TESO: A Realm Reborn (A Vision for Premium TESO)

Haxer · June 2014

Hey guys, apparently there's a lot of confusion about what a "premium" content/experience is ($15 per month subscription game) but don't worry I'm here to help you ZoS. Obviously no game is perfect, but here is my vision for what would be a premium version of TESO.

Start with solid good old fashion questing. Hey look! You've already got that, and did an excellent job I might add. +1 ZoS way to go. But buckle up, cause were about to go off the reservation here.

Next, there would be a variety of things to do, and they would all be accessible relatively seamlessly from the questing. Need a break from questing? I would be able to transition into PvP (and back when I'm done) with ease. PvP would also give me rewards and XP at least somewhat comparable in pace with questing, so that it's not a waste of time, or a chore. I would have the choice to play how I want. I would be able to take a Wayshrine to my Guild Hall and personal House instances, where I can hang out with friends, be social, and build community. Not to mention show off my sweet house I've been working on. When I was done with my break, refreshed, I'd be able to quickly pop back into questing and continue where I left off.

Worldbosses, anchors and dungeons would also grant XP and rewards comparable (even if not quite on par) with questing, to provide me with choices on playing my way, and ways to break up the monotony. All of these would be difficult enough to give people a need to interact, and a reason to work together.

Next, customization. There would be so many different looks for me to customize and unlock, from my gear, to my house, to my mount. And I ain't talking color dyes. I'm talking choices in light, medium and heavy armor looks that let me stand out. I could craft light armor in all sorts of shirts, jackets, jerkins and of course the robes that we currently have. As I leveled, there would be major improvements in my look, progressively throughout instead of one significant visual improvement at level 26 gear. This would make crafting that next piece of armor rewarding, and hunger for more.

Community is the true longevity of any MMO, so we would have premium social features encouraging players to lay down roots and invest here, such as aforementioned Guild and Player instances or housing. Groups and guilds would automatically be in the same instances, and during quests players would remain together even if they choose different dialogue options.

After defeating Molag Bal and saving the world, a player would go straight to Craglorn (and beyond someday) where repeatable quests, dungeons, bosses and raids would allow players to continue the wonderful experience of 1-50 in a way they most like. The best part is that quests in this zone could be easily changed and replaced with others every week or so just to keep things fresh and exciting.

That. Is a premium game. And a premium game this is not. I want it to be, more than anything, but it's just not. ZoS if I'm wrong here, I'd love to have your input, but from what I have read you say it'll be about two years before ESO is a premium game (and hopefully not 2 years before you answer this thread XD).

So why should I pay for two years, when this is how it should be already?

Sallington · June 2014

I agree that questing with a friend is almost impossible unless you are both at the same exact point, and stay there. I tried to help a friend who was a couple levels behind.... Nope, not possible. It's very frustrating, especially when you're trying to convince said friend to stick with the game.

drogon1 · June 2014

Good post OP. Agree with you with one exception: ESO could be a premium MMO up to level 50 if they simply changed the XP reward distribution. Enough content is there pre-VR, just no XP for doing it (group dungeons, lowbie PvP).

If VR levels are just completing the same quests you've already done (typically on alts in diff factions), then this must be a placeholder for actual end-game content - for it is blatant content recycling and a big no-no for a new MMO. And yes, I would not apply the word "premium" for such a game design.

R1ckyDaMan · June 2014

I strongly disagree with the customization part.

This is still, after all, A part of the TES family, And what people choose to stand out would rip the game and its history to pieces.

Haxer · June 2014

R1ckyDaMan wrote: »

I strongly disagree with the customization part.

This is still, after all, A part of the TES family, And what people choose to stand out would rip the game and its history to pieces.

Do you though? Do you really? You really think not making 100% of light armor a skirt/grad robe would destroy the game? You don't think that professionals who get paid to design this stuff could offer us any deviation from that without destroying the game and its history to pieces?

I mean...come on man.

Nazon_Katts · June 2014

Be careful what you whish for. Given their track record, we might end up with 'TESO: A Nirn Reborn - Dragon Break Edition', playable Dwemer and Numidium mounts included.

Joking aside, most of what you have mentioned, and others pointed out, already is in the game, tho rendered inefficient due to hard to follow balancing actions.

Snowstrider · June 2014

I created a simmilar thread in some way,And i agree with you,Cuztomisation really needs improvment.. And the other stuff,Theres just nothing more then questing and those kind of stuff to do in eso. It lacks the more fun stuff which other mmos have. Other MMOs offer more and those dont even have a subfee.

R1ckyDaMan · June 2014

Haxer wrote: »

R1ckyDaMan wrote: »

I strongly disagree with the customization part.

This is still, after all, A part of the TES family, And what people choose to stand out would rip the game and its history to pieces.

Do you though? Do you really? You really think not making 100% of light armor a skirt/grad robe would destroy the game? You don't think that professionals who get paid to design this stuff could offer us any deviation from that without destroying the game and its history to pieces?

I mean...come on man.

I get you about all light armor been garbs etc, you can get non garb light armor though, you just can't craft it.

But too much creative freedom would be bad IMO.

Haxer · June 2014

Nazon_Katts wrote: »

...most of what you have mentioned, and others pointed out, already is in the game, tho rendered inefficient due to hard to follow balancing actions.

Where is any of that? I made it to VR4 before quitting, and I don't think it's all there from VR5-12. In fact it's all pretty specifically...not there. At all. Please elaborate.

Dusty5 · June 2014

The grass is always greener over the septic tank. ZOS is pushing for market share they could careless what we think or post here. Their push to go multiplatform is behind schedule and probably over budget. Just enough effort is put into bug fixes to keep people hanging around. New content releases are also minimal again to provide window dressing and nothing else. People that read and post here know the issues and the wish lists, with most of it begin denied by the developers. We are never going to see expanded action bars/quickbars or housing anything that might push the console release back will be avoided. Its all about getting 60 bucks a pop out of a new group of people before TESO falls back into the bargain bins again.

Haxer · June 2014

Dusty5 wrote: »

. ... We are never going to see ...housing or anything that might push the console release back will be avoided. Its all about getting 60 bucks a pop out of a new group of people before TESO falls back into the bargain bins again.

ugh, that is so sad. man I hope you're wrong.

starlizard70ub17_ESO · June 2014

Haxer wrote: »

Dusty5 wrote: »

. ... We are never going to see ...housing or anything that might push the console release back will be avoided. Its all about getting 60 bucks a pop out of a new group of people before TESO falls back into the bargain bins again.

ugh, that is so sad. man I hope you're wrong.

Sadly I think he maybe right. I hope this is not the case, but I can easly see housing, new content, etc, being held back until consoles are released to order to boost those sales. I can even see exclusive content just for console users in order to further push those sales.

Worstluck · June 2014

Sorry PS4 and Xboxone players, I really wish they hadn't decided to make this game multi-platform. This is ZoS's first MMO and it seems like they are a little in over the heads. FFXIV is multi-platform, but it's Square Enix, they have quite a bit of MMO experience (not counting the original FFXIV, it was awful, Realm Reborn is a solid game).

Nazon_Katts · June 2014

Haxer wrote: »

Nazon_Katts wrote: »

...most of what you have mentioned, and others pointed out, already is in the game, tho rendered inefficient due to hard to follow balancing actions.

Where is any of that? I made it to VR4 before quitting, and I don't think it's all there from VR5-12. In fact it's all pretty specifically...not there. At all. Please elaborate.

Should have said 'some' not most. And well, the content is there, just the rewards went AWOL.

Haxer · June 2014

Seriously ZoS, I don't know who put a gag-order on you guys, but I'd love to hear your feedback on my ideas, and how you think ESO measures up as a premium MMO experience.

Adramelach · June 2014

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

ers101284b14_ESO · June 2014

Haxer wrote: »

Seriously ZoS, I don't know who put a gag-order on you guys, but I'd love to hear your feedback on my ideas, and how you think ESO measures up as a premium MMO experience.

This isn't your everyday 123=Win MMO. This goes back to where you have to plan, strategize, and communicate. I find the groups I pug can barely handle a fight or two together but When I get on chat and we can communicate things go smoother. This also isn't a faceroll endgame like most other MMO's. The few other MMO's I have played they made it so easy everyone can do everything then lock it out in other ways like grinding for tokens for gear. This one you have to actually get a group, know your job and practice to win. That is why so many hate it because it doesn't just shoehorn people through like cattle.

Ojustaboo · June 2014

While I like the OPs post, if in the middle of questing, I could go into PvP for a few hrs and receive a lot of XP there, when I returned to my questing, I would have (or soon will if I do PvP a couple of nights a week) out levelled them all

One of the problems I found, my play style was causing me to out level many areas as it was. Even opening a treasure chest gives you about 1% xp.

I would fully support the OPs post if they also gave those of us that want to, the option of turning off XP

wrlifeboil · June 2014

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

The honeymoon phase is definitely over for Wildstar but everyone who has played mmos knew that would happen sooner or later. New mmos will have problems. What matters us how the Carbine devs respond. For those who are new to mmos and posted their 'i quit' farewell messages on this forum and left for ws thinking it would be different re: bugs, well, karma is a [snip], ain't it? I'm not saying ws isn't a good game, I'm saying that bugginess in a new mmo is inevitable and how quickly they step up to fix the bugs is what matters.

[Moderator Note: Edited per our rules on Cursing & Profanity]

vyndral13preub18_ESO · June 2014

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

I liked the PSA: Items and Gold disappearing from Guild banks. It literally made me laugh out loud.

purple-magicb16_ESO · June 2014

Sallington wrote: »

I agree that questing with a friend is almost impossible unless you are both at the same exact point, and stay there. I tried to help a friend who was a couple levels behind.... Nope, not possible. It's very frustrating, especially when you're trying to convince said friend to stick with the game.

I hear ya. Tried to help a lower level and wasn't allowed back into the cave for the Shadowfen StillRise quest (4get the name of it rite now). I felt so bad I chatted the guy and apologized saying I just wanted 2 make sure u knew I didn't bail on u.

Haxer · June 2014

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol.

You answered your own question. Everyone here uses one of two excuses to justify paying $15 for half a game: 1) omg cartoonz brah that color pallette is wack or 2) I went to their forums and found someone complaining therefore I can deduce that they are equal games in what they offer. Unlike those people who prefer self justifying ignorance to facts, I actually bought and played both games.

And plot twist: the features that I describe in the OP, the things that I desperately want ESO to have and am upset that ESO does not offer in the slightest, -is WS. That's all I did, was describe what WS does currently offer right now (not someday, not 2 years from now, but right now), and why tf does ESO fall so far behind. I can tell you, from experience, because I play it, that it's phenomenal and there's no excuse why ESO shouldn't offer me something even remotely close in terms of quality and content for the same price. I am mad because I want ESO to be the better game, and it's not, and I'm desperately begging for ZoS to give me some sort of progress to stay, but if I have to choose between a goofy color scheme with all those features I want ESO to have (housing, group play, variety of activities, playable PvP, social and guild mechanics, just read the dang op) and a sweet realistic tes graphics but completely 1 dimensional play that lacks anything of substance or longevity, I will put up with the 'goofy colors'. Any day.

drogon1 · June 2014

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

Disagree it's a "carbon copy." I play both games and visit both forums. The WS players overall have more faith in the devs eventually getting it right, and getting it right soon enough. Plus their vocal gripes are about class balance for end game raid content (no surprise there) and bug fixes - not fundamental MMO game design (what tf? no xp from that dungeon run? errrrm. what tf? i just did all those quests on my other faction toon! errrrm.).

But don't take my word for it, as it will shortly be an empirical question answered by: which game retains the most subs after the honeymoon is over?

And that - sub retention - is the bottom line.

hk11 · June 2014

I have to agree with OP.

hk11 · June 2014

drogon1 wrote: »

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

Disagree it's a "carbon copy." I play both games and visit both forums. The WS players overall have more faith in the devs eventually getting it right, and getting it right soon enough. Plus their vocal gripes are about class balance for end game raid content (no surprise there) and bug fixes - not fundamental MMO game design (what tf? no xp from that dungeon run? errrrm. what tf? i just did all those quests on my other faction toon! errrrm.).

But don't take my word for it, as it will shortly be an empirical question answered by: which game retains the most subs after the honeymoon is over?

And that - sub retention - is the bottom line.

I play it all the time, and have yet to visit their forum. I usually just start hanging out in the forums when I am unhappy.

vyndral13preub18_ESO · June 2014

drogon1 wrote: »

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

Disagree it's a "carbon copy." I play both games and visit both forums. The WS players overall have more faith in the devs eventually getting it right, and getting it right soon enough. Plus their vocal gripes are about class balance for end game raid content (no surprise there) and bug fixes - not fundamental MMO game design (what tf? no xp from that dungeon run? errrrm. what tf? i just did all those quests on my other faction toon! errrrm.).

But don't take my word for it, as it will shortly be an empirical question answered by: which game retains the most subs after the honeymoon is over?

And that - sub retention - is the bottom line.

It isn't actually though. By your own logic WoW is still the best game Evah. Wtf are you bothering with WS at all?

The game only has to have enough players to make money and keep content coming. How many players one game or the other has is completely meaningless.

Take for example the crap already loaded into the WS store. Even if the games had exactly the same player base, WS is already making more money because you can buy crap. Hope you get use to it. It is Ncsoft after all.

ers101284b14_ESO · June 2014

hk11 wrote: »

drogon1 wrote: »

Adramelach wrote: »

Well, who does have all that, though?

I recently went to check out the forums for Wildstar... and basically found a carbon copy of this one lol. The grass is perhaps not so green over the fence.

Bug complaints, crazy imbalance issues, wondering "where the developers went" and so forth... how they 'destroyed the game' and 'everyone is leaving' etc.

It was almost eerie, like deja vu. I'd suggest everyone just poke around the forums of other major MMOs and see what it's like, and you might be surprised... or perhaps not, as this seems to be pretty much standard fare for the ones I've been looking at.

Disagree it's a "carbon copy." I play both games and visit both forums. The WS players overall have more faith in the devs eventually getting it right, and getting it right soon enough. Plus their vocal gripes are about class balance for end game raid content (no surprise there) and bug fixes - not fundamental MMO game design (what tf? no xp from that dungeon run? errrrm. what tf? i just did all those quests on my other faction toon! errrrm.).

But don't take my word for it, as it will shortly be an empirical question answered by: which game retains the most subs after the honeymoon is over?

And that - sub retention - is the bottom line.

I play it all the time, and have yet to visit their forum. I usually just start hanging out in the forums when I am unhappy.

Just like people here. the happy people are in game. I like being part of the community for better or worse so I visit the forums(I do Dual Screens so I cna do both).

hk11 · June 2014

Adramelach wrote: »

Take for example the crap already loaded into the WS store. Even if the games had exactly the same player base, WS is already making more money because you can buy crap. Hope you get use to it. It is Ncsoft after all.

I dont mind the CREDD thing. It lets people who have more money than time get currency by selling CREDD. People with a lot of time can play the game for free by purchasing CREDD. People with a lot of time and money are going to come out ahead, but that's how it's worked since the beginning of time. It helps stabilize the economy without have crazy gold sinks and does not benefit gold sellers.

Worstluck · June 2014

hk11 wrote: »

Adramelach wrote: »

Take for example the crap already loaded into the WS store. Even if the games had exactly the same player base, WS is already making more money because you can buy crap. Hope you get use to it. It is Ncsoft after all.

I dont mind the CREDD thing. It lets people who have more money than time get currency by selling CREDD. People with a lot of time can play the game for free by purchasing CREDD. People with a lot of time and money are going to come out ahead, but that's how it's worked since the beginning of time. It helps stabilize the economy without have crazy gold sinks and does not benefit gold sellers.

Does this work the same way as PLEX from Eve Online? I loved that system; played for free forever.

hk11 · June 2014

Worstluck wrote: »

hk11 wrote: »

Adramelach wrote: »

Take for example the crap already loaded into the WS store. Even if the games had exactly the same player base, WS is already making more money because you can buy crap. Hope you get use to it. It is Ncsoft after all.

I dont mind the CREDD thing. It lets people who have more money than time get currency by selling CREDD. People with a lot of time can play the game for free by purchasing CREDD. People with a lot of time and money are going to come out ahead, but that's how it's worked since the beginning of time. It helps stabilize the economy without have crazy gold sinks and does not benefit gold sellers.

Does this work the same way as PLEX from Eve Online? I loved that system; played for free forever.

Yeah it's pretty much the same thing.

Nazon_Katts · June 2014

Considering WS and ESO don't have to be a case of 'either or', but rather could be played 'as well as', I'm not really surprised they're not going to compete actively against each other (it's just 'us', after all). Here's just hoping ZOS doesn't bank too much on the console release, as we could very well end up in an either or situation. Either play WS on PC or ESO on console.

At some point, they've got to acknowledge the competition. Better lore, writing, voice overs and (dependent on taste) atmosphere will only get you so far with an MMO. In the long run, it'll always be features and mechanics that build and foster communities, that keep you playing and subbed.