How are all the old school Beta testers doing?

Asardes

I tried the game as Beta tester just before launch, in February-March 2014, but I didn't like it that much so I stayed away for about a year and a half. The game at that time wasn't worth the mandatory subscription they were asking for, and they only realized that after more than a year. I did have a short stint during a free play week-end in April 2015 and I created my first character then, a Stamina Dragonknight, but was still undecided whether to purchase the game.

I finally picked up the game discounted on a website in October 2015 and started playing straight away. The game was much improved by this time, and subscription had become optional, but it still didn't have enough perks to make me pick it up. I started leveling slowly to the zones, doing quests, and also the group dungeon when I finished all the overland objectives, delves, and public dungeon. The only way to find a group was spamming the zone chat at first, since they hadn't introduced the group finder yet - it would come a bit later, in November 2015, with the Orsinium update. Since this was my first online game I had to learn everything from scratch, including the jargon.I did fit in the tank role quite fast since in Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim I had played a Sword & Shield Nord Warrior. Clearing overland content on this build was quite slow, but I had little choice since there weren't than many skill points to go around to make a DD build, what I got extra always went in crafting since I saw the research timers were getting longer. Only later did I pick up the DLCs, with discounted crowns, the first 4 for 5,500 crowns. I got to level 50 by late November and to VR16 by early January. Exactly 6 months after hitting 50, in late May 2016, right around Dark Brotherhood launch I had gotten to CP 501 which was the cap back then. Compared to today, when there are lots of XP buffs, back then XP gain was quite slow, and this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Around the summer of 2016 I started getting into DLC dungeons, trials, and PvP and my next 3 characters had hit 50 as well. With the elimination of VRs in Dark Brotherhood, they were all maximum level. I had also created 4 more characters to serve as storage, since it was quickly becoming a problem.

One Tamriel lauched in October 2016, overhauling the whole game. All zones were now scaled to your character's level, so you could gain XP much faster. The gear sets were also overhauled, and each zone & dungeon got it's own. I had to create one more storage character, bringing the total to 9. In May 2017 they launched Morrowind and announced they will be releasing DLCs and Chapters on a regular schedule, which they've done since: Q1 & Q3 - 2 Dungeons packs, Q2 - Chapeter (large DLC) zone, Q4 - regular DLC zone; the chapter needs to be bought separately and only becomes accessible trough subscription after a year, when the next one is launched. They added more perks to the subscription, so in August 2017, after almost 2 years of playing, I decided to subscribe, instead of getting DLCs individually with crowns; after that I haven't bought any more crowns. At Morrowind launch I had created 5 more characters, including 3 wardens; later this would turn into a pattern. By this time I was starting working on my DD builds, and hit my first stepping stone, which was veteran Maelstrom arena. For almost 2 months I farmed it intensively for the weapons I needed, working on all my 4 mature characters, since they had gotten good enough to get a 2nd drop from the leader board. Back then there wasn't such a thing as re-trait. But that came in the next patch, Clockwork City. Another often overlooked change that came with this patch was the ability to turn in writs anywhere; previously you could only do it in Orsinium & Belkarth. I picked Riften, because my computer was old, Vivec was pretty crowded, and what I gained in shorter path, I lost in loading screens. I realized that it was actually very profitable leveling characters and putting them to work. I leveled 2 more in October/November during the Witches Festival, 4 more during the New Life in December/January, 4 more during the Jester's and Jubilee in April 2018. Around this time I created my 15th character which would be leveled and put to work in October 2018. By that time a pattern was emerging. In May 2019 Necromancer class became available with the Elsweyr chapter, so I made 3 more characters, which were leveled by mid August.

The craft bag available with subscription also freed up space on those character which were used only for storage, so I started activating them for combat as well. So for the last 2.5 years I've been picking one up ever 3 months or so, walking it trough most zones, including some DLCs (as far as Summerset) and dungeons, trials, PvP (especially BGs), until they're fully trained, and I get used to most play styles available for that class. At the moment I've almost reached my long term goal of having 2 of each class, 1 stamina and 1 magicka fully trained - still have a bit of work to do on the Magicka Necromancer. With all 18 characters running writs every day, the material part is secure in the long run, so I won't have to worry about that in the future, letting me concentrate on end game activities. Once I'm done with the training, probably in late April or early May I will likely join a PvE guild again - I was member of some on and off for the last 4 years - and restart my progression since I'm still missing many DLC dungeon achivements and most achievements in DLC veteran trials. I may even get into housing, which I haven't had time thus far.

BooPerScOOper

I'm a Betamax... Still play. Raid twice a week. Not happy with the new changes...

huntgod_ESO

I played in closed beta, got my 6yr badge in October of 2019.

Still playing the same main too...though also have a host of other characters.

I played for about 9 months, but the Vet levels were so awful it drove me away from the game. I then fell in love with Marvel Heroes Online and when they went under, came back to ESO in November of 2017.

Was very happy to see the state of the game and have played daily since returning. Not always tickled with what they do, I've been very vocal about the RNG in the Murkmire event, but on the whole am still pretty happy with the game.

---edit---

Was curious so I checked, my account was started in September 5, 2013, so I may have even been playing in the late Alpha, since Beta didn't start until January 2014.

Locnaar

Beta monkey here.

I remember the epic battles in overland content, and of course, the naked dance parties at the end of the world (open beta closures).There has been many changes since the random red boxes (with question marks) first graced my screens.

Gutstripper and I had many "discussions", and I think that Doshia still has my teeth marks from many long frustrating battles.
Add to that the time involved to get from level 1 to 10. (entire weekends beta test- very few breaks), at the end of which, hadn't rewarded enough gold (42K) to buy the basic quadruped. ( ahhhhh - good times)


Lately, I seem to be losing interest ( and hope) in the game, 6 years is my own new personal record.
My old rig crashed in Oct of 2019, finally got the new rig ready, and I find I have lost the drive to play.
Upon later reflection, I realized I hadn't played anything in the past 6 years besides ESO. (GASP)

There appears to be no hope for me, off to Imperial City I go for fishing and scamp collections !

Arunei

I was here for the closed beta, my sub lapsed for a few months back when a sub was required to play the game after launch, when I came back the required sub was done away with. Been around pretty much the entire time, though I've fallen out of doing most content and about 85% of what I do these days is RP.

xaraan

Shadowfox wrote: »

I've lurked a long time.
Been here checking everything out since 2013.
I Was wondering if any of you old school beta testers are still out there? I never really talk to anyone from back then. Never made any real connections with any players in the game so to speak. Just found myself part of a great testing community. It was the wild west back then and finding those bugs was a sweet endeavor.
Any old school CMs/CSRs still around? You guys were pretty awesome.

Anyhow *tiphat* Just sort of starting a conversation. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

*waves*

I have my beta monkey. But I was actually around even before that in alpha. I wasn't as early as some of the mmo raid teams they brought in, but I came in part way through alpha when they expanded access and press got in. And this being my first MMO I had no idea what was going on, I ran into Wykkyd (the guy that originally made the wykkyd add-ons before he left the game and I guess he was a big mmo player in other games and was in from the first wave) in zone and he actually taught me a lot of the basics about the game.

I also played the game at E3 the first year it was there before it was even in beta or maybe alpha. The only thing we could do was play in the Glenumbra area around Daggerfall, I remember doing the Wyrd sisters quest there and having no idea what I was doing but having a good time. Talked to some of the staff there as well, a couple of guys, I swear one or both of them were Matt Firor and Paul Sage, and a lady that was in a sort of Gina role actually controlling all of us players, though I wouldn't have known who Gina was at the time, so could have been anyone. They were all nice and helpful though, answered all my questions and tried to explain as much of the game as they could as they set us up to play.

Idinuse

Delphinia wrote: »

Hello @Shadowfox , nice to meet you!

I'm still here along with my husband.. we have been playing since beta, and only took a few months off to attend to our lives outside the game, but we too are owners of the notorious beta monkey..

I never thought a game would draw me in and make me forget about the other games I loved, but this one definitely did.
For about the first year, I just mostly focused on leveling my character and enjoying all the game had to offer..
I finally decided to (at the request of my husband) get my feet wet in pvp.. at first, I had a lot of fun.. no hate tells, no "tbagging" (which I had never even heard of until this game)..

my husband was never really one too interested in the pve side of games, but did it for me.. and basically, I play for him.. just to have one more thing we can do together..
He got me started on the crazy mmo ride (before him, I didn't even know what an mmo was)..

Unfortunately, through the years, I've had more encounters with players who do try to ruin the good times for others... and with the added issues (don't get me started on the combat bug and not being able to mount in Cyro), I've started to slowly remove myself from something I really want to still love.. I've put so much time, effort, and money into supporting this game, but I'm not sure how much longer.. I do still enjoy the housing as well and enjoy filming my little creations as well as the work of others.

There are so many wonderful people I've met along the way (even with the attempts of some to poison the fun)..
I truly hope that, at the least, we will stay connected and continue to play together for years to come.. for the most part, the people in this community have been a large part of the best times I've had playing any game.🥂

Most awesome (and gorgeous!) couple in the game. I send you soooo much love!

Idinuse

ItsMeToo wrote: »

Hello from the longest running ESO Guild, House Nyssara and no, I'm not recruiting.

I started PC NA House Nyssara on the Bethesda Forums with my EU counter part. Sadly the EU Guild shut it's doors many years ago. I won't air the dirty laundry here.

I've never left ESO. I love this game.

I'm an Early BETA Tester and have my BETA Monkey and ESO+ first year tiger gift. Thank you ZOS.

The tiger is my favorite mount and the one I ride.

I like both PvE and PvP.

Let's not forget Pizza and Lasagna. Mhmmmmm

Oh... and taking long naked walks in Cyrodiil. I nude walk for Peace. So far, it doesn't work. People are still fighting.

FYI - Those scrolls are full of *** and will make you go blind, so don't look in them.

Awesome babe!

sparafucilsarwb17_ESO

It's in my name

Lylith

still here, barely. (sixth year, this month)

i spend a few minutes reading the forum every few days and even less time in-game.

i used to play 8-10 hours a day, every day, for over five years.

Soriana

Beta monkey checking in, still love the game, still play every day

Elsonso

Suddwrath

Heya! Closed beta tester here (Mehrunes Dagon group, for those who remember).

I played the game pretty consistently for the past 6 years up until around 6 months ago. Haven't played the game since August and uninstalling the game was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

It's a shame how the game still feels like it's in closed beta due to the instability, bugs, and drastic sledgehammer changes being made. ESO had so much potential.

Kesstryl

Beta Monkey here. I remember really struggling when the game first came out, not killing Dosha until I way out leveled her quest, and then feeling weak again when level scaling hit, then I started to get better, and there was a golden age of really making progress and enjoying the game until two years ago when Devs began to take an axe to power creep and began the nerf wars. Now I mainly just log in to do trials with my guild once a week. I'm not motivated to do much else. Waiting for the nerf wars to end.

Baconlad

Well...I guess you could call me a beta player. But I didn't care about testing anything. I just wanted to play early hah. Was on I think a month before early access? I had to put the game down for three months due to no internet recently. Can't wait to log back into my toon. 256 days /played on him...almost an entire years worth of time on one toon...miss him

Morgha_Kul

Shadowfox wrote: »

I've lurked a long time.
Been here checking everything out since 2013.
I Was wondering if any of you old school beta testers are still out there? I never really talk to anyone from back then. Never made any real connections with any players in the game so to speak. Just found myself part of a great testing community. It was the wild west back then and finding those bugs was a sweet endeavor.
Any old school CMs/CSRs still around? You guys were pretty awesome.

Anyhow *tiphat* Just sort of starting a conversation. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Been here since before the beginning myself. Still here, I expect to be here til the end. I hear lots of criticism, but I think this game is still the best MMO on the market. Sure, it has its flaws, but it plays well, has plenty of content and looks fantastic. More, the developers seem to genuinely want to make a quality product, an attitude missing from many games.

Really, my only complaint is the predatory nature of the crown store. Beyond that, ESO, I have no real complaints.

Aluluei

Ook ook!

Has it really been 6 years? OMG, it has - I got my 6-year forum badge in November 2019.

I recall taking screenshots during beta but they must have died along with the PC I was playing on at the time. The oldest screenshot I can find is from November 2014:



Zone chat doesn't seem to have changed much since then.

Wrecking_Blow_Spam

The title of the thread made me think of the SAO veterans which I've been watching recently

xandervalo

Shadowfox wrote: »

I've lurked a long time.
Been here checking everything out since 2013.
I Was wondering if any of you old school beta testers are still out there? I never really talk to anyone from back then. Never made any real connections with any players in the game so to speak. Just found myself part of a great testing community. It was the wild west back then and finding those bugs was a sweet endeavor.
Any old school CMs/CSRs still around? You guys were pretty awesome.

Anyhow *tiphat* Just sort of starting a conversation. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

ive been playing since beta im not okay either, it was better way back then ):

Draxys

Elsonso wrote: »

I’m under the bridge there doing /danceargonian. Still remember it like it was last week-ish.

huntgod_ESO

Found some of my oldest screen shots, this had to be alpha because there were some textures still missing.

Dual wielding swords on my stamsorc...who later became a magsorc.







This was when I fell through the world...





Just taking a warm bath...

chimneyswift_ESO

Beta monkey here as well! Just came back after not having played since just after Murkmire launched.

SteveCampsOut

Still here. Barely hanging on.

SirAxen

Beta Monkey here. Still hanging in.

Wing

still here.

content changes have been for the most part better.

performance and class changes not so much.

skill lag is at an all time unbearable, like miserable to the point that I log off. and classes are at an all time uninteresting and copy paste of each other.

everyone slot your color damage skill, heal skill, dot, gap closer, heal, etc.

CP is garbage

build diversity is non ex-***-istent

it really shows as more RPG's come out that actually have interesting and diverse mechanics and diversity, and old school RPG design is starting to make a comeback, just how bland and boring ESO's "class" system is.

and the end game class progression? CP, and what is that? *** % stat bonuses universal to everyone.

straight up inspired that is.

AndrewQ84

Tired. Just got home from work, having fun with ESO for a bit. How are you?

Shadowfox

BAWITDABAW wrote: »

i logged into the beta and played for maybe 5 minutes before deciding the game was trash. immediately uninstalled and forgot the game existed til 3 or 4 years later when i actually started playing. it was really confusing to find a 4 year old letter with a monkey in it when i first checked my mail.

lol I feel you. I feel you.

Shadowfox

kojou wrote: »

Doing ok thanks for asking.

You are absolutely welcome. Thanks for replying

Shadowfox

Delphinia wrote: »

Hello @Shadowfox , nice to meet you!

I'm still here along with my husband.. we have been playing since beta, and only took a few months off to attend to our lives outside the game, but we too are owners of the notorious beta monkey..

I never thought a game would draw me in and make me forget about the other games I loved, but this one definitely did.
For about the first year, I just mostly focused on leveling my character and enjoying all the game had to offer..
I finally decided to (at the request of my husband) get my feet wet in pvp.. at first, I had a lot of fun.. no hate tells, no "tbagging" (which I had never even heard of until this game)..

my husband was never really one too interested in the pve side of games, but did it for me.. and basically, I play for him.. just to have one more thing we can do together..
He got me started on the crazy mmo ride (before him, I didn't even know what an mmo was)..

Unfortunately, through the years, I've had more encounters with players who do try to ruin the good times for others... and with the added issues (don't get me started on the combat bug and not being able to mount in Cyro), I've started to slowly remove myself from something I really want to still love.. I've put so much time, effort, and money into supporting this game, but I'm not sure how much longer.. I do still enjoy the housing as well and enjoy filming my little creations as well as the work of others.

There are so many wonderful people I've met along the way (even with the attempts of some to poison the fun)..
I truly hope that, at the least, we will stay connected and continue to play together for years to come.. for the most part, the people in this community have been a large part of the best times I've had playing any game.🥂

Hey, I'm doing awesome! Thanks for the reply.

It's good to see active people and how surprising it has been to see this thread take off. Nice to meet you as well. Thank you for the insightful update and happy hunting!

Shadowfox

AyeshaBelladonna wrote: »

Another beta monkey checking in! Have stuck it out through every growing pain ESO has had and am so proud of what we have accomplished together. ZOS listened as we tested and talked and fought and responded to us, though not always promptly. I look forward to seeing how we grow. I think us beta testers should throw ourselves an in-game party when we hit that sweet ten year mark!

Thats actually a pretty awesome idea! I might just have to take you up on that