The game has been on a downwards spiral since Elsweyr with players and guilds disappearing all over. Probably 50-70% of the regular high mmr BG population from a year ago is gone, a bunch of the high end PvErs I knew have quit or barely play, and entire guilds have vanished. At this rate, another mediocre DLC or two will likely be the final nail for even more players, and even if performance is somehow fixed and balance/class identity is improved, it might not be enough.
It’s time for ESO to have a massive One Tamriel 2.0 style update to put the game back on track. Performance needs to be DRASTICALLY improved, class identity, balance, and trial group compositions need to be sorted out, tons of bugs need to be fixed, group finder needs to work, and we need some INNOVATIVE and fresh content instead of copy pasta trial, dungeon, and arena mechanics.
Other games get new systems, new game mechanics, new races, new PvP arenas and gamemodes, new actual raids with more than 3 bosses and less copy pasta mechanics, new zone designs where your progression through zones actually does something and means something, etc. ESO doesn’t need to have all of this or copy other games, but it does need to be adding to and improving the game each year, and the non-substantive, copy pasta **** that was Year of the Dragon just doesn’t cut it. The last time we had an actual new content system was BGs in Morrowind, and the last game system was over a year ago with Summerset. Dragons could’ve been cool, but they ended up just being a reskinned dolmen. ZOS, please don’t let the Year of the Dragon be the year ESO died.
Next patch seems to be the line for a lot of players I’ve talked to, so hopefully ZOS will release something good.
NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
Nirnroot420 wrote: »NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
The OP is clearly referring to endgame, both PVP and PVE. If you're using Battlegrounds for XP and "don't have the gear yet," their post wasn't necessarily referring to your demographic.I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
I think the problem with the current plan is it's taking place slowly over time, with wild meta shifts occurring simultaneously with bit-by-bit "performance improvements," creating a general feeling that ZoS is rather directionless and muddling through a rough period for the game, especially with regards to performance. It's for this reason that I dig the OP's idea of a "one Tamriel 2.0", where ZoS quietly works on a lot of these features then release them in one big update. Instead of having piecemeal changes that bring rounds upon rounds of intermittent crippling bugs and performance issues, make it a large, game re-defining update where all that pain can be experienced at once, instead of releasing "matchmaking improvements" which cause 12-man teams to be placed in BGs for no apparent reason.
In addition, an update of that nature, especially with performance at the center of it, would generate massive hype and lure lapsed players back. I think it's a solid idea.
NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
Any actual facts in that first paragraph or all just conjecture?
Although I agree that there need to be significant performance upgrades and fast. There’s not a great deal of point in doing anything other than tired reskins if the performance doesn’t improve.
ZOS’s issue is, do they have the time and ability to make these changes before the next full on marketing drive.
Nirnroot420 wrote: »NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
The OP is clearly referring to endgame, both PVP and PVE. If you're using Battlegrounds for XP and "don't have the gear yet," their post wasn't necessarily referring to your demographic.I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
I think the problem with the current plan is it's taking place slowly over time, with wild meta shifts occurring simultaneously with bit-by-bit "performance improvements," creating a general feeling that ZoS is rather directionless and muddling through a rough period for the game, especially with regards to performance. It's for this reason that I dig the OP's idea of a "one Tamriel 2.0", where ZoS quietly works on a lot of these features then release them in one big update. Instead of having piecemeal changes that bring rounds upon rounds of intermittent crippling bugs and performance issues, make it a large, game re-defining update where all that pain can be experienced at once, instead of releasing "matchmaking improvements" which cause 12-man teams to be placed in BGs for no apparent reason.
In addition, an update of that nature, especially with performance at the center of it, would generate massive hype and lure lapsed players back. I think it's a solid idea.
Didn't I say Zos is taking to long with this combat overhaul? I assume you are replying to agree with me.
Beyond that you're 2.0 is vague and without definition. 1T served a good purpose but was not the only thing that update. Change because one thinks it is good for the game does not seem to be a good purpose. Further, have you read the statement from Rich concerning the activity finder recent issues with server performance? I ask since your focus seems to be on an issue with the activity finder.
Nirnroot420 wrote: »Nirnroot420 wrote: »NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
The OP is clearly referring to endgame, both PVP and PVE. If you're using Battlegrounds for XP and "don't have the gear yet," their post wasn't necessarily referring to your demographic.I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
I think the problem with the current plan is it's taking place slowly over time, with wild meta shifts occurring simultaneously with bit-by-bit "performance improvements," creating a general feeling that ZoS is rather directionless and muddling through a rough period for the game, especially with regards to performance. It's for this reason that I dig the OP's idea of a "one Tamriel 2.0", where ZoS quietly works on a lot of these features then release them in one big update. Instead of having piecemeal changes that bring rounds upon rounds of intermittent crippling bugs and performance issues, make it a large, game re-defining update where all that pain can be experienced at once, instead of releasing "matchmaking improvements" which cause 12-man teams to be placed in BGs for no apparent reason.
In addition, an update of that nature, especially with performance at the center of it, would generate massive hype and lure lapsed players back. I think it's a solid idea.
Didn't I say Zos is taking to long with this combat overhaul? I assume you are replying to agree with me.
Beyond that you're 2.0 is vague and without definition. 1T served a good purpose but was not the only thing that update. Change because one thinks it is good for the game does not seem to be a good purpose. Further, have you read the statement from Rich concerning the activity finder recent issues with server performance? I ask since your focus seems to be on an issue with the activity finder.
It's not just the combat overhaul, it's the performance optimization as well. My point is to release these all at once after a period of extended testing, instead of doing it piecemeal where every iteration brings with it massive bugs, broken queues, and persistent crashes, not to mention awkward meta swings, all of which serve to demoralize the upper-middle to endgame crowds.
Nirnroot420 wrote: »Nirnroot420 wrote: »NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
The OP is clearly referring to endgame, both PVP and PVE. If you're using Battlegrounds for XP and "don't have the gear yet," their post wasn't necessarily referring to your demographic.I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
I think the problem with the current plan is it's taking place slowly over time, with wild meta shifts occurring simultaneously with bit-by-bit "performance improvements," creating a general feeling that ZoS is rather directionless and muddling through a rough period for the game, especially with regards to performance. It's for this reason that I dig the OP's idea of a "one Tamriel 2.0", where ZoS quietly works on a lot of these features then release them in one big update. Instead of having piecemeal changes that bring rounds upon rounds of intermittent crippling bugs and performance issues, make it a large, game re-defining update where all that pain can be experienced at once, instead of releasing "matchmaking improvements" which cause 12-man teams to be placed in BGs for no apparent reason.
In addition, an update of that nature, especially with performance at the center of it, would generate massive hype and lure lapsed players back. I think it's a solid idea.
Didn't I say Zos is taking to long with this combat overhaul? I assume you are replying to agree with me.
Beyond that you're 2.0 is vague and without definition. 1T served a good purpose but was not the only thing that update. Change because one thinks it is good for the game does not seem to be a good purpose. Further, have you read the statement from Rich concerning the activity finder recent issues with server performance? I ask since your focus seems to be on an issue with the activity finder.
Rich can say what he wants about the group finder, but it breaks nearly every event. Instead of saying they have a hotfix, releasing it, and breaking it in a slightly different way, actually take time to do things and keep the plebs happy with clown store items until ZoS gets it's ducks in a row and launches a sweeping update similar but not identical to One Tamriel. That rebranding arguably saved the game, and it's time for another refresh.
Nirnroot420 wrote: »Nirnroot420 wrote: »NettleCarrier wrote: »Funny, I have never seen guilds disappear, nor did anyone I know quit at any point. I personally slowed down on BGs a bit because not only do I not really need the EXP anymore but I'm not geared for it and don't feel like hindering any teams. I don't see what a specific small section of PvP has to do with the game population as a whole. I'm still loving it.
The OP is clearly referring to endgame, both PVP and PVE. If you're using Battlegrounds for XP and "don't have the gear yet," their post wasn't necessarily referring to your demographic.I thought Zos had just started a plan to improve performance of the game and were addressing class identity. Zos is also in the middle of a major combat overhaul which would have an effect on trial group composition though Zos has control over that beyond combat changes.
ofc, I have no idea what that has to do with 1T and as such seems to have nothing to do with a 1t 2.0.
I expect much of the exodus of players we have seen is due to change fatigue. I know some raiders that left before this combat overhaul due to change fatigue and the current plan is on steroids and is taking to long due to poor planning and oversight by management. OP does not even address that.
Interestingly, we might see the first increase in player numbers for November over last year which would be the first month that has happened July. The past thee months have all shown a decline over the same month last year via Steam Charts. Granted, that is limited information but it is the only information we have and is a valid source.
I think the problem with the current plan is it's taking place slowly over time, with wild meta shifts occurring simultaneously with bit-by-bit "performance improvements," creating a general feeling that ZoS is rather directionless and muddling through a rough period for the game, especially with regards to performance. It's for this reason that I dig the OP's idea of a "one Tamriel 2.0", where ZoS quietly works on a lot of these features then release them in one big update. Instead of having piecemeal changes that bring rounds upon rounds of intermittent crippling bugs and performance issues, make it a large, game re-defining update where all that pain can be experienced at once, instead of releasing "matchmaking improvements" which cause 12-man teams to be placed in BGs for no apparent reason.
In addition, an update of that nature, especially with performance at the center of it, would generate massive hype and lure lapsed players back. I think it's a solid idea.
Didn't I say Zos is taking to long with this combat overhaul? I assume you are replying to agree with me.
Beyond that you're 2.0 is vague and without definition. 1T served a good purpose but was not the only thing that update. Change because one thinks it is good for the game does not seem to be a good purpose. Further, have you read the statement from Rich concerning the activity finder recent issues with server performance? I ask since your focus seems to be on an issue with the activity finder.
Also, before we get into Steam charts, those numbers are easily manipulated because ESO has been on sale pretty much all month with numerous f2p weekends. Most people don't even use them, and those being the "only numbers we have" make those statistics all the more vulnerable to manipulation. That being said, I don't believe the game is in death throes at all, just a period of stagnation, hence the call for a large-scale refresh.
1T was neither of these things. It was merely a change to the level structure of the game. OP's "idea" is without form or structure. It merely suggests change and at that is really just a complaint.
OP's idea does nothing to change this. Do not like what Rich had to say, eating crow, providing some of the most detailed information to date then oh well.
I say that as the person who called him out on this a few weeks ago. I bumped his thread from last year which got it a lot of activity and it is now closed.
No offense. While I do not think many, if any, of us have been thrilled with the game recently, vague meaningless calls for change are really saying nothing other than we are not happy.
As someone who plays ESO and WoW, the main reason I play ESO more often these days is because of the huge variety of game play styles it accommodates. I can solo quest, farm delves or dolmens or dragons, run dungeons, do pledges, etc. I don't do trials, RP, PvP or BG's but if I wanted to they are there for me to participate in. Sometimes I just want to run around killing citizens and looting their homes all day long, and ESO is just fine with that, too.
I suppose that I am a bit confused as to what some of you are really asking for from ZOS when it comes to the design of the game. The vibe I get from some of these responses is that there is a growing rift in the community between players whose primary focus is on high level PvP or end-game content, and those who enjoy some of the other, less demanding activities I mentioned above. When I first started in Beta and then live, I was pretty frustrated with the 5-button combat system, but now, I appreciate the fact that I can have one bar for shock staff and AoE and another for fire staff and single-target and not have to juggle the twenty-odd ability and skill buttons that currently make up my WoW UI action bars on my ret/prot pally.
I don't think it is a bad idea at all to refresh certain aspects of the combat system -- whether that's abilities/skills, flow, balancing power, or whatever -- but I don't want to see the game become more complex in an effort to target the highest-skilled players. Obviously, it would be nice to have new mechanics and such, but I fear that ESO will fall into the same problem that WoW developed, where raid fight bosses go from three or four mechanics in the original content to the current
raids with ultra-complex timing- and position-based mechanics where a single misstep or failure to perform your class's ability priorities at an optimum level will result in terrible DPS/HPS, a complete raid wipe or instant death.
I have only started using the group finder lately and it seems to work well, so I can't really offer much of an opinion there.
Have a pleasant evening & thanks for playing ESO, no matter how you play it. The community really sets this game apart from every other MMO out there and I hope that it does not risk breaking up.
AgreedThe game has been on a downwards spiral since Elsweyr with players and guilds disappearing all over. Probably 50-70% of the regular high mmr BG population from a year ago is gone, a bunch of the high end PvErs I knew have quit or barely play, and entire guilds have vanished. At this rate, another mediocre DLC or two will likely be the final nail for even more players, and even if performance is somehow fixed and balance/class identity is improved, it might not be enough.
It’s time for ESO to have a massive One Tamriel 2.0 style update to put the game back on track. Performance needs to be DRASTICALLY improved, class identity, balance, and trial group compositions need to be sorted out, tons of bugs need to be fixed, group finder needs to work, and we need some INNOVATIVE and fresh content instead of copy pasta trial, dungeon, and arena mechanics.
Other games get new systems, new game mechanics, new races, new PvP arenas and gamemodes, new actual raids with more than 3 bosses and less copy pasta mechanics, new zone designs where your progression through zones actually does something and means something, etc. ESO doesn’t need to have all of this or copy other games, but it does need to be adding to and improving the game each year, and the non-substantive, copy pasta **** that was Year of the Dragon just doesn’t cut it. The last time we had an actual new content system was BGs in Morrowind, and the last game system was over a year ago with Summerset. Dragons could’ve been cool, but they ended up just being a reskinned dolmen. ZOS, please don’t let the Year of the Dragon be the year ESO died.
Next patch seems to be the line for a lot of players I’ve talked to, so hopefully ZOS will release something good.
farm dolmens, delves, dragons, solo quest. yawn.. I can't think of anything more boring to do other than that along with fishing. The real fun is when you do trials and pvp which none work properly due to performance isssues with bad class balance and poor gear diversity. A game is successful when you gain serious competitive players.
Not so much. While a sale can affect it, long term that is not the case. Considering the past few years almost every month except for the past three have shown a growth over the same month the previous year. That is very hard to manipulate. The information is also much more valid than anything you have provided here.
No offense. While I do not think many, if any, of us have been thrilled with the game recently, vague meaningless calls for change are really saying nothing other than we are not happy.