I bet they're holding back for a big blitz too for the console release, which is make-or-break time. They need tons of good PR then, which should also be right before the holiday season, too. Coming out with serious new content/fixes/features would give them something to brag about, and possibly spawn 2nd look reviews from the media.

Blackwidow wrote: »

My hope is it is all going to TES 6 or Fallout 4.

Not sure if I like that comment. I'm still holding out for ESO to get somewhere...lol
Not that I don't want to see TES 6 or F4 become good games. I just don't see why we should have to fund them !

LOL (starts the timer till the post gets banned)
I feel ya though

Advertisement would fall to the Publisher mostly.

Since Zenimax owns the ESO franchise, and created ZOS for this MMO, I assume Zenimax gets everything. First the Investors' ROI is returned, then profits would be distributed accordingly between hiring people for QA, testing, content development, back end development, Customer support, Advertising, Mass production costs when a new printing is needed. SO much needs to be paid for that the people of the forums only scratch the surface on how there are separate teams for bugs and content.
Bottom line ZOS is owned by Zenimax, they are given a budget, and that goes towards paying their staff and needs. PS4 and xbox will both get a cut of the console versions profits, they may take it on themselves to advertise for the game, but Zenimax is calling the shots on how this game is presented to the public, ZOS is just in charge of the in-game experience

yodased wrote: »

Some serious MATHS here, but awesome read of server farm setup costs

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~anshulg/perf_mmk_2010.pdf


List of server farms around the world and their base cost

300,000,000 - 1,000,000,000 US Dollars

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/8850861/Global-server-farms-around-the-world.html

Average Salary of Programmer in the U.S.:

$46,000 per year

Average Salary of Customer Service Representative in the U.S.:

$32,000 per year

Average Salary of Executive in Gaming Industry in the U.S.:

$80,000


Average Salary of Lead Game Designer/Developer/Director:

$180,000 - 225,000 US Dollars


http://www.mania.com/average-salaries-video-game-design_article_116405.html
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer3.htm

Average cost of 50,000 square foot server farm electric bill:

5 continuous megawatts.

so at 0.11 US Dollars per kilowatt hour

http://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-prices-by-state.php

it costs $110/hr just to have the servers running. Thats without A/C to keep them cool and thats just a 50k square foot farm. We don't know how big the megaserver is. Then there will be TWO eventually!!

So thats at least $960,000 per year to operate the servers.


There is a lot of costs involved to keep this thing going is what I'm trying to get across.

And just 100k players (low by any MMO standard) all paying their £9.99 monthly sub is (near as damn it) £1,000,000 per month !
Somehow I don't think they are going to struggle...lol

Pfffffffftttt What service would that be? They have not answered a single soul on any question and patches are bare haha

How dare you ask such an honest question. Be prepared for the green Gestapo to send you a PM and let you know that you have no right to ask such a question about their company. They will let you know that any conspiracy theories will be met with extreme prejudice.

yodased wrote: »

Some serious MATHS here, but awesome read of server farm setup costs

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~anshulg/perf_mmk_2010.pdf


List of server farms around the world and their base cost

300,000,000 - 1,000,000,000 US Dollars

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/8850861/Global-server-farms-around-the-world.html

Average Salary of Programmer in the U.S.:

$46,000 per year

Average Salary of Customer Service Representative in the U.S.:

$32,000 per year

Average Salary of Executive in Gaming Industry in the U.S.:

$80,000


Average Salary of Lead Game Designer/Developer/Director:

$180,000 - 225,000 US Dollars


http://www.mania.com/average-salaries-video-game-design_article_116405.html
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer3.htm

Average cost of 50,000 square foot server farm electric bill:

5 continuous megawatts.

so at 0.11 US Dollars per kilowatt hour

http://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-prices-by-state.php

it costs $110/hr just to have the servers running. Thats without A/C to keep them cool and thats just a 50k square foot farm. We don't know how big the megaserver is. Then there will be TWO eventually!!

So thats at least $960,000 per year to operate the servers.


There is a lot of costs involved to keep this thing going is what I'm trying to get across.

You'd think they'd be a little more proactive about getting the fanbois to knock off the:
'Don't let the screendoor hit you in the back pockets while you're taking your wallet with you on the way out'
comments, eh?

Here's what they are doing.

[img][/img]

LrdRahvinb14a_ESO wrote: »

What are you doing with our sub money? (not to mention purchases of the actual game) Because, from all outward appearances it sure isn't testing/QA. At least not EFFECTIVE testing/QA.

C'mon, be honest, you're saving it all up for a big ad blitz for when you release on consoles, right? Thing is, if you don't get your game out of an alpha/beta state they'll react the same way large portions of your PC playerbase are/have.

Unless you don't care and you just want to bank box/initial digital sales and don't care about long term subs?

Agree. And insightful.

I just find it funny how the best of forums is everything that is wrong with this game. It wouldn't be hard to see what ZO should focus on. Seriously, I hope more agree with me.

Phantax wrote: »

Blackwidow wrote: »

My hope is it is all going to TES 6 or Fallout 4.

Not sure if I like that comment. I'm still holding out for ESO to get somewhere...lol
Not that I don't want to see TES 6 or F4 become good games. I just don't see why we should have to fund them !

I don't like that answer either, but the truth hurts.

yodased wrote: »

Some serious MATHS here, but awesome read of server farm setup costs

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~anshulg/perf_mmk_2010.pdf


List of server farms around the world and their base cost

300,000,000 - 1,000,000,000 US Dollars

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/8850861/Global-server-farms-around-the-world.html

Average Salary of Programmer in the U.S.:

$46,000 per year

Average Salary of Customer Service Representative in the U.S.:

$32,000 per year

Average Salary of Executive in Gaming Industry in the U.S.:

$80,000


Average Salary of Lead Game Designer/Developer/Director:

$180,000 - 225,000 US Dollars


http://www.mania.com/average-salaries-video-game-design_article_116405.html
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer3.htm

Average cost of 50,000 square foot server farm electric bill:

5 continuous megawatts.

so at 0.11 US Dollars per kilowatt hour

http://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-prices-by-state.php

it costs $110/hr just to have the servers running. Thats without A/C to keep them cool and thats just a 50k square foot farm. We don't know how big the megaserver is. Then there will be TWO eventually!!

So thats at least $960,000 per year to operate the servers.


There is a lot of costs involved to keep this thing going is what I'm trying to get across.

Actual ZOS staff at work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flgoDc9igs

Doesn't seem that expensive.