Why are players ok with glowing skins but not armor/weapons?

UGotBenched91

So, no judgement in this I’m just curious. I’ve observed through forum posts and in-game chat that a lot of people are happy game has “realistic” gear and stays away from fantasy gear that glows. Yet these same players I have spoken too run around with the skin changes that make your character glow bright colors ( ugly in my opinion but each their own).

So, just for discussion what separates these two concepts for you?

I personally find a lot of in-game armor (especially trial armor) to be bland and wish there was more of a fantasy element but it doesn’t bother me too much.

Varana

I don't think glowing is the thing that distinguishes "fantasy" from "realistic". We have all sorts of flaming, glowing gear.

As long as skin serves its primary purpose of holding your flesh and blood and other icky stuff inside, it doesn't matter whether it glows or not.

The primary purpose of armour is to protect your precious glowing skin. There is a bit of leeway and certain clichés (like scantily clad barbarians), but that purpose is essential. So glowing or not, armour should at least give the vague illusion that it is some kind of protection for at least some of your more vital parts.

Fischblut

I'm ok with everything glowy, and glowy weapons - especially if they would also add cool visuals to the character After I saw legendary weapons in GW2, I want something similar in ESO Eternity greatsword, The Moot mace, Xiuquatl scepter... I absolutely dislike crafting in GW2 so not going to bother there, but I love crafting in ESO and I would be so glad to craft some awesome-looking weapons

GenjiraX

I agree with @Fischblut. ESO is very much a video game that knows it’s a video game and doesn’t try to be gritty or realistic. I haven’t played RDR2 but what I’ve read about its gritty realism put me off. I have enough gritty realism in my real life.

Phanex

I always assumed they didn't allow our weapons to glow, at least their elements like the NPCs in the game, was that it would cause a lot of confusion out in the wild.

I mean, is that a bad guy or a player?? Let's attack...nope just a dude standing around.

Oh, that's got to be a player, nope a Notorious Monster Impreal from Hades....and I'm dead.

Wing

you assume we are okay with the skins.

UGotBenched91

Wing wrote: »

you assume we are okay with the skins.

Eh not assuming anything as I said based on my own observations and discussions. I know not everyone likes them but I’ve observed more people that do.

MaleAmazon

I hate glowing skins and I hate glowing weapons. Slightly glowing weapons I deem acceptable but begrudgingly so.

At least it´s not as bad as in TES3 Morrowind. Every enchanted anything in that game looked like it had been dipped in some kind of luminescent marmalade. At least it could be modded out.

I think ESO keeps realism at a decent level. I much prefer more gritty and realistic stuff, which is what I and NPCs have. That URMOMMASUX1111 jumps around in glowing blue skin with a 4m long greatsword with pointless barbs on it... I guess I have to take that. I prefer to play ESO in the morning anyway, and then there´s less people on.

Kiralyn2000

Why are players ok with glowing skins but not armor/weapons?

Because in any game with a large player population, you can have "a lot" of players posting that they dislike something, and "a lot" of players happily using that same thing, without there being any overlap in group membership.

tl;dr - "players" is not a uniform monolith


(also, the % of players who post on the forums is relatively small compared to the total player population. Every single forum poster could say that they don't like the sparkly/glowy mounts, and you could still see many many people online using them.)

crjs1

Personally I can’t stand the glowing skins and sparkling mounts... I much prefer a greater sense or realism - obviously within the context of fantasy. All the fluorescent stardust style mounts and skins is a total immersion killer for me, but at least it isn’t extreme as some of other MMOs

Nemesis7884

dont like anything glowing...hate skins and neon color in general or anything that isnt lore and rp friendly

JoLeSi

Hmmmm. I played Wow forever. Like 12 years, even played some this year. So my track record is very much against me if I were to say, 'I hate glowey [Snip].' Wow is FUN. EVE Online is beautiful, but terribly boring IMO because I am not a PvPer. ESO is a stunningly beautiful game, and I've been here since Beta on and off. I remember being incredibly grateful that people could only ride a horse. Camels and guar are acceptable, because culture. But tigers and *** just isn't realistic. When has a tiger ever consented to be ridden, I ask you. Also has anyone ever noticed that hip-guards (lacking proper term?) seem to float there of their own accord? Address that before I start complaining about glow effects. Lol. I guess all games have jarring animations, I just have to decide which ones I want to rage over.

[Edited for minor profanity bypass]

kathandira

JoLeSi wrote: »

Hmmmm. I played Wow forever. Like 12 years, even played some this year. So my track record is very much against me if I were to say, 'I hate glowey [Snip].' Wow is FUN. EVE Online is beautiful, but terribly boring IMO because I am not a PvPer. ESO is a stunningly beautiful game, and I've been here since Beta on and off. I remember being incredibly grateful that people could only ride a horse. Camels and guar are acceptable, because culture. But tigers and *** just isn't realistic. When has a tiger ever consented to be ridden, I ask you. Also has anyone ever noticed that hip-guards (lacking proper term?) seem to float there of their own accord? Address that before I start complaining about glow effects. Lol. I guess all games have jarring animations, I just have to decide which ones I want to rage over.

[Edited for minor profanity bypass]

He-Man rode a tiger, just sayin. lol

ImmortalCX

UGotBenched91 wrote: »

So, no judgement in this I’m just curious. I’ve observed through forum posts and in-game chat that a lot of people are happy game has “realistic” gear and stays away from fantasy gear that glows. Yet these same players I have spoken too run around with the skin changes that make your character glow bright colors ( ugly in my opinion but each their own).

So, just for discussion what separates these two concepts for you?

I personally find a lot of in-game armor (especially trial armor) to be bland and wish there was more of a fantasy element but it doesn’t bother me too much.

I think its about diversity.

When I started the game, I didn't like the glowing "weird" outfits people were wearing, but now I get it. You want infinite customizations so that you stand out and are visibly recognizeable.

Its better to have a bright glowing "epic" character than one that fades into the background, especially in poorly lit areas.

daemonios

1. I'm not okay with neon skins/mounts. Players tend to go for the flashiest available option, and soon the game looks like a bad anime.
2. There are already glowing/flashy weapons, e.g. the monster weapon sets that are released regularly in the clown store and the more boring opal versions that dropped during some event or other. Weapons are a trickier beast than skins or mounts because they have an inconspicuous effect that's supposed to hint at the weapon's enchantment, in line with ZOS' initial stated plans to have a barebones UI with all relevant information translated into visual or other cues.

mairwen85

I think it depends on which 'players' you ask. There are plenty particle effects on certain sets and weapons, mounts, and skins. Which kind of glow are you referring to?

tomofhyrule

I prefer my stuff more subdued, but sometimes there are uses for the glowy stuff. I also have a different gear set for story mode and dungeon mode, since I hate those red floaty orbs from the Ebon set.

When I'm questing, I make sure the gear makes sense and looks good together (the last time I changed Gar's outfit, I spent a good hour and a half at an outfit station trying to decide on his boots. And that's not an exaggeration, I looked at the clock). He's an Orc who thinks he's a Nord, so I wanted to make sure he got a good Nord-looking set for Eastmarch. However, I've had him in some more fantasy-esque stuff - he wore the Mireheart Scale skin while he was doing the 'Dream of the Hist' quest in Shadowfen since he was pretty well a memory of the Hist at that point, and I'm definitely giving him the Scourge Harvester shield when he gets to Coldharbour since I'm going to set the Lord Warden fight there and I want him to have the talking shield (I missed the Lord Warden gear set, but the Scourge Harvester looks great and has an incredible effect).

Everyone has their own style though. I know most of the 'flashiest' skins are people showing off their vet trial or vet dungeon completions, or hiding vampirism, or just trying to look shiny. I try to keep my story free of others, so I don't mind. They don't 'exist' in my version of the story.

kargen27

The only glowing things I really do not like in the game are the glowing balls that you get with some sets. They are distracting and sometimes give me slight motion sickness.

ArchMikem

I'm not okay with either, unless you put in the effort giving it a logical reason like its Magicka infused.

Bradyfjord

I personally wish they had gone the route of 'no glows' except for torches, and maybe a subtle 'eye glow' here and there. There is a lot of room for creativity without adding particle effects to something.

I leave the caveat that there may be particular spells/items that might need a glow to allow visual queues for pvp players to understand what is going on.

Scion_of_Yggdrasil

As far as skins go... I hate them. Break lore, break immersion, break the otherwise more realistic approach to the aesthetics that have made up Elder Scrolls. Enchantments are one thing, but neon glittery skin is just..... come on.

kargen27 wrote: »

The only glowing things I really do not like in the game are the glowing balls that you get with some sets. They are distracting and sometimes give me slight motion sickness.

I can understand why you need to stand out (so that others know who they need to be near to get the buff), but I would have pictured more of a subtle aura. The orbs are.... a bit odd.

kargen27

Scion_of_Yggdrasil wrote: »

As far as skins go... I hate them. Break lore, break immersion, break the otherwise more realistic approach to the aesthetics that have made up Elder Scrolls. Enchantments are one thing, but neon glittery skin is just..... come on.

kargen27 wrote: »

The only glowing things I really do not like in the game are the glowing balls that you get with some sets. They are distracting and sometimes give me slight motion sickness.

I can understand why you need to stand out (so that others know who they need to be near to get the buff), but I would have pictured more of a subtle aura. The orbs are.... a bit odd.

I wouldn't mind an option to toggle them on/off. I wouldn't want to take them away from players that like them.

Scion_of_Yggdrasil

kargen27 wrote: »

Scion_of_Yggdrasil wrote: »

As far as skins go... I hate them. Break lore, break immersion, break the otherwise more realistic approach to the aesthetics that have made up Elder Scrolls. Enchantments are one thing, but neon glittery skin is just..... come on.

kargen27 wrote: »

The only glowing things I really do not like in the game are the glowing balls that you get with some sets. They are distracting and sometimes give me slight motion sickness.

I can understand why you need to stand out (so that others know who they need to be near to get the buff), but I would have pictured more of a subtle aura. The orbs are.... a bit odd.

I wouldn't mind an option to toggle them on/off. I wouldn't want to take them away from players that like them.

More options for everything are always welcome!

tsaescishoeshiner

Fischblut wrote: »

I'm ok with everything glowy, and glowy weapons - especially if they would also add cool visuals to the character After I saw legendary weapons in GW2, I want something similar in ESO Eternity greatsword, The Moot mace, Xiuquatl scepter... I absolutely dislike crafting in GW2 so not going to bother there, but I love crafting in ESO and I would be so glad to craft some awesome-looking weapons

Please, no. GW2 has no standards, and EVERYONE's character is wearing like 10 particle effects. In ESO, you can barely tell the difference between many player characters and NPCs, and that's a good thing. Characters blend into the world instead of looking like Fantasy IMVU.

I know the GW2 weapons and armor can look pretty, and are well-designed, but everything is so flashy and particle-dense that it becomes fan service at the cost of design integrity and immersion.

ESO has too many particle effects as it is, but I don't mind the weapon ones because they're mostly cool, minimal, and only work when unsheathed. The Scourge Harvester weapons are great examples

To OP's point, I'd settle for a FEW more effect like Alkosh, or how NPCs get staves with fiery/frost/lightning/necromancy glows while they're sheathed on their back. But even that might be too much

UGotBenched91

tsaescishoeshiner wrote: »

Fischblut wrote: »

I'm ok with everything glowy, and glowy weapons - especially if they would also add cool visuals to the character After I saw legendary weapons in GW2, I want something similar in ESO Eternity greatsword, The Moot mace, Xiuquatl scepter... I absolutely dislike crafting in GW2 so not going to bother there, but I love crafting in ESO and I would be so glad to craft some awesome-looking weapons

Please, no. GW2 has no standards, and EVERYONE's character is wearing like 10 particle effects. In ESO, you can barely tell the difference between many player characters and NPCs, and that's a good thing. Characters blend into the world instead of looking like Fantasy IMVU.

I know the GW2 weapons and armor can look pretty, and are well-designed, but everything is so flashy and particle-dense that it becomes fan service at the cost of design integrity and immersion.

ESO has too many particle effects as it is, but I don't mind the weapon ones because they're mostly cool, minimal, and only work when unsheathed. The Scourge Harvester weapons are great examples

To OP's point, I'd settle for a FEW more effect like Alkosh, or how NPCs get staves with fiery/frost/lightning/necromancy glows while they're sheathed on their back. But even that might be too much

I wish there was a middle ground. I don’t need super flashy but most textures for ESO in game earned (dungeon/trial/pvp) gear is bland with bad textures. Game depends too much on outfit system imo

Parasaurolophus

Bright, not realistic outfits and mounts are the main reason why this game is so far from the rest of the elder scrolls. I cannot perceive it as part of that beautiful world that we saw in other parts earlier. I understand that not all the players are fans of the Elder Scrolls series and they do not care about the friendliness of their outfit in setting the game. I just put up with it.

SickleCider

I like a little glow here and there where it's tasteful. I like the ambient light from my monster staff, and I like my mount's glowing eyes. I also dig effects like the glowing jack-o-lanterns on the Hollowjack mounts. I guess my priority is spookiness, not being a beacon. I think the skins and a lot of the mounts that look like Monster energy drinks made manifest are gaudy, but I support people having them. Life is short and I have other games to play if I want a really tight aesthetic.

Kiralyn2000

BrownChicken wrote: »

Bright, not realistic outfits and mounts are the main reason why this game is so far from the rest of the elder scrolls. I cannot perceive it as part of that beautiful world that we saw in other parts earlier.

<glances at my modded installs of MW, OB, and SK>

.....oooookay. /innocentwhistling

ZaroktheImmortal

I have no issue with glowing gear and skins. I know some don't want the fancy mounts and what not as well but you know. It's an MMO and I'm not bothered by who has what for their toons.

SickleCider

ZaroktheImmortal wrote: »

I have no issue with glowing gear and skins. I know some don't want the fancy mounts and what not as well but you know. It's an MMO and I'm not bothered by who has what for their toons.

Yes. More or less what I said, too. There really is a lot of "I don't like this thing so no one else should get to have it" in this community.

bearbelly

We're playing a fantasy game with magic, including elemental constructs (atronachs, lurchers, colossi) and spells (lightning, fire, ice), and portals between the mundane world and supernatural dimensions, thrumming with dark and light visual energies, as well as beings from those dimensions giving off those same energies, but people don't accept glowing mounts and skins as "realistic" in that same magickal universe, and I guess some people don't even like glowing weapons for that same "reason"?

I don't understand that dissonance.