"Every now and then just ride in a direction..."

Pewpie

You know the line... just go in a direction and explore...

I haven't really felt it work like that. To get improved levels etc i've had to grind through everything on the maps... it havent felt like exploring or coming to new places, its just hopping from quest to quest.

The maps are also pretty SMALL! Yeah, some people might not think that, but once you actually start to ride around you will hit into the edge of the world pretty fast. Its like an ant exploring in a coffee cup.

A bit more actual "exploring" would have been fun... heck why not do some random generated dungeons for group play that are HUGE? Random generated VR dungeons to grind through or something, something NEW every time you go into it.

I'm pretty sure it would be possible to create fairly good algoritms that could random generate complete maps too, making the world frikken enormous. It could be random generated maps, locally for one player, shared to groups... instanced. In these maps, somewhere there are special quest givers or items in dungones or whatever that are really worth searching for. Then we can talk exploring...

Well, just make the world bigger! The linear zones aren't really mind blowing as it is.

Salsadoom

Bigger maps would be great, but you would be amazed what they stick in there if you pay attention. Keep your eyes open, they had a sense of humor when they made this game.

Some favorites:

I found this complex recipe book, if you actually read it, at the end it says 'Throw the burnt mess away and eat cake instead'

I ran across a skeleton laying on the ground with an arrow in it's skull, next to the skeleton was an apple.....


Been alot more but those two stick out

KerinKor

Pewpie wrote: »

why not do some random generated dungeons for group play that are HUGE?

Ignoring the fact I abhor group-only content, Daggerfall showed why this is a bad idea.

bdipaulyb16_ESO

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

nerevarine1138

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

Vuron

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

I out-leveled the content, but I have to agree with the OP in that there is almost no reason to explore.

The game designers have done a great job of fooling the players in to thinking that the world is open when that is not the case. You can complete every quest in a zone by following their strictly laid out path.

You begin the main quest line for a zone. It places a quest marker on the map. As you are following the road to get to this marker, more quest givers will pop up along the way (also delves, world bosses, and anchors will show up). You take a detour to complete these quests and continue on your way. Completing the next major objective starts the process again. Completing the last major objective in the zone will give you a quest to talk to someone in the next zone and the next zone will work the same way.

My first couple beta weekends, I simply walked around the map and explored. There isn't anything off the beaten path that you won't find by following the path designed by the devs. It will actually slow you down and cause you to miss quests if you don't follow the roads. This was one of the major differences from Skyrim that I don't like.

nerevarine1138

Vuron wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

I out-leveled the content, but I have to agree with the OP in that there is almost no reason to explore.

The game designers have done a great job of fooling the players in to thinking that the world is open when that is not the case. You can complete every quest in a zone by following their strictly laid out path.

You begin the main quest line for a zone. It places a quest marker on the map. As you are following the road to get to this marker, more quest givers will pop up along the way (also delves, world bosses, and anchors will show up). You take a detour to complete these quests and continue on your way. Completing the next major objective starts the process again. Completing the last major objective in the zone will give you a quest to talk to someone in the next zone and the next zone will work the same way.

My first couple beta weekends, I simply walked around the map and explored. There isn't anything off the beaten path that you won't find by following the path designed by the devs. It will actually slow you down and cause you to miss quests if you don't follow the roads. This was one of the major differences from Skyrim that I don't like.

I couldn't disagree more. If you choose to play the game by hopping from quest to quest, you will miss content. Especially since there are multiple ways to get to some locales on the map. Not everything can be seen from the road.

Is it as open as Skyrim? No. But that's because level-scaling doesn't really work so well in an MMO. And comparisons to single-player games are pointless, because this isn't one.

Knootewoot

There is freedom. Usually every "area" gives you a main quest which guides you though the area where you will find quest as you go. BUT you can ignore the mainquest (as i do). I just ride to an area, do some quests there.. oh, in the distance i see a dolmen up.. i ride there ignoring the quests i see on the way to it (because i can, so its freedom).

It is not the fault of Zenimax people stick to the main questline holding their hands. Even in the past TES games i tend to ignore the main quest (which was easy in daggerfall and morrowind but Oblivion and Skyrim forced it more to you).

And when i think i have explored enough of that area then i go do the main quest there or do some parts of it in between.

That way i can explore without getting to far behind with my level. At least i feel freedom because i don't stare blindly at the quest markers on my radar.

Vuron

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Vuron wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

I out-leveled the content, but I have to agree with the OP in that there is almost no reason to explore.

The game designers have done a great job of fooling the players in to thinking that the world is open when that is not the case. You can complete every quest in a zone by following their strictly laid out path.

You begin the main quest line for a zone. It places a quest marker on the map. As you are following the road to get to this marker, more quest givers will pop up along the way (also delves, world bosses, and anchors will show up). You take a detour to complete these quests and continue on your way. Completing the next major objective starts the process again. Completing the last major objective in the zone will give you a quest to talk to someone in the next zone and the next zone will work the same way.

My first couple beta weekends, I simply walked around the map and explored. There isn't anything off the beaten path that you won't find by following the path designed by the devs. It will actually slow you down and cause you to miss quests if you don't follow the roads. This was one of the major differences from Skyrim that I don't like.

I couldn't disagree more. If you choose to play the game by hopping from quest to quest, you will miss content. Especially since there are multiple ways to get to some locales on the map. Not everything can be seen from the road.

Is it as open as Skyrim? No. But that's because level-scaling doesn't really work so well in an MMO. And comparisons to single-player games are pointless, because this isn't one.

The only zone that I know of that doesn't follow this pattern is Grahtwood. The section to the west of the starting location would be missed by following this pattern, but all other zones can be completed this way. Many of us tend to run back and forth, jump ahead to dungeons, delves, and bosses, and speed run through certain quests, so miss the actual pattern.

Many months ago, after seeing all the threads about people being under-leveled in beta, I laid out an exact route for Auridon.

I'm curious as to what you've found by exploring that can't be found by following my pattern. (Seriously, I'm not being a smartass). I've gotten the quest completion achievement in every zone by following this pattern, so I know that I'm not missing quests. Of course, you will miss treasure chests, scenery, and some cool looking locations by not exploring, but I'm pretty sure you won't miss anything related to progressing.

Knootewoot

Cyyrodill i great for exploring. I accidently found the mountain skyshard which isn't part of the Ebonheart/Aldmeri/Daggerfall skyshard achievent. You get the mountain skyshard achievement though. But it was kinda cool when i explored and found it myself.

reggielee

I'm not opposed to new options and additions to the game, even if I wont prob use them. I'm finding i ALWAYS overlevel an area just from exploring every nook and cranny and talking to each npc. To me the areas offer more than enough exp just from taking your time and playing all the quests. I see others in my guild that are saying there are no quests left prior to vet and they are way under lvl49. I know without a fact that they missed quests, exploration and achievements in each zone but only raced thru the main obvious quests in each hub

Svann

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

You can complete every quest in a zone by following their strictly laid out path.

I dont think so. When I finished bangkorai my quest achievements said Id missed 10 of them. Went back and searched the zone and found 1. That means there are 9 well hidden.

Chalybos

I'm thinking that expansions and such will include new lands, new content. Gotta add more than just new dungeons, right?

Knootewoot

Chalybos wrote: »

I'm thinking that expansions and such will include new lands, new content. Gotta add more than just new dungeons, right?

I hope Vvardenfell will be a nice adventure zone.

zaria

Vuron wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

Vuron wrote: »

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

I out-leveled the content, but I have to agree with the OP in that there is almost no reason to explore.

The game designers have done a great job of fooling the players in to thinking that the world is open when that is not the case. You can complete every quest in a zone by following their strictly laid out path.

You begin the main quest line for a zone. It places a quest marker on the map. As you are following the road to get to this marker, more quest givers will pop up along the way (also delves, world bosses, and anchors will show up). You take a detour to complete these quests and continue on your way. Completing the next major objective starts the process again. Completing the last major objective in the zone will give you a quest to talk to someone in the next zone and the next zone will work the same way.

My first couple beta weekends, I simply walked around the map and explored. There isn't anything off the beaten path that you won't find by following the path designed by the devs. It will actually slow you down and cause you to miss quests if you don't follow the roads. This was one of the major differences from Skyrim that I don't like.

I couldn't disagree more. If you choose to play the game by hopping from quest to quest, you will miss content. Especially since there are multiple ways to get to some locales on the map. Not everything can be seen from the road.

Is it as open as Skyrim? No. But that's because level-scaling doesn't really work so well in an MMO. And comparisons to single-player games are pointless, because this isn't one.

The only zone that I know of that doesn't follow this pattern is Grahtwood. The section to the west of the starting location would be missed by following this pattern, but all other zones can be completed this way. Many of us tend to run back and forth, jump ahead to dungeons, delves, and bosses, and speed run through certain quests, so miss the actual pattern.

Many months ago, after seeing all the threads about people being under-leveled in beta, I laid out an exact route for Auridon.

I'm curious as to what you've found by exploring that can't be found by following my pattern. (Seriously, I'm not being a smartass). I've gotten the quest completion achievement in every zone by following this pattern, so I know that I'm not missing quests. Of course, you will miss treasure chests, scenery, and some cool looking locations by not exploring, but I'm pretty sure you won't miss anything related to progressing.

Not all locations is visible in compass from the road, however if you go to any location on the map who shows up while traveling along the road and then goes to the layer outside you should find pretty much anyplace.
In this case you are exploring but more systematic, does not take much guessing as most visible structures on map are quest hubs or quest locations.

However quests are nor chained, if you follow one road north in Ardudin you will lose out lots of quests, you need to follow the other road north too and as you say you have to visit the various locations who show up in compass.

You should also not ignore roads as most of the questgivers outside of visible locations are along roads.

nerevarine1138

Vuron wrote: »

The only zone that I know of that doesn't follow this pattern is Grahtwood. The section to the west of the starting location would be missed by following this pattern, but all other zones can be completed this way. Many of us tend to run back and forth, jump ahead to dungeons, delves, and bosses, and speed run through certain quests, so miss the actual pattern.

Many months ago, after seeing all the threads about people being under-leveled in beta, I laid out an exact route for Auridon.

I'm curious as to what you've found by exploring that can't be found by following my pattern. (Seriously, I'm not being a smartass). I've gotten the quest completion achievement in every zone by following this pattern, so I know that I'm not missing quests. Of course, you will miss treasure chests, scenery, and some cool looking locations by not exploring, but I'm pretty sure you won't miss anything related to progressing.

Aside from all the fun content that doesn't really advance the game, I've found plenty of quests that I couldn't see by just following the road from objective to objective (Shadowfen sticks out in my mind, but that's probably just because it's the last one I did). You can generally get through a zone without finding these quests, but you won't have found everything the zone has to offer.

sevcik.miroslaveb17_ESO

World for sure is not open. That much I knew since I tried beta. I was ok with it. Exploration is limited, but still way better than in other MMOs.

Mie87

Totally agree, the maps are too small to just go exploring.
There's something around every corner which leaves no room for roaming, which I'd really love.
Not only that, the discovered dungeons for example don't scale so you have to do everything on the right order.
I do not feel any freedom in this game, to do what I would like to do.

FrauPerchta

I agree that the world is far too small.

As for roads...what are they? I never run the road, far too easy to miss a quest giver that doesn't pop up on compass from road. I have still found that I missed finding a quest and had to look up online at all quest available on a map. A quest giver map plug in would be great

nerevarine1138

FrauPerchta wrote: »

I agree that the world is far too small.

As for roads...what are they? I never run the road, far too easy to miss a quest giver that doesn't pop up on compass from road. I have still found that I missed finding a quest and had to look up online at all quest available on a map. A quest giver map plug in would be great

Each alliance is at least the size of a full Elder Scrolls game. Cyrodiil is the size of Cyrodiil in Oblivion. The only thing that makes the world seem small is that they've divided it into smaller regions for design purposes.

KariTR

I think some of you are shackling yourselves - you definitely do not have to do everything in the 'right' order. For example, I remember having a *** of a fight (well, numerous attempts) with Faolchu and he only died by what I thought was a fluke. Much later, I came across another quest chain which taught me the secret of killing him and yeah, it was that 'fluke'.

OK, it wasn't great the game didn't actually recognise that the werewolf boss was already dead by my hand, but nonetheless, my character has not been hampered in any way by doing her (my) own thing and not being led by the nose. I don't see my way of playing as inefficient either. It's just fun and that's all that counts.

The main issue I am getting from some of you is that there is so much content in the world, it makes each zone appear smaller than it is. I don't see that as a drawback, even if I am a bit of a completionist myself - and by that, I don't mean using guides to find objectives. I only look at achievements at the 'end' of a zone and usually only have 2 or 3 Skyshards missing. I then use the clues Zen have given us to work out where others are and you can bet that will lead to undiscovered quests. Even whole areas that I thought I had covered previously, but hadn't.

vyndral13preub18_ESO

One of the thing that takes away from exploration is addons. I often feel like im not exploring. Then i remember i was the dumbo that put in the addon that shows all the map locations so i know where everything is.

Caroloces

I make it a point to treat the world as if it were pretty vast. Remember, this is a game, and part of the fun is taking a child-like perspective and pretending this world really exists! A lot of times I will wander around on the fringes of an area, and I'll be surprised by the amount of things I'll find such as treasure chests and lorebooks. I also put skill points into the crafting areas of blacksmithing and woodworking that allow you to spot these elements quite easily in the world, so I'll spend time collecting materials for my crafts.
I also avoid looking at online maps to find the location of every last element (skyshards, anyone?) in a zone. I love the achievement section in the journal that offers clues to skyshard locations and trying to figure out skyshard locations according to the clues. A lot has to do with using your own imagination to augment the game play to make the game world more vivid and engaging.
We pretend we exist within the world, and we don't always know what's around the corner. This is the aspect of suspension of disbelief that makes me love the game immensely!

starstruck

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

Repeatable random quest and dungeons would be great! Something like what *** had.

Mie87

starstruck wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

Repeatable random quest and dungeons would be great! Something like what *** had.

Yes please.

Mie87

charles.cavanaughub17_ESO wrote: »

I make it a point to treat the world as if it were pretty vast. Remember, this is a game, and part of the fun is taking a child-like perspective and pretending this world really exists! A lot of times I will wander around on the fringes of an area, and I'll be surprised by the amount of things I'll find such as treasure chests and lorebooks. I also put skill points into the crafting areas of blacksmithing and woodworking that allow you to spot these elements quite easily in the world, so I'll spend time collecting materials for my crafts.
I also avoid looking at online maps to find the location of every last element (skyshards, anyone?) in a zone. I love the achievement section in the journal that offers clues to skyshard locations and trying to figure out skyshard locations according to the clues. A lot has to do with using your own imagination to augment the game play to make the game world more vivid and engaging.
We pretend we exist within the world, and we don't always know what's around the corner. This is the aspect of suspension of disbelief that makes me love the game immensely!

I agree we need to use our imagination, but still.. planes of nothing should be possible.
I remember lotro when it launched had those and that was absolutely awesome :-)

Cogo

nerevarine1138 wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

I always out-leveled content while I was leveling to 50. And you know why? Because I didn't just go from quest to quest. I explored.

I was going to replay something simular. Try to do other things then just "GRINDING"
ESO have even said the CORE of the game is not to need to GRIND. You get exp for pretty much everything, except crafting. Even pvp gives good exp (Even before this insaine double of exp in Cyrodiil.

There are so many things to do, that gives you exp.

I think the problem where most are feeling its hard to level, is just that....they are "leveling". Not PLAYING. Try play the game.....there are so many different ways to find level exp, gold.....everything!

The ONLY thing that ESO has is moronic grinding of mobs to level. They fixed this partially by reducing the exp in dungeons

Stop your whining about "I CANT LEVEL". Not being able to get to the highest level in a MONTH, or even WEEKS, is PROOF that ESO is a different game and have content for you whole story as you travel around in Tamriel och get better at things that you do.

For you whom seen my post you might be a bit bored with this comment ..but

ESO is NOT World of warcraft! Highest level is NOT the only goal!

Cogo

starstruck wrote: »

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

Repeatable random quest and dungeons would be great! Something like what *** had.

Um. and do the same quest over and over and over again? Are you serious!
This is one of the MAIN reason for this game. That you should need to do that.
If you even noticed, a lot of quests are different. Not just copy of other quests.

And I reciently found a few places, things, that gave me exp/loot and even a skillpoint, that was NOT part of any quest. I just stumbled into a place I havnt seen yet.

Explore is the key word. And if you want it to be extra fun, you throw away every one of those damn addons. Playing addonfree is great. I get freakin happy when I find a skyshard.

Also, I don't know why, but a lot of people seams to have problems with lag. I don't. I get chat lag, Guild bank lag and sometimes it takes a while to zone into Cyrodriil. That's it.

Loligo

bdipaulyb16_ESO wrote: »

I completely agree with OP. There just isn't enough to do to get you up levels. Randomly generated quests/dungeons would help.

How much more would you like there to be? I've had no problem maintaining the content-appropriate level up to my current level of 37, with no spawn-camping or random grinding. Maybe it gets weird later, but so far no problems.

Audigy

I must be doing something totally different, because I don't follow any paths. I also only always pick up one quest and not 5 or 10. I follow that quest strictly, like when it says go to the south there is a bridge ... then I do exactly this.

I don't open my map and check where to go, or what hints my quest book has and addons are banned as well.
I use my compass and just go south with the HUD turned of. Quite often however I see something or someone along the road and I go explore. You would be surprised what you find if you do that. The only concern is, that if you turn the hud off, you cant talk to people. This should be improved, but turning of quest markers and co. is definitely a nice idea to get some more freedom. NPC´s have so much to say, also between the lines. I just heard about a huge giant, I really want to know where and what this is.

But this you only notice if you want to, its not on your map or in your quest book

The mistake many do who complain is that they pick up every quest that pops up and then they run from quest to quest. Its pretty understandable, that you then miss out.

I met a merchants on a street once, I had the option to rob him, I also found a very nice chest in a hidden place with some cool stuff in, I tend to fish for bags and read every book that lays on the ground. Its really there, that freedom.

Just the weather could be better, god I just played for 2 hours with never ending rain

Edit:

And if I then see things like "more dungeons" again, then I really don't know. How is a dungeon comparable to a completely open world? I just don't get it, dungeons are not free and open, they are a cave with mobs in that's all.

Xithian

When I see these threads pop up (they do, every few days it seems) I wonder how long the people that are lower level than the content have been playing their character. If you take your time and explore you end up outleveling content fairly easily. I'm in the veteran ranks and there are still a ton of anchors and bosses that I have not done back in my faction area. There are two zones that I only half finished. The difference? I spent a month leveling my character to 50.