Downloading the Game Client... Again 2020 Q1

Seadle · January 2020

So, if you've read the "ESO's Performance Improvements Plan" (https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/56681), we have to download the game client once again. Have we received any updates on this? Will we receive a new launcher? Will we just be able to check the integrity of our game files and download the new files, I know quite a few people (myself included) who have fairly bad internet compared to today's standard speeds due to living outside of a city or town. Will the game be auto uninstalled or will we have to uninstall ourselves, will it bug out where we have to download the game like five times before it finally works? Is there optimization to the game files to decrease the game size such as removing the other languages if you don't have them selected, etc...

Just wondering if ZOS has said anything on a forum post in reply to a player as I couldn't find anything in the announcements. Thanks for taking the time to read.

SantieClaws · January 2020

This one thinks we won't know anything more until after the big announcement on the 16th. After that then, bit by bit, details of what will be happening will start to be confirmed.

It is probably genuinely still a bit too early to tell if we are ready technically for that big change to go into the first update or not yet.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Alienoutlaw · January 2020

from what i can gather, the need for the re-install will completely over-write existing game files as its a full re-code of a substantial part of the game code changing (hopefully a clean up of redundant code and ghost accounts) i would also assume any Addons would also need to be deleted and re-installed as access will have new file paths and Lib dependencies.
but until they confirm the actual plan this is just a guess

colossalvoids · January 2020

It probably was slightly mentioned in some eso live or pts notes, as all I remember it will be more optimized in size, lots of unused assets will be removed and some other compressed plus if we're getting multithreading it def have something to do with code too. Might be some general response from Rich or anyone in the team but we'll see current pts notes pretty soon.

redlink1979 · January 2020

We always had to download the new client/app once the game gets a big update, it's basically a "new game" each time: same MO over and over again.

If anything becomes different, players will be warned.

nafensoriel · January 2020

Alienoutlaw wrote: »

from what i can gather, the need for the re-install will completely over-write existing game files as its a full re-code of a substantial part of the game code changing (hopefully a clean up of redundant code and ghost accounts) i would also assume any Addons would also need to be deleted and re-installed as access will have new file paths and Lib dependencies.
but until they confirm the actual plan this is just a guess

Most of the size of the game is art and sound files not code.
That doesn't mean major code changes don't also require changes to art and sound files though.
If they reoptimize or change formats you have to redownload everything again.

Tandor · January 2020

redlink1979 wrote: »

We always had to download the new client/app once the game gets a big update, it's basically a "new game" each time: same MO over and over again.

If anything becomes different, players will be warned.

Whether that's the case on console I wouldn't know, but it's certainly not so on PC.

The change being talked about here is believed to involve uninstalling the complete game and installing a new client which will be substantially smaller than the present one due to optimisation of current code and elimination of redundant code. All platforms are affected.

However, it will all become clearer no doubt as the next few weeks or months unfold, and even more so for PC in due course when the new client appears on the PTS.

RefLiberty · January 2020

I have nothing against downloading again if we look the end results, I just hope that the player preferences and settings are saved on the server side, I would really hate bind keys again and go through other settings that I changed from the default ones.

DragonRacer · January 2020

RefLiberty wrote: »

I have nothing against downloading again if we look the end results, I just hope that the player preferences and settings are saved on the server side, I would really hate bind keys again and go through other settings that I changed from the default ones.

Yeeeees, I just shivered thinking about having to re-color code all of my guild chats on each of my characters again. >_<

idk · January 2020

SantieClaws wrote: »

This one thinks we won't know anything more until after the big announcement on the 16th. After that then, bit by bit, details of what will be happening will start to be confirmed.

It is probably genuinely still a bit too early to tell if we are ready technically for that big change to go into the first update or not yet.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Pretty much this.

It seems Zos is doing a major restructure. However, I think on our end it will be seamless as long as one has enough disc space for the operation.

rnklippel · January 2020

I'd like to know if the new version of the game will be on Steam at the same day, because I was thinking about formatting my pc right before the patch. But if I download the Steam version just to re-download again right after it'll be annoying.

Alienoutlaw · January 2020

RefLiberty wrote: »

I have nothing against downloading again if we look the end results, I just hope that the player preferences and settings are saved on the server side, I would really hate bind keys again and go through other settings that I changed from the default ones.

you can always copy the saved variables/user settings file and try replacing the new file (copy that also just in case) with it after the re-install

MJallday · January 2020

Seadle wrote: »

So, if you've read the "ESO's Performance Improvements Plan" (https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/56681), we have to download the game client once again. Have we received any updates on this? Will we receive a new launcher? Will we just be able to check the integrity of our game files and download the new files, I know quite a few people (myself included) who have fairly bad internet compared to today's standard speeds due to living outside of a city or town. Will the game be auto uninstalled or will we have to uninstall ourselves, will it bug out where we have to download the game like five times before it finally works? Is there optimization to the game files to decrease the game size such as removing the other languages if you don't have them selected, etc...

Just wondering if ZOS has said anything on a forum post in reply to a player as I couldn't find anything in the announcements. Thanks for taking the time to read.

theres no updates to give. tbh we've got all the information there is at the moment.
Summarised
1) youll have to download the game again
2) assume that it will be alongside the existing installation then the other one will be removed - so youll need at least 120-150gb space - unless you manually uninstall first
3) everything else theres no anticipated change

not sure why you or anyone is stressed about this? sure its gonna be a pain to do a big download - but so what, its like a few hours.

TheTwistedRune · January 2020

MJallday wrote: »

Seadle wrote: »

So, if you've read the "ESO's Performance Improvements Plan" (https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/56681), we have to download the game client once again. Have we received any updates on this? Will we receive a new launcher? Will we just be able to check the integrity of our game files and download the new files, I know quite a few people (myself included) who have fairly bad internet compared to today's standard speeds due to living outside of a city or town. Will the game be auto uninstalled or will we have to uninstall ourselves, will it bug out where we have to download the game like five times before it finally works? Is there optimization to the game files to decrease the game size such as removing the other languages if you don't have them selected, etc...

Just wondering if ZOS has said anything on a forum post in reply to a player as I couldn't find anything in the announcements. Thanks for taking the time to read.

theres no updates to give. tbh we've got all the information there is at the moment.
Summarised
1) youll have to download the game again
2) assume that it will be alongside the existing installation then the other one will be removed - so youll need at least 120-150gb space - unless you manually uninstall first
3) everything else theres no anticipated change

not sure why you or anyone is stressed about this? sure its gonna be a pain to do a big download - but so what, its like a few hours.

I think some people are stressed because firstly, for some people it will take a lot longer than a few hours. Secondly, ZOS' reputation on patches, updates etc going smoothly is hardly steller.

I hope my predictions are wrong but I foresee lots of issues for lots of people the first few days.

ZOS_SarahHecker · January 2020

Hey everyone! There are a lot of great questions in this thread, and we'll be working to post a FAQ to answer many of them before Update 25. We'll let you know as soon as we publish it.

Seadle · January 2020

I really do hope the game receives a serious size reduction if they're rewriting the client, removing redundant code, removing needless art/audio... voice acting takes A LOT of space given every line of dialogue (outside player options) are voiced.

ZOS_SarahHecker wrote: »

Hey everyone! There are a lot of great questions in this thread, and we'll be working to post a FAQ to answer many of them before Update 25. We'll let you know as soon as we publish it.

Amazing to hear, thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to it.

MJallday wrote: »

not sure why you or anyone is stressed about this? sure its gonna be a pain to do a big download - but so what, its like a few hours.

Well... you quoted my entire post so I assume you read it. I live about an hour away from the nearest major city and ~5 miles from the nearest town. The internet I'm able to have is the fastest in the area and still only 8 down. So "a few hours" is a little bit of an understatement.

sirinsidiator · January 2020

The ship stays the same. It's just the cargo that's getting reorganized.
There won't be any changes to settings or addons. The process should also work identical to how it did until now on any major update. The only difference will be that it loads the full files like on a fresh install instead of only deltas that get applied to the existing local data.

bmnoble · January 2020

MJallday wrote: »

Seadle wrote: »

So, if you've read the "ESO's Performance Improvements Plan" (https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/56681), we have to download the game client once again. Have we received any updates on this? Will we receive a new launcher? Will we just be able to check the integrity of our game files and download the new files, I know quite a few people (myself included) who have fairly bad internet compared to today's standard speeds due to living outside of a city or town. Will the game be auto uninstalled or will we have to uninstall ourselves, will it bug out where we have to download the game like five times before it finally works? Is there optimization to the game files to decrease the game size such as removing the other languages if you don't have them selected, etc...

Just wondering if ZOS has said anything on a forum post in reply to a player as I couldn't find anything in the announcements. Thanks for taking the time to read.

theres no updates to give. tbh we've got all the information there is at the moment.
Summarised
1) youll have to download the game again
2) assume that it will be alongside the existing installation then the other one will be removed - so youll need at least 120-150gb space - unless you manually uninstall first
3) everything else theres no anticipated change

not sure why you or anyone is stressed about this? sure its gonna be a pain to do a big download - but so what, its like a few hours.

Few hrs? Try a few nights, that's how long it took me the first time.

Sylvermynx · January 2020

Yeah.... I'ma need to know so I can figure out if I'll ever be playing again. I have satellite only (not very fast) and very limited bandwidth - a total of 70 gigs a month, 50 of which is only available from 2 am until 8 am.... and believe me when I tell you getting up at 2 to micromanage a huge download for 6 hours several nights in a row - at my age - isn't really workable....

IF my friend offers to send me a stick after he downloads the new game, that's something I can wait on to arrive. But he might not offer, and I really hate to ask....

VaranisArano · January 2020

I'm hoping I'll still be able to use the original launcher despite owning the game through Steam. My account predates that cutoff and it's been really nice to have that option.

MrGarlic · January 2020

Sylvermynx wrote: »

<snip>

IF my friend offers to send me a stick after he downloads the new game, that's something I can wait on to arrive. But he might not offer, and I really hate to ask....

I'll send you a stick. We have lots in the garden to choose from.

But seriously, I'm in a similar situation to you as are many other people, so I can empathise with you.

jcm2606 · January 2020

MJallday wrote: »

Seadle wrote: »

So, if you've read the "ESO's Performance Improvements Plan" (https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/56681), we have to download the game client once again. Have we received any updates on this? Will we receive a new launcher? Will we just be able to check the integrity of our game files and download the new files, I know quite a few people (myself included) who have fairly bad internet compared to today's standard speeds due to living outside of a city or town. Will the game be auto uninstalled or will we have to uninstall ourselves, will it bug out where we have to download the game like five times before it finally works? Is there optimization to the game files to decrease the game size such as removing the other languages if you don't have them selected, etc...

Just wondering if ZOS has said anything on a forum post in reply to a player as I couldn't find anything in the announcements. Thanks for taking the time to read.

theres no updates to give. tbh we've got all the information there is at the moment.
Summarised
1) youll have to download the game again
2) assume that it will be alongside the existing installation then the other one will be removed - so youll need at least 120-150gb space - unless you manually uninstall first
3) everything else theres no anticipated change

not sure why you or anyone is stressed about this? sure its gonna be a pain to do a big download - but so what, its like a few hours.

Installing ESO on my old laptop legit took 4-5 days of downloading. It's not just a few hours for everybody.

Sylvermynx · January 2020

MrGarlic wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

<snip>

IF my friend offers to send me a stick after he downloads the new game, that's something I can wait on to arrive. But he might not offer, and I really hate to ask....

I'll send you a stick. We have lots in the garden to choose from.

But seriously, I'm in a similar situation to you as are many other people, so I can empathise with you.

Yep.... like case is still one of those really awkward things....

I would very much appreciate ZOS providing a dvd with the new game. I would pay $100 US for it.... Put it on the online store, I'm buying it.

RefLiberty · January 2020

Sylvermynx wrote: »

MrGarlic wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

<snip>

IF my friend offers to send me a stick after he downloads the new game, that's something I can wait on to arrive. But he might not offer, and I really hate to ask....

I'll send you a stick. We have lots in the garden to choose from.

But seriously, I'm in a similar situation to you as are many other people, so I can empathise with you.

Yep.... like case is still one of those really awkward things....

I would very much appreciate ZOS providing a dvd with the new game. I would pay $100 US for it.... Put it on the online store, I'm buying it.

Will not work. Ever.

Dvd can store 8.5 GB and blue ray up to 50 GB if you have blue ray drive.
Download is still needed.

MajBludd · January 2020

@VaranisArano I dont think you will. I got a new rig a few months back, redownloaded the game.
Now I have to launch through steam even though I purchased the game 4+yrs ago. When I tried to setup the launcher to use outside of steam, I get the message that I need to launch through steam.

VaranisArano · January 2020

MajBludd wrote: »

@VaranisArano I dont think you will. I got a new rig a few months back, redownloaded the game.
Now I have to launch through steam even though I purchased the game 4+yrs ago. When I tried to setup the launcher to use outside of steam, I get the message that I need to launch through steam.

That's too bad, but thanks for letting me know!

pod88kk · January 2020

I wonder if this is an effort to deter farming bots?

Joinovikova · January 2020

If it helps. I have no problem to reinstal client

ArchMikem · January 2020

From what ive read previously, yes its going to be the entire client, not just any new files.

Karmanorway · January 2020

If thats what it takes to fix the game performance then i will gladly reinstall.

MercilessnVexed · January 2020

*cries* all of my addons will be broken!