Population shrinking, PLEASE do something

SkaiFaith · December 7

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

Rkindaleft wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

No anniversary event in US, the game is going rapidly downhill, I will be suprised if they even support this game in 2 years or so

This is extremely worrying when an entertainment company stops doing their major public relation events. I got the feeling we're on the cusp of some upcoming major announcements that will not be good in the short term.

I agree. The wrap up note later this month and the January announcements don't feel like they are going to be good news.

I'm starting to question if the time is in sight where they're going to announce that new chapters aren't going to be annual, or something else. I seriously doubt chapter content (quests and the trial) is ready to stop entirely but it might not happen every year. The content tide has started to go out and has taken the ship out with it, so to speak. That much has been obvious as soon as they changed how the Q3 and Q4 updates work to be more QoL and fixes based and with the reduction of this years' chapter content.

I have a feeling this might be the case. I think their new masters (Microsoft) have come in and asked how the game can be monetized without significant expenditure - they can see a vast game that most people go through once and then completely abandon. 1T and things like surveys encouraged people to go back to "starter" zones a bit more... endeavours had a minor impact (and maybe encouraged people into PvP on occasion).

The game now seems to concentrate on events to get us back into specific zones we might not revisit... Golden Pursuits looks to go even further, taking people into PvP, trials and dungeons. Encouraging people to be happy with what we already have... "Oooo look, a new event!".

I'm not an accountant but I bet someone said something like "Remonetize historic assets".

Maybe I'm the outlier here but if "remonetize historic assets" means visually upgrade old zones and add content to them giving players reasons to revisit them and gain rewards, I'm all for it!
That's exactly what I want, aside from more snowy zones... But if it's not snowy than I'd definitely rather upgrade older ones.

I've been yearly ESO+ subbed for years and I've bought crowns regularly - new console "sustainability" features, disconnections, and the feeling the game is going down made me renew for only 3 months for the first time, until the next reveal, and I skipped crowns purchases lately, redirecting those money to another game.

I really hope for the future of ESO, I want the best for it, but the gaming industry situation overall seems rocky these days, for some reasons.

OtarTheMad · December 7

Elsonso wrote: »

Rkindaleft wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

No anniversary event in US, the game is going rapidly downhill, I will be suprised if they even support this game in 2 years or so

This is extremely worrying when an entertainment company stops doing their major public relation events. I got the feeling we're on the cusp of some upcoming major announcements that will not be good in the short term.

I agree. The wrap up note later this month and the January announcements don't feel like they are going to be good news.

I'm starting to question if the time is in sight where they're going to announce that new chapters aren't going to be annual, or something else. I seriously doubt chapter content (quests and the trial) is ready to stop entirely but it might not happen every year. The content tide has started to go out and has taken the ship out with it, so to speak. That much has been obvious as soon as they changed how the Q3 and Q4 updates work to be more QoL and fixes based and with the reduction of this years' chapter content.

I would not be surprised if they announced that the 2025 Chapter would be the last one, at least for a while, or that the 2025 Chapter would be canceled, or postponed, so they can focus the studio attention on New Game and New Game launch. Every day, we get closer to New Game announce.

I do think that will have a very dire impact on ESO daily player numbers, if they dial back ESO development any further. People are only going to show up for so long to do content reheats (Golden Pursuits and Events).

Doesn't the new game have its own devs and team? So, the only way that ESO devs would be affected by the new game, even under the same house, is if Microsoft wanted to consolidate the teams to save money. If that happens then yeah, I can see this 2024 letter or some announcement with that kind of news.

DemonicGoat · December 7

>OtarTheMad wrote:
>Doesn't the new game have its own devs and team? So, the only way that ESO devs would be affected by the new game, even under the >same house, is if Microsoft wanted to consolidate the teams to save money. If that happens then yeah, I can see this 2024 letter or some >announcement with that kind of news.

The new project took a lot of ESO's senior devs a while ago is my understanding. If you match up the timelines it is easy to see the decay of ESO's trajectory.

I_killed_Vivec · December 9

SkaiFaith wrote: »

I_killed_Vivec wrote: »

Rkindaleft wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

XSTRONG wrote: »

No anniversary event in US, the game is going rapidly downhill, I will be suprised if they even support this game in 2 years or so

This is extremely worrying when an entertainment company stops doing their major public relation events. I got the feeling we're on the cusp of some upcoming major announcements that will not be good in the short term.

I agree. The wrap up note later this month and the January announcements don't feel like they are going to be good news.

I'm starting to question if the time is in sight where they're going to announce that new chapters aren't going to be annual, or something else. I seriously doubt chapter content (quests and the trial) is ready to stop entirely but it might not happen every year. The content tide has started to go out and has taken the ship out with it, so to speak. That much has been obvious as soon as they changed how the Q3 and Q4 updates work to be more QoL and fixes based and with the reduction of this years' chapter content.

I have a feeling this might be the case. I think their new masters (Microsoft) have come in and asked how the game can be monetized without significant expenditure - they can see a vast game that most people go through once and then completely abandon. 1T and things like surveys encouraged people to go back to "starter" zones a bit more... endeavours had a minor impact (and maybe encouraged people into PvP on occasion).

The game now seems to concentrate on events to get us back into specific zones we might not revisit... Golden Pursuits looks to go even further, taking people into PvP, trials and dungeons. Encouraging people to be happy with what we already have... "Oooo look, a new event!".

I'm not an accountant but I bet someone said something like "Remonetize historic assets".

Maybe I'm the outlier here but if "remonetize historic assets" means visually upgrade old zones and add content to them giving players reasons to revisit them and gain rewards, I'm all for it!
That's exactly what I want, aside from more snowy zones... But if it's not snowy than I'd definitely rather upgrade older ones.

I've been yearly ESO+ subbed for years and I've bought crowns regularly - new console "sustainability" features, disconnections, and the feeling the game is going down made me renew for only 3 months for the first time, until the next reveal, and I skipped crowns purchases lately, redirecting those money to another game.

I really hope for the future of ESO, I want the best for it, but the gaming industry situation overall seems rocky these days, for some reasons.

Quite the opposite I'm afraid. Instead of putting money into anything it is a case of reusing what they already have... all those huge zones, those cities, all that content. Dungeons, delves, trials... make people go back, reuse what is already there.

Golden Pursuits says do trials - no new content required. Do dungeons - no new content. Do BGs - no new content. Do quests, crafting, farming - again no new content required. And it's meant to keep us busy for a month... and then we are into the holiday event, nothing new (maybe some motifs) but it will keep us busy until the next event (Whitestrakes?) and the next, with Golden Pursuits thrown in to fill the gaps, always reusing content that is already there.

Maybe a cynical view, but the irony is that I enjoy all the events

Sakiri · December 10

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

Pepegrillos · December 10

This game isn't doing great, I think most would agree with that, although perhaps for different reasons. However, those touting the greatness of GW2 in this thread, as a game ESO should aspire to emulate, are huffing some serious stuff. Having played it for a very long time, all I can say about GW2 is that it hasn't aged well, that its content development has been anything but shambolic, and that it's not growing either.

Amottica · December 11

barney2525 wrote: »

Population is shrinking?

I dunno. characters seem to be as tall as they were at creation.

My thought exactly.

However, I will say I still have no problem with my raid groups or guilds. They seem to be doing just fine.

LPapirius · December 11

I think it might be more than just a flesh wound at this point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UijhbHvxWrA&ab_channel=ZahhMan

OtarTheMad · December 11

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Sakiri · December 13

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Oceanchanter · December 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

1. I get hyperfocused on specific titles. Now it's ESO cause I've got Gold Road long after its release. I couldnt afford to buy it earlier.
After I get my goals I might switch to other title.
In other words, you'd have an unreliable guild member and online friend that dissappears for months like a sailor; he might be back in a month, two months, half a year, but he will be back.
You just dont know when.
So I don't join guilds or forge friendships. I enjoy my solo play, I queue for Dungeon or Trial when I need something like a daily or gear farm.

2. The less you chat the safer your account is, that is my motto.
I've seen and read a lot of horror stories from other games I play.
All it takes is to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time, talking to or in presence of the wrong person; and I'm not even talking about obvious and undeniable TOS breaking.

The news about people getting flagged and suspended for private chats due to the automatic system did confirm my fears it's risky to talk other things than business.

Made me glad I don't talk to people.

fizzylu · December 14

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

moderatelyfatman · December 14

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

Avran_Sylt · December 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

Is it automated? I frequently use [snip] in text and don't see much action or anything.

[edited for profanity bypass]

OtarTheMad · December 14

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

OtarTheMad · December 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

I stopped talking in zone and guild chat a long time ago. Will only type what is needed in group and that's all. I prefer discord.

Sakiri · December 14

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

I play HA sorc, as does my SO. he really can't play a two bar build due to neurological damage in his hands. He can't get in trials. I can, but not as many as I'd like, because 80k isn't good enough.

Tired of it. I rerolled.... But I refuse to play arc.

manukartofanu · December 14

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

The Arcanist is overpowered in all types of content except PvP, starting from level 1 characters. Leaderboards only confirm that the Arcanist remains overpowered even at the highest levels. I hope it's not up for debate that the Arcanist deals an absurd amount of AoE damage with the press of a single button? The question here is, what's more engaging when you're new to the game: effortlessly annihilating everything around you or putting in at least some effort? The Arcanist specifically allows you to effortlessly dominate everything unrelated to what you see on the leaderboards.

Neugeniko · December 14

The guild I run is always full and with a 2 month inactivity rule there is 50+ people on during weekend prime time.
We stick to just the core stuff of mmos, group pve and building character power, eso is pretty strong there.

There is a big transient population thou and catering to them makes immediate sense but bridging them over to core mmo activities help build longevity for both the guild and the game.

nursingninja · December 14

This game might be headed towards maintenance phase. That's nothing unusual for a ten year old game.

OtarTheMad · December 14

manukartofanu wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

The Arcanist is overpowered in all types of content except PvP, starting from level 1 characters. Leaderboards only confirm that the Arcanist remains overpowered even at the highest levels. I hope it's not up for debate that the Arcanist deals an absurd amount of AoE damage with the press of a single button? The question here is, what's more engaging when you're new to the game: effortlessly annihilating everything around you or putting in at least some effort? The Arcanist specifically allows you to effortlessly dominate everything unrelated to what you see on the leaderboards.

And like I said Arcanist will very likely get nerfed and people will think they won until the score pushing sweats pick another class to stack and that will be at the top and then people will be calling for that class next. It never ends.

You can do the entire game on any class you want, only when you get to the top 5% of the game like HM sweats leaderboard stuff does Arc show that it dominates because of how the game is set up. Thats the real reason it dominates too is because NPC’s are stupid, they don’t dodge or CC break or counter or heal… makes them easy.

Question is: why does it matter that HM sweats use Arc to get high scores? Not like you can’t do the content on another class, might just take more effort and have a more complicated rotation but you can get it done. Arc being used by that population, which is a small part of the game, doesn’t hurt anyone.

OtarTheMad · December 14

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

I play HA sorc, as does my SO. he really can't play a two bar build due to neurological damage in his hands. He can't get in trials. I can, but not as many as I'd like, because 80k isn't good enough.

Tired of it. I rerolled.... But I refuse to play arc.

Yeah I play a HA Magcro as my main because I’m not leveling up another main at this point. I have an Arcanist and play them sometimes but it’s not my main. I also use a HA build on my Magsorc. I’m glad that there are other options for those who need a simpler rotation. I have ADD and sometimes it gets bad and I just can’t do complicated two bar rotations, it just doesn’t compute for me so Arc or HA builds work well.

CatoUnchained · December 14

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

1984

tomofhyrule · December 14

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Question is: why does it matter that HM sweats use Arc to get high scores? Not like you can’t do the content on another class, might just take more effort and have a more complicated rotation but you can get it done. Arc being used by that population, which is a small part of the game, doesn’t hurt anyone.

The big problem is that the not-as-good raid leads look at what the super sweats are doing, and then they think that's the only way to do things. Because the alternative would be admitting that said raid lead is honestly not as good at the game as they think they are.

Ever since Oakensorc got nerfed, people are now saying that they can't do anything because of the nerf. Which is not entirely true - I've done trifectas in this patch with Oakensorcs in the group. My Coral Aerie was three Oakensorcs and a DK tank. It just requires you to do two things:

Oakensorc does still have a skill set to do and you can have good and bad Oakensorcs, so it's not just "put on Oakensoul and have max possible DPS"
A raid lead needs to let you into the group.

The first point is as before - you still need to practice and get good at that build. Yes, you can be 'good' or 'bad' at an Oakenbuild - my Oathsworn tri was also three Oakensorcs, but one DPS had the wrong CP and another of them even forgot the ring in the first place and we still got it and didn't realize the problems until afterwards since the DPS were just that good at the game. But the other point does require a raid lead who's open-minded enough to say "hey, this build isn't the super sweat build, but that's still okay." And for a lot of high-but-not-top level raid leads, anything but the sweatiest of the sweaty builds is not acceptable. But these are the people who would rather have an Arcanist that's getting basement-level DPS over an excellent Oakensorc because they think the DPS comes exclusively from having the "right" class.

So yes, you can still get trifectas with pretty well any build, provided you have a group who accepts you. Some class/role combos are going to inherently be less effective, but the only time that could be a detriment is if we're specifically talking about the latest trial trifectas. But it also requires a raid lead who's willing to let people in even if they're not the sweatiest, which is not necessarily something that ZOS controls. And if you have a good raid lead, they'll be able to see that a good Oakensorc is doing better than someone who got an Arcanist and a build online because they heard that that was the 'best,' and doesn't know how to use it at all.

fizzylu · December 15

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.

I've noticed this drop in chat activity long before the AI situation.

Twohothardware · December 16

Would be great if they just said ESO 2 is around the corner because ESO has run it's course being 10+ years old with no game engine update.

Sakiri · December 16

OtarTheMad wrote: »

manukartofanu wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

OtarTheMad wrote: »

Sakiri wrote: »

I don't play as much anymore because my main is a sorc, I do NOT play MK, and parse sorcs aren't wanted in trials because arcanist is bloody OP.

This is just my opinion but it’s more how the classes are than Arcanist. Players have put the classes in a situation where all of them have the same buffs now, so none are unique. So for leaderboard chasers it’s easy to just stack a HM vet trial with one class. Even if (or when really) Arcanist is overnerfed another class will take its place and then the threads will start on that class.

I stopped playing because of that and recent stuff. Tired of my class (I play all but Magcro is my main) being nerfed because of one part of the game I don’t even play. It’s exhausting.

Arcanist can parse well using three key binds. It's easy to play, hard to mess up, and high damage with a really low skill floor.

Well dummies don't move, and PvE NPC's are dumb enough to let themselves be beamed. Meanwhile in PvP Arcanist is good but not at the top, pretty much in the middle (in my opinion). So nerfing Arcanist will just lead to them being useless in PvP and some other game modes.

This game doesn't revolve around HM-Trifecta-Leaderboard chasing Trials, it has many modes. Arcanist will probably get nerfed (or overnerfed if history repeats) and then all those at the top will just pick a new class to stack to get high numbers. So, anyone sitting around and thinking "Finally, Arc is nerfed so now groups will allow me to play my...." Wrong, unless the main you play is the one they pick anyway.

Other things should change, how NPC's think being one, make them smarter. You could also vary trials mechanics so that it pushes the idea to bring other classes. Just so many things you can do besides the same thing that has been happening for 10 years and has NOT worked at all and has not gotten us closer to any sort of balance. If anything it's gotten us further away because complaints/feedback has put us in a position where all classes have the same buffs pretty much so none are that unique anymore, making it easier to stack. I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I am just tired.

The Arcanist is overpowered in all types of content except PvP, starting from level 1 characters. Leaderboards only confirm that the Arcanist remains overpowered even at the highest levels. I hope it's not up for debate that the Arcanist deals an absurd amount of AoE damage with the press of a single button? The question here is, what's more engaging when you're new to the game: effortlessly annihilating everything around you or putting in at least some effort? The Arcanist specifically allows you to effortlessly dominate everything unrelated to what you see on the leaderboards.

And like I said Arcanist will very likely get nerfed and people will think they won until the score pushing sweats pick another class to stack and that will be at the top and then people will be calling for that class next. It never ends.

You can do the entire game on any class you want, only when you get to the top 5% of the game like HM sweats leaderboard stuff does Arc show that it dominates because of how the game is set up. Thats the real reason it dominates too is because NPC’s are stupid, they don’t dodge or CC break or counter or heal… makes them easy.

Question is: why does it matter that HM sweats use Arc to get high scores? Not like you can’t do the content on another class, might just take more effort and have a more complicated rotation but you can get it done. Arc being used by that population, which is a small part of the game, doesn’t hurt anyone.

Because the plebs try to mimic the sweats and it trickles down. Same thing happens in wow. Can't get high key groups as a holy or shadow priest. Not meta.

Dojohoda · December 16

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

Yes, I completely agree. Using AI to monitor all of the chat options is a low-blow to the community. It's having a chilling effect.

moderatelyfatman · December 16

Twohothardware wrote: »

Would be great if they just said ESO 2 is around the corner because ESO has run it's course being 10+ years old with no game engine update.

I keep hearing this over and over again about ESO being 10 years old and therefore too old to continue.
Then I think about Guild Wars 2 which is 2 years older, Final Fantasy 14 which came out in 2010 and World of Warcraft that is on it's 20th anniversary.
The point is, the latter three games resemble fit and active fifty year olds who can still run marathons: no one is going to mistake them for new games but they still play well and give their playerbase value for money.

In the case of ESO, the lack of care and technical debt has left us with a game that has aged far faster than it should.

The second thing to consider is if ESO2 came out, would you immediately buy it based on your experienced of ESO1? I'm thinking of the damage that a game like Starfield has done to the anticipation of Elderscrolls 6.

PrincessOfThieves · December 16

Dojohoda wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

fizzylu wrote: »

Oceanchanter wrote: »

moderatelyfatman wrote: »

I've definitely noticed over the last couple of years that people are a lot less chatty and willing to socialise. I guess the problem with catering more to short term players is that you also take away a lot of incentive for players to stay long term.

To throw my 5 cents here, as one of those "less chatty players".

I don't know about others, but I've always been playing solo and chat as little as possible for 2 reasons:

Less chatting in zones and even guilds is something I've noticed from some years back now, along with other people I know. ESO is one of the games with the most dead chat, even compared to so called "less popular" MMOs or ones with smaller servers instead of the "superior" megaserver. And I myself am someone that will only occasionally chat in games.... but even with that being the case, I do know that many people do like to chat in online games and believe dead chats say something about how active a game actually is.

I think everyone is scared now that they will say the wrong thing or even type something completely innocent that will trip the AI and get them banned.
I've heard stories of new players getting banned after a few hours of playing because something they said in zone chat or messaged privately because the enforcement here is so much stricter than other MMOs; and never coming back to ESO.

Yes, I completely agree. Using AI to monitor all of the chat options is a low-blow to the community. It's having a chilling effect.

I agree. I used to chat a lot in game, but nowadays I am trying to avoid it when possible.
I very rarely swear and never use slurs, but I've heard of people getting banned for typos, benign jokes and the like. I understand that some level of moderation is needed, but I think that there is a difference between saying something extremely racist/sexist/homophobic and simple banter between friends.