How big a threat is the coming autumn/fall games rush, to ESO?

Audigy · August 2014

Phantax wrote: »

There are some big games coming out in the next couple of months...

Destiny
Sims 4
Assassins Creed 4
Sid Meiers Civilisation - Beyond Earth
COD
Alien Isolation

That's just a few of the bigger names from a list comprising of over 40 titles.
And yet Zenimax seem to have little interest in putting out content to hold onto their solo players?

For the MMO purists -

Warlords of Draenor (WoW) - expansion coming soon
RIFT 2.8 - expansion just released
Wildstar - just released
Star Citizen - coming soon
Everquest Next - coming soon

Not to mention new content from GW2, SWTOR, EVE Online, Secret World, LoTR

That's a hell of a lot of games and content all vying for our hard earned cash. There are 2 titles there that I am definitely going to buy, maybe they will get my subs allocation (we'll have to wait and see).
Either way its a lot of competition for ESO and dishing out content after content for one player group while ignoring the others won't help their cause. Neither will this repeatable launching of updates that are bugged to hell !

Maybe this will affect Zenimax subs, maybe it won't. Either way, with the current speed and regularity companies are pushing out games and content Zenimax need to be doing something special to hold onto out loyalty... and our cash !

To be honest with you, If I say goodbye to an MMO then usually forever. While I cant speak for everyone in this MMO world I am definitely not going back to SWTOR or GW2 after the cash shops took over there.

WOW well, they focus too much on raids so this isn't my thing either and I believe most people that left WOW did it due the one sided content cycle of only raid after raid after raid and of course the broken pvp.

I do not believe in expansion packs as much as you might do. In my opinion no expansion pack ever made a broken game good again. Cata tried hard and it was a good expansion pack if it had come right after BC, but those two years of WOTLK ruined WOW for many and I believe the same could be said about SWTOR with their move of "pay to win".

Honestly I always envy people who can start an already existing MMO fresh with an expansion pack, to me this sadly doesn't work. Break it once break it forever at least in my view

Everyquest Next and Star Citizen will not come out soon but around late 2015 / 2016 just a small correction to your post

Elsonso · August 2014

Phantax wrote: »

You do know that facebook likes are provided by companies (similar to gold farms) that employ people just to sit and click likes all day? That's why big companies pay so much to facebook in order for them to promote their content !

The companies behind Eve Online, Rift II, and Wildstar need to ring up their Facebook account manager and arrange for a new payment plan, then.

madangrypally · August 2014

Ninnghizhidda wrote: »

ESO would and should be the best thing ever. I still hope they will finally get their act together and sort out the points where it is lacking (badly).

/snip.

I agree. They need some accountability and someone else put in charge of the overall game who can bring all the resources in sync. Do not mean all the resources need to go towards the same thing, but they do need to all work towards the same goals.

In order of priority:
1: Fix bugs and other key issues. IE: Stamina builds, spell resistance, forward camps, broken passives/abilities, etc.
2: New content.

I understand they dont need everyone working on number 1, but it needs to be ZoS number 1 focus. No matter how much content they add, if most of it is broken it wont save the game.

Right now it seems they have number 1 somewhere at the bottom of there list and not where it should be.

Tabbycat · August 2014

Since I stopped playing WoW, ESO is the only MMO that's held my attention for this long.

After playing TES games for so long, it feels like home.

I honestly think that's why a lot of new MMOs fail. Players aren't yet invested in the world or their character. I think part of WoW's success was because of the Warcraft franchise. And partly because they were doing something a bit better than the other MMOs available at the time. People try out new MMOs but then they go back to WoW because it's like returning to an old friend.

ESO is the same way for me.

Requiemslove · August 2014

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

Requiemslove wrote: »

Surragard wrote: »

Not everyone stays subbed to an MMO even if they're enjoying it. They drop the subs for a month or two to play a new game they want to try out and then come back later. The problem isn't necessarily people leaving its whether or not they'll want to come back. Right now there are a lot of game updates, new features, and new faction quests in the pipeline. That should be a good pull to get people to come back in.

It could just be me, thinking its 1999 again, and I am that idealistic naïve young fool, but why, if you love something, and want it to succeed and had a subscription would you cast it aside because you wont be playing for a month or two?

Different reasons. I have a friend who wants to play but he got kicked out of his house and now lives without internet. I had a guy in the guild who had to quit because he was in the hospital more than at home. Sometimes you do love the game but there is not enough content to keep playing at that point but want to come back with the next update. Personally I have lost my job and if I don;t find one soon I might even have to quit for a month or 2. These things happen.

Yes, but that's life and money. Things happen true enough. Heck, maybe I am the barmy one, still paying a sub when I rarely play ESO. [can anyone out there tell me I am not alone here?] I don't know why money rears its ugly head. Its always involved I suppose but for me this has been more about the competition, and the possible/probable [depending on your view] impact that will have on the active numbers. [and on the game] Not that activity is all important so long as ZOS get the £$. My concern is that the world is full, and that ESOs player-base becomes a real community. Maybe that cant happen until ZOS champions in game voice and does not be lazy. [as they are with many things]

Namdnas · August 2014

The only real "threat" that I can foresee with Elder Scrolls Online (or any other existing MMO) is the WoW Warlords expansion launching 8/13. In the past, WoW expansions have generally hurt other newer MMO's that have come out since their last expansion. So, most of the time from what I've seen, the population of the current popular (non-WoW) MMO will dwindle upon the WoW expansion release because everyone jumps ship back to "old familiar", then get bored with it a few months in, drop it and look for the next best thing (i.e., not coming back to their previous MMO). This is the vicious cycle that I have always noticed, at least. I really do hope that there is minimal impact to TESO!

As for other games, I don't see them as a threat. I am both a console gamer and PC gamer, who also has a passion for MMO's. I usually stick to one MMO at a time, what with them being time vampires and all. However, on the rare occasion, I may sub to two. But if I am dedicated to one MMO at a particular time, and a new PC or console game comes out, I will play it and bounce between them after the "newness" has worn off of said new game and I've gotten my initial fill.

So, yes, I will be getting Destiny and Dragon Age for PS4, as well as other games. I still have Dark Souls II to play/finish on Steam (with the Season Pass). I am currently subbed to TESO as my only MMO at this time and will most likely continue my sub as long as the game keeps seeing improvement and a steady player base (please fix the group finder!).

My two pennies. XD

Requiemslove · August 2014

Tabbycat wrote: »

Since I stopped playing WoW, ESO is the only MMO that's held my attention for this long.

After playing TES games for so long, it feels like home.

I honestly think that's why a lot of new MMOs fail. Players aren't yet invested in the world or their character. I think part of WoW's success was because of the Warcraft franchise. And partly because they were doing something a bit better than the other MMOs available at the time. People try out new MMOs but then they go back to WoW because it's like returning to an old friend.

ESO is the same way for me.

That's actually profound. However for me its got to be more than a game series. For me, daydreaming about being in Arnor, or standing by the white tree at the highest point in the city of Gondor, or imagining staring down at the hidden valley, goes to before my teens. No game save maybe 1 even came remotely close to that. For me, and ESO that is the real problem. It does not really grab me as it should, or maybe could had that other thing not been there. Its hard to go back though, when you stood on Mount Carahdhras or walked through Bree-town, and seen it realised before your eyes, almost exactly as you figured it.

Ninnghizhidda · August 2014

Requiemslove wrote: »

Yes, but that's life and money. Things happen true enough. Heck, maybe I am the barmy one, still paying a sub when I rarely play ESO. [can anyone out there tell me I am not alone here?] I don't know why money rears its ugly head. Its always involved I suppose but for me this has been more about the competition, and the possible/probable [depending on your view] impact that will have on the active numbers. [and on the game] Not that activity is all important so long as ZOS get the £$. My concern is that the world is full, and that ESOs player-base becomes a real community. Maybe that cant happen until ZOS champions in game voice and does not be lazy. [as they are with many things]

I also decided to renew my 3-month sub when it ran out a few days ago. I hardly play the game anymore, except log in for hirelings, horses and such. My best friend and companion in ESO gave up, disillusioned with the whole thing.

I decided to give it some more support, in (desperate) hope that in these 3 more months something good will happen. Something that isn't just for VR12s, or VRXX whatever, more PvP, and more important, more "mages".

So, I give it 3 more months. In the meantime, I am back in my Tera, which I have been playing since pre-launch also, and despite the many hiccups there as well, has never actually let me down, and... the most important: lets me actually play a "warrior", melee character, which is quite competent and enjoyable and on par with every other class. And Tera received a major Update recently, with stuff for everyone and lots of stuff to keep everyone busy. And, yeah, it is a "lousy". "anime", "cartooney", "Korean grindfest" and all that.

But has balance that ESO will not have in a 100 years the way it goes. Greatest disappointment and lost chance so far, in my almost 30 years of gaming. Really.

So then... another 3 months for the last hopes to die. or to be renewed and blossom.

Requiemslove · August 2014

Ninnghizhidda wrote: »

Requiemslove wrote: »

Yes, but that's life and money. Things happen true enough. Heck, maybe I am the barmy one, still paying a sub when I rarely play ESO. [can anyone out there tell me I am not alone here?] I don't know why money rears its ugly head. Its always involved I suppose but for me this has been more about the competition, and the possible/probable [depending on your view] impact that will have on the active numbers. [and on the game] Not that activity is all important so long as ZOS get the £$. My concern is that the world is full, and that ESOs player-base becomes a real community. Maybe that cant happen until ZOS champions in game voice and does not be lazy. [as they are with many things]

I also decided to renew my 3-month sub when it ran out a few days ago. I hardly play the game anymore, except log in for hirelings, horses and such. My best friend and companion in ESO gave up, disillusioned with the whole thing.

I decided to give it some more support, in (desperate) hope that in these 3 more months something good will happen. Something that isn't just for VR12s, or VRXX whatever, more PvP, and more important, more "mages".

So, I give it 3 more months. In the meantime, I am back in my Tera, which I have been playing since pre-launch also, and despite the many hiccups there as well, has never actually let me down, and... the most important: lets me actually play a "warrior", melee character, which is quite competent and enjoyable and on par with every other class. And Tera received a major Update recently, with stuff for everyone and lots of stuff to keep everyone busy. And, yeah, it is a "lousy". "anime", "cartooney", "Korean grindfest" and all that.

But has balance that ESO will not have in a 100 years the way it goes. Greatest disappointment and lost chance so far, in my almost 30 years of gaming. Really.

So then... another 3 months for the last hopes to die. or to be renewed and blossom.

Hey, so long as its not a pay to craft to pay to win to pay to buy with REAL money blasted in game crit tokens that FAIL, to try and beat the enemy alliance who camp on your doorstep, gank you when questing in STARTER zones, in a world and community that is generally crap and unfulfilling and actively seeks to emotionally hurt you...alls good.

I do not know Tera. But my experience of a Korean MMO will haunt me to the day I die. NEVER AGAIN 4 STORY NEVER AGAIN!!!

arena25 · August 2014

My own 2 cents on this:

It seems as though a lot of games are coming out sometime this November/December.

I play another game called Rift, and Rift is putting out Nightmare Tide in November. Supposedly, it will bring a new type of rift, a new colossus, and dozens of other features.

I also know for a fact that Warlords of Draenor is putting out in December, supposedly it will bring a rejuvenation to the PvP problem (which already has lacked in interest) through something called "Garrisons".

Rift, in my opinion, will be the biggest threat to ESO. Why do I say Rift and not WoD? Because of over 70 million people who played it, only 4-6 million remain.

If ESO survives Nightmare Tide, I can see it going great distances in the future.

Rune_Relic · August 2014

Dominoid wrote: »

Requiemslove wrote: »

Dominoid wrote: »

Minimal effect. People play more than one game at a time. ESO already has it's "foothold". What your missing from your equation is the news that ESO puts out at the same time.

Actually I watched the near 2 hour video about this games future so I know full well what promise there is. I am aware people play more than one game at any one time. You are right, ESO does already have a foothold yet that is mostly from loyal fans such as I who have followed the series and love it. I have my misgivings on this game in its present state but I actually REALLY want this game to fly, and that means it needs MORE than casual MMO gamers and ESO fanatics. Its subscribers need to rival WoW in its heyday, and surpass it. [btw, never played WoW just FTY :P ] Hench why I am pensive about the situation as is.

You and I may know full well what is coming, but the general player and certainly general public don't. The actual release news of those features is what will break through.

As you point out, "ESO does already have a foothold yet that is mostly from loyal fans". All the more reason why there hasn't anything to worry about. LOYALTY.

No game will ever rival WOW in it's hey day. Including WOW. Too much competition and choice.

ah ... buts its the TES fans that are loyal...and most disappointed at present.
The mmo crowd are a much more fickle bunch and I believe will be more than happy to jump onto the next bestest game as soon as its released. These are the same players trying wildstar and eso at the same time.

Alas Zenimax seems hell bent on alienating the TES crowd as much as possible sometimes. IMHO

Requiemslove · August 2014

arena25 wrote: »

My own 2 cents on this:

It seems as though a lot of games are coming out sometime this November/December.

I play another game called Rift, and Rift is putting out Nightmare Tide in November. Supposedly, it will bring a new type of rift, a new colossus, and dozens of other features.

I also know for a fact that Warlords of Draenor is putting out in December, supposedly it will bring a rejuvenation to the PvP problem (which already has lacked in interest) through something called "Garrisons".

Rift, in my opinion, will be the biggest threat to ESO. Why do I say Rift and not WoD? Because of over 70 million people who played it, only 4-6 million remain.

If ESO survives Nightmare Tide, I can see it going great distances in the future.

Nah, I don't see Rift as being a real concern. Its good for what it is but I think a lot of people cottoned on to something with that specific title. This will sound a bit crazy maybe. But I went from Rift, to EQ2. And despite the obviously dated graphics next to Rift, I preferred it.

Tabbycat · August 2014

I think it also partly depends on when ZOS can get spellcrafting, facial animations, thieves guild, dark brotherhood, the justice system and champion system in. Those are all things that will help ESO feel more like TES.

TES is what makes ESO different from the other MMOs and that's what can help them keep their players regardless what new MMOs or expansions come out.

Cogo · August 2014

WoW is ESOs complete opposite MMO.

WoW - End game is the game. Fast, lots of buttons, best loot all the time. Get a FREE Lvl 90. WoW are for the type of player who wants things right now.

ESO - You have to WORK for your stuff. The whole game is the game. Levels are almost secondary.

I don't see these two MMO competing. I doubt a WoW player would accept that it can take a few days to level from 1-15. Or bag/bank space etc.
I played WoW through it all and I am never going back because its easy, fast, no need for skill and full of the wrong kind of people.

EQn I COULD say would be a threat, but since they are free-to-play, they simply loose those who only put time and money in monthly fee. Really sad, EQn looks great. I loved EQ. But free-to-play simply is not my type of game, or players.

As for Star Citizen, it isn't really an MMO. Its a single player, AWESOME graphic build your own spaceship game. Where you can make servers and players can join.
The only place in the game where all players meet is at some market as avatars. No gameplay.

ESO have a lot coming. All included in the sub! And they also have plans longer then they tell us.

ESO has a certain type of players if you haven't noticed. Character names are namelike, public groups works for the most part. Zonechat is actually helpful. People are generally pretty nice in ESO.

I think the biggest enemy to ESO is ESO. If they make things to easy.....

madangrypally · August 2014

Tabbycat wrote: »

I think it also partly depends on when ZOS can get spellcrafting, facial animations, thieves guild, dark brotherhood, the justice system and champion system in. Those are all things that will help ESO feel more like TES.

TES is what makes ESO different from the other MMOs and that's what can help them keep their players regardless what new MMOs or expansions come out.

I disagree. While those features will greatly help, it wont do enough if they do not first fix all the bugs and key issues. Those bugs and issues are what is driving players away and is what will keep players away. Yes, they may attract new players when they add those features just to drive them away after a month.

Cogo · August 2014

madangrypally wrote: »

Tabbycat wrote: »

I think it also partly depends on when ZOS can get spellcrafting, facial animations, thieves guild, dark brotherhood, the justice system and champion system in. Those are all things that will help ESO feel more like TES.

TES is what makes ESO different from the other MMOs and that's what can help them keep their players regardless what new MMOs or expansions come out.

I disagree. While those features will greatly help, it wont do enough if they do not first fix all the bugs and key issues. Those bugs and issues are what is driving players away and is what will keep players away. Yes, they may attract new players when they add those features just to drive them away after a month.

I disagree. Bugs draws away a few people. Not many. Most people accept them or don't have them.

madangrypally · August 2014

Cogo wrote: »

I disagree. Bugs draws away a few people. Not many. Most people accept them or don't have them.

If it was just bugs like some quest not working and other gameplay I would agree.

There are many more deeper underlying issues though like stamina builds, vet content, etc that are the problem. I consider these part of the bugs and key issues I mentioned above.

thorntk421 · August 2014

I know DA3 will eat up a large chunk of my ESO time. But, like just about any other single player game I, will play it hardcore for around a month and never touch it agian. Then back to ESO full time. Till Witcher 3!

Elsonso · August 2014

madangrypally wrote: »

I disagree. While those features will greatly help, it wont do enough if they do not first fix all the bugs and key issues. Those bugs and issues are what is driving players away and is what will keep players away.

I do not think that bugs will drive anyone away and keep them away. If there is any class of player that is likely to leave and then return, it is the person who was chased away by bugs.

Leaving due to "key issues" is always a matter of difference in opinion. No one should play a game that they don't like, and when they leave such a game, they do not return. If they are smart, Zenimax is going to make business decisions based on who stays, not who leaves. Chasing the people heading out the door is counter productive for keeping the people who are not.

I also do not think that people are being driven away as a basic assumption. I would imagine that very few of the subscribers are currently worried about balance and a huge majority are not having significant in-game issues or inability to play,

Khami · August 2014

I won't be canceling my sub for DA:I in Nov. I'll do raid with my guild on certain nights and play DA:I the rest of the time.

theyancey · August 2014

When Dragon Age is released in November many people will play it. Most of those will still keep their subs here though. Drop in players online? Yeah. Drop in subs? Not much.

Cogo · August 2014

The only game I would drop ESO for, would be Fallout 4 or Fallout online.

Csub · August 2014

Not much I think. Most of those games are single player games, they won't hold people's attention for months. And one can play several games at a time. I will plan to play most of them, including Destiny but I won't quit ESO for it.

madangrypally · August 2014

Cogo wrote: »

The only game I would drop ESO for, would be Fallout 4 or Fallout online.

I would be extremely excited if they announced a Fallout Online.

Anastasia · August 2014

Tabbycat wrote: »

Phantax wrote: »

*snip*.
Funny thing is... after the game launched the number of subs is still no where near as many as ESOs facebook likes ! ? (now what does that say?)

Some of them may be waiting for the console release.

*IF a larger percentage of TESO players are here mainly because of the ESO single player games...they would have at least a little bias/preference for consoles. I'm thinkin' when console releases, there may be some swapping over. I wonder how the subs/profits will be looked at?

If there is after say, one year, MORE console subs - will that target market be 'catered' to more with all upcoming content? Of course that partially will depend on how well/the port over/ this MMO plays ...on the consoles, won't it?

Intriguing. (*)

ers101284b14_ESO · August 2014

madangrypally wrote: »

Cogo wrote: »

The only game I would drop ESO for, would be Fallout 4 or Fallout online.

I would be extremely excited if they announced a Fallout Online.

They already tried that, got sued and cancelled it.

Dayel · August 2014

Requiemslove wrote: »

Dayel wrote: »

The only game coming this year that will attractive me is DA3, however, I will still be subscribed to and playing ESO at the same time. In fact, WoW too. Course being retired makes this a lot easier.

So just for comedy gold value here. You will be playing 3 games AT THE SAME TIME. If you manage that I do say would be some mighty feat, and would require much doffing of caps. In the extreme minimalist chance it happens, provide evidence. :P

Can not think of how to provide evidence, but I assure you that playing 3 games simultaneously is quite easy when you do not need to sleep much and have unlimited hours and days to play. The ability to do what you want in copious amounts is one of the real joys of being done with your working life.

Harnesh · August 2014

At this point I don't think you will see any wild swings in ESO sub numbers up or down. You will have people slowing trickling away for various reason with an upshot in numbers when a big content patch or expansion is released followed again by the slow loss of subs. Thus is the life-cycle of most mmos.

cromica81_ESO · August 2014

I am going to play a lot of Destiny

Anvos · August 2014

Dragon Age and Whitcher type games aren't really a direct threat other than dropping play time for maybe a month or two while people play them as their a single player game.

Also I'm not quite sure if I'd want to buy DA right off the bat since EA tends to launch a few dlcs within a month or two of release.