Cloaks?

TDVM

As I recall, there were cloaks in the release, but their release wasn't the most successful.

Why not try adding cloaks again? At least short cloaks.
If I'm not mistaken, one of ZOS's arguments was that they don't want to be like Wow games, but are cloaks a feature of Wow or other MMOs?
The argument doesn't make sense because eso is similar to other MMOs, it has character creation, classes, magic, partially/fully open world, player interaction, pvp, quests, story and simply put: any MMO will be similar to each other in some or most cases

Cloaks could be part of the outfits we create every day, because it's painful to look at the bare and sometimes unattractive backs of characters while the front looks cool and sometimes aesthetically pleasing.
The lack of cloaks is the inability to make a character's outfit the way you want it to look.

Sockermannen

By cloaks i assume you mean the strips of fabric that hangs of the characters back instead of actual full cloaks…

From what i recall they could not get a decent physics engine working for cloaks that would not flip out with latency, so the other option was to have the cloak be ”glued” to the character like it is on the breton hero outfit. To be honest i’d want to have neither of these.

While i do agree that we should get more back items, even just things like backpacks or bags filled with scrolls or whatever. I don’t think we’ll be getting proper capes anytime soon, even less so with full sized cloaks (imagine the immense clipping issues)

LostScot

We would also need the cloakroom furnishing pack. Golden Honor would benefit from a mini cape. Argonians and Khajit can have capes that split at the tail, otherwise there'll be all sorts of jokes about what the bulge under the cape is.

fizzylu

While I love cloaks in other games and have always been disappointed that ESO could not manage them.... if you look up actual visuals of what the cloaks looked like, well, Zenimax couldn't really do them justice and something tells me that hasn't changed. My guess is they would have to redo the whole player model skeletons and definitely improve the games physics to make them look even remotely decent, and sadly I don't see Zenimax ever putting that much effort into this game considering they didn't even do so prior to launch. Short or not, I just can't see it happening or being done well.
I threw this together for another cloak thread awhile back, but I think this perfectly shows that there's definitely a skeleton and rigging issue with the ESO model (the cloak being almost glued to the upper back, bunching up, then once again directly sticking to the lower back, then shooting straight down to the ankles) vs the WoW character model.


If anything, it'd be nice if they just stopped making weird leg armor that look like tight fitting pajama pants or onesie looking armor sets. I use a lot of the leg gear with the half "skirt" armor styles to create kind of short robe-like outfits on my Khajiit sorcerer, but there's only so many of them. But that at least doesn't make my character look like he forgot a part of his outfit as much.

Elsonso

There was a presentation at GDC 2015 where a ZOS dev (now former) touched briefly on why ZOS dropped cloaks. If curious about how they did the rigging for ESO, pre-launch, it is an interesting video to watch. Fairly technical, though.

As an aside, I did note that the AUA mentioned that they had to come up with a new rig for Ithelia in Gold Road. I think the last time they called out new development to support a character model was when they did the dragons for Elsweyr.

Gray_howling_parrot

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

TaSheen

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

M0ntie

I would love cloaks! Perhaps they could be a shoulders style.
They fit with the medieval type period of the game.

Games have had cloaks for years and years. Its pretty poor if ZoS can get decent cloaks into ESO.

BXR_Lonestar

I do wish they would implement a cosmetic armor slot that added no combat bonuses, but added something that is purely cosmetic. A cloak, a cape, a hood, a quiver, a sheathed sword - just something to allow you to further customize the look of your character. I think that would give us an extra thing to grind for if you really wanted (or sell) and it would give some additional customization for every player/character.

Gray_howling_parrot

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

fizzylu

M0ntie wrote: »

Games have had cloaks for years and years. Its pretty poor if ZoS can get decent cloaks into ESO.

Seriously, this is one of the biggest things about the game that makes it hard for me to recommend it to people looking for a MMO to actively play. Games 10 years older than ESO have decently functioning capes in them.... and knowing ESO's engine and server cannot handle capes, nor were the character model skeletons made well enough for them, has always been a very vibrant red flag standing in front of the games reputation for me. And no, it's not just because I want and like the aesthetic of capes.... but just that the lack of capes, a lack of capes because the game legitimately could not handle them nor could the devs get them to look right and ultimately decided to scrap them, is just an example of a problem that makes up the bigger picture of the the many problems that have been in ESO since the day it launched and the way ZOS handles their game; cutting corners and cutting content.

TaSheen

Cooperharley wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

For me, it equates to a waste of dev time that could be used for other things. And it wouldn't be optional if it was another actual slot for armor....

ArchangelIsraphel

I'd personally love to see cloaks, and other aesthetic pieces added to a "back" slot on the character model (such as being allowed to have things like the wraith of crow wings that were never put on the polymorph, ext, or being allowed to put the wings from other armor sets onto any chest piece I want)

I find it unfortunate that they couldn't make it work when the game came out. I'm always sad I can't pair a cloak with some of my favorite hoods.

reazea

We don't need cloaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2YhxXn7NY

Elsonso

Cooperharley wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

No such thing as optional when it comes to gear, like cloaks. If they are in the game, they are in the game for everyone.

ArchangelIsraphel

Elsonso wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

No such thing as optional when it comes to gear, like cloaks. If they are in the game, they are in the game for everyone.

If it wasn't made as gear, but instead as an aesthetic add on that's purely for looks, then yes, it would be optional. They have the choice to wear it or not. The request doesn't mean that it has to be gear.

Heck, I played a game once where there was a "hide cloaks" for all players option. Throw that toggle in too, problem solved.

notyuu

Would it be neat? Yeah
Will it happen? no
Why not? Engine limitation
But what if they made them sticky? See breton hero armour (and then cry)

Gray_howling_parrot

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

For me, it equates to a waste of dev time that could be used for other things. And it wouldn't be optional if it was another actual slot for armor....

Every single thing has opportunity cost - you can’t please everyone and that’s life. Cosmetically, they could add an option upon its launch *if* ever implemented to make it optional. Obviously gear is not (duh), but we’re talking about cosmetics here.

An upgrade to the engine is not going to be made JUST to add capes. Upgrading the engine could and likely would be beneficial in MANY aspects of the game while allowing for simultaneous implementation of a cosmetic option (or gear option) that (factually) many people have asked for since the inception of the game.

Not gunna argue nuance here - it’s not an option currently regardless due to engine limitations plain and simple. We’ll see if that changes in the future. Plus, if it’s in their “vision” it doesn’t matter if you or I want it, it’s happening (see changes to tormentor and AOE taunt, lack of necro permanent minions, etc etc)

SilverBride

No cloaks.

Besides the fact that they would have to add another armor slot to equip them they would clip hair and weapons and look awful.

huskandhunger

The Breton Hero Armor style will let you have a cloak, get this costume

Araneae6537

Cloaks would be great if engine physics allowed for it and we didn’t just have more costumes that made our characters look bulky (see Breton Hero costume).

Capes just look stupid in any context but the stage.

Azphira

Oops

Warhawke_80

As I recall Rich said the engine crashed every time he introduced them and no matter what he couldn't fix that...that has to be embarrassing to admit...

Especially when other Hero engine based games (Like SWTOR) use cloaks just fine without crashing....


I think if they could add Cloaks they would...they would not be a cash cow...they would be a cash Brontosaurus on the Crown store.

TaSheen

I remember something about the engine actually being proprietary, and that they used Hero engine to get other things started while they finished the proprietary engine. I don't know how true that is - and it's been a long time since it was brought up.

Warhawke_80

TaSheen wrote: »

I remember something about the engine actually being proprietary, and that they used Hero engine to get other things started while they finished the proprietary engine. I don't know how true that is - and it's been a long time since it was brought up.

When you Install the game it still says "The HeroEngine" It's basically a heavily modified version of HE...but still HE in the DNA...

Also IGDB who owns The HeroEngine currently list ESO as one of the game built on it's engine...

ArchMikem

reazea wrote: »

We don't need cloaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2YhxXn7NY

Bruh...that one specifically about the girl being sucked and chewed up by a Jet Turbine though...

Elsonso

ArchangelIsraphel wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

TaSheen wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

It was an engine limitation to my knowledge.

I think the entire ESO player base would love the option & ability to wear cloaks, I just don’t know what advancements have been made with the engine towards that.

I also haven’t heard them comment on this in like forever. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wouldn't. I've despised cloaks in any game where they've been available - including WoW.

That’s ok, don’t use it then 👍🏻 that’s why it’s *optional*

No such thing as optional when it comes to gear, like cloaks. If they are in the game, they are in the game for everyone.

If it wasn't made as gear, but instead as an aesthetic add on that's purely for looks, then yes, it would be optional. They have the choice to wear it or not. The request doesn't mean that it has to be gear.

Heck, I played a game once where there was a "hide cloaks" for all players option. Throw that toggle in too, problem solved.

Well, yes, theoretically, they could build a cloak system where only you see your cloak, or one where you can turn off a setting for cloaks, but I guess it depends on whether this is real or wishful thinking. Technically possible and how ZOS is likely to implement something may not be the same thing. My gut says that ZOS is more likely to do them to match similar decisions in the game, where everyone will be able to see the cloak if you wear it. Thus, if anyone has it, everyone has it.

TaSheen wrote: »

I remember something about the engine actually being proprietary, and that they used Hero engine to get other things started while they finished the proprietary engine. I don't know how true that is - and it's been a long time since it was brought up.

Yes, Hero Engine was only used while they built their own engine.

https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/05/25/why-the-elder-scrolls-online-isn-39-t-using-heroengine.aspx

TaSheen

@Elsonso - thanks!

Warhawke_80

@Elsonso

Interesting article...still I wonder why it still says HeroEngine when you install it...one would think they would be proud of whatever proprietary engine they created...does it even have a name?

Not being snarky I am truly interested.

LaintalAy

No, I don't need to look like Errol Flynn in Robin Hood.

Pelanora

Physics for all clothes, so the toons don't look like solid plastic playmobile running around.

I'd rather have a coat than a cape or cloak, but it has to move when toons run.

Wind in our clothes and hair, snow falling on us....