A Discussion About Compensation

Afortunado · September 2016

Preyfar wrote: »

I don't want compensation as I get downtime happens, and it's frustrating as hell. That said, I think that, with the amount of downtime people have had, it wouldn't be unreasonable to offer up like 500 crowns or so. It's not a huge loss, and can go towards some eyelashes or repair kits.

Exactly. Them offering digital compensation literally costs them nothing but a few man hours. As they already have the infrastructure in place to mass distribute items (most recently the coffers) it would take very little time.

It's the polite and smart thing to do at this point. This forum is a microcosm of the player base at large and you can already see increased rumblings about this here. Thinking the other players who were kicked without notice don't feel similarly is asinine.

alpehans · September 2016

Humatiel wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

It's the principle of it. Some sort of compensation would go a long way. Dosen't really matter how big or small.

Right now they come of as : Thanks for your money suckers.
Instead of : Yeah , sorry we messed up.

Thats the key distinction here, ZoS hasn't "messed up" in any malicious way. Unexpected downtown is going to happen, its just an unavoidable occurrence that happens from time to time. While they certainely arent beholden to us in any regard when that happens it would be nice to have something in return even if its just an in-game mail saying what exactly happened so people are more aware.

ZOS hasn't messed up ? . I guess that's a matter of opinion then.
This much downtime with poor communication is far from the "norm" in even in the gaming industry. So yes, I think they messed up , or their partners did ( still their responsibility).

Magic_Doogies · September 2016

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie. I logged in at 11:25 a.m today when the problem first happened. When I saw that it wasn't working I went on to the forums and right there at the top of the webpage was an announcement banner stating that all servers were down due to an error and to keep up-to date with what was currently happening in their official discussion thread on the matter.

Within that thread mods have been diligent in keeping users up to date with the current status of the servers. And close to around 1 or 2 they updated the OP post of the thread AND the webpage banner with all the servers that were currently online and running along with the initial unexpected downtime banner from late morning.

Their most recent up to date problem banner now says that they took down all servers again for maintenance.

You cannot tell me that ZoS 'never bothered to banner announce' server downtime. This is the kind of nonsense I can't stand. Either you didn't see it 10 seconds after it happened thinking that website mods can type and update at the speed of light and impatiently decided that the team didn't let anyone know or you are being purposefully misleading.

Can there be in game compensation like a small exp boost on top of enlightenment? Sure, go ahead. But a lot of the yelling going around right now is over exaggerating and is about as nonconstructive as it gets.

craybest · September 2016

oh please, an online game is offline while they fix some errors, and you want compensation for that? pfff
*** happens in MMOs all the time. go do something else while it's fixed and that's all.

Cously · September 2016

I'm pretty sure their TOS said no compensation for maintenance. I never read it but if I was a developer I would put that in there!

I don't expect ZOS to compensate us nor will I *** for it. However, it would show tons of goodwill to have a day on sub refunded or some tasty crowns. Sometimes throwing a little bit here and there can make wonders for your customers. That 1 day of compensation on a person sub will make them have glowing eyes and be so happy like they had received 30 days instead.

Bitchy people will *** and ask more days, just disregard them.

Dread_Viking · September 2016

i just want something in game how about a free skin or something or som crow repair kits that wont rly cost them any thing

Afortunado · September 2016

alpehans wrote: »

Humatiel wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

It's the principle of it. Some sort of compensation would go a long way. Dosen't really matter how big or small.

Right now they come of as : Thanks for your money suckers.
Instead of : Yeah , sorry we messed up.

Thats the key distinction here, ZoS hasn't "messed up" in any malicious way. Unexpected downtown is going to happen, its just an unavoidable occurrence that happens from time to time. While they certainely arent beholden to us in any regard when that happens it would be nice to have something in return even if its just an in-game mail saying what exactly happened so people are more aware.

ZOS hasn't messed up ? . I guess that's a matter of opinion then.
This much downtime with poor communication is far from the "norm" in even in the gaming industry. So yes, I think they messed up , or their partners did ( still their responsibility).

He said, "in a malicious way."

Here let me help:

ma·li·cious
/məˈliSHəs/
adjective
characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.

Accusing them of being malicious is asinine. This wasn't something they did on purpose. It is something fix.

idk · September 2016

@Ch4mpTW

Most of the games downtime is due to maintenance which is expected and desired. Compensation should NEVER occur due to this. Most, if not all, MMOs do not compensate for this. No reason they should.

Unexpected downtime for technical reasons outside of maintenance is rare in ESO and therefore the discussion isn't really needed. Your example is of an occasion the server is repeatedly down, it's not repeatedly down at anything other than infrequently in ESO so the point doesn't apply.

One thing I noticed was missing in your OP is no mention of any games that have done this let alone a major MMO. With the exception of a game having a major issue occur that did cause an extended issue (which is rare in any major MMO) there are no examples that can be provided.

KingMagaw · September 2016

In my experience Z0$ employees are incompetent to run this game.

From forum moderation, to support/serious lack of, little to no updates, no update in launcher/news sections. Bugs and blatantly un-banning previous Cheat Engine users was too much for me personally.

Now i only log in to *** about and talk to mates. Would never support this game again. So under my experience, even throwing out some crowns, doesn't come close to addressing the issues with ESO

Kelces · September 2016

Well, I don't really care either way. But imagine something like this business-wise:

Farmer 1 has some apples, that have worms in them, doesn't realize it and therefore still sells them to a customer. That customer complains afterwards, but doesn't get compensated. (AkA "you agreed to the contract")

Farmer 2 deals with the same problem and sells his apples to the same customer, that bought some from farmer 1. Now however, farmer 2 actually gives this customer a fraction of the bunch of apples this person bought.

Now, even though both farmers have no malicious intent behind what happened to their product, which farmer would the customer go again to buy some food once more?

iRogue32 · September 2016

https://account.elderscrollsonline.com/terms-of-service#_EN_Toc_06

I encourage everyone to read this

Afortunado · September 2016

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie.

Andddd, you're wrong.

Context dude.

I was referring to banner announcing in game. You know, like they usually (and should always) do?

alpehans · September 2016

Afortunado wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

Humatiel wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

It's the principle of it. Some sort of compensation would go a long way. Dosen't really matter how big or small.

Right now they come of as : Thanks for your money suckers.
Instead of : Yeah , sorry we messed up.

Thats the key distinction here, ZoS hasn't "messed up" in any malicious way. Unexpected downtown is going to happen, its just an unavoidable occurrence that happens from time to time. While they certainely arent beholden to us in any regard when that happens it would be nice to have something in return even if its just an in-game mail saying what exactly happened so people are more aware.

ZOS hasn't messed up ? . I guess that's a matter of opinion then.
This much downtime with poor communication is far from the "norm" in even in the gaming industry. So yes, I think they messed up , or their partners did ( still their responsibility).

He said, "in a malicious way."

Here let me help:

ma·li·cious
/məˈliSHəs/
adjective
characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.

Accusing them of being malicious is asinine. This wasn't something they did on purpose. It is something fix.

And where did I say they messed up in a malicious way ? . He added that.
Ofc they didn't do this on purpose.

BomblePants · September 2016

@Magic_Doogies - I take my hat off to you sir/madam.... well said!

Potenza · September 2016

You get Nothing! You Lose! Good Day Sir!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+lose+you+get+nothing+good+day+sir&&view=detail&mid=FCF34D377C2929E9F922FCF34D377C2929E9F922&rvsmid=FCF34D377C2929E9F922FCF34D377C2929E9F922&fsscr=0&FORM=VDFSRV

Afortunado · September 2016

alpehans wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

Humatiel wrote: »

alpehans wrote: »

It's the principle of it. Some sort of compensation would go a long way. Dosen't really matter how big or small.

Right now they come of as : Thanks for your money suckers.
Instead of : Yeah , sorry we messed up.

Thats the key distinction here, ZoS hasn't "messed up" in any malicious way. Unexpected downtown is going to happen, its just an unavoidable occurrence that happens from time to time. While they certainely arent beholden to us in any regard when that happens it would be nice to have something in return even if its just an in-game mail saying what exactly happened so people are more aware.

ZOS hasn't messed up ? . I guess that's a matter of opinion then.
This much downtime with poor communication is far from the "norm" in even in the gaming industry. So yes, I think they messed up , or their partners did ( still their responsibility).

He said, "in a malicious way."

Here let me help:

ma·li·cious
/məˈliSHəs/
adjective
characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.

Accusing them of being malicious is asinine. This wasn't something they did on purpose. It is something fix.

And where did I say they messed up in a malicious way ? . He added that.
Ofc they didn't do this on purpose.

He didn't add anything. You quoted his post verbatim and responded by taking his words out of context. You can see when people edit their posts. Apologies if I caused offense. Irritated by downtime

DivinityDay · September 2016

Black Desert Online gives out double XP events when things like this happen.....for even a sec. I remember on several occasions them even giving double XP events for days where there was unusual lag...that lasted for maybe an hour. I stopped playing btw because that game is a no life grindfest. The compensations were given before they went p2w so there was no sub for dyes or memberships at all. Here we do have memberships and nada.

Magic_Doogies · September 2016

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie.

Andddd, you're wrong.

Context dude.

I was referring to banner announcing in game. You know, like they usually (and should always) do?

Which they also did. When I got booted out after successfully logging in the message at the bottom stated that the servers are under maintenance. Before that you had errors saying the servers were down come back later. At that point most people went on the site, saw that the error was reported and being dealt with and moved on. Its only a select few people throwing tantrums with rant threads that are mad about this.

zergbase_ESO · September 2016

iRogue32 wrote: »

https://account.elderscrollsonline.com/terms-of-service#_EN_Toc_06

I encourage everyone to read this

So true. ALL MMO's have this clause. Been playing MMO's since I was a kid and know stuff like this happens. I just either go outside or do something else. But sadly to some people world is ending if they don't have their fix.

karldavy149b16_ESO · September 2016

Ch4mpTW wrote: »

The topic of compensation, is a topic that I've been thinking about every since I started playing this game. Something that I've always wondered about. It appears to me that ZOS isn't a believer in it, and I'm genuinely curious why that is. Most companies tend to provide a means of compensation to their customers if the company's product in question isn't operating/performing as it's supposed to. This is just common courtesy.

Like say for an example other game developer companies. If their servers are down repeatedly, and or experiencing numerous issues? You as the player have free days added to your subscription, being as that is time being spent which isn't being utilized. Or, you as the customer are rewarded with in-game credits or special items, as a means of the company apologizing for their incompetence and repeated failure to supply an adequate and solid gaming experience to their player base. Especially those who pay for a premium (e.g. Premium membership, VIP, etc.).

So... Why is this not being implemented by ZOS in ESO...? Why are we not getting free crowns, or those with ESO+ not receiving free days added to our subscription? We can't even get 500 crowns, bruh-bruh...? Really...? And even though I play on NA servers, I know the EU player base has just about had it. They deserve at least something for remaining loyal, and being tolerant. C'mon fam'. Where's the decency at?

yet again anouther post by someone who didnt read but still signed the tos

Tarrin · September 2016

It should be the compensation only for subscribers, because they pay monthly for the game.

Others may walk at this beautiful autumn evening.

DivinityDay · September 2016

daroule1982 wrote: »

I wouldn't mind a "Care Package" for compensations. It would really read something like:

Dear fellow adventurer,

Due to our negligence on giving you proper customer support this past blue moon, we at Zenimax would like you to have these lovely trinkets for being so patient with us. Enclosed, with our apology, you will find the following.

-One recipe.
-One preferred mount upgrade point of your choosing.
-A sweetroll.
-20 random materials.
-200 crowns.

Thanks for you patience, and understanding. And, please enjoy your adventure. We will keep hoping this never happens again.

Yeah lol, I use to get those in Black Desert from the moderators too.

ThePaleItalian · September 2016

People act like this is the only game this happens too. WoW was hit was much harder attacks than this the day Legion hit. WoW gave no compensation. That game is Sub only and they have bugs and fixes constantly and its been around for 10 years.

Seriously, get over yourselves with things you "deserve". Entitlement is so thick with gamers this day and age its sad.

I am not "white knighting" either. I am just being an adult. I tried to log in before work today. Couldnt do it. O well, go to work and come back home and play. If its still down, then guess what?? You ready for this?? Do go something else..... shocking right?

Afortunado · September 2016

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie.

Andddd, you're wrong.

Context dude.

I was referring to banner announcing in game. You know, like they usually (and should always) do?

Which they also did. When I got booted out after successfully logging in the message at the bottom stated that the servers are under maintenance. Before that you had errors saying the servers were down come back later. At that point most people went on the site, saw that the error was reported and being dealt with and moved on. Its only a select few people throwing tantrums with rant threads that are mad about this.

There was no message in game for PC NA for anyone in our trial( and thus likely anyone else). I asked them on TS after we got booted. It simply went down.

Which is ridiculous. Anytime unexpected maintenance needs to be done, and they voluntarily take down the servers (meaning no crash) there should be a banner announcement. There wasn't.

Drakoleon · September 2016

40+ hours monthly maintenance in midday and prime time hours??? I play MMOs since late 90's and i haven't seen that even in closed beta games. Zeni is just ridiculous! The best game ever played in the worst hands.....what a shame!

Kelces · September 2016

zergbase_ESO wrote: »

iRogue32 wrote: »

https://account.elderscrollsonline.com/terms-of-service#_EN_Toc_06

I encourage everyone to read this

So true. ALL MMO's have this clause. Been playing MMO's since I was a kid and know stuff like this happens. I just either go outside or do something else. But sadly to some people world is ending if they don't have their fix.

And yet most MMO's still have some courtesy, despite these "terms of service" and compensate their customers for inconveniences. Curious, seems like they know, how business works...

Magic_Doogies · September 2016

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie.

Andddd, you're wrong.

Context dude.

I was referring to banner announcing in game. You know, like they usually (and should always) do?

Which they also did. When I got booted out after successfully logging in the message at the bottom stated that the servers are under maintenance. Before that you had errors saying the servers were down come back later. At that point most people went on the site, saw that the error was reported and being dealt with and moved on. Its only a select few people throwing tantrums with rant threads that are mad about this.

There was no message in game for PC NA for anyone in our trial( and thus likely anyone else). I asked them on TS after we got booted. It simply went down.

Which is ridiculous. Anytime unexpected maintenance needs to be done, and they voluntarily take down the servers (meaning no crash) there should be a banner announcement. There wasn't.

Yes, people who were lucky enough to be in the game and not get booted until the servers actually went down as opposed to not being able log in to begin with werent notified because you were already in the game. The problem wasnt affecting you. It was affecting the vast majority that couldn't log in to the game. Hence those offline were aware of the issue and those playing the game werent.
And I'm sure that once you got server downtime you came straight to this forum, saw that ZoS is aware and updating users on this issue asap and the announcement that they are taking down servers for maintenance after they fixed the problem.

Nothing ridiculous about it.

Afortunado · September 2016

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

Magic_Doogies wrote: »

Afortunado wrote: »

That doesn't change that it happened. Or that they didn't even bother to banner announce they were taking the servers down like they should.

This is a straight up lie.

Andddd, you're wrong.

Context dude.

I was referring to banner announcing in game. You know, like they usually (and should always) do?

Which they also did. When I got booted out after successfully logging in the message at the bottom stated that the servers are under maintenance. Before that you had errors saying the servers were down come back later. At that point most people went on the site, saw that the error was reported and being dealt with and moved on. Its only a select few people throwing tantrums with rant threads that are mad about this.

There was no message in game for PC NA for anyone in our trial( and thus likely anyone else). I asked them on TS after we got booted. It simply went down.

Which is ridiculous. Anytime unexpected maintenance needs to be done, and they voluntarily take down the servers (meaning no crash) there should be a banner announcement. There wasn't.

Nothing ridiculous about it.

Wrong.

ZOS nearly always announces in game when they are taking down the servers. Because that is their policy. It keeps players from starting content they cannot finish and is simply polite.

Saying it's acceptable... lol. Saying it happens because of a mistake? Sure.

As for the rest of your post, I couldn't comment. As you noted I was in game, as were many other players. It is on that circumstance I am commenting.

Beerbong_Ginn · September 2016

I've personally experienced many times when I haven't been able to play because of circumstances out of my control. Specifically while downloading the game after a crash, or installing a patch. Or waiting at a load screen.

All in all, in the nearly 2.5 years that I've been a paying subscriber, I've probably lost upwards of 5 or 6 hours of gameplay. This is not including the countless minutes and seconds I've spent queueing for Cyrodiil. Or running back to Wayrest because I forgot to pick up the pledge. Or going to the bathroom. Or getting a beer from the fridge.

ZoS should compensate me for the time that I could have been playing yet was unable to. I will be expecting my compensatory cheque of $.10 to be mailed to me as soon as possible. Or 10 crowns, which would just about cover the left hind leg of a new bear mount.

Thank you.

Bouldercleave · September 2016

Now, what I would like to know from all the folks ranting and raving about compensation, maintenance, and down times -

When is YOUR game coming out? I would love to see how you handle a server issue in the REAL world.