Are ESO's new chapters worth its cost?

WiseSky

Yes

XSTRONG wrote: »

WiseSky wrote: »

So 1 chapter or 1 burger with fries on Uber Eats...

same price....

Wish the burger lasted as long as the chapter does.

40-50$ for a burger with fries? That burger better be good!

I get a good burger not mc for about 12$ and 1-2$ extra for home delivery.

yeah but you have to take into account that Elder scrolls Online is a top shelf MMO, you cant compare it to mcdonalds...

So when I order a burger I want it to be the best, so Five Guys come around and spanks my wallet

Ashryn

No

Haven't been worth the cost since 'Year of the Dragon'.

MEBengalsFan2001

Maybe If...

Only if the devs release class change token.

Elsonso

No

WiseSky wrote: »

yeah but you have to take into account that Elder scrolls Online is a top shelf MMO, you cant compare it to mcdonalds...

So when I order a burger I want it to be the best, so Five Guys come around and spanks my wallet

I am not quite sure what to make of that. Is ESO a shopping center burger shop?

I dunno, maybe it is. ZOS is not making a top shelf MMO. They are making an average MMO. It is a perfectly fine MMO, and one that I enjoyed playing for years, but it is considerably in the average range in terms of quality and execution. This is an obvious business decision, as there is a point where top shelf costs more to make than what they earn.

Destai

Maybe If...

Eh, for me, it's a "wait and see" purchase on a couple fronts.

Quality
The last two releases felt really light. High Isle especially felt more bargain-bin to me, especially with how soon the chapter went on sale. I hope with sunsetting the YLS, we'll see more meaningful stories. A good story will make me interested, albeit not as much as cool new features. Additionally, I'm apprehensive we're getting a Vvardenfell 2.0, which isn't entirely a bad thing, but isn't going to compel me to pay full price.

New Features
I'm happy they're releasing a new class. But, the more I think on it, I just don't need a new character. It's too much work to get them ready for showtime. I love the journey but I'd rather spend my time on more impactful things than starting a new toon I'll eventually shelve. Stickerbook, trials, finishing old toons, seem more worthwhile to me, at least right now. If there's no permanently-available house either, then the value of the chapter is even lower for me.

Styles
While their art team delivers some serious quality, so far none of the styles I've seen speak to me. My core characters have really strong identities, and I just don't see them adopting Lovecraftian styles. I gobbled up most of the High Isle styles, the best for my mains since Summerset, so it's gonna be hard to follow that.

Verdict
Seeing the PTS feedback and player reviews will help shape my urgency. If nothing else, I'll probably get it shortly after launch, grind out the stickerbook, and go back to my normal routines. They have a pretty established sales cycle, so waiting for the inevitable discount is no big deal. In any case, preordering is out of the question. The incentives just aren't there.

Hurbster

Non-euclidean geometry or bust.

Malthorne

No

There’s a reason the chapters are going on sale so quickly after they release.

XSTRONG

No

Malthorne wrote: »

There’s a reason the chapters are going on sale so quickly after they release.

How much do chapters cost on sale? I always bought them before launch

WiseSky

Yes

Elsonso wrote: »

WiseSky wrote: »

yeah but you have to take into account that Elder scrolls Online is a top shelf MMO, you cant compare it to mcdonalds...

So when I order a burger I want it to be the best, so Five Guys come around and spanks my wallet

I am not quite sure what to make of that. Is ESO a shopping center burger shop?

I dunno, maybe it is. ZOS is not making a top shelf MMO. They are making an average MMO. It is a perfectly fine MMO, and one that I enjoyed playing for years, but it is considerably in the average range in terms of quality and execution. This is an obvious business decision, as there is a point where top shelf costs more to make than what they earn.

"Top shelf" is an idiomatic expression means "the best quality" or "the finest." It can be used to describe anything from alcohol to books, to describe the highest quality item available.

I definitely think ESO is Top shelf MMO when it comes to Art Direction, Quests, Immersion, Voice acting, Lore, 3rd party customization features as addons and the crowds of people it attracts.

Definitely not average in those departments when it comes to quality, execution is another factor we can talk about.

From that point it becomes subjective, and we can debate which part is the best or not, but it's widely known that ESO at certain things the same way other mmos are, BDO for graphics and combat, WOW for trails, FF14 for story.

Ofc everything is a business decision but they don't compromise on their strength unless we start hearing Fiver voice actors soon.

Malthorne

No

XSTRONG wrote: »

Malthorne wrote: »

There’s a reason the chapters are going on sale so quickly after they release.

How much do chapters cost on sale? I always bought them before launch

50% off on the eso website, but I got high isle for even cheaper than that through a retail website.

Heartrage

Maybe If...

It depends on the chapter.

Elsonso

No

WiseSky wrote: »

I definitely think ESO is Top shelf MMO when it comes to Art Direction, Quests, Immersion, Voice acting, Lore, 3rd party customization features as addons and the crowds of people it attracts.

Definitely not average in those departments when it comes to quality, execution is another factor we can talk about.

We have to disagree there.

While the people doing the work are very talented, being "top shelf" is more than just about the ingredients. It is also about the recipe. High Isle looked really good, but ultimately, it was Summerset Isle with Bretons, Druids, and Volcanoes, and you didn't really notice the Bretons. Boots-on-the-ground assessment. I know that sounds harsh, but this is a place where they could have let the horses run free because the whole location was new and uncharted. I think they rolled out a very nice looking, but average, Chapter.

So what are we going to get with Necrom? We already see that they are recycling Vvardenfell from the images that they have presented. They have a chance to make Apocrypha live up to the name, but rather than making something new and interesting, we may get a green Deadlands. I am sure it will look stunning, because they have a team that can make average look wonderful, but I do expect that it will be average.

This is why pre-order before PTS is such a risk. I have to know whether it is worth full price or whether I should wait until the end-of-year discounts.

P.S. - The last Chapter that I felt was worth the risk pre-ordering was Elsweyr. That was the last time I felt that ZOS did above average.

Eldartar

Yes

Yes. Strange to think it isn't really

markulrich1966

No

last time there was such a poll I answered yes, that was before U35.

Added nerfs through all classes (not just 1 or two as in the past, you could workaround that), added unwanted stuff like new animations, and ignored the widespread player feedback to revert those.

And meanwhile I got pretty bored about repetitive events, unrewarding dailies and dead zones where you must solo too strong worldbosses as they do not damage scale like dolmens.
I unsubbed in december, and likely for the first time will not buy the new chapter for both accounts, at least not until I can get them at discount.

I am 56 and belong to the high income customers, so the price would be no issue at all, but I no longer feel being treated as a welcomed customer. So I spend my money elswhere and play ESO just now and then for some distraction. Casual, no longer with passion.

Agenericname

Maybe If...

I fall firmly into the wait until PTS club. At this point I doubt that I would preorder a chapter without knowing more about what was in it.

I waited for a sale on High Isles, and Im glad that I did. I tend to like high fantasy more than the Lovecraftian theme, but I dont think HI was that. In this case I may prefer Lovecraft. We will see. Im not in a hurry either way.

Im on the fence about the new class. I'll wait until the PTS to give that a fair assessment.

Same with the new "endless" dungeon. I havent played them in other games so I have no basis for comparison.

The stories, I usually go to other games for immersive stories these days.

I'll wait and see.

NettleCarrier

Maybe If...

At this point, chapter purchases are just an annual subscription for me to continue playing the game. They never truly feel "worth" their purchase price but they are sometimes punishing to be without. I am excited to level a new character for the first time in a few years, but that'll take maybe a few hours followed by a few days of collecting skill points lol.

Wolf_Eye

XSTRONG wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

Ask me again when I've played it. I don't judge things based on a trailer and a couple of broadcasts. However, I do judge all new content on the basis that playing on 2 servers with multiple characters I'll be playing through it fully a number of times over a long period of time, rather than using addons to guide me through a few bits of it as quickly as possible just the once and then complaining that there wasn't much to it ! I haven't been disappointed with the previous chapters or non-dungeon DLCs (the dungeon ones don't appeal to me), while the more impactful changes always come with the base game updates and that's where I'll be concerned this time around after last year's AwA mess.

I mean all the previous chapter to, for me High Isle was definitly not worth its cost and if the new Tent pole system is for everyone necrom chapter or not I dont think this chapter will be worth 40-50 dollars either.

I deeply apologize for interrupting, but I have seen the phrase "tent pole system" a handful of times before in reference to ESO. I was just wondering what it means, if anyone happens to know and is willing to explain it.

Alinhbo_Tyaka

No

Wolf_Eye wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

Ask me again when I've played it. I don't judge things based on a trailer and a couple of broadcasts. However, I do judge all new content on the basis that playing on 2 servers with multiple characters I'll be playing through it fully a number of times over a long period of time, rather than using addons to guide me through a few bits of it as quickly as possible just the once and then complaining that there wasn't much to it ! I haven't been disappointed with the previous chapters or non-dungeon DLCs (the dungeon ones don't appeal to me), while the more impactful changes always come with the base game updates and that's where I'll be concerned this time around after last year's AwA mess.

I mean all the previous chapter to, for me High Isle was definitly not worth its cost and if the new Tent pole system is for everyone necrom chapter or not I dont think this chapter will be worth 40-50 dollars either.

I deeply apologize for interrupting, but I have seen the phrase "tent pole system" a handful of times before in reference to ESO. I was just wondering what it means, if anyone happens to know and is willing to explain it.

The usages I am familiar with are, a tentpole is a content product that increases revenue by supporting and tying together other revenue streams that would make less on their own or a content product that makes so much revenue it can support products that cost more than they will bring in. In the context of the game it makes me feel it is related to monetizing some feature but that is a wild guess.

Wolf_Eye

Alinhbo_Tyaka wrote: »

Wolf_Eye wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

Tandor wrote: »

Ask me again when I've played it. I don't judge things based on a trailer and a couple of broadcasts. However, I do judge all new content on the basis that playing on 2 servers with multiple characters I'll be playing through it fully a number of times over a long period of time, rather than using addons to guide me through a few bits of it as quickly as possible just the once and then complaining that there wasn't much to it ! I haven't been disappointed with the previous chapters or non-dungeon DLCs (the dungeon ones don't appeal to me), while the more impactful changes always come with the base game updates and that's where I'll be concerned this time around after last year's AwA mess.

I mean all the previous chapter to, for me High Isle was definitly not worth its cost and if the new Tent pole system is for everyone necrom chapter or not I dont think this chapter will be worth 40-50 dollars either.

I deeply apologize for interrupting, but I have seen the phrase "tent pole system" a handful of times before in reference to ESO. I was just wondering what it means, if anyone happens to know and is willing to explain it.

The usages I am familiar with are, a tentpole is a content product that increases revenue by supporting and tying together other revenue streams that would make less on their own or a content product that makes so much revenue it can support products that cost more than they will bring in. In the context of the game it makes me feel it is related to monetizing some feature but that is a wild guess.

Ah, that makes sense. I really appreciate your explanation. Thank you so much

FluffyReachWitch

No

I’m always going to be of the opinion that our subscriptions should already cover this, but I normally pre-order out of interest anyway.

But I probably won’t do that this year. Obviously, Your Mileage May Vary. But I don’t like the pre-order bonuses, I’m just not excited for a second Morrowind chapter (really would have preferred Hammerfell), and the Arcanist class was initially intriguing but looks too focused on Apocrypha for my liking. It’s the Warden problem again: great idea, but too specific to the chapter in terms of aesthetics.

That being said, Hermaeus Mora is one of my blorbos when it comes to Daedric Princes, but I can wait until the chapter goes on sale.

licenturion

No

So far they have for me until now, but not convinced about Necrom yet.

I love new zones to explore and hang around after release but the fact this year is only 1 map detracts from the experience. If the map is double size and activity sure, but I wait until PTR this time around.

Marcus684

Yes

Very subjective question. $50 isn’t a lot of money for me but it is for a lot of people.

Destai

Maybe If...

WiseSky wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

WiseSky wrote: »

yeah but you have to take into account that Elder scrolls Online is a top shelf MMO, you cant compare it to mcdonalds...

So when I order a burger I want it to be the best, so Five Guys come around and spanks my wallet

I am not quite sure what to make of that. Is ESO a shopping center burger shop?

I dunno, maybe it is. ZOS is not making a top shelf MMO. They are making an average MMO. It is a perfectly fine MMO, and one that I enjoyed playing for years, but it is considerably in the average range in terms of quality and execution. This is an obvious business decision, as there is a point where top shelf costs more to make than what they earn.

"Top shelf" is an idiomatic expression means "the best quality" or "the finest." It can be used to describe anything from alcohol to books, to describe the highest quality item available.

I definitely think ESO is Top shelf MMO when it comes to Art Direction, Quests, Immersion, Voice acting, Lore, 3rd party customization features as addons and the crowds of people it attracts.

Definitely not average in those departments when it comes to quality, execution is another factor we can talk about.

From that point it becomes subjective, and we can debate which part is the best or not, but it's widely known that ESO at certain things the same way other mmos are, BDO for graphics and combat, WOW for trails, FF14 for story.

Ofc everything is a business decision but they don't compromise on their strength unless we start hearing Fiver voice actors soon.

I'll echo Elonso here, but I wouldn't consider ESO "top shelf". Overall it's average. I love it, I play daily, but I can see where it falls short too. The art direction - assets, zones, music, voice actors. - are all world class. I don't think anyone can take that from this game. The story delivery and years-old performance issues hold it back though. So does the monetization. So does the new player experience. So does the rewards structure. This game is my comfort food, but I can really see why for many people, it's a pass.

Also, the community engagement certainly doesn't feel "top shelf" to me. When they do show up here, it just feels like they're stopping by briefly on their way to other things. There's just been too many occasions where more engagement was needed and they have more times than not, not delivered as an organization. It's great they do in-person events and fun streams, but I don't feel like that's what the game needs to take off. For all they spend on their marketing events, I don't feel like it really helps them get recognition from the media.

Oreyn_Bearclaw

How could we possibly know that at this time?

I have frankly regretted purchasing the last few chapters during pre-order. I am likely going to wait until this one goes on sale unless I somehow stumble into a new raid group that wants to spend time on the PTS. Havent done a PTS prog in some time, so doubtful that will happen this time around. (Are they even releasing a new trial? Clearly, I am barely paying attention.)

To me, the money is not really the issue. I have plenty of disposable income to buy the chapter. I do believe, however, that the only voice I really have is ultimately with my wallet. My sub ran over the weekend, and I am not going to renew for a while. I have spent more than my share of money on this game, and until I see signs that its going back in the right direction, my wallet is closed.

WhiteCoatSyndrome

I usually wait for the sale regardless. Part of that is me being a cheapskate, but part of that is that the Chapter invariably comes out when the weather is warmer and I can hike, garden, or do other outdoor things that were denied to me during the cold months. Why pay full price when I’m not going to play until it would have gone on sale anyway?

XSTRONG

No

Marcus684 wrote: »

Very subjective question. $50 isn’t a lot of money for me but it is for a lot of people.

Question is, are the new chapters worth 50$
Im not asking people if they can afford it.

I can afford buying a Bic Mac for 50$ but its not worth it..

merpins

Yes

Let's assume all the assets in the new zone are new, made fresh. Everything is hand-made and was being designed and polished over the last year or so, and will continue to be polished and worked on until its release in about 3-4 months. Let's also assume the same for the Arcanist class and all its skills, as well as the new endless 2-person arena that's coming at the end of the year. Let's say that the arena in question is tied to this expansion, and give it the best shot possible; not ONLY is it an endless arena dungeon, but it's no an arena at all. It's a procedurally generated dungeon that's different every time you enter, with mini bosses and bosses as you go. It has tons of funny, interesting, some downright terrifying bosses. Think Binding of Isaac or Enter the Gungeon; It's a floor based procedurally generated dungeon, where somewhere on the floor is a boss room that leads to the next level, and depending on how far you get, the bosses get harder. And... It has some ACTUALLY good rewards based on how far you get.

With all that, I'd say it's very worth the price, even disregarding the dungeon thing, it's probably still worth the price.

But what's probably the case is this; they had a completely different expansion and idea in mind for this year that was in the works, about 6-8 months into production. People didn't like the card game last year, so they are designing a new class for this year. U35 hits. Rather than going with a new zone around say the Bosmer who haven't gotten an expansion yet, they take many assets that they used for the Marrowind expansion back in 2017 to make this new zone quickly to bank on nostalgia. Way less manpower is needed to create a new zone out of existing assets after all, and it will be successful, at least relatively to last year.

I'll still buy it. I don't really have a problem with that, the stuff that ZoS made back in 2017 looks great, and it's not to say that they can't retexture stuff or add some new stuff as well. It's somewhat worth it.

Destai

Maybe If...

merpins wrote: »

But what's probably the case is this; they had a completely different expansion and idea in mind for this year that was in the works, about 6-8 months into production. People didn't like the card game last year, so they are designing a new class for this year. U35 hits. Rather than going with a new zone around say the Bosmer who haven't gotten an expansion yet, they take many assets that they used for the Marrowind expansion back in 2017 to make this new zone quickly to bank on nostalgia. Way less manpower is needed to create a new zone out of existing assets after all, and it will be successful, at least relatively to last year.

Nostalgia's a delicate thing though. The first dose is cool - takes you back, you get back in and affirm your memories. Repeated doses feels like there's a lack of courage or ideas to do something new. I value nostalgia, especially playing this IP for almost 20 years. But they have to tread a fine line with it, because repeated doses of nostalgia gives the impression they're going after low-hanging fruit.

merpins wrote: »

I'll still buy it. I don't really have a problem with that, the stuff that ZoS made back in 2017 looks great, and it's not to say that they can't retexture stuff or add some new stuff as well. It's somewhat worth it.

Me too, not sure when, but I will. And I agree, a lot of this game's assets have aged pretty gracefully. Vvardenfell is still beautiful. Even base game - I was in Grahtwood last night roaming about, and was still taking in the world design.

Chihuahua

I think the pricing is a function of the current economic climate.

We see this in ESO as well where price inflation is very apparent.

When I look at the price my first reaction is to think the price is far too high. But...

I used to go to the football (English Premier League). Tickets cost more for one 90 minute game than the current Necrom Collectors Edition costs today. So, everything in relation to everything else I guess.

SirGabenOfSteamia

No

Been playing since launch, every new release has less content than the last. $60 Canadian for about 15-20 hours of content isn't incredibly worthwhile, especially for a less-than-great experience. Consider that most of the time spent in the zone besides the initial completion of delves and story will be running the trial/delves/wbs for dailies and weeklies. I usually buy at launch so I can farm the new motifs/blueprints for money, but if you're not desperate for gold then there's no harm in waiting for it to go on sale or even until it releases as a dlc in the consecutive year.