Writhing fortress broken?

minnowfaun

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

We are discussing some options, and we'll have an update early next week. We need to dig into what is possible with how the event is set up, so it's not something I could personally answer today.

As a general note to everyone, we do see your posts here and acknowledge the ongoing issues you are reporting and the frustration they are causing. While we do have folks continuing to look into these issue over the weekend, it's unlikely we will have any fixes until Monday at the earliest.

Please take a moment to study this fine apology (and compensation!) by Ludia for a recent debacle. Learn something from it and try again. "We see and acknowledge" is not enough.

I'm so sad and disappointed. @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

https://jurassicworldalive.com/release-notes/november-2025-update/#1762298918810-3c414b21-1e91

rothan117

That the instance went live like this is utterly pathetic. Did they even test the instance? It appears they didn't. Bosses bugging out constantly and mechanics not working is something that should be caught even before it hit the PTS much less live.

I certainly am not spending money on next season and whether I keep ESO+ is debatable since falling population has so depressed mat prices that farming and selling mats is becoming a pointless pastime.

If they are unable to extend the end date, what they are going to have is a whole lot of very annoyed customers and an abysmally low completion rate for the capstone of the whole event.

jm42

it always just blows my mind how they drop big updates and casually go on weekend, leaving community with 3 days of broken content they payed for. smart move to sell it early so no one can refund. maybe it was better to "adjust" metrics that way that phase 3 would have started on Monday?

agelonestar

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

Ezhh wrote: »

Can we please get a confirmation the event will be extended? This would go a long way to helping right now.

We are discussing some options, and we'll have an update early next week. We need to dig into what is possible with how the event is set up, so it's not something I could personally answer today.

As a general note to everyone, we do see your posts here and acknowledge the ongoing issues you are reporting and the frustration they are causing. While we do have folks continuing to look into these issue over the weekend, it's unlikely we will have any fixes until Monday at the earliest.

ZoS owes your PAYING CUSTOMERS a huge apology for this event.

And I still want a refund for this year’s “Season Pass”. See above.

Enodoc

At this point, the Infernium getting bugged in the west wing and becoming stuck even when the final barrier is down should probably be added to the known bugs as well...

Brossin

I ran into this bug this morning. I was stuck at the infernium like others and just went into my trading guild and traveled to different members in Solstice until I was able to find a functional instance of the fortress (helps if you get a buddy to stand at the zone line so that you can tell when you're in a different instance, just make sure that you're not in a group). Confirmed to work for my guildies and myself on PS5.

DenverRalphy

ZomZom wrote: »

Does not sound like an all-hands-on-deck situation, which it should be.

Quoted simply because it merits repetition.

Varana

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

Ezhh wrote: »

Can we please get a confirmation the event will be extended? This would go a long way to helping right now.

We are discussing some options, and we'll have an update early next week. We need to dig into what is possible with how the event is set up, so it's not something I could personally answer today.

As a general note to everyone, we do see your posts here and acknowledge the ongoing issues you are reporting and the frustration they are causing. While we do have folks continuing to look into these issue over the weekend, it's unlikely we will have any fixes until Monday at the earliest.

How about leaving the Fortress in permanently? After fixing it, of course.

And don't ever even think about doing something like that ever again.

HushAzrael

PSNA, and the fortress is bugged as heck. No one can do anything with it rn. I got lucky on my main character that I got in right as it opened and was in the first group, so I got all the achievements and all…but as for repeating this? Apparently not. Every time I have tried it’s been bugged.

Oh cool, I got another instance. Now the infernium is bugged and won’t charge the gate! Yay! At least this is a new-to-me bug!! Everything is dead. There’s nothing to siege.

Ravensilver

So... after relogging, doing several reloadui, relogging again, leaving and re-entering the instance, relogging, dying, relogging, leaving the instance, shopping at the lux furniture trader, relogging and re-entering the instance... I finally managed to find one that worked.
Now Skordo isn't in the camp to finish up... >.>

SeaGtGruff

So, after I did my crafting writs, daily endeavors, and Tales of Tribute on my PCEU main, I did one of three kinds of the event dailies to get three golden coffers, then decided to try the Writhing Fortress one more time.

And I'm so glad I did, because I got into a working instance on my first attempt.

Not only that, but I got to actively participate in clearing the way to, and defeating, the three bosses (east, west, and north), got the reward coffer at the end of each boss-- which gave me two more Shards of Writhing Bone, leaving just four more to get to complete the skill style-- destroyed the core inside the Monolith Room, was able to successfully turn in the quest, and got the achievement, title, and collectible.

I also have a much better understanding of what needs to be done during each stage, most of which I'd figured out while in the bugged instances earlier this afternoon. So now I'll see if I can start writing up some very basic notes for a walkthrough.

Edit: Minor corrections and revisions

Sandmanninja

I've tried a few times to complete the quest. First time the place was empty. Second time, everything was happening! We downed the bosses, did everything, went to the room at the very end and could not destroy anything. We tried to use the harpoon/rope thing that pulls you back across the gap but there wasn't one in reach - we wanted to double-back to see if we missed something.

Like a good soldier, I faithfully logged bug reports and encouraged everyone in zone chat to do the same.

And like everyone else here, I'm feeling the weight of time pressing me down - only a few days left to complete the 7-day event.

I feel foolish. I was defending the game. But everyone in zone chat was so upset. I've done the daily grind at the camp on several characters, trying to bring down the wall.
Calling this broken event anti-climactic is an understatement.

A separate issue is the skyshards that think I've collected them. Now I don't want to spend the time to explore the eastern zone because you may do some sort of rollback and all of my time would be wasted, which would just lead to more frustration.

I don't want a refund - I just want the 7-days to re-start from when everything gets fixed.

Is there no Change Manager involved in this expansion?

Enodoc

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

So now I'll see if I can start writing up some very basic notes for a walkthrough.

@SeaGtGruff Come help us complete this one at UESP! Writhing Fortress.

SeaGtGruff

Enodoc wrote: »

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

So now I'll see if I can start writing up some very basic notes for a walkthrough.

@SeaGtGruff Come help us complete this one at UESP! Writhing Fortress.

Okay! I have to go out for dinner, but when I get back I'm going to check out your progress on UESPwiki and see what I might be able to add to it.

Burnished_Fangs

I was lucky enough to get into a working instance on the first try today. The saddest thing about this honestly is that I think the writhing fortress is a good bit of gameplay when it works. The cooperation between players implemented here is new and fun in my opinion, and it's a damn shame it's so bugged and on top of that temporary.

TheDutchChef

minnowfaun wrote: »

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

We are discussing some options, and we'll have an update early next week. We need to dig into what is possible with how the event is set up, so it's not something I could personally answer today.

As a general note to everyone, we do see your posts here and acknowledge the ongoing issues you are reporting and the frustration they are causing. While we do have folks continuing to look into these issue over the weekend, it's unlikely we will have any fixes until Monday at the earliest.

Please take a moment to study this fine apology (and compensation!) by Ludia for a recent debacle. Learn something from it and try again. "We see and acknowledge" is not enough.

I'm so sad and disappointed. @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

And you still believe in miracles it seems? (Do note this is not a personal attack or so....)
I doubt zos will give any reward for the humungus %$#!#$-up they made here, we have seen it before they never did it, i doubt they will do it now :')

All we can kinda do is hope they get a fix in asap or extend the event so people who only getting bugged instances and want the title can still get the title....

dcrush

Although I’ve come to expect this from ZOS, it’s still interesting to see that they opened up phase 3 and then went off to take a weekend break apparently without understanding that they should be doing massive damage control here. I wonder if the end of year letter will acknowledge just how much has gone wrong with this event or if they’ll find a way to blame the players. They either really don’t see that this is going to cost them players or they don’t care.

DinoZavr

Today it was my first opportunity to do Fortress
Account 1 PC EU: went with Guildmates. instance was totally empty.
Account 2 PC NA: infernium centipede was stuck and the gates to Harvester Boss were closed indefinitely
Account 3: PC EU: was quite good from the start: did all fighting, shoot balistas, killed Bosses. the catch is the final room was a dead end,
so on ZERO of THREE accounts was i able to complete the dungeon.

decided not to frustrate further (i have more accounts).
Sorry, Zenimax, i have to say that: players buy extensions in a good hope they get a well working product.

Rishikesa108

I'm playing another game too, and there I always receive excellent compensation, very satisfying for all the players, who never complain (who knows why...) for every small or large bug that happens. Here on ESO I have never received anything at all, always just frustrations. I don't know why I still gravitate in this orbit honestly

dcrush

Rishikesa108 wrote: »

I'm playing another game too, and there I always receive excellent compensation, very satisfying for all the players, who never complain (who knows why...) for every small or large bug that happens. Here on ESO I have never received anything at all, always just frustrations. I don't know why I still gravitate in this orbit honestly

That’s the thing. I can only speak for myself but, for me, the bugs themselves are less of an issue than the (lack of) urgency and (lack of) care they are treated with, as well as what’s (not) done to ease player grievances. If there was more compensation given for these major issues, I would be a lot more forgiving.

Mistakes can be made, ZOS has (mostly) humans working for them. It’s normal. But the lack of resolve, the very slow response even when users in-game, on the forum, on reddit are overwhelmingly negative about the event, drop rates, bugs… That is what the real issue is. And has been since I started playing this game more than five years ago. I won a giveaway for the content pass or I would not be playing it. I’m certainly not getting any new content they’re releasing next year, based on this year’s performance. And while I said I can only speak for myself, I have the impression that I’m not the only one who is thinking this.

Burnished_Fangs

Even though I got writhing fortress to work today, I do believe the abysmal state of its playability does warrant some sort of compensation. I understand things don't always work out, but given that some of these issues were on the PTS and not worked out before going live is something that stings somewhat. Minimal bugs are one thing, having to cycle through instances until you find one that works is another. I did enjoy the writhing fortress once I played a working instance, but that shouldn't have been preceded by me cycling through bugged instance after bugged instance until I gave up and went to sleep last night. In my eyes, it costs nothing to send players a little care package of some sort, but it costs good will from your player base not to.

Nemesis7884

If i cant do the fortress quest, is there anything i miss out on? I dont think its tied to achievments or rewards?

Erissime

ZOS's greatest mistake is the attempt to dazzle every year and an apparent desire of covering every taste and whim humans with a love for fantasy may have. Sadly brilliant thought is not something to be had by the clock, and the worst dream a creator can ever have is that of pleasing just about anyone. After 11 years of building on the same foundation it is natural to slip and lack at this point. The honest thing to do is to maintain and support that which has been created, in stead of trying to pump novelty ever so often. It simply isn't possible, and the results are more than eloquent. I'm sure a decent but constant player base truly appreciating this type of content can be maintained through such an attitude, than this debacle chasing away even the most loyal and patient ones.

I for one would have been more than happy with the classical ( yes at this point yearly zone-based events feel classic!) new zone celebration, with its double farming nodes, the endless boxes at the end, maybe some nice new house if we're lucky enough, and all the rest of what we used to have. This? Well, after 6 years of eso+ it is time for a break of my own. Not ready to quit the game, but not willing to further support the devs in this state either. Will just keep enjoying what's left for as long as it's left. This game was made with love. And one can feel the dedication slipping away in time while the balance flips from love to gain, just from walking through the zones based on their release date. A thing I had also confirmed by newer players (older zones vibe vs newer ones). But since at this point (and in a long while now) that love is gone, at least try to hold a constant gain - maintain , don't destroy!

Personofsecrets

Sorry if this is all addressed now, it's hard for me to keep up, but the Infernium is still getting stuck on PC NA this evening.

Sandmanninja

they're not going to fix it until Monday (at least). I'm just hoping they reset the 7-day count down.
BTW I just entered the instance nd the Infernium was stuck. no other NPCs and no way to progress. So it's still bjorked. I'm on PC NA.

SeaGtGruff

DinoZavr wrote: »

Today it was my first opportunity to do Fortress
Account 1 PC EU: went with Guildmates. instance was totally empty.
Account 2 PC NA: infernium centipede was stuck and the gates to Harvester Boss were closed indefinitely
Account 3: PC EU: was quite good from the start: did all fighting, shoot balistas, killed Bosses. the catch is the final room was a dead end,
so on ZERO of THREE accounts was i able to complete the dungeon.

decided not to frustrate further (i have more accounts).
Sorry, Zenimax, i have to say that: players buy extensions in a good hope they get a well working product.

Actually, the final room IS just a dead end, but you're supposed to run up to the wall at the dead end and destroy (interact with the prompt on) the core thingy, or something like that. You must run right up to the last wall to get the interaction prompt. Did you do that?

SeaGtGruff

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

If i cant do the fortress quest, is there anything i miss out on? I dont think its tied to achievments or rewards?

I think you should be able to do it before the week is over.

There is an achievement (I think?), a title ("Wall Breaker"), and a collectible (Worm King's Crown). At least, I thought there was an achievement-- although I'm not seeing one among my Recent Achievements, so maybe I was mistaken about that?

tomofhyrule

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

DinoZavr wrote: »

Today it was my first opportunity to do Fortress
Account 1 PC EU: went with Guildmates. instance was totally empty.
Account 2 PC NA: infernium centipede was stuck and the gates to Harvester Boss were closed indefinitely
Account 3: PC EU: was quite good from the start: did all fighting, shoot balistas, killed Bosses. the catch is the final room was a dead end,
so on ZERO of THREE accounts was i able to complete the dungeon.

decided not to frustrate further (i have more accounts).
Sorry, Zenimax, i have to say that: players buy extensions in a good hope they get a well working product.

Actually, the final room IS just a dead end, but you're supposed to run up to the wall at the dead end and destroy (interact with the prompt on) the core thingy, or something like that. You must run right up to the last wall to get the interaction prompt. Did you do that?

I think one of the issues here is if you're grouped.

It reminds me of the Faun WB in High Isle - if you're in a group and a group member interacts with the thingy to destroy it, then it'll give credit for everyone. But since it's a small and separate room, if you're not in the room when a group member destroys it, then you don't get credit for destroying it but it also doesn't appear because your group has destroyed it already.

My first run through had that problem and it was very frustrating. I thought that might be the problem since I saw others interacting with some thing I couldn't see, and I immediately thought of that, so my second run through I dropped group during the final boss fight. Since I was not in a group at that point, the thing spawned for me once I went into the back room and I completed it no problem.

Sandmanninja

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

Actually, the final room IS just a dead end, but you're supposed to run up to the wall at the dead end and destroy (interact with the prompt on) the core thingy, or something like that. You must run right up to the last wall to get the interaction prompt. Did you do that?

I, along with about a dozen or two of other players all ran up to that wall and NO ONE could interact with it. We did all of the work but did not have the option to do the final bit.

Grendalism

Disappointed.

First time in today, and wall fortress unplayable.brken, nothing happening.

PS-EU.