New Players are LOST - Please add a button to first-time log-ins to start the story right

purplespirit1 · April 2021

Hi ZOS! It seems a shame that new players can no longer easily experience the wonderful storyline of The Three Banners War. New players start in the newest zones and interact with content that, if they are lovers of story, will be very confusing. I've tried to coach a few of my friends through this process - long time gamers, and they could NOT stay on track! Prologue hooks would lure them away, and that is AFTER I finally helped them port to the starting area for their alliance.
It's frustrating. How can they ever know the joy of seeing their "old friend Raz" again, when they haven't even met him the first time??

Like our anniversary event; the storyline of ESO is a beautiful layer cake. You can skip to the top, but that is hardly a rich and satisfying experience.

Please add: button/choice that says "First play through - start me in the Three Banner's War!" to the screen where you ask about Tutorials. And please turn off prologue hawkers until after Cold Harbor is done, at least once.

New players should have the same opportunity to fall in love with the lore and the story, presented in the correct order, as the seasoned players had.

Thanks!

-Purplespirit1

AlnilamE · April 2021

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

Kiralyn2000 · April 2021

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

The question is if it'll be obvious which questlines to continue to "follow the story". Or if, as the OP says, the instant they enter a town they'll be dragged off into half a dozen DLC questlines by all the "no, go this way!" feeder quests.

The game really needs some sort of guide for "give it to me in the correct order!". I'm not sure that the "this is an important quest" quest arrow we have now, is enough.

phaneub17_ESO · April 2021

If only I had more character slots.

Bouldercleave · April 2021

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

The question is if it'll be obvious which questlines to continue to "follow the story". Or if, as the OP says, the instant they enter a town they'll be dragged off into half a dozen DLC questlines by all the "no, go this way!" feeder quests.

The game really needs some sort of guide for "give it to me in the correct order!". I'm not sure that the "this is an important quest" quest arrow we have now, is enough.

I HATE that the prologue quests allow you to talk to Lyris, Sai, and Abner Tharn BEFORE you rescue them from Coldharbor and the main quest line.

Stuff like that really drives me nuts. It's just lazy programming.

FluffWit · April 2021

With the new dlc they're adding one tutorial everyone will go through. At the end of the that you'll be presented with portals to let you choose where to begin your adventure. Hopefully they'll make it clear which is the base game story.

Beyond that I can't see them cleaning up all those confusing prequel quest icons that litter the map since they're basically there to get people to buy the dlcs.

cptqrk · April 2021

I agree fully with the state of confusion.

I now take the 'new' into to get some gear (Coldharbour starting zone hates me RNG wise to get gear), then immediately go to my 'home city' to talk to the hooded stranger to start the old quest line.

Thought it weird on my old main, when they hadn't finished Coldharbour yet, to walk into Solitude to meet Lyris...
Or accidentally pick up the quest to go meet Sai....
Neither of them 'aware' of the ongoing quest line I'm on, and well before making THE 'choice'.

Soo many "Hey! Wanna do something special?" or "You there! Come here! I have an important message for you!" crap cluttering up my 25 quest slots.

ThorianB · April 2021

From the preview i saw it looks like we are getting a revamped tutorial that is neutral in location and then players can choose from a bunch of doorways that lead them to various starting areas. Personally it would be better to start everyone at start. you can still port to all the chapters and dlcs you have access to.

deleted008293 · April 2021

I would suggest having a combination of different colors and icon types quest markers to clearly make a difference between the different types of quest lines.

- Main Story Quests (AD-Yellow DC-Blue EP-Red, with icons representing their factions)
- Fighters Guild, Mage Guild, Psijic Guild, ... guilds in general (different colors and icons representative to each guild)
- Prologue and Chapter / Zone story quests (again a combination of colors and icons representing each chapter/zone, for ex green for summerset and murkmire, orange for vvardenfeel and clockwork city, yellow for N and S Elsweyr, Bleu for Greymoor and Malkarth, bright red for Blackwood+
- Repetitible / Daily quests / Event quests
- Side quests (White, unmarked)

Blue_Radium · April 2021

What's really needed is some sort of true "training" system that teaches how weaving and rotation work. New players are woefully unprepared for any content that isn't ultra easy until they get yelled at enough and/or step-by-step taught by someone else how ESO really works.

Elsonso · April 2021

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

The question is if it'll be obvious which questlines to continue to "follow the story". Or if, as the OP says, the instant they enter a town they'll be dragged off into half a dozen DLC questlines by all the "no, go this way!" feeder quests.

The game really needs some sort of guide for "give it to me in the correct order!". I'm not sure that the "this is an important quest" quest arrow we have now, is enough.

Main quests have a different quest marker, and none of the prologue or DLC starter quests use that. This makes it easier to track the "main quest". The base game zone main quests and the Prophet's quest line both use those. They will never lead to a DLC or Chapter zone.

The issue is the side quests. It is risky to approach any side quest because it might be for some system (Battlegrounds, Antiquities), it might be a prologue or DLC starter quest, or it might be a legitimate zone side quest.

I don't think we need to have a ton of different quest markers, as was suggested above. We already have three. I think one more would be good. It would be nice if they distinguished the zone side quests from the ones that lead away from the zone, like the DLC and Prologue quests, and the ones that lead to systems, like Battlegrounds and Antiquities.

At least with Blackwood, players in the know will be able to start with the Wailing Prison, rather than at the end. It is commendable for ZOS to try to do things in a non-linear manner. Maybe with the next game, they can actually accomplish that.

danno8 · April 2021

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

ZoS would have to write an algorithm to hide DLC/prologue quest givers until [insert quest ID] is completed.

Can be switched off at any time if they change their mind.

Elsonso · April 2021

danno8 wrote: »

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

The devs have already said that there is no order to the chapter and DLC stories. That means "chronological" and "story" have no meaning for them when used in the same sentence. Players can enter at any point and flourish.

I would expect that no one in ZOS is going to lift a finger to move the game away from "latest purchased DLC first, then base game". The way they talk about this, it is a shining beacon that comforts the weary gamer. The greatest idea since sliced bread. Nevermore would the gamer have to trudge through years of accumulated content, in order, just to get to the game they purchased.

I think the best we can offer ZOS in terms of suggestions is to explain that the quest structure allows prologue and DLC starter quests to pull the player away from the story they are on, and that the special markers that they already have are not helping to prevent that. The player has to realize that they are off in the weeds before they can figure out how to get back to where they were.

If they can help with that, and new players can correctly start with the Wailing Prison tutorial, things should improve for those who want to play the game in the order that it was released.

Thechuckage · April 2021

There are already build advisors in game. Zone guides. Both can be (and are in my case) regularly ignored. Why there isn't some kind of story guide is beyond me. Like the others, could easily be ignored. But could prove useful for those who want / need one.

But just looking at it from a narrative standpoint, the current quest system is atrocious. Lets start you off, not at the beginning but at the latest chapter. And throw in enough side stories and conflicting timelines to make the marvel multi-verse proud.

danno8 · April 2021

Elsonso wrote: »

danno8 wrote: »

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

The devs have already said that there is no order to the chapter and DLC stories. That means "chronological" and "story" have no meaning for them when used in the same sentence.

Except objectively there is of course an actual order, regardless of how they may wish it to be. If they are willfully ignoring the confusion this causes for new players, well it's their funeral I suppose when people become disenchanted with the storylines and decide to leave the game.

It seems to me with a bit of effort they could have their cake and eat it too.

Destai · April 2021

danno8 wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

danno8 wrote: »

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

The devs have already said that there is no order to the chapter and DLC stories. That means "chronological" and "story" have no meaning for them when used in the same sentence.

Except objectively there is of course an actual order, regardless of how they may wish it to be. If they are willfully ignoring the confusion this causes for new players, well it's their funeral I suppose when people become disenchanted with the storylines and decide to leave the game.

It seems to me with a bit of effort they could have their cake and eat it too.

I've actually had friends leave the game over this. It's a bad look on ZOS when they can't deliver content in a clean fashion. I don't think any other game I've played resorts to near-nagware for their quests. And you're right, with just a little bit of effort, they could clean all this up. Put all DLC prologues in the store and stories pane and shut the rest of the NPCs up until the player has completed the antecedent quests.

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_Adrikoth @ZOS_JessicaFolsom This is a frequent request/complaint, can you guys at least speak to if you're aware of the confusion behind the NPE?

Destai · April 2021

Elsonso wrote: »

danno8 wrote: »

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

The devs have already said that there is no order to the chapter and DLC stories. That means "chronological" and "story" have no meaning for them when used in the same sentence. Players can enter at any point and flourish. I would expect that no one in ZOS is going to lift a finger to move the game away from "latest purchased DLC first, then base game". The way they talk about this, it is a shining beacon that comforts the weary gamer. The greatest idea since sliced bread. Nevermore would the gamer have to trudge through years of accumulated content, in order, just to get to the game they purchased.

I think the best we can offer ZOS in terms of suggestions is to explain that the quest structure allows prologue and DLC starter quests to pull the player away from the story they are on, and that the special markers that they already have are not helping to prevent that. The player has to realize that they are off in the weeds before they can figure out how to get back to where they were.

If they can help with that, and new players can correctly start with the Wailing Prison tutorial, things should improve for those who want to play the game in the order that it was released.

It's just poor design. Stories have chronological order and that narrative is broken by the current delivery model. Instead it's just a dump of information that results in a noisy experience. No one really enjoys sifting through all that noise - which is really what the main hubs have become. I've seen so many people give this game a hard pass because this was their first experience. There's so many options to deliver the content more effectively and respectfully. We have the daily login pop-up (ideal for pushing the newest dlc) and the stories menus that could be easily leveraged. There's gotta be a better way, but I get the feeling our input isn't being heard because ZOS never responds to any of these countless threads stating the same concern.

Destai · April 2021

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

Would be great if ZOS could confirm this, especially since these threads are regularly posted.

Destai · April 2021

Blue_Radium wrote: »

What's really needed is some sort of true "training" system that teaches how weaving and rotation work. New players are woefully unprepared for any content that isn't ultra easy until they get yelled at enough and/or step-by-step taught by someone else how ESO really works.

That's an interesting idea. Maybe as part of the FG or MG quests, you go through some sort of training and use a practice dummy at the guild hall. There's so many systems that need a clearer explanation in this game, combat chief among them. It's never really explained how to make meaningful builds, let alone properly executing them.

Jaimeh · April 2021

This page from UESP should be in the game: https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Quest_Timing

Iccotak · April 2021

danno8 wrote: »

Just need a toggle under "gameplay" settings.

"Enable chronological story progression"

Every new character would get a notice of the setting and explanation with the option to turn it on or off.

ZoS would have to write an algorithm to hide DLC/prologue quest givers until [insert quest ID] is completed.

Can be switched off at any time if they change their mind.

Honestly THIS.

Put it in the options menu before even entering the game.

Let players have the choice to do the story in order. And yes there obviously is an order to play it.

Also allow us to remove those annoying dlc & prologue NPCs in home cities.

LightningWitch · April 2021

purplespirit1 wrote: »

Please add: button/choice that says "First play through - start me in the Three Banner's War!" to the screen where you ask about Tutorials.

I'd like to see this option applied to all players, not just new.

As a seasoned player, of course I just head straight to Khenarthi's Roost, but I shouldn't have to. I should start there with all my alts (I only play AD).

StarOfElyon · April 2021

Bouldercleave wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

The question is if it'll be obvious which questlines to continue to "follow the story". Or if, as the OP says, the instant they enter a town they'll be dragged off into half a dozen DLC questlines by all the "no, go this way!" feeder quests.

The game really needs some sort of guide for "give it to me in the correct order!". I'm not sure that the "this is an important quest" quest arrow we have now, is enough.

I HATE that the prologue quests allow you to talk to Lyris, Sai, and Abner Tharn BEFORE you rescue them from Coldharbor and the main quest line.

Stuff like that really drives me nuts. It's just lazy programming.

Yeah, there's no continuity. It's all over the place. I try to avoid coming across multiple instances of characters when I'm roaming the overland.

Destai · April 2021

LightningWitch wrote: »

purplespirit1 wrote: »

Please add: button/choice that says "First play through - start me in the Three Banner's War!" to the screen where you ask about Tutorials.

I'd like to see this option applied to all players, not just new.

As a seasoned player, of course I just head straight to Khenarthi's Roost, but I shouldn't have to. I should start there with all my alts (I only play AD).

I feel like you should walk out of the tutorial with everything you need - crafting writs, the Guilds/Undaunted skill lines, and weapons for your build. If you skip tutorial, since many of us have like 500 alts, you get a character ready for the actual game. I'm not sure the value of having weapon swapping at level 15 or having quests to learn crafting writs, especially if you've done them before. Content delivery just seems so divorced from the reality of how players actually play.

Elsonso · April 2021

Destai wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

Would be great if ZOS could confirm this. It's not like these threads pop up weekly or anything.

This is confirmed.

When I have a precise link, I will edit...

The global reveal with Rich and Pete...
Timestamp is 02:19
There will be a room where you end up after they teach you some basic game stuff and you get to pick a portal that will take you to the story you want to start with.

danno8 · April 2021

Elsonso wrote: »

Destai wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

Would be great if ZOS could confirm this. It's not like these threads pop up weekly or anything.

This is confirmed.

When I have a precise link, I will edit...

The global reveal with Rich and Pete... https://www.twitch.tv/videos/889112322
Timestamp is 02:19
There will be a room where you end up after they teach you some basic game stuff and you get to pick a portal that will take you to the story you want to start with.

Well it's only half the solution, but better than nothing for the new players. I still think those capital city DLC/Chapter/prologue quest givers need to be reigned in for new players.

Athan1 · April 2021

Yeah it's poorly organised, the starting cities are bustling with prologue quests. imo all prologues should be moved to the capitals. My bf just picked up the game and I constantly need to explain to him "don't take up this quest; no that's a prologue too; nope, that quest will confuse you" etc. And now they added the new prologue to starter cities again, only making things even more confusing! I find this super confusing, as an experienced player myself, these prologues are everywhere and they're super annoying and harassing you to start them.

My bf now has the main quest to save Lyris active, but she's literally there waiting for him in the Fighters Guild. Same with Abnur. wth

Elsonso · April 2021

Destai wrote: »

Well it's only half the solution, but better than nothing for the new players. I still think those capital city DLC/Chapter/prologue quest givers need to be reigned in for new players.

Agreed. I would not miss Stuga at all on my new characters.

Destai · April 2021

Elsonso wrote: »

Destai wrote: »

AlnilamE wrote: »

I believe that will be a feature in Blackwood, which should be hitting the PTS soon.

New characters will be able to choose their starting story.

Would be great if ZOS could confirm this. It's not like these threads pop up weekly or anything.

This is confirmed.

When I have a precise link, I will edit...

The global reveal with Rich and Pete... https://www.twitch.tv/videos/889112322
Timestamp is 02:19
There will be a room where you end up after they teach you some basic game stuff and you get to pick a portal that will take you to the story you want to start with.

Thanks for sharing!

What they've confirmed looks awesome, and I'm really happy for the new players that'll have a better experience getting into the game now. Almost makes me wish I would level a 10th character. Almost.

I think we still need to see how they'll address the noisy experience at the major hubs. All my characters are made and leveled in preparation for this new expansion. On the newer ones, they haven't done the prologues, the guilds, and or the expansions. That current experience is noisy.

Whether it's my pre-existing toons or a player who has picked their path via this new tutorial, once I land in my starting zone, how noisy will it be once this change drops? Whenever I land in Auridon, will I still be assaulted by the countless prologue questgivers? If that problem isn't solved, this tutorial update - while appreciated and well-done - falls flat because it doesn't change that experience so many of us are asking to be addressed.