PC Client Functionality Limited After Update

Denverson

Dear ZeniMax team,

I would like to bring attention to a significant change introduced with the recent update, which has raised concern among members of the PC player community.

Previously, the ESO client offered the same core functionality on both PC and console platforms. PC players, thanks to the flexibility of the platform itself, were able to use third-party addons. This was not a built-in feature of the ESO client, but rather a natural benefit of the open PC environment.

Console players, understandably, did not have access to addons due to system limitations — a difference that was accepted as a result of the platform’s nature.

However, with the latest update, this balance has shifted. Console clients have now gained the ability to install addons directly from within the game, while PC users cannot install addons through the standard ESO client without relying on external tools. In fact, this change appears to be a step backward from what was previously possible on PC.

This raises a fair and important question: why is the PC version now lacking a convenience that has been granted to console players? The functionality between platforms is no longer equal — and in this case, PC players are left with fewer options, despite the platform’s greater flexibility.

I hope this discrepancy is only temporary, and that upcoming updates will provide the PC version with integrated addon support, similar to what has been implemented on consoles.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this feedback.

Tandor

I understand the point being made, but I personally wouldn't want integrated addon support on PC unless it was totally optional, as external addons are currently.

belial5221_ESO

It's cause PC players have a way to get any addons easily.It's not something they need to focus on right now,too many other bugs and stuff to fix,before adding more updating code.

Denverson

belial5221_ESO wrote: »

It's cause PC players have a way to get any addons easily.It's not something they need to focus on right now,too many other bugs and stuff to fix,before adding more updating code.

Do you think so? Well, try installing addons while playing through GeForce NOW where there are no addons and you can't do anything. Or try playing through Steam Deck, where you have to rack your brains to come up with something.

Danikat

Did something change in today's update? Because if not I don't understand how console players getting a work-around to enable addons is a "step backward" for those of us on PC. Nothings changed, we still have all the same options we did before.

I wouldn't mind ZOS adding an optional way to install addons through the game itself, as long as I still have the option to install manually and/or use Minion and to modify them myself as required, but I also don't mind if they don't, because we wouldn't gain anything by it. Maybe it would be slightly simpler for some addons, but it's not giving us anything new we don't already have.

Edit:

Denverson wrote: »

belial5221_ESO wrote: »

It's cause PC players have a way to get any addons easily.It's not something they need to focus on right now,too many other bugs and stuff to fix,before adding more updating code.

Do you think so? Well, try installing addons while playing through GeForce NOW where there are no addons and you can't do anything. Or try playing through Steam Deck, where you have to rack your brains to come up with something.

Ah, I see. I forgot there's devices which aren't actually a PC but connect to the PC servers. I suppose for them it would be useful, although for GeForce NOW they might have to go through similar negotiations to what they apparently had to do with Sony and (other departments at) Microsoft to get permission, since my understanding is the game is actually installed on their servers, not whatever device you use to access it.

Denverson

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

sarahthes

Denverson wrote: »

belial5221_ESO wrote: »

It's cause PC players have a way to get any addons easily.It's not something they need to focus on right now,too many other bugs and stuff to fix,before adding more updating code.

Do you think so? Well, try installing addons while playing through GeForce NOW where there are no addons and you can't do anything. Or try playing through Steam Deck, where you have to rack your brains to come up with something.

I installed Minion on my steam deck. Just have to make sure that it points to the correct folder.

sarahthes

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

Denverson

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

What does voice chat have to do with it?! Did you read the post carefully?! The point is that the basic game client now has different functional capabilities.

Abelon

This was a very roundabout way to bring up what turned out to be a legitimate issue. Not sure why the post spent so much time talking about console or about the update, when none of that has anything to do with the actual problem.

You want an integrated way to get addons on the pc version as well. Because there are situations in which you cannot use Minion to install them, for example while playing through GeForce NOW. That does indeed seem like an issue. Why does the post not just say that though? It only became clear after one of your comments.

HatchetHaro

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

In-game voice chat would actually be a wonderful addition to PC; would be able to teach and call mechanics in Dungeons and Trials without having to force people to join a random Discord server.

Back on topic, I'd say that it is a valid concern for players playing the PC version of the game on non-Windows platforms. I'm sure there's a workaround on Steam Deck, but it would still be a problem on GeForce NOW and other streaming platforms. However, I doubt the players that actually use those platforms are numerous enough for ZOS to dedicate any engineering and negotiation resources to accommodating.

Denverson

Abelon wrote: »

This was a very roundabout way to bring up what turned out to be a legitimate issue. Not sure why the post spent so much time talking about console or about the update, when none of that has anything to do with the actual problem.

You want an integrated way to get addons on the pc version as well. Because there are situations in which you cannot use Minion to install them, for example while playing through GeForce NOW. That does indeed seem like an issue. Why does the post not just say that though? It only became clear after one of your comments.

The post explains everything very clearly, I don't even need to talk about my specific situation - a player who launches the game for the first time often doesn't even know about the existence of a minion and add-ons. Therefore, if such functionality were in the standard game client, it would be more convenient for everyone. But for some reason we have a division by functionality and this is very strange. Because the client should have the same basic functions for all platforms. Once again, I emphasize - basic functionality.

HatchetHaro

Denverson wrote: »

Abelon wrote: »

This was a very roundabout way to bring up what turned out to be a legitimate issue. Not sure why the post spent so much time talking about console or about the update, when none of that has anything to do with the actual problem.

You want an integrated way to get addons on the pc version as well. Because there are situations in which you cannot use Minion to install them, for example while playing through GeForce NOW. That does indeed seem like an issue. Why does the post not just say that though? It only became clear after one of your comments.

The post explains everything very clearly, I don't even need to talk about my specific situation - a player who launches the game for the first time often doesn't even know about the existence of a minion and add-ons. Therefore, if such functionality were in the standard game client, it would be more convenient for everyone. But for some reason we have a division by functionality and this is very strange. Because the client should have the same basic functions for all platforms. Once again, I emphasize - basic functionality.

You went too far into the "balance" thing between consoles and PCs, and made that your focal argument. As you can see from the rest of the responses, that has distracted readers from your actual strongest argument.

You could have just mentioned that the PC platform should have the same option as consoles because many people on the PC platform play on machines and services that have the same limitations.

Abelon

Denverson wrote: »

Abelon wrote: »

This was a very roundabout way to bring up what turned out to be a legitimate issue. Not sure why the post spent so much time talking about console or about the update, when none of that has anything to do with the actual problem.

You want an integrated way to get addons on the pc version as well. Because there are situations in which you cannot use Minion to install them, for example while playing through GeForce NOW. That does indeed seem like an issue. Why does the post not just say that though? It only became clear after one of your comments.

The post explains everything very clearly, I don't even need to talk about my specific situation - a player who launches the game for the first time often doesn't even know about the existence of a minion and add-ons. Therefore, if such functionality were in the standard game client, it would be more convenient for everyone. But for some reason we have a division by functionality and this is very strange. Because the client should have the same basic functions for all platforms. Once again, I emphasize - basic functionality.

It's not for "some" reason and it's not strange. It's quite obvious in fact. Console doesn't allow you to install a third party program to manage mods. Never did and never will, for no game whatsoever. Therefore, ZOS had to invest time and effort into creating this solution, an integrated way for console players to get their addons. PC meanwhile allows for third party programs and ZOS could spare themselves the work.

That's it. That's the reason behind the disparity. One platform couldn't use addons otherwise AT ALL. The other platform could. That wasn't about convenience or QoL. But that also stands for the GeForce NOW example. So the comparison between the console solution and the pc solution makes sense to me there. QoL for new players who could google, is a bit of a different topic though.

SilverBride

I play on PC and I prefer things the way they are now. I've used Minion in multiple games and find it very easy to install add-ons and keep them up to date. I do not want a new system that could potentially introduce new issues.

Elsonso

From my perspective, the Console addon situation is a band-aid and the addon situation is much better on PC.

Console players live in a walled garden and can select addons from an in-client tool. That is convenient. However, that is pretty much where the Console 'advantage' ends.

Console players are locked into addons uploaded to a single source. There is no provision for installing any addon that has not been uploaded to Bethesda.Net. PC players can install addons from multiple sources, the main one from ESOUI, but other repositories exist and more than one third-party installer exists.

PC players can install addons manually, and without distributing them to every player. PC players are free to write their own addons, or even modify abandoned addons for personal use. Someone on the forum asked to be able to have private or limited audience addons, which would be nice, but I never expect such a feature to see the light of day.

Console addons come with limitations that I hope never make it to PC. Every couple days I get a warning in the game that some addon took too much CPU time. There is a reduced limit to how much memory they can use, and how much disk space they can use. These are all things I would never want to see on PC.

Should there be a Bethesda.Net addon store on PC? I am not opposed to it, but I don't think that would make things better. Limited convenience for some addons. Possibly more work for addon creators.

One thing to remember about the Bethesda.Net store is that, while they go on about contacting the author if there is a problem, that is not guaranteed to be easy to do. If the addon can be found on ESOUI, a comment can be written, or if the author provides a means of contacting them, fine. Otherwise, good luck.

CameraBeardThePirate

Denverson wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

What does voice chat have to do with it?! Did you read the post carefully?! The point is that the basic game client now has different functional capabilities.

Their point is that console has had Voice Chat for years, but PC has no such VOIP capability. Console has always had different functional capabilities.

Would you consider that impaired function as well?

sarahthes

Denverson wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

What does voice chat have to do with it?! Did you read the post carefully?! The point is that the basic game client now has different functional capabilities.

It is functionality that console has and PC doesn't. You said you want parity.

licenturion

They said in the last developer video stream that there are no plans to bring this functionality to PC because they don't want to compete with the sites and tools already out there.

sarahthes

HatchetHaro wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

In-game voice chat would actually be a wonderful addition to PC; would be able to teach and call mechanics in Dungeons and Trials without having to force people to join a random Discord server.

Back on topic, I'd say that it is a valid concern for players playing the PC version of the game on non-Windows platforms. I'm sure there's a workaround on Steam Deck, but it would still be a problem on GeForce NOW and other streaming platforms. However, I doubt the players that actually use those platforms are numerous enough for ZOS to dedicate any engineering and negotiation resources to accommodating.

I don't want to be forced to listen to someone's random country music while I'm questing LOL.

redlink1979

PC is fine as it is.

Desiato

sarahthes wrote: »

I don't want to be forced to listen to someone's random country music while I'm questing LOL.

This is why I don't want to see crossplay between PC and console. They have different in-game cultures. I've seen videos from console and never want PC to be like that.

Hopefully crossplay happens between only consoles at first, adding PC only when it is completely necessary.

adriant1978

If it would help some folks then cool, but it had better be optional and easy to disable. I've never seen an in-game mod manager anywhere that was is good as an external one.

sarahthes

Desiato wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

I don't want to be forced to listen to someone's random country music while I'm questing LOL.

This is why I don't want to see crossplay between PC and console. They have different in-game cultures. I've seen videos from console and never want PC to be like that.

Hopefully crossplay happens between only consoles at first, adding PC only when it is completely necessary.

I think opening up dungeons and trials to cross play could be pretty cool too.

HatchetHaro

sarahthes wrote: »

HatchetHaro wrote: »

sarahthes wrote: »

Denverson wrote: »

For those who still don't understand the essence of my question.
In the topic I tried to convey that at the moment, it is in the standard functionality that there is a limitation that should not be. The game client should provide players with equal opportunities, regardless of the platform on which it is installed.

You probably want in game voice chat as well dont you.

In-game voice chat would actually be a wonderful addition to PC; would be able to teach and call mechanics in Dungeons and Trials without having to force people to join a random Discord server.

Back on topic, I'd say that it is a valid concern for players playing the PC version of the game on non-Windows platforms. I'm sure there's a workaround on Steam Deck, but it would still be a problem on GeForce NOW and other streaming platforms. However, I doubt the players that actually use those platforms are numerous enough for ZOS to dedicate any engineering and negotiation resources to accommodating.

I don't want to be forced to listen to someone's random country music while I'm questing LOL.

Make it opt-in, or limit it to groups, etc. When we talk about voice chat in video games we are not limited to public proximity chat.

Grizzbeorn

I am perfectly fine with the add-on paradigm for PC the way it currently is, to the point that I do not wish to see an attempt to add native in-game functionality; just another way to introduce weakness to the already rocky-enough game performance.

Minion has been a stable, reliable tool for installing and managing add-ons on PC.

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.

CatoUnchained

licenturion wrote: »

They said in the last developer video stream that there are no plans to bring this functionality to PC because they don't want to compete with the sites and tools already out there.

Yep, someone else already did the work for them.

Grizzbeorn

licenturion wrote: »

They said in the last developer video stream that there are no plans to bring this functionality to PC because they don't want to compete with the sites and tools already out there.

Good.

tsaescishoeshiner

I don't think it's an important question just because it's different between platforms.

It would be convenient, and it could include improvements like automatically detecting and installing (or at least listing) required dependencies, because Minion makes you click through and backtrack a lot to do that. It would also make it easier for less tech savvy or more casual players to hop into addons like Lorebooks, Inventory Insight, etc. because of not needing a separate download.

Minion's great, but I do generally prefer trusting the company that makes the game over fanmade software, because you never know who can take over a project with sketchy motivations (although that's very rare).

Sometimes addon/freeware creators can get upset if a game adds something that they worked hard to implement themselves, and competing with Minion could be like that. But I think it's worth it in most cases to provide a more integrated service to players.

ZOS_DanBatson

Hi everyone. There are a few reasons why PC did not get the in-game support for add-ons that console received:

• The way Bethesda Net works as of now does not actually support account authentication for PC in the same way it does for console.
• Bringing an in-game add-on browser to PC would segment the add-on community, making things more complicated for developers. Doing this for console already adds complications for developers, the last thing we want to do is add another layer for unneeded complication.
• Along with the points above, the scoped out work required to do this for PC would have impacted the release of console add-on support. We did not believe console addons should be delayed because of this.

All that said, we would love to get a similar level of support on PC for streaming platforms that currently can't support addons. If that changes in the future, we may revisit the idea.

Danikat

Elsonso wrote: »

Console addons come with limitations that I hope never make it to PC. Every couple days I get a warning in the game that some addon took too much CPU time. There is a reduced limit to how much memory they can use, and how much disk space they can use. These are all things I would never want to see on PC.

To be fair PC does have the same limitations - addons absolutely can use too much of your CPU or memory and cause the game to run slowly, it's just that you won't get a warning from the game when it's happening, you have to figure out for yourself what's going wrong.