dev says they are aware of performance issues but rather prefer/have to continue to push out new content instead, neglecting people that play at "higher levels". Sigh

There are some great QOL improvements finally being added to this game, and it's really easy to get hyped about a new class and content. But I just watched Xynode's necromancer preview video and the only thing I could think of was how all of these new mechanics and effects are going to further degrade game performance, especially on console.

VaranisArano

Thanks to you and the ZOS Devs for going through all this info!

It is very encouraging to get these updates, especially even when the answer is No, Not Now, or Maybe in the Far Off Future.

Now if only we can get Q&A events like this more often

zyk

More of the same.

- low priority for fixing bugs
- high priority for pumping out new content to sell
- monetization of what should be basic qol
- low priority for enthusiasts
- high priority for occasional players who probably stay subbed all year
- no apparent desire to make a great game, this is only about $$$$

They're going to make a fortune selling Skyshards to new Necromancers. Distasteful and disappointing.

Is Rob Garrett our new effigy?

_Medusa_

First of all, a big thank you to @Turelus for all your time and work on bringing us info from the press event in London!

My opinion on some of the comments about devs just pushing new content instead of fixing bugs/game issues:

• ESO/ZOS is first and foremost a business. New content is what attracts new and returning players, and what keeps the current player base interested.
• The devs working on new content, crown store or otherwise, are *not* the same people who test/fix bugs.
• Also, and most importantly, new content, expansions, crown store items, etc., are what keeps this game alive. I prefer ESO doing well, instead of dying/closing.

Tandor

Very good and informative read, many thanks for the time taken in attending and reporting on this event @Turelus .

The one constant topic that seems to be missing from the write-up is server performance, was that covered at all? I know you covered bugs and fixes, but for many players it seems that just being able to play the game is enough of a problem in itself.

FrancisCrawford

Turelus wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

I would run quests more if combat with mobs was more interesting. Not harder per say just more interesting.

There is a fine line there though when interesting becomes a chore. When I am doing story/quest content I want feel engaged, but I don't want every trash fight to become a grind or tactical chess game.

I like blowing through trash mobs as if they were tissue paper.

Harder boss fights in overland quests would be fine. I think I'd actually want them; I'm sure I wouldn't mind if they were put in to please other people.

Turelus

zyk wrote: »

Is Rob Garrett our new effigy?

I hope not because he's a really sound guy. He was very open and honest with answers to questions I posed, at no point did I feel I was getting the "marketing reply" to things I asked him.

As for the ZOS not fixing things but just making more content. I stand by what I have said where these are frustrating issues, but clearly they're not so bad we don't play the game. Just because they're going to keep working on content doesn't mean they're not going to continue doing bug fixes.
In the grand scheme of things the issues we have that frustrate probably are pretty minor, not an excuse for them to ignore them but they shouldn't require an entire patch to fix them.

Turelus

Tandor wrote: »

Very good and informative read, many thanks for the time taken in attending and reporting on this event Turelus .

The one constant topic that seems to be missing from the write-up is server performance, was that covered at all? I know you covered bugs and fixes, but for many players it seems that just being able to play the game is enough of a problem in itself.

I personally didn't ask because I expected the same answers as normal, I don't recall if it came up in the Q&A. I think focus was more on game balance and updates to game systems.

BrightOblivion

That's very informative and was an interesting read. So thanks for that. I was nonplussed about them adding skyshards to the crownstore (their marketing team is horrendous at setting prices). I totally understand not wanting to take a patch off to do bug fixes, although I might argue that there's lost value in new content if errors and issues make that new content unenjoyable. But it's a tough call. I get that.

What I'm curious about is who handles the things like eidetic memory books and their placement in zones (which seems like a blend of zone and lore and questing with an interface thrown in) and if there's a plan to follow up on our reports regarding them. I know it's a topic I've brought up several times lately, but much of my current playtime is spent accumulating books (apart from 3 in BRP, one for becoming a vampire, and a lot of motif pages- though I'm caught up on ones released before Summerset now- I'm just missing broken ones) or fishing, and occasionally doing group content. So it's kind of a pet project for me. An at times incredibly frustrating pet project.

Turelus

BrightOblivion wrote: »

That's very informative and was an interesting read. So thanks for that. I was nonplussed about them adding skyshards to the crownstore (their marketing team is horrendous at setting prices). I totally understand not wanting to take a patch off to do bug fixes, although I might argue that there's lost value in new content if errors and issues make that new content unenjoyable. But it's a tough call. I get that.

What I'm curious about is who handles the things like eidetic memory books and their placement in zones (which seems like a blend of zone and lore and questing with an interface thrown in) and if there's a plan to follow up on our reports regarding them. I know it's a topic I've brought up several times lately, but much of my current playtime is spent accumulating books (apart from 3 in BRP, one for becoming a vampire, and a lot of motif pages- though I'm caught up on ones released before Summerset now- I'm just missing broken ones) or fishing, and occasionally doing group content. So it's kind of a pet project for me. An at times incredibly frustrating pet project.

Not sure which team handles that specifically. I would imagine during development it would be the lore/zones/story teams, once it's live and becomes more of a bug I couldn't guess.

If any books which can't be gained after a quest, don't unlock etc. are reported ZOS generally tries to bundle fixes into updates.
If you know of some make a bug report on the forums and they should be able to flag them for a fix.

SFDB

I apologize if this was answered and I missed it, but did they say how many character slots would be added with Elswyre? X for everyone, Y in crown store, or whatever? It would be nice to know how many necromancers I can have without needing to delete someone.

Turelus

SFDB wrote: »

I apologize if this was answered and I missed it, but did they say how many character slots would be added with Elswyre? X for everyone, Y in crown store, or whatever? It would be nice to know how many necromancers I can have without needing to delete someone.

Nothing was said that I recall sorry. All I know is they will charge for them.

BrightOblivion

Turelus wrote: »

BrightOblivion wrote: »

That's very informative and was an interesting read. So thanks for that. I was nonplussed about them adding skyshards to the crownstore (their marketing team is horrendous at setting prices). I totally understand not wanting to take a patch off to do bug fixes, although I might argue that there's lost value in new content if errors and issues make that new content unenjoyable. But it's a tough call. I get that.

What I'm curious about is who handles the things like eidetic memory books and their placement in zones (which seems like a blend of zone and lore and questing with an interface thrown in) and if there's a plan to follow up on our reports regarding them. I know it's a topic I've brought up several times lately, but much of my current playtime is spent accumulating books (apart from 3 in BRP, one for becoming a vampire, and a lot of motif pages- though I'm caught up on ones released before Summerset now- I'm just missing broken ones) or fishing, and occasionally doing group content. So it's kind of a pet project for me. An at times incredibly frustrating pet project.

Not sure which team handles that specifically. I would imagine during development it would be the lore/zones/story teams, once it's live and becomes more of a bug I couldn't guess.

If any books which can't be gained after a quest, don't unlock etc. are reported ZOS generally tries to bundle fixes into updates.
If you know of some make a bug report on the forums and they should be able to flag them for a fix.

Something like this, perhaps? I've considered making a new thread that's not 56 pages long, but am wary of stepping on someone's toes. or being accused of making a surplus thread that's not needed.

The frustrating part comes in that there have been ones that are reported over and over (like Orders to Halskar) without a word; that, after repeated mention of the three books in Summerset that are unobtainable after quests and are just put into your inventory without much preamble and removed with even less (which I guess is an issue that goes back to the last quest in Thieves Guild), they did it again with the Bright-Throat and Deadwater riddle fragments; and that, in spite of repeatedly asking ZOS to give a location for the DC books outside the Southern High Rock Gate (even if it's on the grounds of the Temple of Altadoon), they then proceeded to take a book that was available in Chalman Keep (in addition to a spot in the DC camp), and move it to Zimmeron's table in the Pact camp, without putting a spot available for AD.

I don't know. It feels like it's standing still, or moving backward. I've also asked in the past if there was more information I could give that would be more helpful (beyond just name of book, zone, and associated quest), and wonder what criteria I should be using as I list them. For instance, the criteria I'm currently using are things like "Does it disappear after a quest?" "Is the only area it's located in only available during that quest?" "If it's in an area locked off after a quest, is it required to interact with the book in order to progress that quest (because then you have the book and it doesn't matter)?" I'm just not sure.

To be fair, though, they did say that they're still trying to iron out the whole communication thing.

jhall03

_Medusa_ wrote: »

First of all, a big thank you to @Turelus for all your time and work on bringing us info from the press event in London!

My opinion on some of the comments about devs just pushing new content instead of fixing bugs/game issues:

• ESO/ZOS is first and foremost a business. New content is what attracts new and returning players, and what keeps the current player base interested.
• The devs working on new content, crown store or otherwise, are *not* the same people who test/fix bugs.
• Also, and most importantly, new content, expansions, crown store items, etc., are what keeps this game alive. I prefer ESO doing well, instead of dying/closing.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the president and CEO of Zenimax Online Studios

Hallothiel

I am a bit surprised that they read the forums. If I worked for Zos and read these forums I would have probably quit my job by now in despair!

We can be quite a bunch of demanding entitled stubborn never satisfied petty idiots.

But thank you for posting this - and how did you get an invite??! Would love to go to something ESO based in the UK (can’t afford to get to America sadly).

xaraan

Turelus wrote: »

Universe wrote: »

Though I don't like the above changes.
Skyshard packs, monster helm items and skill lines in the crown store etc. is P2W.
There is no point arguing about it.
The moment it lands in the crown store, I will safely label ESO as P2W game.

I would still argue it isn't because the player has already done the work, this is just saving you time on new characters from running around zones gathering shards just to play your new character.

It's granting no advantage save the time investment of new characters getting skills which there are already things in the store that do that on some level.

There is nothing being sold that grants a distinct and real money only advantage. P2W for me at least is things like "gold ammo".

I disagree with the line you draw. I guess we all have different opinions on what P2W is, but it's not just selling something so super strong that you cannot get in game at all and have to buy in store.

To me, it's selling power. Classifying something as a time saver might be an interesting way of looking at it, but everything in an MMO is about putting time and effort into it, so "time-saver" sounds like a good buzz word if you don't think about it, but not much more than that. It's selling power. You can have a brand new necromancer with a hundred skill points ready to go before you even start opening skills (and we already know how much of a joke leveling is in the game now). So yeah, having a guy run into lowbie pvp with every passive and skill opened they have unlocked as soon as they get it without having to do the work for it is buying power. Just because you did it on your main, doesn't mean it's not.

I mean, that's a pretty slippery slope. Hey, I did MA once, so I should be able to buy any MA weapon I want right? Hey, I leveled one character to 50, why do I have to level this guy? It's just a time saver to give me a level 50 guy straight away really right? Why do I have to morph these skills, I've already morphed them on this other guy. Hey, why do I have to do these quests again? Just give the me the clears, skill points, lorebooks, wayshrines, etc. on every character I want b/c I did them once already!

So yeah, I think P2W is a bit broader than buying some OP weapon only available on a store. It's selling power. And that is what this does. It gives an in game advantage past saving time to people that have the money.

Let's not forget, picking up shards in places like cyro or IC, or in DLC zones after you've unsubbed isn't just a time convenience.

Chufu

I think I wouldn't consider the "ALT character unlock" as a P2W, because it's just convenience. You can still decide to farm all your skyshards on your own with your alt characters. So you don't have to buy those.

Of course it makes it easier, even you want to play a necromancer. I think I would do that as well, because I am too lazy to farm all those skyshards again and just want to use it right away in raids and dungeons.

But the good thing is, that it is not a gamechanging-thing, it's just for lazy guys like me.

Elsonso

Thanks for writing this up, and asking the questions.

zyk wrote: »

Is Rob Garrett our new effigy?

I have to say "No" to that. For every one of the brief answers that the OP provides, there is a good half hour conversation behind them. He knows his stuff.

BrightOblivion wrote: »

What I'm curious about is who handles the things like eidetic memory books and their placement in zones (which seems like a blend of zone and lore and questing with an interface thrown in)

I think that would be the Lead Content Designer, Jeremy Sera.

xaraan wrote: »

I mean, that's a pretty slippery slope. Hey, I did MA once, so I should be able to buy any MA weapon I want right? Hey, I leveled one character to 50, why do I have to level this guy? It's just a time saver to give me a level 50 guy straight away really right? Why do I have to morph these skills, I've already morphed them on this other guy. Hey, why do I have to do these quests again? Just give the me the clears, skill points, lorebooks, wayshrines, etc. on every character I want b/c I did them once already!

This is my main concern with the whole Skyshards thing. I think I get what they are trying to do, and what problem they are trying to solve, but I remain unconvinced that it is a problem that they should be taking time to solve. Once they start down this road, is there an end to it?

xaraan wrote: »

Let's not forget, picking up shards in places like cyro or IC, or in DLC zones after you've unsubbed isn't just a time convenience.

An interesting thought. I do not know how this Skyshard sale will be done. I wonder how they are going to handle things like that.

Chicharron

Thanks for the info, but i swear that talking to them is the same as talking to a politician.

No matter the question, the answer is: we know, no eta, i do not confirm anything.

Wing

Turelus wrote: »

Nightmare Mode
Not planned as not enough people are clearing the current content to warrant it, they want to address the current game balance and accessibility first.
Rich also commented people don’t want to run content for the sake of content and there would need to be a reward system in place for this.

I hope this means there looking into the DLC dungeon and the fact that only a dozen people can / are doing them?

ezio45

zyk wrote: »

More of the same.

- low priority for fixing bugs
- high priority for pumping out new content to sell
- monetization of what should be basic qol
- low priority for enthusiasts
- high priority for occasional players who probably stay subbed all year
- no apparent desire to make a great game, this is only about $$$$

They're going to make a fortune selling Skyshards to new Necromancers. Distasteful and disappointing.

Is Rob Garrett our new effigy?

I have mixed feeling on the guy. I dont think he is a bad guy but I also get the impression he is very out of touch with what the community wants.

At least if he is responsible for some of the changes we have seen of late. The comment about how they are balancing the classes bothers me alot. It makes me go over the combat decisions since he has been at the position. If this is the reason we have seen such broad stroke changes to class abilities by certain "rule sets". Im not a fan of these types of changes and feel it hurts the classes more than it help anyone. The classes are not all the same and what might need a nerf on one class maybe be fine on another.

Tandor

Turelus wrote: »

SFDB wrote: »

I apologize if this was answered and I missed it, but did they say how many character slots would be added with Elswyre? X for everyone, Y in crown store, or whatever? It would be nice to know how many necromancers I can have without needing to delete someone.

Nothing was said that I recall sorry. All I know is they will charge for them.

Haven't they previously said that there will be one free slot plus unspecified extra slot(s) in the Crown Store? I thought that was said at the first Elsweyr broadcast.

Morgul667

Their perception of game performance is borderline insulting

Sure lets keep our player base frustrated that is going to work fine....

We have a gem in our hands but we are happy to destroy it step by step

anadandy

Tandor wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

SFDB wrote: »

I apologize if this was answered and I missed it, but did they say how many character slots would be added with Elswyre? X for everyone, Y in crown store, or whatever? It would be nice to know how many necromancers I can have without needing to delete someone.

Nothing was said that I recall sorry. All I know is they will charge for them.

Haven't they previously said that there will be one free slot plus unspecified extra slot(s) in the Crown Store? I thought that was said at the first Elsweyr broadcast.

That is my recollection as well.

max_only

Thanks for the write up.

I’m once again demoralized

thegreat_one

Having to go looking for skyshards on each toon is th kind of activity alot of social guilds thrive off of. It actually supports guilds IMO

Faulgor

Turelus wrote: »

Nightmare Mode
Not planned as not enough people are clearing the current content to warrant it, they want to address the current game balance and accessibility first.
Rich also commented people don’t want to run content for the sake of content and there would need to be a reward system in place for this.

What's Nightmare mode? Even harder stages beyond hardmodes for current group content?
I'd rather have a statement about a veteran difficulty for overland PvE content, because that has been a topic of discussion for a long time ...

Tholian1

Wing wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

Nightmare Mode
Not planned as not enough people are clearing the current content to warrant it, they want to address the current game balance and accessibility first.
Rich also commented people don’t want to run content for the sake of content and there would need to be a reward system in place for this.

I hope this means there looking into the DLC dungeon and the fact that only a dozen people can / are doing them?

There is already a Nightmare Mode for the dlc dungeons. It’s called the Activity Finder. The devs really should be balancing their dungeons based on the random mixed bag of talent that makes up most of the groups filled with that tool.

FleetwoodSmack

That bug excuse though...

"Rob used Dodge. It wasn't very effective."

Beardimus

Wing wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

Nightmare Mode
Not planned as not enough people are clearing the current content to warrant it, they want to address the current game balance and accessibility first.
Rich also commented people don’t want to run content for the sake of content and there would need to be a reward system in place for this.

I hope this means there looking into the DLC dungeon and the fact that only a dozen people can / are doing them?

Honestly, that's an exaggeration. Sure if you get a PUG and have a CP10, CP100 in green mismatched armour and a DD with a frost staff queing as a tank and no one knows the mechanics they are hard.

But the smallest bit of effort and they very doable, you don't even need full CP players. We recently started taking players in our guild who hasn't done them through then, most started with 10-15k DPS and the process means they have all grown hugely and now started to clear vMA etc.

Nightmare Mode for overland would be incredible. It's way too easy and means wandering the world at CP Cap is dull, sadly. It would be great to make it hard and allow long term players a ton more content, and it's an optional toggle.

Anyway its a moot point as per Ture's comment. But my point is DLC dungeons are not that hard if you plan then - and it's an MMORPG after all