Improving On ESO S01E02) Companions And Companion Ideas Also A Voting Poll

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

AlnilamE wrote: »

Personally, the only reason I ever brought a companion with me in Skyrim was for the extra carrying capacity. Other than that, I felt they got in the way more than they helped.

Also, I noticed you refer to "Craglorn" as if it weren't a group setting. Do you mean to only have them available above ground? Because all the dungeons are 4-man instances.

Yeah i should of made that clear craglorn above ground questing not dungeons.
Also anyone reading this still looking for a pvper to give feedback on the pvp bit in part 1.

Thanks heaps

MercyKilling · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

Craptic...err...Cryptic games has companions in Neverwinter. I found them to be fairly useless, to be honest. What good is a companion that dies in one or two hits and has the intelligence and common sense of a newborn?

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

MercyKilling wrote: »

Craptic...err...Cryptic games has companions in Neverwinter. I found them to be fairly useless, to be honest. What good is a companion that dies in one or two hits and has the intelligence and common sense of a newborn?

Yeah if they bring in companions like that i would give up on zos lol.
But seriously i am having a hard time to try and find some pvpers to give me feedback on part 1s pvp bit.

dafox187 · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Heromofo wrote: »

☆ Introduction

Companions have become a big part of the elder scrolls series as AI grows we find ourselfs attached to them.
It got to the point where you started to have families and family shops so we started to get even more attached to the games. Some of us found ourselves logging in just to vist our houses and family. Now how do we replicate that feeling into ESO well as in part 1 it starts with player housing and guild halls.

But it has to go further so whats next well it is companions and to do this you need a way to bring them in.
So i have created a few ideas to think about ZOS.

If you have some good companion ideas please put them in your comments below.
Make sure to vote if you would like to see something like this added in now this is tied into part 1 player housing.

Before reading this thread ZOS please see part 1 as they will be tied into each other as well as future threads.
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/168288/saving-eso-part-1-player-housing-guild-halls-plus-pvp-pve-options-with-a-poll/p1

I would really appreciate members of ZOS comming here and giving their opinion on this thread.
@ZOS_AlanG @ZOS_GARYA @ZOS_AjanJ @ZOS_GabrielleA @ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_UlyssesW @ZOS_AmeliaR @ZOS_MichelleA etc

☆ Some Music While You Read
https://youtu.be/2-lGevvO2vw
☆ How will they work

The ai pathing and combat is already in the game with the sorc pets.

Q. But won't this upset the sorc players?
A. no because they can still have their pets out as well as their companion.
I personally think it will make sorcs even stronger but also companions wont be any sronger than the pets already in.

Q. So everyone can walk around with the same companion out?
A. Well no because there would be customization options.
1) taking your companion to a barbershop will let you change anything besides race and voice.
2) you will put gear on them exactly like you would for your own characters.

Q.How would levels and skills work with them?
A. Their level is based off yours and for the skills each companion will have a certain skill tree made up of different abilities in the game and passives depending on what ZOS wants for each one.

Q. So how many points will they get?
A. Well it would depend on what zos wants but they cannot be stronger than a sorcs pet already in the game so as long as that balances out.

Q. So what happens to my companion if i swap to another one?.
A. They will simply go back to your housing area and wait for you there.

Q. So where would we be able to use them?
A. That is up to ZOS but i would recommend only in single player content so no group content bar craglorn type content and pvp.

Q. What Reason would ZOS have for doing this?
A. Well simply put they could easily set up companions for sale in the crown store. Where you would buy their quest line or choose to use one of the starters if you choose.

☆ Possible Companions

IDEA 1.

Name: Fights For No Cause
Race: khajiit
Sex: Male
Class: warrior
Personality: prides himself on been the best and will always honor his word
Background: Mercenary
These rag tag warriors fight for one reason money.

How to get him: with his reputation he is not hard to find and if you want the best your going to have to go find him.

He can be found inside the main cities tavern. Once you have expanded your house to hold extra people. You can offer him x amount of money to come work for you.

He will tell you that he can not take on a new employer until he finds his brother. After abit of talking you tell him that you will help track him down if he is willing to come work for you. He agreed to these terms and hands you the last note from his brother.
This leads you on a trail leading to a cave. After fighting your way through you find his brother hiding in a secret tunnel. Turns out he was following another person down the tunnel until she disappeared behind this wall . He the explains to you how she was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen and he must find a way in.

After completing the puzzle the door opens and you both step inside to see an empty room. All of a sudden the door behind you closes and crackling laughing starts echoing through the area. Suddenly spiders drop from the ceiling and after defeating them a voice echos "Foolish traveler like many before you
Your curiosity has gotten you killed, Beware the shadows hahaha" suddenly a figure emerged from behind and pulls his brother into the air before dropping his lifeless body to the ground. The figure then drops to the ground and shouts "Pathetic" then charges at you and now you can see this huge spider like creature. Once defeated you take a ring off his brothers corpse and bring it back to him and explain what happened. He tells you that he is sadden by these events but death is not the end. He starts laughing and begins to say " well let's get to it then shall we" confused you drop the subject with a simply " ok then...." .

More to come later so stay tuned.

PLEASE READ FIRST BEFORE VOTING
The companions are not allowed in dungeons or pvp
They instead come with you in single player content and places
Like craglorn. People are skipping the thread and just voting so remember
The companions dont affect anyone else what so ever.

i made a poll on this too i love this idea but i want generic and nameable so u everyone dosent have the same one

TheDarkShadow · May 2015

Why there isn't a "Whatever" choice? I don't think a companion NPC is necessary in a MMO. I'm fine with it though. But I hope they do other things first like the Thief and Brotherhood guild or housing... before getting their teeth on this one.

JD2013 · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

I feel that adding companions to the game would make ESO even more single player than it already is, and take away the need to interact with other people. So, no. Not for it at all.

C0pp3rhead · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

Seriously? The single player content is so easy that there's no need for a companion. Multiplayer content is too difficult for a companion to be of any use. There are so many dps checks that a companion wouldn't be of any help. Moreover, programming several different types of companions would be ridiculous. They just recently got pets right. If you want pets, play a togglemancer sorcerer.

Most importantly, I wouldn't want someone at my side in a dungeon who needs a companion to babysit them.

Audigy · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

UrQuan wrote: »

Companions worked well in single player TES games for sure, but I see no reason to have them in a multi-player game. If you want someone else to come with you and help you fight, quest, whatever, there are plenty of other players around, so why not be social and group up with one of them?

Adding companions would also create game balance issues - particularly for PVP and group dungeons. You could always have them disabled for those types of content, but ZOS that's just another thing for ZOS to consider with all new content: is this something where companions should or shouldn't be allowed?

Most people know by now how much I dislike SWTOR today and what it has become to, but! Their companion system is the best in all MMOs I played.

They are a real part of your story, you can tag along with them in dungeons, quest with them, equip them ... It works flawlessly and adds a huge part of immersion to the game.

In my opinion, a companion system, just like housing are a must have for MMOs. Why play alone in an MMO? There is no point. All old ES games and MMOs had companion systems, not as complex as the modded Skyrim or SWTOR, but you still had reputations to gain, NPC´s helped you fight or became your friends / husband or wife. Its not understandable to me why this was sacrificed for more than often, pointless "group or die" content.

I really miss having the ability to improve my standing with certain NPCs, its such a crucial part of MMOs.

leshpar · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

I used to play Neverwinter. This is an MMO that has companions from a very early point in the game and they are used even in end game. The problem is they find stupid ways to kill themselves and you cannot resummon them in combat (and to resummon them you have to open a clunky UI window that covers the whole screen).

Basically, I play an RPG to be the hero. I don't want another person traveling with me unless its another player.

UrQuan · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

Audigy wrote: »

show previous quotes

UrQuan wrote: »

Companions worked well in single player TES games for sure, but I see no reason to have them in a multi-player game. If you want someone else to come with you and help you fight, quest, whatever, there are plenty of other players around, so why not be social and group up with one of them?

Adding companions would also create game balance issues - particularly for PVP and group dungeons. You could always have them disabled for those types of content, but ZOS that's just another thing for ZOS to consider with all new content: is this something where companions should or shouldn't be allowed?

Most people know by now how much I dislike SWTOR today and what it has become to, but! Their companion system is the best in all MMOs I played.

They are a real part of your story, you can tag along with them in dungeons, quest with them, equip them ... It works flawlessly and adds a huge part of immersion to the game.

In my opinion, a companion system, just like housing are a must have for MMOs. Why play alone in an MMO? There is no point. All old ES games and MMOs had companion systems, not as complex as the modded Skyrim or SWTOR, but you still had reputations to gain, NPC´s helped you fight or became your friends / husband or wife. Its not understandable to me why this was sacrificed for more than often, pointless "group or die" content.

I really miss having the ability to improve my standing with certain NPCs, its such a crucial part of MMOs.

The bolded part I agree with, I just don't want those NPCs to be companions who come and fight alongside you. I'd really like it if there were certain NPCs who you could do favours for, or otherwise help, and after a while of building up your relationship with them you get certain benefits.

Maybe one of those NPCs is a merchant, and after improving your standing with him he gives you a discount on repair costs.

Maybe one is the mayor/lord of a town/manor, and after improving your standing with him he'll give you daily quests that scale with your level.

Maybe one is an abbot, and after improving your standing with him he gives you a discount on respecs.

Maybe one is a fence, and after improving your standing with him you can fence/launder more items per day with him.

RazzPitazz · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

There are real people playing the game right now. I used companion to not make the game feel lonely (and as a mile). I wouldn't want an NPC following me around when a real person could do better.

BBSooner · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

C0pp3rhead wrote: »

Seriously? The single player content is so easy that there's no need for a companion. Multiplayer content is too difficult for a companion to be of any use. There are so many dps checks that a companion wouldn't be of any help. Moreover, programming several different types of companions would be ridiculous. They just recently got pets right. If you want pets, play a togglemancer sorcerer.

Most importantly, I wouldn't want someone at my side in a dungeon who needs a companion to babysit them.

Agreed. Companions only assist on the mind numbingly easy portion of the game? What a waste of developer resources.

gurluasb16_ESO · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

I'd definitely like to see campanions. Although I think they should be excluded from Cyrodiil.
Companions really do add a special dimension to the game though. I think they should be added.

I loved my companions in Skyrim.
Also companions in ESO would not replace players.
Try out SWTOR and see how companions are there.
Something like that is what I'd like.

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

UrQuan wrote: »

show previous quotes

Audigy wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

Companions worked well in single player TES games for sure, but I see no reason to have them in a multi-player game. If you want someone else to come with you and help you fight, quest, whatever, there are plenty of other players around, so why not be social and group up with one of them?

Adding companions would also create game balance issues - particularly for PVP and group dungeons. You could always have them disabled for those types of content, but ZOS that's just another thing for ZOS to consider with all new content: is this something where companions should or shouldn't be allowed?

Most people know by now how much I dislike SWTOR today and what it has become to, but! Their companion system is the best in all MMOs I played.

They are a real part of your story, you can tag along with them in dungeons, quest with them, equip them ... It works flawlessly and adds a huge part of immersion to the game.

In my opinion, a companion system, just like housing are a must have for MMOs. Why play alone in an MMO? There is no point. All old ES games and MMOs had companion systems, not as complex as the modded Skyrim or SWTOR, but you still had reputations to gain, NPC´s helped you fight or became your friends / husband or wife. Its not understandable to me why this was sacrificed for more than often, pointless "group or die" content.

I really miss having the ability to improve my standing with certain NPCs, its such a crucial part of MMOs.

The bolded part I agree with, I just don't want those NPCs to be companions who come and fight alongside you. I'd really like it if there were certain NPCs who you could do favours for, or otherwise help, and after a while of building up your relationship with them you get certain benefits.

Maybe one of those NPCs is a merchant, and after improving your standing with him he gives you a discount on repair costs.

Maybe one is the mayor/lord of a town/manor, and after improving your standing with him he'll give you daily quests that scale with your level.

Maybe one is an abbot, and after improving your standing with him he gives you a discount on respecs.

Maybe one is a fence, and after improving your standing with him you can fence/launder more items per day with him.

Indeed imagine eso with a swtor companion system but using companions like skyrim. If this is truly a next generation mmo as some claim then i am sure this appeals to them.

Esha76 · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Personally I would like it. But Gina already stated in an ESO Live that they have absolute zero plans to add this, citing ESO is still an MMO and the devs want to encourage grouping.

I will add, as well, that adding companions would not "save" ESO either. The major thing to "save" ESO at this point is new content (ie. Wrothgar, Imp City, etc), and improvements on what they already have. I will also add that use of the word "save" is a bit over dramatic. The game needs improvement in areas, not saving.

Leijona · May 2015

I couldn't vote for one of your options.

I wouldn't care about them, if they were only available in solo content. But as you also want them to be available in Craglorn, I would have to say No to them at all.

So ... My option would be "I don't care about companions, as long as they are only available in solo content."

winterscrolls229prerb18_ESO · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

I would love to see companions, if anything for the rp.

Combat utility not even close as you get so overlevelled so quickly but to increase your inventory, be a vendor, !!! MAKE A CAMPSITE!!! !!! HOLD A LAMP AT NIGHT!!!! would be super excellent (and definitely crown worthy if that counts).

Ps. Also must come with chainmail bikini outfit option if its for crowns. Thanks.

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

winterscrolls229prerb18_ESO wrote: »

I would love to see companions, if anything for the rp.

Combat utility not even close as you get so overlevelled so quickly but to increase your inventory, be a vendor, !!! MAKE A CAMPSITE!!! !!! HOLD A LAMP AT NIGHT!!!! would be super excellent (and definitely crown worthy if that counts).

Ps. Also must come with chainmail bikini outfit option if its for crowns. Thanks.

That is a really dam good idea

Gidorick · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

So many people are so shortsighted. Just because you won't use them doesn't mean they won't be good for the community.

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Gidorick wrote: »

So many people are so shortsighted. Just because you won't use them doesn't mean they won't be good for the community.

Thank you Gidorick

Also guys know that my threads (saving eso part 1/2 and comming later 3/4) are always a work in progress hell this thread is still a full work in progress. Give me time to set it up but until then vote if you would like an option like this. Also remember that you may personally not wish to use it but others may.

Thanks
Heromofo

Gidorick · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

I have a pretty extensive Hirable NPC Companion concept. Here's the opening:

Gidorick wrote: »

Within ESO, there already exists the mechanic for an NPC to follow and fight alongside the player. There also exist quests where the player is able to choose the type of companion that follows them. Using these already established systems, ZOS should allow players to hire Mercenaries and have NPC characters tag along with them on their missions. Expanding the functionality to include different types of Mercenaries could offer a robust mechanic for groups and single players alike.

Who Will You Hire?

Player’s, starting at level 10, should be given the option to hire Companion Mercs to accompany them on their adventures. This accompaniment should extend to all areas of play. They should also fill group slots, fulfilling the grouping requirement for dungeons.

The better the Companion Merc a player would like to hire, the more expensive they will be. The Merc would ideally be leveled to the player, which would make the most sense within the mechanics of the game. Level 10 Mercs could start 50 gold per hour and increase per level to a level 50 Merc that costs around 1,000 gold per hour.

Being designed by ZOS, Companion Mercs could have interesting personalities and conversation trees to give them to continue their employment or to dismiss them. ZOS could also create a random Companion generator that created the Companion Merc on the fly as the player requested them. Both have benefits and I don’t think either is one necessarily better than the other.
...

Here's the full thread:http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/146133/hirable-npc-companion-concept/p1

c.p.garrett1993_ESO · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Instead of pre-set characters I would prefer entirely custom companions.
You would use character creation to create the character, entirely, then select a voice and personality. The personality and relation would determine dialogue.
I also don't really see them as combat viable. Rather, I see them more as custom spouses and tradesmen. People you can hire as convenience and to assist you, staying at your home.

A chef, for example, could prepare a meal (food items & a drink) twice daily. A banker could be provided for quick access, perhaps with an entirely separate inventory. A merchant could be created to buy/ sell items.

You would start with one spouse slot and two others.
You can only have one spouse, but buy more slots from the crown shop for others.

One mercenary/ combat companion would be acceptable, but I would find the balancing difficult.

Enaijo · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

Gidorick wrote: »

So many people are so shortsighted. Just because you won't use them doesn't mean they won't be good for the community.

But it's a poll with a question about the personal opinion - "... I would [not] like ..." - the question is not "would this be good for the community?". With your logic, votes are pointless because you have to vote yes to nearly everything. My wife loves liver, I don't ... why should I lie and say otherwise? If the question were "do you wan't your wife to get liver", I would answer with yes, but the question is about my personal "taste".

Gidorick · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Enaijo wrote: »

show previous quotes

Gidorick wrote: »

So many people are so shortsighted. Just because you won't use them doesn't mean they won't be good for the community.

But it's a poll with a question about the personal opinion - "... I would [not] like ..." - the question is not "would this be good for the community?". With your logic, votes are pointless because you have to vote yes to nearly everything. My wife loves liver, I don't ... why should I lie and say otherwise? If the question were "do you wan't your wife to get liver", I would answer with yes, but the question is about my personal "taste".

That's a fair point.... Using that thought, the poll should have included an indifferent option.

Gidorick · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

I somewhat agree @c.p.garrett1993_ESO. In my thread (linked directly above your last post) I suggest we be allowed to use alts as companions.

Athas24 · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

You can't say companions wouldn't affect anyone else. Craglorn, as you stated it being allowed, is an area that encourages groups and by adding a companion you are effectively discouraging groups. There's no need for a companion in an MMO, you have Real Life Allies that you can use. If you don't want to guild/group/find friends then you don't have to but you shouldn't be rewarded for being a hermit by getting a companion. Seeing everyone and their mother with some dumb companion running around in towns would drive me bonkers too. The companions in previous ES games were already trash and caused so many glitches it wasn't worth doing anything with them outside of saying Lydia...go sit in my house like a creeper in my bedroom reading that book while I sleep....

Psychobunni · May 2015

No i would not like to see companions in the game ( Explain Below)

I read through the OP but not the comments. So here's my take,

1- The pet AI is at times very, very derpy. I would be in rage mode if I paid extra for a companion that just stood there, aggro'd mobs without my command, etc

2- While a companion would be at least helpful vs junk cosmetic pets....it would mean more for the server to generate therefore worse (imo) overall for a game that already has lag/ping/etc issues (I sometimes wish people weighed this more when offering their ideas)

3- ESO is an MMO. That does not mean you must PVP. That does not mean you must Group....you can play solo all the time if you so choose but the content that is created for non-solo is done to appeal to MMO players. If everything was completable solo, then it would not appeal to MMO players.

Again an "imo" but I think the TES fans who fight so hard to un-MMO ESO are the most detrimental to its very success as an MMO which is what it was created for. I'm not saying that to "inflame", I'm saying that because its another thing I wish people weighed with suggestions. Does this make the game better for me? OR Does this make the game better as a whole and more competitive with other games of its class?

When you can solo through it all, eventually you quit playing and move on to the next game. To succeed as an MMO, they need people to keep playing, form the bonds of gaming friendship and keep paying in some form to keep developing. So while I think selling companions would be a quick buck for ZOS, it does not offer an appeal towards longevity...thus my answer.

TLDR-LOL OP wanted an explanation

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Gidorick wrote: »

I have a pretty extensive Hirable NPC Companion concept. Here's the opening:
show previous quotes

Gidorick wrote: »

Within ESO, there already exists the mechanic for an NPC to follow and fight alongside the player. There also exist quests where the player is able to choose the type of companion that follows them. Using these already established systems, ZOS should allow players to hire Mercenaries and have NPC characters tag along with them on their missions. Expanding the functionality to include different types of Mercenaries could offer a robust mechanic for groups and single players alike.

Who Will You Hire?

Player’s, starting at level 10, should be given the option to hire Companion Mercs to accompany them on their adventures. This accompaniment should extend to all areas of play. They should also fill group slots, fulfilling the grouping requirement for dungeons.

The better the Companion Merc a player would like to hire, the more expensive they will be. The Merc would ideally be leveled to the player, which would make the most sense within the mechanics of the game. Level 10 Mercs could start 50 gold per hour and increase per level to a level 50 Merc that costs around 1,000 gold per hour.

Being designed by ZOS, Companion Mercs could have interesting personalities and conversation trees to give them to continue their employment or to dismiss them. ZOS could also create a random Companion generator that created the Companion Merc on the fly as the player requested them. Both have benefits and I don’t think either is one necessarily better than the other.
...

Here's the full thread:http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/146133/hirable-npc-companion-concept/p1

Sorry bud i did not mean to take so long was just updating the thread uuum i have added your idea onto the thread and if zos is reading i like his idea even over mine.

@Gidorick

Heromofo · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Make sure if you have an idea to list it so i can add it.

Gidorick · May 2015

Yes i would like to see companions in the game (Explain Below)

Cool deal. Thanks @Heromofo. No matter how we get the feature, I just want a way to run dungeons workout having to beg for a group... and when I DO find a group they want to run through as fast as they can. I like to explore every nook. Check every cranny.... I'm not very 'player friendly' I'm afraid.