Music & Dance emotes

Prazoot · February 2015

Hello Dev team,
First off I really like the sound and music I've heard so far in the game. I was wondering if you are planning on increasing/improving the music and dance emotes.

I really like being able to play music while waiting for a group to get going on a delve or something. I a past MMO they had a really fantastic music and dance system.
You had something like 5 different music and dance emotes that were all different. The really cool thing was if one player started playing say /music1 and another player started playing /music2 the music would blend together and sound really good. additionally they had several different instruments. So you could equip for example a lute and hit /music1 and another person could equip the drum and hit /music2 and again it would create a really cool sounding song. They even went as far as to subtly change the /music1 based on the region you were in at the time.

I think you could really tie it into different regions with different questable/craftable instruments based on race and region. All of which I think would really add to the immersive quality of the game.

And lastly please add additional dancing emotes for each race (especially female bretons) e.g. /dance2,3,4,5

thanks and keep up the good work.

AshySamurai · February 2015

Yeah. It would be nice to have craftable instruments. I suggested many times to add "ssynergy" to playing music. Now it's possible only to make noise, but a few bards always can understand each other and play music together. Key word here is music.

Gidorick · February 2015

This would be an amazing addition to ESO. I hope something like this is implemented down the line.

Nestor · February 2015

I have tried to "play along" with others playing an instrument, but the songs never synch up.

Although, one time about 10 of us got a Drum Circle going and it sounded kind of cool, but it was probably the timing of us dropping the /drum emote more than anything else.

Preyfar · February 2015

My Khajiit dances like the "Dancing baby" from the early 90's. It's kind of disappointing.

Athas24 · February 2015

If I had to chose, I'd rather see the variances of music added prior to more dance emotes. There are quite a few dances if you just /dance breton or /dance orc etc. I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy additions but just that I'd take the ability to sync musical sounds together over break dancing

technohic · February 2015

Hmm. I've been pretty happy with my drum whenever I have to observe some NPC making a speech ahead of some combat. It makes for a dramatic feel. I think I could use some sort of violin when there is a sob story.

If only the NPCs were conscious of how big of a jerk I am being.

SantieClaws · February 2015

To sync emotes you need to all be in a group and all use the addon 'sync emotes'. Then one of you can start it and you all do the same emote at the same time.

No spin is also really good because it means emotes are not interupted by passing guards or rooting in your bag.

I'm something of an old hand at dancing in ESO

https://www.youtube.com/user/wenxue2222/videos

jelliedsoup · February 2015

All i want is the fart emote.

Prazoot · February 2015

I didn't know you could have your char. dance to different race's styles.. that definitely a good find thanks Athas24.

Also I didn't know if you are in a group the music syncs... will have to try that. Not sure what the No Spin does... I'll have to play with that a bit.
Thanks for the info wenxue.....

log234 · February 2015

I agree, though I think it shouldn't require to be in the same group.
Playing music should detect wether someone else were playing music wihtin "audible range" or 15m (which ever is most balanced), and then it should pick the same song and sync up with the other person playing.
So you could have an "orchestra" for lutes, drums, flutes, etc. and they would all fit nicely together. If you had two or more lutes for example, one of them could pick a second melody in the song. So they weren't just doubling the melody.

Example orchestra:
2 lutes: main melody
1 lute: second melody
2 flutes: Accompanying melody
1 drum: Accompanying rythm

The first instrument playing will determine who get's the main melody, so that whenever there is a single person playing they will always play the melody.

Iago · February 2015

log234 wrote: »

I agree, though I think it shouldn't require to be in the same group.
Playing music should detect wether someone else were playing music wihtin "audible range" or 15m (which ever is most balanced), and then it should pick the same song and sync up with the other person playing.
So you could have an "orchestra" for lutes, drums, flutes, etc. and they would all fit nicely together. If you had two or more lutes for example, one of them could pick a second melody in the song. So they weren't just doubling the melody.

Example orchestra:
2 lutes: main melody
1 lute: second melody
2 flutes: Accompanying melody
1 drum: Accompanying rythm

The first instrument playing will determine who get's the main melody, so that whenever there is a single person playing they will always play the melody.

Messy1 · February 2015

There are music stands scattered throughout Tamriel with people who seem like vendors.

Some notable ones are the one right outside Daggerfall near the stables with the Orc who says he crafts the finest instruments, but can't sell them and in the Sentinel in Alik'r in the market.

I'm thinking room for expansion and for Bard's Guild

MornaBaine · February 2015

jelliedsoup wrote: »

All i want is the fart emote.

No. LOL

SantieClaws · February 2015

A general bad smell emote might not be a bad thing - sort of waving the hand in front of the nose.

However anything the involves the action and sound of emitting noxious bottom gases would not be on my long list of wanted emotes. I have enough of that kind of thing on the train on that way to work thanks.

MornaBaine · February 2015

I would really love to see cultural variety in the music and instruments to go along with them. /drumredguard should give you a doumbek and Middle Eastern style drumming. /drumbreton should give you a bodhran and Celtic style drumming. I think some kind of cool drum variation could pretty easily be found for all the races. The cultural dance emotes should also be expanded so you can run through patterns like /danceredguard1 /danceredguard2 /danceredguard3, etc. There should also be a sitar that plays Indian (as in, from India) music for our khajits!

I love the idea about being able to synch instruments and create an actual working ensemble. I don't see any of this happening for at least another year but I certainly hope the Devs are taking notes here.

SantieClaws · February 2015

Morna - you sound like you are pretty knowledgeable about music - might want to check out Niyaz if you haven't already. They use a wide variety of Middle Eastern and Indian instruments along with modern electronics and their singer's solo work has included Middle Eastern lullabys and Breton and Swedish medieval music (the Swedish track I used in one of my ESO videos).

Dance emotes wise I would really like, as a start, for male and female characters to be able to do all the dances - which are currently gender specific.

A music system like they have in LOTRO would be amazing - the only part of the game that Turbine got totally right. The ability to load in an ABC file of any tune that you can get hold of an ABC file for and then have your character play that tune in game on a number of different instruments - and synched with other players if in a group. So many happy memories of playing "We Are Family" as part of a kin band by the South Gate of Bree. So good to be able to just get together and hold impromptu concerts and have people joining in and dancing.

RainfeatherUK · February 2015

Big problem I've had in past games is being stalked by wandering bards, blowing horns and god knows what in my face as im trying to move around. Very annoying (and no thats not an invite grrr)

That said; In Aion online the telegraphed dancing and musical side of things was tonnes of fun. Really liked it.

So is my opinion yes or no? Gah im not sure I even know -.-

Yes yes ok lol! Before I get stalked by musicians

MornaBaine · February 2015

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

Morna - you sound like you are pretty knowledgeable about music - might want to check out Niyaz if you haven't already. They use a wide variety of Middle Eastern and Indian instruments along with modern electronics and their singer's solo work has included Middle Eastern lullabys and Breton and Swedish medieval music (the Swedish track I used in one of my ESO videos).

Dance emotes wise I would really like, as a start, for male and female characters to be able to do all the dances - which are currently gender specific.

A music system like they have in LOTRO would be amazing - the only part of the game that Turbine got totally right. The ability to load in an ABC file of any tune that you can get hold of an ABC file for and then have your character play that tune in game on a number of different instruments - and synched with other players if in a group. So many happy memories of playing "We Are Family" as part of a kin band by the South Gate of Bree. So good to be able to just get together and hold impromptu concerts and have people joining in and dancing.

I am an old fan of Niyaz and have performed to their music publicly. ZOS needs to give them a listen!

SantieClaws · February 2015

Really looking forward to the new album next month - love the one track they have released early. Can't stop listening to it.

I think I know how to get ZOS to pay attention to music....

ZOS you can make money out of this. You can sell lots of instruments and possibly the ability to play them through your store. Even cosmetically different version of the same instrument perhaps? Lutes, drums, hurdy gurdys, flutes. Wooden ones, silver ones, drums with tattoo like patterns on.

Maybe you could even sell the ability to perform more songs or pieces of music?

You could also sell costumes that would appeal to musical performers.

If you create a culture of musical and theatrical performance in game then that can make you money from players who might be not that interested in new mounts or xp boosts.

MornaBaine · February 2015

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

Really looking forward to the new album next month - love the one track they have released early. Can't stop listening to it.

I think I know how to get ZOS to pay attention to music....

ZOS you can make money out of this. You can sell lots of instruments and possibly the ability to play them through your store. Even cosmetically different version of the same instrument perhaps? Lutes, drums, hurdy gurdys, flutes. Wooden ones, silver ones, drums with tattoo like patterns on.

Maybe you could even sell the ability to perform more songs or pieces of music?

You could also sell costumes that would appeal to musical performers.

If you create a culture of musical and theatrical performance in game then that can make you money from players who might be not that interested in new mounts or xp boosts.

That's freaking brilliant. I mean does anyone NOT listen to music while playing this game? Heck I even enjoy the game music that plays while I'm questing.

I'll add another idea for a musical cash shop item here.... Cultural Bards! This would be an NPC you would buy and they would come in all the Races and each one would play a culturally appropriate instrument and would play like 3 songs to begin with. They'd be like a pet and you could pull them out and they'd follow you. Then, each month, the bards would get a new song you could choose to buy to add to their repertoire. Additionally, you'd be able to download these songs as MP3s. Ultimately, they could sell ensembles of a group of 4 musicians and these could actually play more complex music. Now here's the complex bit though... ALL players should be able to click on any of these musicians and silence them on their own computer. This is the only way we could avoid sheer chaos via griefing by people always pulling their bards out and getting whole groups together in order to do it. Also, say I buy a new song for my bard and have them play it. Everyone nearby should hear that song whether they have bought the same song or not. Also, all bards should come in male and female versions. What do you think?

SantieClaws · February 2015

Agreed a bard pet would be very nice indeed. Like a musical Lydia without the creepy.

We work our tails/scales/bottoms off slaying bandits and saving the world and when we come back to town we want to relax, be entertained and unwind. NPCs can only ever do so much to add atmosphere - at the end of the day you need players to be taking part in the life of a town. The trading costumes (chef, blacksmith) are a great start to that. Letting people be musicians or actors or jugglers (juggle emote please!) or even acrobats (flip emote, balance on one leg emote etc) would really add life to the cities and I think many players really enjoy doing things like that.

I recall in LOTRO they had some stage areas intended for musical performances in towns. People didn't use them much because they were sort of out of the way a bit but it was a good idea.

MornaBaine · February 2015

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

Agreed a bard pet would be very nice indeed. Like a musical Lydia without the creepy.

We work our tails/scales/bottoms off slaying bandits and saving the world and when we come back to town we want to relax, be entertained and unwind. NPCs can only ever do so much to add atmosphere - at the end of the day you need players to be taking part in the life of a town. The trading costumes (chef, blacksmith) are a great start to that. Letting people be musicians or actors or jugglers (juggle emote please!) or even acrobats (flip emote, balance on one leg emote etc) would really add life to the cities and I think many players really enjoy doing things like that.

I recall in LOTRO they had some stage areas intended for musical performances in towns. People didn't use them much because they were sort of out of the way a bit but it was a good idea.

Oh I would totally want our characters to also be able to play all the instruments and songs. But if you're throwing a party you can't DJ and dance at it! LOL

Prazoot · February 2015

MornaBaine wrote: »

wenxue2222b16_ESO wrote: »

Really looking forward to the new album next month - love the one track they have released early. Can't stop listening to it.

I think I know how to get ZOS to pay attention to music....

ZOS you can make money out of this. You can sell lots of instruments and possibly the ability to play them through your store. Even cosmetically different version of the same instrument perhaps? Lutes, drums, hurdy gurdys, flutes. Wooden ones, silver ones, drums with tattoo like patterns on.

Maybe you could even sell the ability to perform more songs or pieces of music?

You could also sell costumes that would appeal to musical performers.

If you create a culture of musical and theatrical performance in game then that can make you money from players who might be not that interested in new mounts or xp boosts.

That's freaking brilliant. I mean does anyone NOT listen to music while playing this game? Heck I even enjoy the game music that plays while I'm questing.

I'll add another idea for a musical cash shop item here.... Cultural Bards! This would be an NPC you would buy and they would come in all the Races and each one would play a culturally appropriate instrument and would play like 3 songs to begin with. They'd be like a pet and you could pull them out and they'd follow you. Then, each month, the bards would get a new song you could choose to buy to add to their repertoire. Additionally, you'd be able to download these songs as MP3s. Ultimately, they could sell ensembles of a group of 4 musicians and these could actually play more complex music. Now here's the complex bit though... ALL players should be able to click on any of these musicians and silence them on their own computer. This is the only way we could avoid sheer chaos via griefing by people always pulling their bards out and getting whole groups together in order to do it. Also, say I buy a new song for my bard and have them play it. Everyone nearby should hear that song whether they have bought the same song or not. Also, all bards should come in male and female versions. What do you think?

LOL the Bard NPC who follows you around... this makes me think of Monty Python and the holy Grail... King Arthur traveling around with the guy following him clacking the coconuts to represent the horse hoofs and singing the song about king Arthur "Who proudly turns his back and flees" ... "I did not"...

I agree that in playing immersive games things that draw you in (other than the plot/storyline) are the music, ambiance and lighting. I personally wouldn't want to see today's music being played in Tamriel that would totally kill the immersion for me. However being able to jam out in Tamriel friendly music would be awesome. The game I alluded to earlier was the short lived Asheron's Call 2. They were trying to go for something similar to ESO, but couldn't get the game play right. However they hired a fantastic musician to create the whole music system, which was in my humble opinion awesome. very clever and just sounded fantastic in game. I would think that if ZOS were to contact a local music school and ask a group of students to work on this type of project as say a work study they might end up with something that blows our socks off and doesn't cost ZOS a ton of money (and us by extension:-).

I also would rather see the instruments crafted or quested for (or both) rather than in the store. It is part of the game. though I like the idea of being able to customize the instruments in the store. So you quest for a rare Lute, then you bring it up in the store and can customize it so that it is unique to you, not just color but like the style of it, added features, etc... I'm certainly not a musician by any stretch, but i would think that would be... well pretty fantastic.

Now here's the real stretch.. if your dance moves could match the music... WIN!!! can you say TAMRIEL DANCE PARTY!..

Lastly it would be nice if at the least ZOS could add a new playable song with each patch. A side quest picked up in your local tavern that rewards you with a new song to play on your instrument.

SantieClaws · February 2015

I'd also prefer instruments to be crafted or quested for but the sad fact of the Tamriel we live in now is that new systems are unlikely to be implemented unless profitable store products can be found that supplement that system.

Therefore if we want anything in the game ever I think we need to be able to suggest how they can make extra cash out of it - because that it the first question the bean counters at ZOS are going to ask about anything that is potentially going to be added to the game.

If we want new things in ESO we have to play the suggestions game to the new corporate rules.

Sort of you scratch our back with a music system and we will scratch yours by buying related costumes and instruments in your shiny things store.

MornaBaine · February 2015

This needs to be linked to the Crown Store suggestion list. Think I'll do that now.

TheShadowScout · February 2015

Personally I would rather see a full bardic guild skill line instead of more music emotes...

With crafted instruments... (woodworking needs more stuff to craft anyways...), a full range of "song" skills (and passives, and ultimate, just like fighters/mages guild...) that are toggleable to start/stop playing, can be played on the move to keep up with your friends while moving through a dungeon or something, give buffs to all allies around you, or debuffs to all enemies, and sound different depending on instrument...

I wouldn't mind at all if the whole bardic guild line had to be bought in the crown store either. I know I have one or two characters I'd buy it for right away.