A few melancholy thoughts on ESO...

Ravensilver

As I was driving home this afternoon, just going along at an easy 110 km/h, for some reason my thoughts turned to ESO.
And before you start clutching your metaphorical pearls, hear me out… This will be a bit lengthy. It doesn’t even need responses because what I’m writing here are simply my thoughts.
I’ve been playing ESO with a few breaks here and there since BETA. Yes, I have the monkey. 😊
Until now, I pretty much bought every Expansion as soon as it became available. Usually as Collector’s Editions. And yes, I still have Mephala in her Summerset box sitting on my wardrobe where I can see it every evening, before I go to bed. ^^;; I enjoyed the zones, loved the stories, followed all the quests, expanded my crafting, furnished house after house.
I enjoy taking my time, wandering around, doing different things, seeing the world, so to say…
And yet… this time around, as of today I still haven’t bought Gold Road.
And I’ve actually caught myself pondering the merits of pausing my current subscription. Haven’t done it yet, since it just got renewed, but it’s troubling that the thought even wandered by. And I also haven’t even really been playing for the last few months.
Granted, I had a seven week hospital stay that pretty much prevented me from logging in, much less actually playing. But there is something else. Something a lot more troubling.
It's a general feeling of… disinterest? Discontent? Boredom? Ennui? All of it together?
I’ve watched the reveal. I’ve watched the trailer. I’ve watched the interviews. And I’m left with this… meh… feeling. I’m still not interested.
The new zone? Meh. The story? Been there, done that. Another (?) Daedric Prince that we have to deal with to save Tamriel from being destroyed. *sigh* The new crafting… we’ll see. It just doesn’t really feel new, interesting, exciting.
The last time I was really invested, was when I was finishing up the Necrom questline. Yes, it was all green and daedric, but it was interesting. I even took my time, spacing the quests and spending lots of time exploring the zones. I *love* exploring new zones! I levelled my new followers. I did the dailies.
But within a few weeks, I dropped off the last quest and then… there was nothing. Basically, I was done with Necrom by the end of July.
And then I realized that we weren’t getting any more content for an entire year.
Again… wait with the pearl clutching, before you start screaming at me.
Yes, there were dungeons. Yes, there’s the Archive. And that’s it.
Now… I usually run the new dungeons when they come out, together with a few friends in story mode. We take our time, we listen to the conversations, we do the quests, we explore. And then we’re done.
Then I tried the Archive. Solo. I think I managed the first level, all the way to the end, exactly once. Somehow managed to kill the endboss.
I never managed it again.
I’ve played a Nightblade from the beginning. I removed Grimfocus from the bar, because the permaglow gives me migraines, so I’m missing an important skill, but I try, nevertheless. And for those about to write ‘git gud’… remember that part where I wrote that I’ve been more or less playing since Beta? I know my character. I know its capabilities. I have all the points where they should be (except for Grimfocus). I keep up with builds, as much as I can.
And there’s the first ‘rub’. I’m 62 now. I’ve been playing computer games since 1974. UO, DAoC, WoW, FF, EQ, Skyrim, Witcher, Neverwinter Nights… the list is long and varied.
But I’m slowing down. I have high grade arthritis in my fingers. My reaction time has slowed considerably. My fingers seize up in the middle of an action, be it mouse or keyboard. I often take longer than a split-second to realize I’m standing in the fire. It happens. It will happen to you, too.
So I don’t do dungeons. I don’t do raids. I don’t do the Archive. Because I can’t.

I also hate PvP, since it is the most toxic content of the game and that’s very bad for my mental (and physical) health. I consider it an abomination. But I am also happy to leave it to those who enjoy it.
I also don’t have the time anymore. I have family. I have a business. I have a house and garden and cats. I have responsibilities. These all take time. I can’t raid 24/7 or 365 days a year. Yes, I realize that many of you reading this are probably still at that stage in life where you can pretty much freely schedule your time. And it doesn’t matter if you played until 3 am and have to get up at 6 am, your body can handle it.
Or you do have responsibilities, but you also have a partner that will deal with them for you (I’m looking at the guys here… it’s great to be able to say you can play all night, when you have a partner that takes care of the house/kids/family/care work/laundry etc., freeing you up for your hobby).
So. I’ve reached a level with my character beyond which I can’t go. I can’t ‘git gud’, because I am. As ‘gud’ as I can get.
So… what else is there? For me, it was always the housing. ESO offers such a wonderful variety of houses and furnishings and stuff, it made up for not being able to do the other content.
But… lately the houses have gotten huger and huger, but the number of slots has stayed the same. For the last few years, the housing community has offered ideas, possibilities, thoughts, suggestions and so on, to address the large variety of issues. I remember a pinned thread on the housing forum that was there for two years. For two years we hoped and posted and interacted. And then it just got deleted. No response. No feedback. No change.
Then the furnishing plans got more and more difficult to farm. Now most of them are locked behind the Archive, especially the higher levels. Which, again, makes it very difficult for players like me, who absolutely love housing, but can’t do high level content, to find. My friend, who used to play a lot with me and who also loves housing has almost stopped completely. Because she, too, can’t get the plans in a normal, achievable way, and for her, too, the new houses are simply too huge and expensive to buy and fill.
Most of the things that I tend to play for – mounts, furnishings, transmog items, collector items etc – are locked behind the crown shop. I didn’t even really do the last few events, because they, too, are always the same. There is very little that’s new. The transmogs are getting uglier with each event, so that I’m not even collecting them anymore. As are the crafting motives.
So here I am. Frustrated by the lack of story content, unable to do the dungeons/raids/archive, frustrated with the housing (and even more frustrated with the total disinterest of ZOS in its customer feedback – but that’s on another page…). What else is there?
On the one hand, I love ESO. I love what it was. What it could be. What it used to offer. I tend to stay loyal to something that I once loved…
On the other hand… right now I’m definitely not inspired to remain… and that is the saddest part of all…

Dracane

Those are deep contemplations.
It sounds to me like a lot of things come together. Your health, your family and social structures, and also a reduction in interest in the game.

That you have so dilligently played ESO, despite your real life issues, shows that you love the game, and that you do not inherintly dislike it. Sometimes it can be wise to take a step back and explore other games. There is no betrayal in this, and ESO will still be there when you return.

Seeing other games and MMOs has rejuvenated my interest in ESO. I always saw the merit in it (amazing pvp, amazing combat, best housing by far, many zones and places to go) and now I see the merit in it even more after having played other online games for some years. Maybe such a short detour could help you as well, and you really don't have to feel bad about mixing things up here and now.

The human is not made to do the same thing every day. Animals are, but we are too complex. (Unfortunately so, sometimes)
Personally, I am immensly thrilled for the upcoming chapter. Some people may see no use in the new skills (maybe even because they don't know the possibilities yet) but there is something useful for each of my builds in there, both pve and pvp.
Remember; this is just a demo. As with every system, they will bring more to it, and improve it over time. I have not the trace of a doubt in that.

Desiato

All good things must come to an end. At least for the time being.

I felt discontent about the state of ESO a few years ago. I watched the game sold to me in interviews pre-launch slowly turn into something different with the parts I enjoyed the most discarded. So after miring in it for a while, I made the best decision possible and moved on...

..for a few years. I returned recently to find ESO was even more unlike the game I wanted it to be, yet one I was now willing to accept on its own terms. At least for now.

Ten years is a long time to do anything, especially playing a game. My advice is to be unafraid of letting go and filling the time with activities that are more fulfilling to you now.

Araneae6537

I agree with what @Dracane has posted — it sounds like many separate issues comes together, and it is not bad to take a break from the game, and you may return with renewed enjoyment.

I do share some of your concerns regarding extent and quality of new content added. Personally, I did enjoy everything last year — the dungeons, the chapter, and the Archive. I was disappointed not to see any additions or improvements in the third quarter, but also expect there may be much work required just to keep the game running well. I do wish the team could be expanded for this… I go back and forth in my thoughts between cynicism and hope.

This year, I am hopeful to see what may come, both the chapter and the housing update in Q3. The number of problems during various events is concerning and the dungeons were a letdown to me, especially considered they’re the only new ones this year.

There does seem to be more and more flashy stuff added to the game. It would be nice if players could adjust the extent of that on their screens. Otherwise, if it makes ZOS money to continue a game I love, including subtler elements that I enjoy as well, then I’m okay with it. (And no forcing such stuff on players! I also loved Nightblade and absolutely abhor the Grim Focus permaglow!) I agree about the transmogs so far this year and wish we’d get another nice personality like Deadlands Firewalker.

If you do decide to continue or come back to housing, I would highly recommend joining a housing or other guild with a crafter who collects all the furnishing plans and will craft them for materials. By good fortune, I am in two guilds with such generous souls, which gives such creative freedom and alleviates frustration of the low drop rate of the new plans from the Archive for instance.

reazea

Ravensilver wrote: »

As I was driving home this afternoon, just going along at an easy 110 km/h, for some reason my thoughts turned to ESO.
And before you start clutching your metaphorical pearls, hear me out… This will be a bit lengthy. It doesn’t even need responses because what I’m writing here are simply my thoughts.
I’ve been playing ESO with a few breaks here and there since BETA. Yes, I have the monkey. 😊
Until now, I pretty much bought every Expansion as soon as it became available. Usually as Collector’s Editions. And yes, I still have Mephala in her Summerset box sitting on my wardrobe where I can see it every evening, before I go to bed. ^^;; I enjoyed the zones, loved the stories, followed all the quests, expanded my crafting, furnished house after house.
I enjoy taking my time, wandering around, doing different things, seeing the world, so to say…
And yet… this time around, as of today I still haven’t bought Gold Road.
And I’ve actually caught myself pondering the merits of pausing my current subscription. Haven’t done it yet, since it just got renewed, but it’s troubling that the thought even wandered by. And I also haven’t even really been playing for the last few months.
Granted, I had a seven week hospital stay that pretty much prevented me from logging in, much less actually playing. But there is something else. Something a lot more troubling.
It's a general feeling of… disinterest? Discontent? Boredom? Ennui? All of it together?
I’ve watched the reveal. I’ve watched the trailer. I’ve watched the interviews. And I’m left with this… meh… feeling. I’m still not interested.
The new zone? Meh. The story? Been there, done that. Another (?) Daedric Prince that we have to deal with to save Tamriel from being destroyed. *sigh* The new crafting… we’ll see. It just doesn’t really feel new, interesting, exciting.
The last time I was really invested, was when I was finishing up the Necrom questline. Yes, it was all green and daedric, but it was interesting. I even took my time, spacing the quests and spending lots of time exploring the zones. I *love* exploring new zones! I levelled my new followers. I did the dailies.
But within a few weeks, I dropped off the last quest and then… there was nothing. Basically, I was done with Necrom by the end of July.
And then I realized that we weren’t getting any more content for an entire year.
Again… wait with the pearl clutching, before you start screaming at me.
Yes, there were dungeons. Yes, there’s the Archive. And that’s it.
Now… I usually run the new dungeons when they come out, together with a few friends in story mode. We take our time, we listen to the conversations, we do the quests, we explore. And then we’re done.
Then I tried the Archive. Solo. I think I managed the first level, all the way to the end, exactly once. Somehow managed to kill the endboss.
I never managed it again.
I’ve played a Nightblade from the beginning. I removed Grimfocus from the bar, because the permaglow gives me migraines, so I’m missing an important skill, but I try, nevertheless. And for those about to write ‘git gud’… remember that part where I wrote that I’ve been more or less playing since Beta? I know my character. I know its capabilities. I have all the points where they should be (except for Grimfocus). I keep up with builds, as much as I can.
And there’s the first ‘rub’. I’m 62 now. I’ve been playing computer games since 1974. UO, DAoC, WoW, FF, EQ, Skyrim, Witcher, Neverwinter Nights… the list is long and varied.
But I’m slowing down. I have high grade arthritis in my fingers. My reaction time has slowed considerably. My fingers seize up in the middle of an action, be it mouse or keyboard. I often take longer than a split-second to realize I’m standing in the fire. It happens. It will happen to you, too.
So I don’t do dungeons. I don’t do raids. I don’t do the Archive. Because I can’t.

I also hate PvP, since it is the most toxic content of the game and that’s very bad for my mental (and physical) health. I consider it an abomination. But I am also happy to leave it to those who enjoy it.
I also don’t have the time anymore. I have family. I have a business. I have a house and garden and cats. I have responsibilities. These all take time. I can’t raid 24/7 or 365 days a year. Yes, I realize that many of you reading this are probably still at that stage in life where you can pretty much freely schedule your time. And it doesn’t matter if you played until 3 am and have to get up at 6 am, your body can handle it.
Or you do have responsibilities, but you also have a partner that will deal with them for you (I’m looking at the guys here… it’s great to be able to say you can play all night, when you have a partner that takes care of the house/kids/family/care work/laundry etc., freeing you up for your hobby).
So. I’ve reached a level with my character beyond which I can’t go. I can’t ‘git gud’, because I am. As ‘gud’ as I can get.
So… what else is there? For me, it was always the housing. ESO offers such a wonderful variety of houses and furnishings and stuff, it made up for not being able to do the other content.
But… lately the houses have gotten huger and huger, but the number of slots has stayed the same. For the last few years, the housing community has offered ideas, possibilities, thoughts, suggestions and so on, to address the large variety of issues. I remember a pinned thread on the housing forum that was there for two years. For two years we hoped and posted and interacted. And then it just got deleted. No response. No feedback. No change.
Then the furnishing plans got more and more difficult to farm. Now most of them are locked behind the Archive, especially the higher levels. Which, again, makes it very difficult for players like me, who absolutely love housing, but can’t do high level content, to find. My friend, who used to play a lot with me and who also loves housing has almost stopped completely. Because she, too, can’t get the plans in a normal, achievable way, and for her, too, the new houses are simply too huge and expensive to buy and fill.
Most of the things that I tend to play for – mounts, furnishings, transmog items, collector items etc – are locked behind the crown shop. I didn’t even really do the last few events, because they, too, are always the same. There is very little that’s new. The transmogs are getting uglier with each event, so that I’m not even collecting them anymore. As are the crafting motives.
So here I am. Frustrated by the lack of story content, unable to do the dungeons/raids/archive, frustrated with the housing (and even more frustrated with the total disinterest of ZOS in its customer feedback – but that’s on another page…). What else is there?
On the one hand, I love ESO. I love what it was. What it could be. What it used to offer. I tend to stay loyal to something that I once loved…
On the other hand… right now I’m definitely not inspired to remain… and that is the saddest part of all…

It's sad, but I'm pretty sure ZOS feels the same way about ESO that you do. At least that's the message they've sent to many of the players, especially those of us that love PvP. It seems like ZOS just isn't that interested in the game anymore.

furiouslog

I think this is perfectly natural. I took a natural break from the game two years ago and basically did two other MMOs (which were truly awful), and worked my way through a chunk of my Steam backlog plus Starfield.

The break was good, although most of the members of my personal community have blown away on the winds, with a handful of exceptions. I'm back now, and I have established some gaming goals for myself in ESO, and will see those through before I take another break, I think.

I also have arthritis as well as neuropathy, and it sucks. I'm waiting for some of these non-profits that help the differently-abled play video games finally make a controller that works for people with pain or numbness issues in their hands.

But, what you experience is natural, and it's not worth getting anxious about. If you stop playing, you might miss some cosmetics, you might miss some neat events or some such, but I did that and I am fine. It ended up not mattering if I got a particular opal style page or not. And when you feel the need, unless ZOS shuts its doors, the game will still be here when you feel like it again. A lot of people love going to Disneyland, but only a few people have the resources or inclination to go there every day. ESO is a theme park. It can become a lifestyle if you let it, but it doesn't have to. Spend your leisure time the way you want, and don't feel bad about it.

Dracane

reazea wrote: »

Ravensilver wrote: »

As I was driving home this afternoon, just going along at an easy 110 km/h, for some reason my thoughts turned to ESO.
And before you start clutching your metaphorical pearls, hear me out… This will be a bit lengthy. It doesn’t even need responses because what I’m writing here are simply my thoughts.
I’ve been playing ESO with a few breaks here and there since BETA. Yes, I have the monkey. 😊
Until now, I pretty much bought every Expansion as soon as it became available. Usually as Collector’s Editions. And yes, I still have Mephala in her Summerset box sitting on my wardrobe where I can see it every evening, before I go to bed. ^^;; I enjoyed the zones, loved the stories, followed all the quests, expanded my crafting, furnished house after house.
I enjoy taking my time, wandering around, doing different things, seeing the world, so to say…
And yet… this time around, as of today I still haven’t bought Gold Road.
And I’ve actually caught myself pondering the merits of pausing my current subscription. Haven’t done it yet, since it just got renewed, but it’s troubling that the thought even wandered by. And I also haven’t even really been playing for the last few months.
Granted, I had a seven week hospital stay that pretty much prevented me from logging in, much less actually playing. But there is something else. Something a lot more troubling.
It's a general feeling of… disinterest? Discontent? Boredom? Ennui? All of it together?
I’ve watched the reveal. I’ve watched the trailer. I’ve watched the interviews. And I’m left with this… meh… feeling. I’m still not interested.
The new zone? Meh. The story? Been there, done that. Another (?) Daedric Prince that we have to deal with to save Tamriel from being destroyed. *sigh* The new crafting… we’ll see. It just doesn’t really feel new, interesting, exciting.
The last time I was really invested, was when I was finishing up the Necrom questline. Yes, it was all green and daedric, but it was interesting. I even took my time, spacing the quests and spending lots of time exploring the zones. I *love* exploring new zones! I levelled my new followers. I did the dailies.
But within a few weeks, I dropped off the last quest and then… there was nothing. Basically, I was done with Necrom by the end of July.
And then I realized that we weren’t getting any more content for an entire year.
Again… wait with the pearl clutching, before you start screaming at me.
Yes, there were dungeons. Yes, there’s the Archive. And that’s it.
Now… I usually run the new dungeons when they come out, together with a few friends in story mode. We take our time, we listen to the conversations, we do the quests, we explore. And then we’re done.
Then I tried the Archive. Solo. I think I managed the first level, all the way to the end, exactly once. Somehow managed to kill the endboss.
I never managed it again.
I’ve played a Nightblade from the beginning. I removed Grimfocus from the bar, because the permaglow gives me migraines, so I’m missing an important skill, but I try, nevertheless. And for those about to write ‘git gud’… remember that part where I wrote that I’ve been more or less playing since Beta? I know my character. I know its capabilities. I have all the points where they should be (except for Grimfocus). I keep up with builds, as much as I can.
And there’s the first ‘rub’. I’m 62 now. I’ve been playing computer games since 1974. UO, DAoC, WoW, FF, EQ, Skyrim, Witcher, Neverwinter Nights… the list is long and varied.
But I’m slowing down. I have high grade arthritis in my fingers. My reaction time has slowed considerably. My fingers seize up in the middle of an action, be it mouse or keyboard. I often take longer than a split-second to realize I’m standing in the fire. It happens. It will happen to you, too.
So I don’t do dungeons. I don’t do raids. I don’t do the Archive. Because I can’t.

I also hate PvP, since it is the most toxic content of the game and that’s very bad for my mental (and physical) health. I consider it an abomination. But I am also happy to leave it to those who enjoy it.
I also don’t have the time anymore. I have family. I have a business. I have a house and garden and cats. I have responsibilities. These all take time. I can’t raid 24/7 or 365 days a year. Yes, I realize that many of you reading this are probably still at that stage in life where you can pretty much freely schedule your time. And it doesn’t matter if you played until 3 am and have to get up at 6 am, your body can handle it.
Or you do have responsibilities, but you also have a partner that will deal with them for you (I’m looking at the guys here… it’s great to be able to say you can play all night, when you have a partner that takes care of the house/kids/family/care work/laundry etc., freeing you up for your hobby).
So. I’ve reached a level with my character beyond which I can’t go. I can’t ‘git gud’, because I am. As ‘gud’ as I can get.
So… what else is there? For me, it was always the housing. ESO offers such a wonderful variety of houses and furnishings and stuff, it made up for not being able to do the other content.
But… lately the houses have gotten huger and huger, but the number of slots has stayed the same. For the last few years, the housing community has offered ideas, possibilities, thoughts, suggestions and so on, to address the large variety of issues. I remember a pinned thread on the housing forum that was there for two years. For two years we hoped and posted and interacted. And then it just got deleted. No response. No feedback. No change.
Then the furnishing plans got more and more difficult to farm. Now most of them are locked behind the Archive, especially the higher levels. Which, again, makes it very difficult for players like me, who absolutely love housing, but can’t do high level content, to find. My friend, who used to play a lot with me and who also loves housing has almost stopped completely. Because she, too, can’t get the plans in a normal, achievable way, and for her, too, the new houses are simply too huge and expensive to buy and fill.
Most of the things that I tend to play for – mounts, furnishings, transmog items, collector items etc – are locked behind the crown shop. I didn’t even really do the last few events, because they, too, are always the same. There is very little that’s new. The transmogs are getting uglier with each event, so that I’m not even collecting them anymore. As are the crafting motives.
So here I am. Frustrated by the lack of story content, unable to do the dungeons/raids/archive, frustrated with the housing (and even more frustrated with the total disinterest of ZOS in its customer feedback – but that’s on another page…). What else is there?
On the one hand, I love ESO. I love what it was. What it could be. What it used to offer. I tend to stay loyal to something that I once loved…
On the other hand… right now I’m definitely not inspired to remain… and that is the saddest part of all…

It's sad, but I'm pretty sure ZOS feels the same way about ESO that you do. At least that's the message they've sent to many of the players, especially those of us that love PvP. It seems like ZOS just isn't that interested in the game anymore.

What do you mean? They sent literal messages, or given you the sense of not carrying about the game? I am interested in hearing how you arrived at this conclusion. Not saying it's wrong or right.

MidniteOwl1913

I very much agree that the houses are getting bigger to no good end. The Necrom Enclave is supposed to be a medium sized house but is huge. The recent new house that was actually 2 houses in one space was enormous. Too big to properly decorate with the available spaces.

Why they don't just release more smaller houses is beyond me. Most of the houses are just modified in-game spaces why not just make more of the smaller ones of those available?

fizzylu

I'd say the game has definitely lost some of it's spark. If it wasn't for housing and the attachment I feel towards my Khajiit sorcerer, I probably wouldn't play ESO at all. I do regularly take breaks from the game (some months here and there), and have been doing so very frequently over the last year or two.

With the new chapter, there's nothing I'm really excited about either. I do think the zone looks pretty, but zones and their stories will never make or break a game for me. Scribing will probably be a miss for me since as a PvP focused magsorc, I already struggle with bar space. I know they teased some new housing "feature" and PvP content, but with as little information there is about them (I will never understand why Zenimax isn't more transparent and it's sad that they seemingly have no interest in player feedback until features are basically completed and no longer capable of easily being altered/changed) it's hard to get excited and I can see them ending up being something really small that doesn't impact my time in the game.

In general, there just feels like an overall lack of things for me to put time into at this point in ESO's existence. And sadly I can't confidently say if that's changing this year. I still haven't bought Gold Road, but I want to after realizing that I'm not ready to let go of my Khajiit and his home.... but I'd also be lying if I didn't say that I'm still hesitant about doing so because of everything I have written here and even with the recent performance/bug issues that seem to be coming up more regularly.

SirLeeMinion

OP: I have been in a somewhat similar place for a couple of years (similar age, ailments, and dissatisfaction). I've found a few things that have helped me include:

1) Playing other games - Star Wars the Old Republic has similarly fully voiced quests, it's combat doesn't require aiming, and I can complete a fair bit of casual content using just one hand.

2) Taking a break. Right about now, when it's clear that the new content coming out doesn't really excite me and old issues will not be addressed, I tend to shutter my accounts and cut back or eliminate my game time. I tend to come back when there's a meaningful sale or as the fall holiday content arrives.

3) Running non-meta builds in ESO to compensate for physical limitations. Heavy attack builds with sergeants, oakensoul, and leeching plate will get you through a ton of content by simply holding down left mouse button and putting auto-run on at walking speed. There are people here who would be happy to help you farm this gear, just let folks know what server you are on and ask. Alternatively, try this type of build out on the PTS (where you have all gear options at the start) and see if it works for you without investing anything but download time.

ofc, you didn't ask for advice; if nothing else, know that you aren't alone

spartaxoxo

One thing is that I think it sounds like you have a bit of burnout. It happens to everyone and is a normal part of interest in a long-term game. Go ahead and take a break!

When (if) you come back, maybe you should consider a build that's a bit more accessible. One that gives you wriggle room for slower reflexes and painful rotations. There are builds now that greatly help with that and it could help you to do more of what you enjoy doing.

Regardless, of what you decide, I wish you well!

LaintalAy

After a break of six months and a new account to start from I have been playing daily for 3 months. I am now at the point where my sub won't be renewed and the game is uninstalled for the time being whilst I clean up my PC.

But, yes, you are not the only one thinking that way.

Gone are the days when games were made purely for fun and entertainment.

twev

Dracane wrote: »

reazea wrote: »

Ravensilver wrote: »

As I was driving home this afternoon, just going along at an easy 110 km/h, for some reason my thoughts turned to ESO.
And before you start clutching your metaphorical pearls, hear me out… This will be a bit lengthy. It doesn’t even need responses because what I’m writing here are simply my thoughts.
I’ve been playing ESO with a few breaks here and there since BETA. Yes, I have the monkey. 😊
Until now, I pretty much bought every Expansion as soon as it became available. Usually as Collector’s Editions. And yes, I still have Mephala in her Summerset box sitting on my wardrobe where I can see it every evening, before I go to bed. ^^;; I enjoyed the zones, loved the stories, followed all the quests, expanded my crafting, furnished house after house.
I enjoy taking my time, wandering around, doing different things, seeing the world, so to say…
And yet… this time around, as of today I still haven’t bought Gold Road.
And I’ve actually caught myself pondering the merits of pausing my current subscription. Haven’t done it yet, since it just got renewed, but it’s troubling that the thought even wandered by. And I also haven’t even really been playing for the last few months.
Granted, I had a seven week hospital stay that pretty much prevented me from logging in, much less actually playing. But there is something else. Something a lot more troubling.
It's a general feeling of… disinterest? Discontent? Boredom? Ennui? All of it together?
I’ve watched the reveal. I’ve watched the trailer. I’ve watched the interviews. And I’m left with this… meh… feeling. I’m still not interested.
The new zone? Meh. The story? Been there, done that. Another (?) Daedric Prince that we have to deal with to save Tamriel from being destroyed. *sigh* The new crafting… we’ll see. It just doesn’t really feel new, interesting, exciting.
The last time I was really invested, was when I was finishing up the Necrom questline. Yes, it was all green and daedric, but it was interesting. I even took my time, spacing the quests and spending lots of time exploring the zones. I *love* exploring new zones! I levelled my new followers. I did the dailies.
But within a few weeks, I dropped off the last quest and then… there was nothing. Basically, I was done with Necrom by the end of July.
And then I realized that we weren’t getting any more content for an entire year.
Again… wait with the pearl clutching, before you start screaming at me.
Yes, there were dungeons. Yes, there’s the Archive. And that’s it.
Now… I usually run the new dungeons when they come out, together with a few friends in story mode. We take our time, we listen to the conversations, we do the quests, we explore. And then we’re done.
Then I tried the Archive. Solo. I think I managed the first level, all the way to the end, exactly once. Somehow managed to kill the endboss.
I never managed it again.
I’ve played a Nightblade from the beginning. I removed Grimfocus from the bar, because the permaglow gives me migraines, so I’m missing an important skill, but I try, nevertheless. And for those about to write ‘git gud’… remember that part where I wrote that I’ve been more or less playing since Beta? I know my character. I know its capabilities. I have all the points where they should be (except for Grimfocus). I keep up with builds, as much as I can.
And there’s the first ‘rub’. I’m 62 now. I’ve been playing computer games since 1974. UO, DAoC, WoW, FF, EQ, Skyrim, Witcher, Neverwinter Nights… the list is long and varied.
But I’m slowing down. I have high grade arthritis in my fingers. My reaction time has slowed considerably. My fingers seize up in the middle of an action, be it mouse or keyboard. I often take longer than a split-second to realize I’m standing in the fire. It happens. It will happen to you, too.
So I don’t do dungeons. I don’t do raids. I don’t do the Archive. Because I can’t.

I also hate PvP, since it is the most toxic content of the game and that’s very bad for my mental (and physical) health. I consider it an abomination. But I am also happy to leave it to those who enjoy it.
I also don’t have the time anymore. I have family. I have a business. I have a house and garden and cats. I have responsibilities. These all take time. I can’t raid 24/7 or 365 days a year. Yes, I realize that many of you reading this are probably still at that stage in life where you can pretty much freely schedule your time. And it doesn’t matter if you played until 3 am and have to get up at 6 am, your body can handle it.
Or you do have responsibilities, but you also have a partner that will deal with them for you (I’m looking at the guys here… it’s great to be able to say you can play all night, when you have a partner that takes care of the house/kids/family/care work/laundry etc., freeing you up for your hobby).
So. I’ve reached a level with my character beyond which I can’t go. I can’t ‘git gud’, because I am. As ‘gud’ as I can get.
So… what else is there? For me, it was always the housing. ESO offers such a wonderful variety of houses and furnishings and stuff, it made up for not being able to do the other content.
But… lately the houses have gotten huger and huger, but the number of slots has stayed the same. For the last few years, the housing community has offered ideas, possibilities, thoughts, suggestions and so on, to address the large variety of issues. I remember a pinned thread on the housing forum that was there for two years. For two years we hoped and posted and interacted. And then it just got deleted. No response. No feedback. No change.
Then the furnishing plans got more and more difficult to farm. Now most of them are locked behind the Archive, especially the higher levels. Which, again, makes it very difficult for players like me, who absolutely love housing, but can’t do high level content, to find. My friend, who used to play a lot with me and who also loves housing has almost stopped completely. Because she, too, can’t get the plans in a normal, achievable way, and for her, too, the new houses are simply too huge and expensive to buy and fill.
Most of the things that I tend to play for – mounts, furnishings, transmog items, collector items etc – are locked behind the crown shop. I didn’t even really do the last few events, because they, too, are always the same. There is very little that’s new. The transmogs are getting uglier with each event, so that I’m not even collecting them anymore. As are the crafting motives.
So here I am. Frustrated by the lack of story content, unable to do the dungeons/raids/archive, frustrated with the housing (and even more frustrated with the total disinterest of ZOS in its customer feedback – but that’s on another page…). What else is there?
On the one hand, I love ESO. I love what it was. What it could be. What it used to offer. I tend to stay loyal to something that I once loved…
On the other hand… right now I’m definitely not inspired to remain… and that is the saddest part of all…

It's sad, but I'm pretty sure ZOS feels the same way about ESO that you do. At least that's the message they've sent to many of the players, especially those of us that love PvP. It seems like ZOS just isn't that interested in the game anymore.

What do you mean? They sent literal messages, or given you the sense of not carrying about the game? I am interested in hearing how you arrived at this conclusion. Not saying it's wrong or right.

Because it's feeling like they're just phoning it in half the time?

Ravensilver

Thank you all for your kind words! Maybe it *is* time to take some time off ESO... Absence and all that... ^__^

Necrotech_Master

i usually rotate through other games mostly to not have too much burnout in this one, i still play daily but some days i dont feel like doing much and just do the daily/weekly endeavors and thats it, other times i might do an archive run after that or a few dungeons to work on gear

theres nothing wrong with taking a break

SkaraMinoc

It's a sad story but good explanation of what it feels like to eventually lose interest in an MMO game you love.

Malyore

Ravensilver wrote: »

The new zone? Meh. The story? Been there, done that. Another (?) Daedric Prince that we have to deal with to save Tamriel from being destroyed. *sigh* ...
The last time I was really invested, was when I was finishing up the Necrom questline. Yes, it was all green and daedric, but it was interesting. I even took my time, spacing the quests and spending lots of time exploring the zones. I *love* exploring new zones! I levelled my new followers. I did the dailies.
But within a few weeks, I dropped off the last quest and then… there was nothing. Basically, I was done with Necrom by the end of July.
...
So here I am. Frustrated by the lack of story content, unable to do the dungeons/raids/archive, frustrated with the housing (and even more frustrated with the total disinterest of ZOS in its customer feedback – but that’s on another page…). What else is there?
On the one hand, I love ESO. I love what it was. What it could be. What it used to offer. I tend to stay loyal to something that I once loved…
On the other hand… right now I’m definitely not inspired to remain… and that is the saddest part of all…

I agree the daedric quests are getting very old. I haven't seen gold road content yet as I want to experience it myself to see if they do it well, but I suspect it will not be done well.

With how you're feeling, I'm surprised Necrom didn't bore you. I felt immensely bored during the entire chapter. It's another daedric chapter. We know the world isn't gonna end, so pretending otherwise is just dull. And the way it was done was very monotonous and didn't stand out at all. As for the actual area, apocrypha certainly looks interesting, but I feel there's really no reason for my character's gameplay to go explore. Seeing the giant spires with Watchers at the top would normally be so exciting in any other elder scrolls game. "Woah, what could I find in there?!" I'd ask. But I know in this game it'll just be boring enemies, a smattering of gold, some ash and voidsteel gauntlets, and maybe some overland sets. Very little I could use. Nothing new at all.

ESO will always likely stay what it is. And it takes a certain range of mindsets to get into it. Once you start to slip from that range, Tamriel rings hollow. There's a plethora of things they could do better if they really wanted to grip their audience and fulfill their gameplay experience. Respectably there are some things the game does well. But it sounds to me like you may just be feeling some burnout and might need to explore other medias, maybe even just different forms of expressions within videogames. Since ESO will probably always stay the same, it'll always be here to return to when the experience sounds fun again.

moderatelyfatman

I find that every time I start to feel burnt out I will go and completely immerse myself in another game. It does wonders for refreshing my interest in ESO.