Do you feel like a betatester in ESO?

Mortosk · June 2014

One thing I dislike about this game is every time they do a major patch I have to download the entire library of congress. Even with a 150 Mbit connection it takes a long time.

Lalai · June 2014

twev wrote: »

Lalai wrote: »

All games have issues where groups of people can't patch, can't login, or have things that prevent them from playing. It's kinda of a luck of the draw thing. All MMOs also have threads about how the developers are incompetent, the beta was too short, the game was released too early, xyz bugs should have been fixed by now, shortage of players, and so on.

So, basically.. no, I don't feel like I'm playing a beta anymore than past MMOs have felt like a beta version during launch. My definition includes the majority (not all) of people being able to log on, and get through quests in the game, level up, and experience content with ease. ESO seems to meet that criteria. The first six months or so of any MMO tends to house a lot of down time and tons of bug fixes, as well as learning how to deal with gold spammers and botters.

How long does a beta have to be before the devs start fixing some of the bugs the testers report?
So many bugs were missed or ignored, are you implying that there is some magic point in time where the devs decide to pay attention?

Just asking.

Not at all. I'm saying if an MMO is in a state, as with any game, where the large majority of the players are going to be able to access all of the content in the game with relative ease, then that game is probably okay to release.

Bugs vary in difficulty to fix. I don't have a timeline for any single one, that'd be silly. Something that seems simple could very well take months to fix on the programmer end. I also don't believe any actual bugs were completely and utterly ignored. They may be lower on the totem pole, or harder to fix, and that may anger the people who are getting hit by them, but I don't think they were entirely ignored. An example would be people who rushed to 50 questing ran into way more quest bugs than people leveling 1-50 now. That's because the lower level questing areas seem to have been prioritized so that the majority of the player base wouldn't be hit by the bugs. That's fine as far as I'm concerned, and doesn't mean they're totally ignoring the higher level players.

The 301 error could be used as another example. It's entirely possible that the people being hit by it are only some small percentage of the player base, so their resources are going to something else. The reason it's not fixed doesn't have to be because they're ignoring it, or want it to persist. In FFXIV:ARR I literally couldn't patch the game, and couldn't reinstall it. I was by far not the only person posting on the forums about it.. and it didn't really ever get fixed during the several months I was playing. I got the game because a friend hosted the most recent client via torrent to me. I've had similar issues with TSW and WoW as far as either not being able to connect/patch properly. At no point did I ever think the company in question was unaware, or ignoring the problem.. even though none of the companies in question ever stated they were so much as aware.

Mortosk · June 2014

Sturmwaffel wrote: »

[Moderator Note: Edited/Removed moderated quote].

Don't make me use the F word.

Yes, I went there.

WhisperLFE · June 2014

Compared to the Age of Conan initial release (note: I actually really liked that game, so I don't feel I'm being overly critical), ESO's bugs are nothing.

I do wish ZOS would take a hint and get better about consistent, open communication with its play base, though, and would more actively directly respond to feedback; that's the one area where I feel a bit shafted, and where I feel like they lag far behind most other MMO companies with which I've interacted.

AngryWolf · June 2014

Nope I don't, and this par for the course for an MMO, a 'living' game for the most part. I've never felt like I should stop playing or haven't stopped having fun. Sure, some annoyances here and there, but never feel the 'sky was falling' so to speak.

Blade_07 · June 2014

trueche wrote: »

I was in beta the entire process and can say the game has drastically improved to the point that I don't feel like a beta tester, I feel like a TES player lol. I've never once expected an elder scrolls game to not have a ton of bugs, it's almost what makes an elder scrolls game an elder scrolls game lol. Now, some of these bugs are frustrating, but it's an mmo and takes time. Some people who are new to MMO's or haven't seen the start of one take this for granted and think Zos is a new and unusual case. It's not. WoW had so many bugs that entire first year it was unbelievable. You think Sorcs one shotting you in pvp is bad? I reemmber getting two shot by naked rogues, because they had base damage rather than high scaling.

Regardless, this isn't too unusual for a brand new mmo. I do wish they would communicate more with us, but that seems like a lack of staff memebers issues, as the only one I normally see post is Jessica. Either way, I knew when starting the game it was going to be a rough start, but I accepted that knowing it would still be enjoyable.

Its so sad that people pay $80 on a game and then EXPECT it to be broken!

Thank you for your purchase of a brand new car sir...whats that you say, the car dont start? Well, thats a bug and you gotta wait for the engineers to make an update for that when they feel like it........... Joe Shmow customer asked if the engineers beta tested the car before putting it up for sale and they said yes but we never listen to the beta testers. >.<

nosillalouise · June 2014

Because everyone else has put their two cents into this topic SO AM I!

I do not feel like I'm a beta tester while playing ESO, I actually enjoy playing this game. I feel like so many of you are being too critical. As stated in previous comments by multiple people the majority of ya'll whining and complaining have absolutely no idea how long it takes for any of these bugs to be fixed. EVERY game I have ever played has some kind of bug or glitch, it's going to happen. No game is absolutely 100% perfect! It's three months in, what do you expect? If they would have waited for release, then there would be posts about it taking too long, and when will the release be?

Just shut up and play the dang game.

kaosodin · June 2014

The game is ABSOLUTELY at a releaseable level. Any one who claims there beta testing and feel they shouldn't pay has never played any reasonable mmo.

Is the game at the level they want it to be for every one to be happy, no.

SFBryan18 · June 2014

Blackwidow wrote: »

SFBryan18 wrote: »

The real question is, do people who constantly dwell on negative thoughts and whine about pointless nonsense feel they are living a healthy life?

I don't know. Do you feel you are living a healthy life?

Yes.

Soulharvester · June 2014

This is not a beta, its a game that has been released and released games, receive a lot of attention. Change is expected.

Mortosk · June 2014

Lalai wrote: »

The 301 error could be used as another example. It's entirely possible that the people being hit by it are only some small percentage of the player base, so their resources are going to something else. The reason it's not fixed doesn't have to be because they're ignoring it, or want it to persist. In FFXIV:ARR I literally couldn't patch the game, and couldn't reinstall it. I was by far not the only person posting on the forums about it.. and it didn't really ever get fixed during the several months I was playing. I got the game because a friend hosted the most recent client via torrent to me. I've had similar issues with TSW and WoW as far as either not being able to connect/patch properly. At no point did I ever think the company in question was unaware, or ignoring the problem.. even though none of the companies in question ever stated they were so much as aware.

FFXIV:ARR had Error 3102 or 1017 or 90000 that effected at least 10% of the player base. Literally they had 50,000+ people post on the forums when asked to reply to a thread if they experienced the bug. People had to write login scripts and run them for hours to log into the game. They didn't even have an idle timeout in FFXIV:ARR at launch, that was pretty short sighted on the part of the developers. Here's what it was like trying to log in during beta and the same problems were multiplied at launch three fold, they simply did not have the server capacity needed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M54o7D6WO4Y

Here's another expressing what it felt like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVTtdy-Yq4

Diablo 3, although not technically an MMO, at launch had Error 37. I literally could not even get into that game for 3 days after launch. I gave up trying. Here's a fun parody video about what the Diablo 3 launch felt like to most:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I43GUnZN_s4

So, as launches go, connection-wise, I think ESO wasn't that bad. The main issue I have with the game is the enormous number of bugs and glitches in game. And, the thoughtless way they Nerf things. They really need to do better on that front. The bots don't really bother me personally that much, but they were obviously a major issue and completely out of control.

NakedSnake · June 2014

ESO had a great launch as far as MMO's go and is still one of the most stable releases I have played in a long time.

Soloeus · June 2014

RazielSR wrote: »

I mean, for many people, the game stills being in beta. I agree because many of the bugs and problems the game had in beta times, continue existing.

So, do you feel you still betatesting the game? With the difference that now you pay for it?

I think the value of the game should be reassessed and the monthly fee should be changed to $8.00 USD/month. That would be fair.

pinstripesc · June 2014

No.

Loco_Mofo · June 2014

Yes.

I expected a much more polished and fleshed out game. Standards in this industry are pathetic and we shouldn't just accept it like many in this thread do.

SirAndy · June 2014

RazielSR wrote: »

Do you feel like a betatester in ESO?

I have my 1 year anniversary coming up and the feeling hasn't really changed much in all that time.

So that is probably a yes then ...

SFBryan18 · June 2014

And you accuse me of making personal attacks? K.

Loco_Mofo · June 2014

SFBryan18 wrote: »

Moderator Note: Removed moderated quote

Do you feel better? Getting all that off your chest?

Much like how frustrated gamers feel here when they vent

Belitseri · June 2014

I feel like we're beta testing everything that changes and will do so as long as we play... but, I feel that way about every other game too. Pretty sure we're beta testing life.

But I understand the general angst over the rough edges and pointy bits.

NewBlacksmurf · June 2014

Not now but in April yes

SFBryan18 · June 2014

Loco_Mofo wrote: »

SFBryan18 wrote: »

Blackwidow wrote: »

SFBryan18 wrote: »

The real question is, do people who constantly dwell on negative thoughts and whine about pointless nonsense feel they are living a healthy life?

I don't know. Do you feel you are living a healthy life?

So so. I quit using drugs and alcohol six years ago, and started taking antidepressants almost two years ago, and life feels much better. I could always be healthier, of course, but at least I'm not basement dwelling, pissing and moaning over ridiculously unimportant things.

"Do you feel like you are beta testing?" Who cares? This game has amazing graphics and a great story. There are far worse games out there. In a sense, we are testing for console simply because PC got the game first, but you choose to dwell on such a lame perspective. From my perspective, I am playing Elder Scrolls Online and chatting at the forums, and I feel really sorry for individuals who have to take their misery out on a video game forums instead of getting the help they need. And I despise the pathetic children who think that throwing tantrums is going to get them anything. Your parents should have taught you better.

Do you feel better? Getting all that off your chest?

Much like how frustrated gamers feel here when they vent

OK? Was that suppose to mean something?

I see a big difference between venting about legitimate complaints, and twisting every little thing into some kind of hypothetical tantrum over ridiculous exaggerations.

"Do you feel like you are beta testing?"

What does it matter? The beta is over. What a ridiculous way to try to tear the game down without anything real to complain about.

Soloeus · June 2014

Mortosk wrote: »

Sturmwaffel wrote: »

[Moderator Note: Edited/Removed moderated quote].

Don't make me use the F word.

Yes, I went there.

Wow, this post was meaningful. Glad the post could be edited so that the moderated quote was removed but this post itself in all its contribution and relevance to ESO remains.

I am pointing this out because it shows the skewed moderation. I just know if I posted:
Don't make me use the F word.

Yes, I went there.

that it would be deleted. I am glad this dude gets to keep his post. Really, good job there.

Singular · June 2014

You're a beta test!!!

Loco_Mofo · June 2014

Singular wrote: »

You're a beta test!!!

Reported!

Morticielle · June 2014

Lalai wrote: »

So, basically.. no, I don't feel like I'm playing a beta anymore than past MMOs have felt like a beta version during launch. My definition includes the majority (not all) of people being able to log on, and get through quests in the game, level up, and experience content with ease.

You're the dream of the industrie: A Pavlovian Dog conditioned to like everything thrown to him. And now go to Zenimax and get your treat.

lecarcajou_ESO · June 2014

Beta Tester... such nonsense. Preposterous! In this day and age, it's called Early Access. Duh!

Arsenic_Touch · June 2014

Yes, we are console beta testers that have to pay for the beta test.

Mithrae · June 2014

Mortosk wrote: »

One thing I dislike about this game is every time they do a major patch I have to download the entire library of congress. Even with a 150 Mbit connection it takes a long time.

^ ^ This ^ ^
Just cancelled my subscription, at least 'til they sort things out more, and wondered how many others felt the same nuisances. Seems every week or two when I want to play it tells me there's another 3-4gb to download... and then it turns out that was only half the stuff! Stupid system. No option to postpone non-essential downloads of course: When you want to play the game is OBVIOUSLY the best time to spend half an hour watching a progress bar.

Haven't had too much problem with bugs. A few other obviously stupid things (lack of search function in guild store; unbalanced and lore-unfriendly PvP system) and a generally non-Elder Scrolls feel to the game (besides interesting crafting and flexible characters) are annoying.

Lalai · June 2014

Morticielle wrote: »

Lalai wrote: »

So, basically.. no, I don't feel like I'm playing a beta anymore than past MMOs have felt like a beta version during launch. My definition includes the majority (not all) of people being able to log on, and get through quests in the game, level up, and experience content with ease.

You're the dream of the industrie: A Pavlovian Dog conditioned to like everything thrown to him. And now go to Zenimax and get your treat.

I would call myself realistic, actually. I have a little bit of an inside look on the programming side of things because I've been dating a programmer for a few years now. I also have a fair amount of MMO launches under my belt, and have worked in tech support for video streaming/download, mp3 streaming/download/importing, and apps.. with a direct line to the product engineers or software developers in a lot of cases.

I know that no matter how much beta testing you do, some bugs don't crop up until launch. I know bugs that people deem easy fixes can often take months behind the scenes. I know that these types of threads crop up in every MMO forum. I know that although technology has increased, it still can't keep up with player demand as far as a "bug free" experience goes. On the contrary, MMOs are expected to release with more features and content than ever which leaves more room for error. Revolutions to programming haven't been all that great, and shared knowledge between companies is next to non-existent on the programming front. I know outside of video games, talking about software in general, there is always a group of users that gets crippling bugs. I also know that for certain folks, nothing short of daily updates and replies to all the threads (with very, very detailed inner workings of the company), zero downtime, and zero bugs is going to please them. These are the people who, regardless of MMO go around saying developers are incompetent, or lazy, and that communication is crappy no matter how many updates are given, or how many areas that company tries to relay information in.

That stuff sucks when it happens, but there is jack all I can do about it. In the end what matters to me is fun. I have played games where the amount of bugs and issues I ran into caused me to not enjoy the game, such as completely not being able to log in. When that is the case I stop paying for it and I take my business elsewhere, and I do not hold a grudge over any person that chooses to do that because that's what they find their experience with ESO to be. If I find a game fun though, I'm going to play it. That's what I'm paying money for. I'm not paying for a 100% assured bug free experience, I'm paying for entertainment.

But hey, if you prefer to name call simply because I pay for things I enjoy playing... then have at it.

Dayel · June 2014

No, actually for a new MMO this launch has been quite good, and the responsiveness of ZOS has been amazing (in spite of the whines about this). A lot of other games started out a lot less smoothly. And FYI, WoW at the start was a near disaster, in spite of the extensive testing beforehand. Is ESO perfect yet? Absolutely not, but for a game only 2 months old it is very playable.