So the future.

SG_Celerrimus · February 2015

Here is my prediction for how ESO is going to go about its stuff for a little while in the future:

So, without a doubt, I am feeling that the Imperial City is going to be Update 7, along with the Justice System PvP workings. Update 7 is going to be the big PvP update, with all new revamped PvP stuff, and hey, maybe even they will throw Dueling in there to get the extra points of awesomeness.

I have a feeling that they are going to want to push Update 7 out relatively soon, maybe a month - a month and a half after Tamriel Unlimited, as a large portion of the PvP community is waiting on that Update to come out, its decently popular, and they have talked about it a good number of times.

After that, I can see production slowing down, as B2P is going to be a thing, but I would imagine it would largely be determined by their income through purchases from new players, and the crown store purchases, as they need money in order to hire devs that will make the game DLCs. Maybe Bethesda will swoop in and do some miracle working from time to time, but that is a big maybe, if its even possible.

Update 8 I have a feeling will be the Wrothgar patch, maybe Murkmire thrown in there, although we have barely heard about Murkmire, as far as I know, since Quakecon, so if that is still a thing, or if that is being worked on, remains to be seen.

For the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves guild, well I would say that is relatively up in the air. Maybe it could land in Update 8, maybe 7 (although I would highly doubt it).

They did say that Spell Crafting is not a priority right now (*insert super duper sad face here*), so I would expect that to be put off for Update 9-10, if they decide to start working on it again.

I would imagine Player Housing might be a thing, as its an ES thing, and it has been brought up several times in the past, and with new people coming it might get reignited as a hot topic pretty soon.

After Update 9-10, I would imagine we would start seeing undetailed things, like the stuff shown in the Tamriel Unlimited announcement video,

That is just my thoughts/predictions on where ESO is going after TU launches. I am really hoping they put Spell Crafting back on the front stage for production, but one can only sit back and wait.

Gidorick · February 2015

And at that point it's 2022!

starkerealm · February 2015

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

...along with the Justice System PvP workings.

Last I saw anything on that, it sounded like the Justice System PvP development had run into some serious issues and might have been shelved.

someuser · February 2015

starkerealm wrote: »

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

...along with the Justice System PvP workings.

Last I saw anything on that, it sounded like the Justice System PvP development had run into some serious issues and might have been shelved.

That does not surprise me at all.

starkerealm · February 2015

someuser wrote: »

starkerealm wrote: »

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

...along with the Justice System PvP workings.

Last I saw anything on that, it sounded like the Justice System PvP development had run into some serious issues and might have been shelved.

That does not surprise me at all.

Makes two of us. *shrugs*

Vulix · February 2015

The future of ESO is sitting on these forums posting speculation as to whether ZOS still gives a crap about their game

Kevinmon · February 2015

Vulix wrote: »

The future of ESO is sitting on these forums posting speculation as to whether ZOS still gives a crap about their game

Amen brother.

Seraphyel · February 2015

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

I have a feeling that they are going to want to push Update 7 out relatively soon, maybe a month - a month and a half after Tamriel Unlimited, as a large portion of the PvP community is waiting on that Update to come out, its decently popular, and they have talked about it a good number of times.

Update 8 I have a feeling will be the Wrothgar patch, maybe Murkmire thrown in there, although we have barely heard about Murkmire, as far as I know, since Quakecon, so if that is still a thing, or if that is being worked on, remains to be seen.

For the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves guild, well I would say that is relatively up in the air. Maybe it could land in Update 8, maybe 7 (although I would highly doubt it).

They did say that Spell Crafting is not a priority right now (*insert super duper sad face here*), so I would expect that to be put off for Update 9-10, if they decide to start working on it again.

I would imagine Player Housing might be a thing, as its an ES thing, and it has been brought up several times in the past, and with new people coming it might get reignited as a hot topic pretty soon.

After Update 9-10, I would imagine we would start seeing undetailed things, like the stuff shown in the Tamriel Unlimited announcement video,

That is just my thoughts/predictions on where ESO is going after TU launches. I am really hoping they put Spell Crafting back on the front stage for production, but one can only sit back and wait.

Nope. Never. They already said no new content till console launch, so we won't see IC before July / August.

The other things... they are working on so many things for more than 9 months now and they haven't given us details nor gameplay. So, where is all this stuff?

And update 9-10? You know that they will be here at earliest mid / end 2016?

Gidorick wrote: »

And at that point it's 2022!

This exactly.

kevlarto_ESO · February 2015

We can all speculate and theory craft, but I would like for zos to give us a glimpse of things to come after the console launch, I think everything expect 1.6 and consoles have been put on hold until the consoles launch, then what ?, my speculation is zos looks over these forums and see's what players are asking for the most and will see how they can make a dlc of that, for me and my future longevity in this game will weigh heavily upon how they implement the store and playable content dlc's and updates, if all we get is new horse skins, costumes and nothing added to the game, no reason to stay around at least for me.

Seraphyel · February 2015

Zenimax is working on 4-5 DLCs right now, there won't be "community wanted content" in the next 1-2 years.

* Murkmire

* Orsinium

* Imperial City

* Mephala

* Clockwork City

Grapdjan · February 2015

Depends what other new games release in the interim with functioning ease of life, quality of gmeplay and sandboxy elements. Cos if anything does before they implement a working grouping system, the removal of VR levels, housing, a functioning trading system, people will jump, and no new ones will come.

Audigy · February 2015

I somehow have my doubts that people would wait one year and a half for a pvp patch. There are MMOs that offer pvp and run smoother too, why not play them?

Personally I think that ZO did a lot of mistakes in regards of keeping pvp crowds happy. ESO was announced as an AVA game and it simply put isn't one. Too much focus went into trials and dungeons if you ask me.

The so called update 7, which will be a DLC anyways does not necessarily need to be a pvp focused DLC. If ZO wanted to, they could had released Thieves Guild, DB, Justice PVP and Imperial long time ago. They obviously have reasons for not releasing that content and I am afraid it has to do with the performance of the game.

Trials and Dungeons are easier on the engine and run on every half decent PC with 60 FPS. World pvp however has its issues and the so called 200 people on screen are just an illusion right now. As far I can tell, its the same "we bring back AVA debacle" that Warhammer Online suffered under. Big plans, good plans to be precise but not an engine capable of realizing those.

TehMagnus · February 2015

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

Enodoc · February 2015

I would be thrilled if you were right about Update 7, and I am hoping for the same thing, but considering what they have said about there not being any new content until after June, it's perhaps not very likely.

I think they've also said that Imperial City is not quite ready yet, as some things like stability/balance/systems/content are not finalised. To which I say: can we beta test it? If it's not ready for PTS because some systems are not finalised (let's call PTS the gamma test), then can we have Imperial City on a beta server? This may help you guys at ZOS get feedback on what is missing, while not having it at the level of quality considered necessary to be a gamma "release candidate" (<that's what rc means in the version number on PTS, right?). We beta-tested the main game, perhaps beta-testing is what Imperial City needs now. [Leaving aside comments of "we're still beta-testing", please.]

With Update 6 going live next week, PTS will become redundant again, so that itself could be turned into a beta test server for Imperial City.

TheBull · February 2015

starkerealm wrote: »

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

...along with the Justice System PvP workings.

Last I saw anything on that, it sounded like the Justice System PvP development had run into some serious issues and might have been shelved.

Not true at all

ZOS_MandiParker wrote: »

PvE Justice was such a massive and fundamental alteration to the current game that we wanted to give players a chance to adjust to it first. We wanted to see what everybody enjoys or avoids before adding in any new toys.

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/148535/the-justice-system-seems-pretty-sound-i-cant-see-what-the-hold-up-would-be-for-the-pvp-portion/p2

SG_Celerrimus · February 2015

@Enodoc Where did they say they weren't posting any new content till June?

TehMagnus · February 2015

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

@Enodoc Where did they say they weren't posting any new content till June?

Reddit, Paul Sage, in both occasions they said no new content till console release and then no new content till console settles down (aka "till we fix the hundreds of bugs") so that means no new content till August-September if we're lucky or unless ZOS changes their mind and releases to PC before console (which would be the smart move IMO).

Merlin13KAGL · February 2015

Sure hope it involves meaningful thread titles.

I fail to see how someone with such imagination cannot summarize the meaningful content of their intended thread. You'll actually pull more people into the discussion if they think it's something that might interest them.

sk8ingeckoub17_ESO · February 2015

TehMagnus wrote: »

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

Although i dont disagree with you that people will jump ship from the pc platform if they dont release new endgame content this year i doubt it will be to a game that has no trinity.

Believe it or not having dedicated tanks and healers is actually a great thing for a game and makes for far better content dungeon wise. If all of us wanted to play a game without dedicated tanks and healers and all that we would be on gw2....

Enodoc · February 2015

TehMagnus wrote: »

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

@Enodoc Where did they say they weren't posting any new content till June?

Reddit, Paul Sage, in both occasions they said no new content till console release and then no new content till console settles down (aka "till we fix the hundreds of bugs") so that means no new content till August-September if we're lucky or unless ZOS changes their mind and releases to PC before console (which would be the smart move IMO).

Yep. A shame really, which is why I hope they at least put out an early beta of Imperial City/Update 7 (assuming they are the same thing) to tide people over between March and July.

Anyone know whether they have made any statements about PTS following March 17? Access to PTS could be an ESO Plus bonus, for example, and having something meaningful on it (like an Imperial City beta) would encourage people to stay subbed.

BlueIllyrian · February 2015

Gidorick wrote: »

And at that point it's 2022!

My, aren't you an optimist?

Naivefanboi · February 2015

SG_Celerrimus wrote: »

Here is my prediction for how ESO is going to go about its stuff for a little while in the future:

So, without a doubt, I am feeling that the Imperial City is going to be Update 7, along with the Justice System PvP workings. Update 7 is going to be the big PvP update, with all new revamped PvP stuff, and hey, maybe even they will throw Dueling in there to get the extra points of awesomeness.

I have a feeling that they are going to want to push Update 7 out relatively soon, maybe a month - a month and a half after Tamriel Unlimited, as a large portion of the PvP community is waiting on that Update to come out, its decently popular, and they have talked about it a good number of times.

After that, I can see production slowing down, as B2P is going to be a thing, but I would imagine it would largely be determined by their income through purchases from new players, and the crown store purchases, as they need money in order to hire devs that will make the game DLCs. Maybe Bethesda will swoop in and do some miracle working from time to time, but that is a big maybe, if its even possible.

Update 8 I have a feeling will be the Wrothgar patch, maybe Murkmire thrown in there, although we have barely heard about Murkmire, as far as I know, since Quakecon, so if that is still a thing, or if that is being worked on, remains to be seen.

For the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves guild, well I would say that is relatively up in the air. Maybe it could land in Update 8, maybe 7 (although I would highly doubt it).

They did say that Spell Crafting is not a priority right now (*insert super duper sad face here*), so I would expect that to be put off for Update 9-10, if they decide to start working on it again.

I would imagine Player Housing might be a thing, as its an ES thing, and it has been brought up several times in the past, and with new people coming it might get reignited as a hot topic pretty soon.

After Update 9-10, I would imagine we would start seeing undetailed things, like the stuff shown in the Tamriel Unlimited announcement video,

That is just my thoughts/predictions on where ESO is going after TU launches. I am really hoping they put Spell Crafting back on the front stage for production, but one can only sit back and wait.

Last i heard 1.6 is last update till console trlease is out and runnig smooth, which will prokly take a month minimum

Seraphyel · February 2015

TehMagnus wrote: »

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

This.

I don't know how Zenimax will handle this. Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip].

sk8ingeckoub17_ESO wrote: »

Believe it or not having dedicated tanks and healers is actually a great thing for a game and makes for far better content dungeon wise. If all of us wanted to play a game without dedicated tanks and healers and all that we would be on gw2....

Be sure that more players are on GW2 than on ESO, even after console launch.

Even GW2 is deploying some kind of trinity with their first amazing expansion later this year.

[Moderator Note: Edited per our rules on Rude and Insulting comments]

jeevin · February 2015

Seraphyel wrote: »

TehMagnus wrote: »

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

This.

I don't know how Zenimax will handle this. Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip]

sk8ingeckoub17_ESO wrote: »

Believe it or not having dedicated tanks and healers is actually a great thing for a game and makes for far better content dungeon wise. If all of us wanted to play a game without dedicated tanks and healers and all that we would be on gw2....

Be sure that more players are on GW2 than on ESO, even after console launch.

Even GW2 is deploying some kind of trinity with their first amazing expansion later this year.

That GW2 expansion has the potential to kill this game on Pc. From the information we have so far I'm very excited!

[Moderator Note: Edited quote to match moderated version]

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO · February 2015

Seraphyel wrote: »

Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip].

The PC player base is clearly very small at the moment, and the long term players are obviously not their target group. Whether their current plan will bring in enough new players at re-release in a few weeks remains to be seen. I wouldn't bet on it, but we'll know soon enough.

[Moderator Note: Edited quote to match moderated version]

jeevin · February 2015

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip].

The PC player base is clearly very small at the moment, and the long term players are obviously not their target group. Whether their current plan will bring in enough new players at re-release in a few weeks remains to be seen. I wouldn't bet on it, but we'll know soon enough.

Zos needs to change their dodgey ways to keep long term players(if they get them). Zos also needs to improve the quality of their work and, this one thinks, remove those Veteran Ranks. Actually the more I think about it the more I don't think this game is ready for "relaunch" at all. I doubt it will be ready for console launch either.

[Moderator Note: Edited quote to match moderated version]

Seraphyel · February 2015

jeevin wrote: »

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip].

The PC player base is clearly very small at the moment, and the long term players are obviously not their target group. Whether their current plan will bring in enough new players at re-release in a few weeks remains to be seen. I wouldn't bet on it, but we'll know soon enough.

Zos needs to change their dodgey ways to keep long term players(if they get them). Zos also needs to improve the quality of their work and, this one thinks, remove those Veteran Ranks. Actually the more I think about it the more I don't think this game is ready for "relaunch" at all. I doubt it will be ready for console launch either.

That's it. ESO is far from something that could be named "relaunch". 1.6 alters not much, gameplay will still be the same. Just because you add another kind of progression, you don't alter the bad things about your product (lags, balance, VR ranks, missing end content, missing diversity in gameplay etc.).

[Moderator Note: Edited quote to match moderated version]

Mikoto · February 2015

jeevin wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

TehMagnus wrote: »

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

This.

I don't know how Zenimax will handle this. Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just [snip].

sk8ingeckoub17_ESO wrote: »

Believe it or not having dedicated tanks and healers is actually a great thing for a game and makes for far better content dungeon wise. If all of us wanted to play a game without dedicated tanks and healers and all that we would be on gw2....

Be sure that more players are on GW2 than on ESO, even after console launch.

Even GW2 is deploying some kind of trinity with their first amazing expansion later this year.

That GW2 expansion has the potential to kill this game on Pc. From the information we have so far I'm very excited!

I find this post rather lulworthy. gw2 at its peak had 400k active people with 900k near launch. Eso reported 700k to 1.2mil without console in the equation. Hell gw2 cant even stand up to destiny and that game is mediocre at best. If gw2 is the eso-killer you're touting it to be then you really need to recheck your stats since gw2 is the most over hyped mmo that ever existed. Solid? Sure but it's not killing anything.

Sad mmo times we must live in if gw2 is being placed as the mmo killer again. I can at least understand black desert because it's well new (even though it's Korean ugh)

[Moderator Note: Edited quote to match moderated version]

Smaxx · February 2015

Seraphyel wrote: »

Zenimax is working on 4-5 DLCs right now, there won't be "community wanted content" in the next 1-2 years.

* Murkmire

* Orsinium

* Imperial City

* Mephala

* Clockwork City

New(?) video footage of most of these zones can be found in this podcast (starting at 10:10):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgMYN5DLIyQ#t=10m10s

Very looking forward to the new swamp towns and stuff.

Merlin13KAGL · February 2015

Seraphyel wrote: »

jeevin wrote: »

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just id*ots.

The PC player base is clearly very small at the moment, and the long term players are obviously not their target group. Whether their current plan will bring in enough new players at re-release in a few weeks remains to be seen. I wouldn't bet on it, but we'll know soon enough.

Zos needs to change their dodgey ways to keep long term players(if they get them). Zos also needs to improve the quality of their work and, this one thinks, remove those Veteran Ranks. Actually the more I think about it the more I don't think this game is ready for "relaunch" at all. I doubt it will be ready for console launch either.

That's it. ESO is far from something that could be named "relaunch". 1.6 alters not much, gameplay will still be the same. Just because you add another kind of progression, you don't alter the bad things about your product (lags, balance, VR ranks, missing end content, missing diversity in gameplay etc.).

@Seraphyel , have you been on the PTS? (Legit question, not being snide) They changed quite a bit, above and beyond the Champion system. It's about as close to a full revamp as you can get without having to change the name (more).

Seraphyel · February 2015

Merlin13KAGL wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

jeevin wrote: »

stefan.gustavsonb16_ESO wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just id*ots.

The PC player base is clearly very small at the moment, and the long term players are obviously not their target group. Whether their current plan will bring in enough new players at re-release in a few weeks remains to be seen. I wouldn't bet on it, but we'll know soon enough.

Zos needs to change their dodgey ways to keep long term players(if they get them). Zos also needs to improve the quality of their work and, this one thinks, remove those Veteran Ranks. Actually the more I think about it the more I don't think this game is ready for "relaunch" at all. I doubt it will be ready for console launch either.

That's it. ESO is far from something that could be named "relaunch". 1.6 alters not much, gameplay will still be the same. Just because you add another kind of progression, you don't alter the bad things about your product (lags, balance, VR ranks, missing end content, missing diversity in gameplay etc.).

@Seraphyel , have you been on the PTS? (Legit question, not being snide) They changed quite a bit, above and beyond the Champion system. It's about as close to a full revamp as you can get without having to change the name (more).

I am on the PTS since they brought it up.

What exactly are they changing that is worth some kind of rebranding?

Sure, there are some things altered and some things added, but the weaknesses are still there, that's the point. 1.6 feels like the true release version of ESO, but it still lacks some crucial qualities and foremost it lacks content.

Mikoto wrote: »

jeevin wrote: »

Seraphyel wrote: »

TehMagnus wrote: »

If ESO only releases Imperial City by the end of 2015 and no new meaningful updates come, especially for people who are allready at end game (more trials/arenas etc) most of the people who are "Playing ESO because despite it's shortcomings, it's the best MMO out there ATM", will just leave & play Black Desert which is looking so much better in terms of gameplay, classes (no dedicated tank/healer) and combat systems.

If ZOS doesn't push more content soon, it's going to loose PC players because it will no longer be "the best option available"

This.

I don't know how Zenimax will handle this. Either the PC playerbase is so insignificant that it really doesn't matter or some guys working for Zenimax are just id*ots.

sk8ingeckoub17_ESO wrote: »

Believe it or not having dedicated tanks and healers is actually a great thing for a game and makes for far better content dungeon wise. If all of us wanted to play a game without dedicated tanks and healers and all that we would be on gw2....

Be sure that more players are on GW2 than on ESO, even after console launch.

Even GW2 is deploying some kind of trinity with their first amazing expansion later this year.

That GW2 expansion has the potential to kill this game on Pc. From the information we have so far I'm very excited!

I find this post rather lulworthy. gw2 at its peak had 400k active people with 900k near launch. Eso reported 700k to 1.2mil without console in the equation. Hell gw2 cant even stand up to destiny and that game is mediocre at best. If gw2 is the eso-killer you're touting it to be then you really need to recheck your stats since gw2 is the most over hyped mmo that ever existed. Solid? Sure but it's not killing anything.

Sad mmo times we must live in if gw2 is being placed as the mmo killer again. I can at least understand black desert because it's well new (even though it's Korean ugh)

And you know that... source? It's peak CONCURRENCY has been 460.000, that's a huge different. 460k players logged in the game at the same time is incredibly successful. 460k players active at the same time leads to maybe 3-4 times total "players". Sure that's a guesstimation, but it's for sure more than ESOs 770k peak in June.

GW2 sold 4 million copies. That's four times more than ESO. And I bet even with the console version ESO won't sell beyond 3 millions, even 3 millions are a quite high estimation.

Heart of Thorns expansion is changing quite much in GW2. It's adding specs to the classes, a total new class, a new character progression system, a handful new zones and many other things - if something is a "relaunch" of a game, it's GW2 HoT.

GW2 was far from perfect, but it was polished in most aspects with a flawless gameplay. That's why it earned critical acclaim and sold over 2 million copies within it's first months.