No map DLC (only the faintest whiff of a spoiler that, upon reflection, is just a mirage)

tinythinker

Currently the content types are new feature updates (e.g. housing), dungeon DLC, new map DLC, and chapters (bigger version of "new map DLC" with new public dungeons and a trial). There are also prologue quests in existing maps.

Here I am using map to refer to a zone that you can see when you look at the in-game map of Tamriel to emphasize the idea of telling new stories by adding a new zone to the map.

Yet it isn't necessary or even always desirable.

Sure, exploring a new zone is fun, as is seeing more of Tamriel or the realms of Oblivion getting filled out on maps. Lots of new zone artwork, etc. Having such DLC is fine. Yet we already have quite a lot of Tamriel filled in, and there are many more stories to tell. Not all of them require additions to the map.

In 2014 I suggested adding more stories to existing maps in the base game by opening up spaces within those zones with hatches, trap doors, hidden entrances, etc. that could take advantage of vertical and horizontal spaces that could be "opened up". In the Elsweyr prologue, good examples of this are the new areas that we uncovered in base game delves. They used it again to find "hidden" bases of the Dragonguard. Plus like always they can create large instances that aren't particularly focused on a certain map location that people can be transported to via clicking on a wagon, horse, ship, magic portal, etc. (such as the start of joining the Thieves Guild, or even the Heist and Sacrament delves themselves).

The idea isn't to overly clutter existing zones with new things. No need to go extremes. But there are spaces and building, even in cities, that can be "opened up" as it were. Or for those that are already explorable, new temporary NPCs (the wonders of phasing) and interactive objects can be added.

Now picture a major/long new quest line (with some new optional side quests) that takes you back through existing zones but through these extra spaces, (temporarily) repurposed spaces, well-written NPCs, and great story helped you see those places with new eyes. It could be a story that happens to travel across the map on adventure, or it could be a more localized story (consider the possibility of revisiting the Bosmer or Breton zones for a deeper dive into fleshing out their societies and lore).

To be clear, such stories would *not* mean the end of the other types of new content. We would still get new zones to explore as well. That just wouldn't be the *only* way to significantly add depth to the lore or grand new tales to our adventures.

Thanks for reading. May your day/evening/night be well.

tinythinker

Personally, it feels like spreading a new grand story two zones would be a minimum size and four the max, with three as the sweet spot. But that's just because I am imagining a regional-level story, so your mileage may vary. Plus a smaller number used (2-3) would keep from over-reusing zones.

In that vein, which 2-3 zone grouping would you want to see as the location of a new major story line?

MartiniDaniels

I want to see more quality content for Bretons and Bosmers. In original Daggerfall-Morrowind books they are described like interesting folk, but in ESO they are rather one-sided.

CassandraGemini

tinythinker wrote: »

Personally, it feels like spreading a new grand story two zones would be a minimum size and four the max, with three as the sweet spot. But that's just because I am imagining a regional-level story, so your mileage may vary. Plus a smaller number used (2-3) would keep from over-reusing zones.

In that vein, which 2-3 zone grouping would you want to see as the location of a new major story line?

I would actually love it, if they did something with the Imperial City/Cyrodiil PvE wise, but since that is probably not going to happen... I'll go with Glenumbra, Stormhaven, Rivenspire. I've just revisited these while leveling a new toon and it just feels to me like there is "more" they could have done with these zones. The Bretons could use some more in-depth exploration of their lore, something a bit more unique. Maybe somehow building upon their origins as half-elves?

Also, on a side note, I would love to see Count Ravenwatch come back for a side story or something. I really liked him as a character and his end was kind of unsatisfying, since we never even saw him again in Coldharbour, when really that would have made a lot of sense.

I could also imagine Grahtwood, Greenshade and Malabal Tor, if for no reason other than my love for Bosmer culture.

Mr_Walker

Blackreach.

Pyr0xyrecuprotite

Although I think this idea has been partially implemented with various Prologue questlines and dailies (e.g. Cyrodiilic Collection dailies), and perhaps also with certain festival event dailies like those for the New Life Festival (or Jester's Fest), the other partial implementation was... the Psijiic guild questline, in Summerset. And that was just terrible, especially for anyone trying to start a new account character on Summerset, who may have accidentally tried to start the Psijiic questline too. It's a good idea, but ZoS hasn't been so good at the implementation side.

dcam86b14_ESO

I personally don't visit old base zones unless I'm forced to because they are ugly and poorly designed.
Dont force that upon anyone, they should keep the tutorial coldharbour 100% of the time idk why they make a new one every expansion.

Salix_alba

I would love a TLC pass on the vanilla zones if they had the level of detail that the chapters had it would be amazing. And new quests in those zones possibly dependent on finishing the original content in that zone that would lead to like area upgrades similar to orsinium getting built up as the story progressed but more noticeable. Ruined villages could be rebuilt resettled or become overgrown with new forests some maybe even newly haunted etc.