July Road Ahead letter is up...looks very good.

kijima · July 2014

I see what you did there.

drogon1 · July 2014

I agree. The update looks good. I feel more confident in the overall direction of the game.

I especially like the buff to PvP xp to make it more rewarding for leveling players.

babylon · July 2014

kijima wrote: »

Does anyone think that the guy at the bottom of the letter in the red, white and blue looks like Captain America?

I just thought they were put together by people with zero style or fashion sense.

Tamanous · July 2014

The fact ESO is focusing so early on not only content but also quality of life issues is actually amazing. It took other mmos like Wow, Lotro and Swtor years to address even the most basics of their quality of life issues (granted Wow later turned into a "polish the UI" game while taking years to put out actual content).

I am more concerned with ZOS learning how to put out these patches with fewer and fewer bugs. I cannot stress how pleased I am at ZOS identifying that their original vertical progression for end game was a bad idea and is implementing changes so early on. I truly hope they have the guts Blizzard did not and actually learn to make ESO have more of an open, horizontal progression end game within the actual game's world instead of forgetting entirely what their original game was about and make endless treadmill raid tiers. Wildstar seems to think this is the way they want to go ... ESO should do exactly the opposite to reflect the foundation it was built upon.

There are still game breakers for me that must be cleared up before long:

1. End game turning into treadmill mini-game where everyone just stands around in cities waiting for a queue to pop. This happens ... I am gone.
2. Grouping issues due to phasing.
3. Pvp balance disparity. No mmo should ever allow such a power curve difference for it's participants. If there is a pvp only gear requirement I am gone ... instantly. Introducing a pre-VR bracket is a game saver for me.

ZOS is noticeably new to mmos. Most of the issues they are running into were stated to them in beta by mmo players who have been through all of this many times before. You don't have to listen to your player base either (mmo players are great for telling you what does not work ... not what works). Just make a TES mmo game. The legacy of ESO depends upon it's fit within the TES brand name and attachment of it's player base in it's early years of running. No mmo is revered more in it's lifetimes latter half over it's former.

kijima · July 2014

I think someone likes Marvel.

On the top row from left to right you have Iron man in the middle is purple cat woman (70's TV show version) and Wonder Woman. Then bottom left is Captain America with Poison Ivy to the right.

Tell me you don't see all of that.

Innocente · July 2014

*Laughs* Yes, Blizzard did it ALL wrong, right up to the time when they introduced the LFG random dungeon finder and easy-mode gameplay.

At that point their subscribership started to fall and it has gone from 14m down to 7m subs, and all the while, the game has been dumbed down year after year.

Rev Rielle · July 2014

Dyes! They can't come soon enough.

Wifeaggro13 · July 2014

MonkeyAssassin24 wrote: »

Just in case folks haven't checked the developer discussion page:

forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/118516/the-road-ahead-july-8#latest

Still undecided on some of those colors (I really don't want a bunch of pink cats running around) lots of positive things to read.

Well from my perspective. Its actually just a back off from their previous road ahead. they backed off on the New gear scheduled for VR dungeons and trials.

Backed of on Stamina changes and increasing the benefits of armors other then light.

From what i can see the direction is heading towards more aesthitic fluff content like dyes guild banners and such. This is very very simillar to TOR at the 4 month mark. Honestly im not excited.

someuser · July 2014

Audigy wrote: »

I must admit, for me the only real News that I care about is the Dye feature and I love that.

Its also interesting to hear about trading, but I hope that everyone can use those trade spots and not just those that sell from a guild.

That said, he keeps on saying that people want to have VR as easy as 1-50, but who wants this? Its just a vocal minority and fine the change was done, but what about those who want the solo content to be a bit harder at least? What about those that intend on playing with a bit more demand on themselves?

Also the DB, Crime system, housing... things that could cheer those up that lost the challenges in the VR zones...

These things were not mentioned anywhere, its like the majority doesn't matter but those who cry loudest

I feel sad that because of a few complainers the whole development cycle seems to be slowed down now.

Sounds negative I know, but I am just very disappointed.

The dye is cool and I've been looking forward to that as well, but that is by far not the most exciting thing for me. Even though there is NO doubt those alliance trading kiosks will only allow the members of -that- guild (who control the stronghold) to sell, it is a step in the right direction and that is exciting!

The additional NPC guilds was not promised to us this patch and I'm pretty sure the hint was it was going to be several updates down the road. Player housing is something that I believe has been said was still a whiles down the road (as in another year or more).

However, I'm liking that they are adding more armor skins to choose from, allowing guild uniforms (or whatever they call em), and are talking about addressing the sub-par end-game structure.

I agree they dumbed it down too far, but having a hero get killed by mudcrabs is the EASY way out when it comes to game design... timers and just buffing the heck out of enemies is dull and uncreative. I am VERY excited to hear that they are planning on revamping the vet content!!! Maybe even make it so there are real alternatives to leveling other than endless questing. Personally, I LOVE lots of quests, but after the 2nd or 3rd alt... Well lets just say there needs to be more options.

nanaya · July 2014

Oh, it's a geek test! Ok, I'll try: Scorpion, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Poison Ivy. Did I pass?

hk11 · July 2014

Looks like some good changes.

I like the new color options.

LrdRahvin · July 2014

Cyanhide wrote: »

Its funny, I come from a game where the moto is : the devs are listening and do the quite the opposite. And here half of the forum is cluttered with 'Y U NO LISTEN" and as a new guy it feels also quite the opposite.

From the CS to community handling this game feels way more in touch with its customers. And they are way more active here ( on the forums answering Q's and all ) then I have encountered elsewhere.

You are my hero...thanks for that...needed a good laugh- haven't had one all day

Shaun98ca2 · July 2014

Wifeaggro13 wrote: »

MonkeyAssassin24 wrote: »

Just in case folks haven't checked the developer discussion page:

forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/118516/the-road-ahead-july-8#latest

Still undecided on some of those colors (I really don't want a bunch of pink cats running around) lots of positive things to read.

Well from my perspective. Its actually just a back off from their previous road ahead. they backed off on the New gear scheduled for VR dungeons and trials.

Backed of on Stamina changes and increasing the benefits of armors other then light.

From what i can see the direction is heading towards more aesthitic fluff content like dyes guild banners and such. This is very very simillar to TOR at the 4 month mark. Honestly im not excited.

They mentioned a change to Stamina. All Ultimates will now scale off of EITHER Magicka or Stamina which ever score is higher.

NOT sure how I feel about this...........Stamina based Ultimates off the weapons themselves that are more Stamina ISH in nature would have made more sense than a Giant Sun burning people to death being based off my Stamina stat.

Spyfox007_ESO · July 2014

I wonder if character slots will ever be increased at some point. As for the Road Ahead, I'm most excited about the guild tabards and creating guild ranks.

I'd love a tabard that represents the Fighter's Guild as well.

Wifeaggro13 · July 2014

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

Wifeaggro13 wrote: »

MonkeyAssassin24 wrote: »

Just in case folks haven't checked the developer discussion page:

forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/118516/the-road-ahead-july-8#latest

Still undecided on some of those colors (I really don't want a bunch of pink cats running around) lots of positive things to read.

Well from my perspective. Its actually just a back off from their previous road ahead. they backed off on the New gear scheduled for VR dungeons and trials.

Backed of on Stamina changes and increasing the benefits of armors other then light.

From what i can see the direction is heading towards more aesthitic fluff content like dyes guild banners and such. This is very very simillar to TOR at the 4 month mark. Honestly im not excited.

They mentioned a change to Stamina. All Ultimates will now scale off of EITHER Magicka or Stamina which ever score is higher.

NOT sure how I feel about this...........Stamina based Ultimates off the weapons themselves that are more Stamina ISH in nature would have made more sense than a Giant Sun burning people to death being based off my Stamina stat.

Magic shell game.