Is ESO ever going to create a mobile client?

firstdecan · November 2014

My question is just that: Will there ever be an Android/ iOS / Windows Mobile client that will allow *some* game functionality? I don't expect to be able to do Cyrodiil or Trials or anything similar, but something that would allow bank and mail access, possibly even guild store access would be nice. These kinds of functions would be nice to do while on the train, waiting for appointments, on break from work, between classes (for students), etc.

Again, I wouldn't expect full game functionality from a mobile client, but it would be nice to do some of the more mundane game activities while away from the gaming machine.

TehMagnus · November 2014

They can't even get those functionalities to work correctly in game so I think you can except a mobile client by the end of "Never™".

TyrelionPrime · November 2014

First of all, thank you for also thinking about Windows Phone and not being blinded be "everything Apple and Android"...

Secondly, it would indeed be great to have some kind of mobile app or even a small desktop messenger.

I think it would simply be nice to be able to see who is in-game and chat with them from such an app. Not everyone is always on TS or other chat-programs when playing ESO and that feature would it easier to make arrangements, discuss trades,... and last but not least, help Guild leaders manage the guild during their offline hours.

Also, having access to the guild store would be very useful for the trade-a-holics among us...

SteveCampsOut · November 2014

Frankly I'd be happy if I could just collect my Hireling mail this week while I'm out of town and can't log in because my laptop can't fully load the game! It lets me sign in but it's just and endless loading screen that never sees the Character Login screen, let alone the inside of the game!

Gyudan · November 2014

magnusnet wrote: »

They can't even get those functionalities to work correctly in game so I think you can except a mobile client by the end of "Never".

For now yes.

I'd definitely be interested in an ESO app, even if it wasn't free.
ZOS would have to hire extra developpers specialized in Android/iOS to make it work, and it would make sense to cover that cost.

Preyfar · November 2014

TyrelionPrime wrote: »

First of all, thank you for also thinking about Windows Phone and not being blinded be "everything Apple and Android"...

As a Lumia owner this makes me happy as well.

Archmage1 · November 2014

Yes, this would be an amazing feature. ZOS, please consider adding a mobile client. I have used these in other MMOs, and for us on the move, this functionality greatly helps. Many of us would pay for this feature. Please implement!

firstdecan · November 2014

Preyfar wrote: »

TyrelionPrime wrote: »

First of all, thank you for also thinking about Windows Phone and not being blinded be "everything Apple and Android"...

As a Lumia owner this makes me happy as well.

I have an android phone now, but I loved Windows Phone / Windows Mobile back in the 6.x iteration. I would probably have one now, except the mod community seems to have abandoned it for android/ iOS. There's always a feature I need, like tethering or ad killing, that's blocked by the carrier.

Windows phone market share is still small, but it's growing. It's around 5% now globally, with heavier penetration in Europe. What would be nice about a windows phone app is that it will be available in the Windows app store, so anyone with a lower end Windows 8 laptop / tablet could run it as well. For example, I'm typing this on a Dell Venue 8 Pro because I'm traveling for the holidays. It would be nice to be able to check mails and do some other simple functions while I'm on the go.

RinaldoGandolphi · November 2014

Not saying this isn't a good idea, but not yet. I would rather them get most of the glaring bugs ironed out before adding in something like this.

Besides, Smartphones never had security as a forethought to begin with and are the most insecure devices there are at the moment, not sure if I want another security nightmare that could result in account breech.

right now their is holes in Apple and Android that allow any schmuck on the same wi-fi network as you to redirect all your packets to form a MITM attack and could get all your login credentials for every App and Service you use

http://thehackernews.com/2014/11/doubledirect-mitm-attack-targets_22.html

See in Apple and Google's "infinite wisdom", they thought it was such a great idea that their devices listen to and accept ICMP Code 5 Redirect packets...because ya know...no one could possibly ever want to redirect your smart phone traffic to go through their device so they can steal all your information...

All your Base Belong to us

yeah i think i would rather wait before allowing such an account breech attack surface such as smartphone having access to that account interface. I don't want my account breached. I wouldn't bother with a smartphone app until Google and Apple get their house in order...atleast Windows Phone don't listen to those types packets, Windows hasn't accepted ICMP Code 5 packets since Windows 98....I guess Google and Apple forgot about the "Ping of Death Attack" that was so prominent back in the day...

firstdecan · November 2014

woodsro wrote: »

Not saying this isn't a good idea, but not yet. I would rather them get most of the glaring bugs ironed out before adding in something like this.

Besides, Smartphones never had security as a forethought to begin with and are the most insecure devices there are at the moment, not sure if I want another security nightmare that could result in account breech.

right now their is holes in Apple and Android that allow any schmuck on the same wi-fi network as you to redirect all your packets to form a MITM attack and could get all your login credentials for every App and Service you use

http://thehackernews.com/2014/11/doubledirect-mitm-attack-targets_22.html

See in Apple and Google's "infinite wisdom", they thought it was such a great idea that their devices listen to and accept ICMP Code 5 Redirect packets...because ya know...no one could possibly ever want to redirect your smart phone traffic to go through their device so they can steal all your information...

All your Base Belong to us

yeah i think i would rather wait before allowing such an account breech attack surface such as smartphone having access to that account interface. I don't want my account breached. I wouldn't bother with a smartphone app until Google and Apple get their house in order...atleast Windows Phone don't listen to those types packets, Windows hasn't accepted ICMP Code 5 packets since Windows 98....I guess Google and Apple forgot about the "Ping of Death Attack" that was so prominent back in the day...

You know it's funny, ever since I started using Android, I've been telling people that it brings me back to the days of Windows 95 and really crappy software development.

I agree that there are bugs that need to be worked out, but I don't see why they can't develop a mobile client in parallel. The game will always have bugs, it's an elder scrolls tradition.

Samadhi · November 2014

As someone who does not even have a cell phone of any sort, cannot relate to the idea behind this.

Are the least compelling portions of this game (inventory management) really at this level of desirability that people wish to access them while AFK?
To me, gaming is just something to do in my spare time at home.

Out of personal interest, could someone shed some clearer light on the appeal of this sort of thing?
Feel more and more of an age gap with the cell phone crowd each passing day...

Gidorick · November 2014

Samadhi wrote: »

As someone who does not even have a cell phone of any sort, cannot relate to the idea behind this.

Are the least compelling portions of this game (inventory management) really at this level of desirability that people wish to access them while AFK?
To me, gaming is just something to do in my spare time at home.

Out of personal interest, could someone shed some clearer light on the appeal of this sort of thing?
Feel more and more of an age gap with the cell phone crowd each passing day...

Ok… let’s see. Imagine that you could, while away from your home computer:

Read Lore-books & Notes you have discovered
Open, read, send and manage your mail and collect hireling deliverables
Check to see the status of the server
Read patch notes from the latest update
Read the latest ZOS news
Access to friends list
Chat with Friends
Manage guild options
Manage and access guild store
Chat with online Guildmates
Sell items in your inventory in the guild store
Arrange inventory and Bank with the ability to swap between
Access merchants to sell/buy/repair
Access crafting stations to craft
Check on and manage research progress
Use the Dye station
View achievements
View your journal and current quests
Look over your character and apply any un-used points
View a 3D model of your character
Rearrange your action bar
A build planner
Horse status with feed ability
Check the stats of the Alliance War with displays total score, keeps/scrolls/resource owned, population, leaderboards, emperor status all with an Alliance War map

The list could go on. MANY of the options could require a player to “log-out” for access and many should require the player to be in an inn so they are in a city. It wouldn’t make sense for a player to be able to log out in a dungeon somewhere and then have access to their bank.

With these types of options we could do all the management of our characters while away from our home computers and get right to adventuring when we log back into ESO. It would help us make the time that we are in ESO more efficient.

Most of these ideas are from this thread I started about a month ago:
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/137561/what-features-would-you-like-in-an-eso-mobile-app#latest

Samadhi · November 2014

@Gidorick‌
Thank you kindly for taking the time to give that outline.

Still do not see much appeal to the idea, but that probably has more to do with not really doing things mobile to begin with; comprehend other players' desire for it now though, so that is an improvement.

Hopefully ZOS can get something set up for people.
Personally going to stick to uninterrupted walks around the marsh and through the woods and keep my ESO time for at home even if they do though.

Gidorick · November 2014

Not a problem @Samadhi‌, most of it was Cut/Paste from my previous thread.

I think the #1 most important thing with the mobile app is that it remains an optional addition to ESO. It needs to be useful to those that use it but is in no way absolutely necessary and doesn't give players that use the app a tactical advantage over players who don't use the app.

ZOS pretty much said that the Mobile App isn't even on their radar right now so all of this is just pure wishful conjecture.

Leeric · November 2014

Nope.

Gidorick · November 2014

Leeric wrote: »

Nope.

This is a straight-forward and concise answer... and likely 100% correct.

Voodoo · November 2014

thats all we need ....more "phone zombies" walking around outside.

firstdecan · November 2014

Voodoo wrote: »

thats all we need ....more "phone zombies" walking around outside.

I find being a phone zombie preferable to engaging in discourse with the mindless hordes in the general public :P

Archmage1 · November 2014

ZOS, please implement this. This is a great function in other MMOs, and it would be a hit for ESO as well.

Sindala · November 2014

Or at least use a mobile for an Authenticator for login.

The Authenticator is widely used in other MMO games and gives an extra level of security to the account because lets face it, password/username just don't cut it anymore.
2 words and they have access to your account and payment, not good enough security on ESO at moment......thank goodness the hackers don't want to be associated with ESO either at the moment with nothing being worth anything for RL cash.

nb, I know mobiles have security risks but then they are "Smartphones" now, more like mini laptops than phones and need anti virus software.....would you leave your laptop open with no firewall/virus software this day and age??? No.

KiriX · November 2014

Good idea, but something like armory at the first.

Archmage1 · December 2014

Any rumors on this yet?

Archmage1 · December 2014

Any armory, character details, checking/receiving mail, posting to trader guilds via mobile sources would be a great addition for ESO.