Romance. Scrapped or not?

Hapexamendios

Honestly I don't care if it's scrapped or not. Not something I'm interested in.

Amottica

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's the most recent comment I know about: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7681817#Comment_7681817

"Hey all, so we don't have an update to share right now on this feature. It is still something the team is looking at, but nothing beyond that to announce at this time.

We'll also note the dev team does have feedback from players voicing their interest in having romance options for companions."

and I doubt there is much more to say at this time since the focus is on the newest update.

Also, not sure what a poll is going tell us since no one that will vote on the poll has actual knowledge of what Zenimax has considered internally on this subject.

FayJolyn

Scrapped

I voted scrapped but only because there wasn't a third option which is I think (hope) they just really thought about it yet. In a perfect world they would overhaul the full marriage system as it is ingame now. I don't think I actually know anyone who ever used the Pledge of Mara ingame. For the current price it's just isn't worth it.
I really hope they will give romanceable companions as a future option to us to. Not only could we flesh out the stories of the companions more and also breathe new life in the older companions. (it also would ensure me buying future chapters.)

I do wonder though, has romance ever been done in other MMO's before? I know there is romance in multiple RPG's but AFAIK there are no MMO's yet with romanceable NPC's.

Jammy420

Scrapped

Rebirthment wrote: »

Jammy420 wrote: »

This feature is right along the justice system allowing for bounties on people who commit too many crimes, and along the lines of the vampire hunters and werewolf hunters we were supposed to get with Greymoor.

Just another system with much potential, but ZoS just squanders the opportunity.

Wait really? I never heard about them being added in Greymoor! Damn would've been cool to have

It was something they mentioned in the development stage, and it just never happened. Same with bounties for criminals in overland tamriel. Scrapped because people cried they couldnt steal unimpeded.

VaranisArano

Jammy420 wrote: »

Rebirthment wrote: »

Jammy420 wrote: »

This feature is right along the justice system allowing for bounties on people who commit too many crimes, and along the lines of the vampire hunters and werewolf hunters we were supposed to get with Greymoor.

Just another system with much potential, but ZoS just squanders the opportunity.

Wait really? I never heard about them being added in Greymoor! Damn would've been cool to have

It was something they mentioned in the development stage, and it just never happened. Same with bounties for criminals in overland tamriel. Scrapped because people cried they couldnt steal unimpeded.

Specifically, PvP style bounties for criminals weren't added to the Justice System because it was going to be exploitable and imbalanced. This was back in 2016.

"We will not be adding in the previously discussed PvP component of the Justice System. We caveated this many times - as I said at the ESO QuakeCon presentation in 2014, it was always going to be very difficult making it fun, but not exploitable. When introducing new systems to the game, our number one goal is to make sure that we don't introduce new problems. Having players enforce justice on the criminal activity of other players has the potential to introduce imbalances and other issues that greatly outweigh any potential gameplay benefits. The game's central concept of "PvP in PvP areas and be safe in safe areas" needs to stay the way it is."

https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/25563

Dalsinthus

Scrapped

I think it is scrapped like so many of the features added to the game but never expanded upon. I'm honestly happy that we're still getting new antiquities, companions, and ToT decks - at least that's something to maintain interest and give more horizontal progression oppotunities. For so many other gameplay features -- heists, sacrements, battlegrounds, and more -- we get little to no further development after these gameplay features are added to the game.

ZOS_Kevin

Thanks for sharing this, @VaranisArano. Just wanted to reiterate that this is still the case. The team is looking at this, along with many other requests. However, no changes at this time and nothing beyond that to announce.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's the most recent comment I know about: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7681817#Comment_7681817

"Hey all, so we don't have an update to share right now on this feature. It is still something the team is looking at, but nothing beyond that to announce at this time.

We'll also note the dev team does have feedback from players voicing their interest in having romance options for companions."

Rebirthment

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Thanks for sharing this, @VaranisArano. Just wanted to reiterate that this is still the case. The team is looking at this, along with many other requests. However, no changes at this time and nothing beyond that to announce.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's the most recent comment I know about: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7681817#Comment_7681817

"Hey all, so we don't have an update to share right now on this feature. It is still something the team is looking at, but nothing beyond that to announce at this time.

We'll also note the dev team does have feedback from players voicing their interest in having romance options for companions."

As nice as companions are, i wouldn't mind being able to romance other certain NPCs either. Mainly those you meet time and again

Finedaible

I think there are far more important features to focus on than a dating sim.

Treselegant

Still in development.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Thanks for sharing this, @VaranisArano. Just wanted to reiterate that this is still the case. The team is looking at this, along with many other requests. However, no changes at this time and nothing beyond that to announce.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's the most recent comment I know about: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7681817#Comment_7681817

"Hey all, so we don't have an update to share right now on this feature. It is still something the team is looking at, but nothing beyond that to announce at this time.

We'll also note the dev team does have feedback from players voicing their interest in having romance options for companions."

My only quibble with this is that it makes it sound like it was something that the community alone has requested and not something was put forward as "definitely somewhere we want to get to" (Rich Lambert - 2021) to sell the companions during the promotional cycle for Blackwood. Putting it on the level of 'many other requests' makes it sounds like it's out there being regarded on the same level as dragon mounts and flying.

Despite that, the response is appreciated Kevin.

ZOS_Kevin

@Treselegant That was not the intention. Side effect of trying to answer succinctly. We are trying to convey this is something on our radar but nothing added to share at this time. The "many other requests" is just to note that we have other requests like this, where there is mutual interest from the community and Dev Team. And we as a team need to do a ton of research before committing to a feature. So nothing has been scrapped or fully decided on. My original comment was not to diminish interest in the romance system. Sorry if that is how it came across.

Treselegant

Still in development.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

@Treselegant That was not the intention. Side effect of trying to answer succinctly. We are trying to convey this is something on our radar but nothing added to share at this time. The "many other requests" is just to note that we have other requests like this, where there is mutual interest from the community and Dev Team. And we as a team need to do a ton of research before committing to a feature. So nothing has been scrapped or fully decided on. My original comment was not to diminish interest in the romance system. Sorry if that is how it came across.

No worries @ZOS_Kevin. It's a difficult job you've got here and I don't envy you.

My frustration lies mostly in that this was something that was put out there as something that was coming at some point and circulated as part of the promotion for companions back in 2021. Two years later we, the playbase who enjoy this kind of roleplaying content and want more depth for the companion system, have been left wondering what happened for some time. It is good to hear that the idea hasn't been scrapped altogether at least.

Kendaric

"FayJolyn wrote: »

I do wonder though, has romance ever been done in other MMO's before? I know there is romance in multiple RPG's but AFAIK there are no MMO's yet with romanceable NPC's.

SWTOR (Star Wars MMORPG) has romances with companions in the base game, so it's definitely something that has been done.

It would be nice if it eventually got implemented here, not just for companions but also for a few recurring NPCs like Naryu or Lyris.

SeaGtGruff

Being able to have romantic relationships with our companions might be one step away from wanting to be able to kill them for being too annoying all the time. Keeping things on a strictly Platonic level is almost always better for a friendship.

Necrotech_Master

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

Being able to have romantic relationships with our companions might be one step away from wanting to be able to kill them for being too annoying all the time. Keeping things on a strictly Platonic level is almost always better for a friendship.

im sure some people already want to kill them for how annoying they can be now lol

i still wish we had an option to disable companion comments entirely (without needing to resort to an addon to do so)

Julia_Nix

As far as I remember Darien Gautier still owes me drinks. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

VaranisArano

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Thanks for sharing this, @VaranisArano. Just wanted to reiterate that this is still the case. The team is looking at this, along with many other requests. However, no changes at this time and nothing beyond that to announce.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's the most recent comment I know about: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/7681817#Comment_7681817

"Hey all, so we don't have an update to share right now on this feature. It is still something the team is looking at, but nothing beyond that to announce at this time.

We'll also note the dev team does have feedback from players voicing their interest in having romance options for companions."

I really appreciate this sort of "Hey, it's been a while since the last official comment, no changes at this time" update.

Tessitura

Gonna be honest. Romance in these games is kind of weird to begin with. I think its better they dont go in that direction, especially because it will probably be weird and awkward. We can marry other players, I am good with that. Too bad we cant have a ceremony like in FFXIV though.

Kendaric

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

Being able to have romantic relationships with our companions might be one step away from wanting to be able to kill them for being too annoying all the time. Keeping things on a strictly Platonic level is almost always better for a friendship.

That shouldn't be an issue though, since every companion can fill every role with the right equipment.

And if someone is stupid enough to kill off all companions... well, they got what they deserved.

Treselegant

Still in development.

There's always two things that surprise me whenever there is a thread about companion romance:

1. That there are players who are quite happy to let ZOS off the hook in terms of discussion/criticism as long as it's something they personally don't care about. I've never completed a trial in my life but I'm happy for those who do complete trials to have their thoughts without me dismissing them because they don't appeal to me personally. Usually such comments are coupled with weird comparisons that make no sense.

2. That there are players who are totally against adding a role playing element to a game which absolutely survives by advertising to people who played Elder Scrolls RPGs and catering most of it's content so to be accessable to the single player. ESO is an MMORPG. More in depth companion interactions are a feature of many modern RPGs and this has been the case for years now. I can only assume some players play ESO excusively and so are unaware of wider trends in gaming.

Thee_Cheshire_Cat

i hope they bring it in. Would be a nice feature. Even if it was once you got full rapport with them to unlock the option to have them give your char compliments, or say sweet things or an i love you once and awhile. Would melt my soul to hear that in Bastian's voice.

Jammy420

Scrapped

VaranisArano wrote: »

Jammy420 wrote: »

Rebirthment wrote: »

Jammy420 wrote: »

This feature is right along the justice system allowing for bounties on people who commit too many crimes, and along the lines of the vampire hunters and werewolf hunters we were supposed to get with Greymoor.

Just another system with much potential, but ZoS just squanders the opportunity.

Wait really? I never heard about them being added in Greymoor! Damn would've been cool to have

It was something they mentioned in the development stage, and it just never happened. Same with bounties for criminals in overland tamriel. Scrapped because people cried they couldnt steal unimpeded.

Specifically, PvP style bounties for criminals weren't added to the Justice System because it was going to be exploitable and imbalanced. This was back in 2016.

"We will not be adding in the previously discussed PvP component of the Justice System. We caveated this many times - as I said at the ESO QuakeCon presentation in 2014, it was always going to be very difficult making it fun, but not exploitable. When introducing new systems to the game, our number one goal is to make sure that we don't introduce new problems. Having players enforce justice on the criminal activity of other players has the potential to introduce imbalances and other issues that greatly outweigh any potential gameplay benefits. The game's central concept of "PvP in PvP areas and be safe in safe areas" needs to stay the way it is."

https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/25563

All they had to do was make an option to opt out. A passive mode if you will. I remember when they said this, and it is imho a cop out.

Kesstryl

I'm honestly not interested in my characters having romances with the current options of Companions. They're all simply friend zone material. Now some of the NPCs on the other hand...

spartaxoxo

Still in development.

colossalvoids wrote: »

Pretty sure it was never on the cards, their "never say never" stuff most of the times reads as "buy now thinking we'll build upon it eventually" so I'm looking at features as is to not have any disappointments. Not that I waited for this one, can't care less about companions personally, sorry.

They said they knew it would be a "huge miss" if it didn't come along and talked it about a few times. So, I think it was on their radar at some point. Alas though, I think it's off their radar because it got downgraded from "huge miss" to "we'll see."

Maybe we'll get it like we eventually got filleting multiple stacks, but I don't think it's going to happen any time soon.

Paralyse

Scrapped

We should see it around the time Half-Life 3 and Fallout 5 hit the shelves for release.

Compared to the way Bioware handled companions in SW:TOR, ESO's implementation of the companion system has always been much less effective. You cannot directly command them (except ulti), other NPC's in the game have no interactions with them, you cannot view their stats, you can't give them gifts to raise or lower their affection, you cannot send them out to harvest materials or craft things for you, and you can only equip them with companion-specific gear.

Their AI is also limited to executing a set rotation defined by skill order and cooldowns, and by a very basic if-then-else system for deciding when certain abilities should be executed out of sequence in response to a situation or event.

Unless ZOS plans to completely overhaul the companion system to fully flesh our the concept and make their presence in game much more meaningful and useful, I do not see the value in further spending dev team resources to add a romance system (and what would be the benefit to the player anyway?)

MreeBiPolar

AScarlato wrote: »

At this point adding it for characters like Isabel and Sharp will probably open the floodgates of Twitter criticism and various outrage, so I won’t hold my breath.

I am curious why do you think it would happen especially with these two.

MreeBiPolar

Paralyse wrote: »

Compared to the way Bioware handled companions in SW:TOR, ESO's implementation of the companion system has always been much less effective. You cannot directly command them (except ulti)

Actually, you can also command them in the same way you command pets (and if you have both, then it commands the whole bunch at once) to attack a specific target or break off attacking and pull back. But that isn't really more involved.

Caligamy_ESO

*Gestures to the No ETA pile where Spellcrafting, and Cyrodiil lag fixes reside*

Carcamongus

Caligamy_ESO wrote: »

*Gestures to the No ETA pile where Spellcrafting, and Cyrodiil lag fixes reside*

You'd call Mount Everest a pile?

Treeshka

If this feature is going to be added there must be a way to fully customize a companion just like creating a character in game. Because none of the current and future announced companions are suitable for any of my characters and probably this is same for some people.