Starting Zone - how would you rather start your game?

MEBengalsFan2001 · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

The game should always start in the cold harbor. The fact that characters who start in the new areas get 1 more skill points than characters that started in the original area. That should be resolved. It is only 1 SP but it is still annoying to think that someone who has played one character and only one character since the game came out is missing that or if you have many characters from launch many will be missing that extra SP.

I say make Cold Harbor the starting spot and remove one SP from all characters that started in other zones. Problem is solved.

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

MEBengalsFan2001 wrote: »

The game should always start in the cold harbor. The fact that characters who start in the new areas get 1 more skill points than characters that started in the original area. That should be resolved. It is only 1 SP but it is still annoying to think that someone who has played one character and only one character since the game came out is missing that or if you have many characters from launch many will be missing that extra SP.

I say make Cold Harbor the starting spot and remove one SP from all characters that started in other zones. Problem is solved.

Makes sense - the SP inconsistency almost makes it feel like you have to pay to get that extra skill point because you can’t get it frim Coldharbour

Tabbycat · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

I think the original Coldharbour tutorial does a better job of introducing new players to the game so that is where all new players should start off by default. But, after your first character has gone through the starter area for your faction, you should get to choose where your alts start to keep things interesting.

Nefelynx · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

I am so happy I only bought the base game at first (to see if I liked it enough to get the other chapters - which I did later) - and started in Coldharbour. It was such a great introduction into the game and I would have hated to be forced to start anywhere else but with the original Tutorial and Main Quest.

For Alts then we should get the choice on where to start, so we can experience all the chapters „beginnings“.

I originally thought, this would be the case anyway, as it seemed logical.

The way it is now, doesn‘t make ANY sense for new players - confirmed by a couple of friends who started after me with Summerset.
So whenever a new friend is interested in the game, I always recommend them to NOT go straight for the newest chapter, but only buy the base game first - just for that reason!

craybest · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Everytime there's a new tutorial I have to create a new character to see how it is.
I'd much rather have the main original tutorial, and the rest made as introductory quests for the new zones.

Linaleah · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

adendum. when choosing a tutorial, a strong suggestion is made for a new character/account to start with coldharbour as its most chronologicaly sound.

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Nefelynx wrote: »

I am so happy I only bought the base game at first (to see if I liked it enough to get the other chapters - which I did later) - and started in Coldharbour. It was such a great introduction into the game and I would have hated to be forced to start anywhere else but with the original Tutorial and Main Quest.

For Alts then we should get the choice on where to start, so we can experience all the chapters „beginnings“.

I originally thought, this would be the case anyway, as it seemed logical.

The way it is now, doesn‘t make ANY sense for new players - confirmed by a couple of friends who started after me with Summerset.
So whenever a new friend is interested in the game, I always recommend them to NOT go straight for the newest chapter, but only buy the base game first - just for that reason!

Believe it or not I'm actually considering rebuying the game and creating a new account just for this reason... Then I'll just get ESO plus without actually buying any chapters - that way I can just cancel my subscription when I create a new character to play the original tutorial.
Did you get the extra skill point from the Coldharbour tutorial or do you only get that from the other ones?

Gelmir · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Tired of having different start zones every expansion! Totally messes up the story line experience. Whoever came up with that idea should be banned from RPG gaming for a year.

Bobby_V_Rockit · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

I did all the chapters on one toon without being the vestige, felt bland, like I was just some dude that showed up

Cactus_Back · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

Choosing a starting zone would obviously be an ideal option as it would please everyone. But if that's not possible I'd like to get back to starting in Coldharbor. We don't start TES5 in Solstheim just because we own Dragonborn DLC, do we?

Gelmir · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Cactus_Back wrote: »

Choosing a starting zone would obviously be an ideal option as it would please everyone. But if that's not possible I'd like to get back to starting in Coldharbor. We don't start TES5 in Solstheim just because we own Dragonborn DLC, do we?

You shouldn't have random starting zone, because this is an RPG, which is closely tied to a story. And every story comes with a chronology. Those who advocate for random starting zones don't even know how the story-telling advances in this game. You can't do Morrowind before even Wrothgar, because there are NPCs and quests that are chained chronologically: e.g. a quest result in Wrothgar affects the dialogue of a quest in Morrowind. Messing up the sequence of events messes up the experience.

TwiceBornStar · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

I don't know, call me crazy, but I kinda like starting at the beginning.

Cactus_Back · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

Gelmir wrote: »

Cactus_Back wrote: »

Choosing a starting zone would obviously be an ideal option as it would please everyone. But if that's not possible I'd like to get back to starting in Coldharbor. We don't start TES5 in Solstheim just because we own Dragonborn DLC, do we?

You shouldn't have random starting zone, because this is an RPG, which is closely tied to a story. And every story comes with a chronology. Those who advocate for random starting zones don't even know how the story-telling advances in this game. You can't do Morrowind before even Wrothgar, because there are NPCs and quests that are chained chronologically: e.g. a quest result in Wrothgar affects the dialogue of a quest in Morrowind. Messing up the sequence of events messes up the experience.

Personally, I agree with that, so with each new character I would prefer to start my game in Coldharbour. But thinking of it just from a game design perspective and the current situation, it seems unlikely ZOS would go for it. Giving players a choice of a starting zone seems more plausible.

zaria · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

The tutorial for Elsweyr was pretty good, however I would prefer to rather expand on the original start with an better tutorial and have the tutorial as an continuation of the prologue quest but that is unlikely to happen.

Yes I see the reason they do it, its pointless for old players, but Skyrim chapter will bring new players to the game who want to start in Skyrim.

Nefelynx · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

mfcostacampos wrote: »

Nefelynx wrote: »

I am so happy I only bought the base game at first (to see if I liked it enough to get the other chapters - which I did later) - and started in Coldharbour. It was such a great introduction into the game and I would have hated to be forced to start anywhere else but with the original Tutorial and Main Quest.

For Alts then we should get the choice on where to start, so we can experience all the chapters „beginnings“.

I originally thought, this would be the case anyway, as it seemed logical.

The way it is now, doesn‘t make ANY sense for new players - confirmed by a couple of friends who started after me with Summerset.
So whenever a new friend is interested in the game, I always recommend them to NOT go straight for the newest chapter, but only buy the base game first - just for that reason!

Believe it or not I'm actually considering rebuying the game and creating a new account just for this reason... Then I'll just get ESO plus without actually buying any chapters - that way I can just cancel my subscription when I create a new character to play the original tutorial.
Did you get the extra skill point from the Coldharbour tutorial or do you only get that from the other ones?

Good question... it‘s been almost two years ago and I honestly can‘t remember. I‘m sorry

I really hope they will change it soon enough, so you don‘t have to go through all that hassle just to enjoy the original start.
It shouldn‘t be that hard to implement. This poll clearly shows the communities preferences - and our many voices hopefully will be heard and acknowledged.

wolfbone · February 2020

I think having a choice of daedric prince themed tutorial would be more fun.

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Nefelynx wrote: »

mfcostacampos wrote: »

Nefelynx wrote: »

I am so happy I only bought the base game at first (to see if I liked it enough to get the other chapters - which I did later) - and started in Coldharbour. It was such a great introduction into the game and I would have hated to be forced to start anywhere else but with the original Tutorial and Main Quest.

For Alts then we should get the choice on where to start, so we can experience all the chapters „beginnings“.

I originally thought, this would be the case anyway, as it seemed logical.

The way it is now, doesn‘t make ANY sense for new players - confirmed by a couple of friends who started after me with Summerset.
So whenever a new friend is interested in the game, I always recommend them to NOT go straight for the newest chapter, but only buy the base game first - just for that reason!

Believe it or not I'm actually considering rebuying the game and creating a new account just for this reason... Then I'll just get ESO plus without actually buying any chapters - that way I can just cancel my subscription when I create a new character to play the original tutorial.
Did you get the extra skill point from the Coldharbour tutorial or do you only get that from the other ones?

Good question... it‘s been almost two years ago and I honestly can‘t remember. I‘m sorry

I really hope they will change it soon enough, so you don‘t have to go through all that hassle just to enjoy the original start.
It shouldn‘t be that hard to implement. This poll clearly shows the communities preferences - and our many voices hopefully will be heard and acknowledged.

Exactly - out of 254 votes, a crushing 99% of people are not happy with the current situation.

RD065 · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Cold harbour', and now I just skip tutorial, kill a dragon and go straight there.

karthrag_inak · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Furthermore, this one wishes all starting zones were open to all characters, even if instanced. This one would like to complete them all.

richo262 · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

I chose 3, but it is really 2+3.

At character creation choose your start location, but regardless of what you choose you always start in the wailing prison. The selection you made at character creation is where you land after you break out of the prison.

Choice of the following:

1. Standard EP, AD, DC locations
2. You land in water and are rescued by a woman about to do a heist - Thieves Guild
3. You land in water and wash up on a shore near a light house - DB
4. You land in water and are rescued by an expedition investigating argonian relics - Murkmire (You start half way through the prologue)
5. You land in the water and are 'rescued' by slavers - Morrowind
6. You land in the snow and are rescued by a caravan, which is attacked - Wrothgar
7. You land in the desert and are rescued by a caravan, which is attacked by a dragon - Elsywer
8. You land in a ruin, you arrival causes a collapse - Summerset

Clockwork shouldn't have a start option given its hidden nature, and its story being between Morrwind / Summerset.

I'd actually remove Summerset as a start option too given it goes MW - CWC - SS.

Rather have it as 'Stories' rather than simply Zones that start you off.

Wrothgar (One could argue this is a prequel to Daedric war, but story content is really standalone)
Thieves Guild
Dark Brotherhood
Murkmire
Standard Alliance Start Base Game (Plane Meld)
Morrowind - CWC - Summerset (Daedric war)
Elsywer - Dragonhold (Season of the Dragon)

d0e1ow · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Game needs to start in Cold Harbour then cut you loose from there.

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

d0e1ow wrote: »

Game needs to start in Cold Harbour then cut you loose from there.

Just realised from a separate topic that even if you buy the standard edition now you can't start at Coldharbour because Morrowind now comes with the standard edition... So I assume you're forced to do the Morrowind tutorial even if you don't have other chapters or ESO+

Ermiq · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom Would be nice to get any response from you guys. Just to make sure you're aware of this.
I mean, the poll clearly shows that the vast majority of the community is not satisfied with current approach. And although I don't expect to hear any future plans on it, it would be good to know you have marked this question as something that should be discussed with development team.

MattT1988 · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

It makes absolutely zero sense that we don’t have the option to choose for ourselves. Absolutely none.

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

Ermiq wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom Would be nice to get any response from you guys. Just to make sure you're aware of this.
I mean, the poll clearly shows that the vast majority of the community is not satisfied with current approach. And although I don't expect to hear any future plans on it, it would be good to know you have marked this question as something that should be discussed with development team.

This ^

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

mfcostacampos · February 2020

Always start with 'Cold Shriven in Cold Harbour' (Main Quest)

We've hit 300 votes... surely that should mean something?

alainjbrennanb16_ESO · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

play from begin as game was designed

amapola76 · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

ebondeath wrote: »

I'm all for the option for people to choose whichever one they'd want, but personally i'd prefer to start in Coldharbor every time.

Then you should have selected the "choose your tutorial" option.

It's amazing how many people are voting for the "Coldharbour every time" option and then saying, oh, well, that's just what I personally want to do.

Yes, we absolutely should have a choice, it's not even a question, really. And then if you guys want to start in Coldharbour every time, hooray, you would have the choice to do so!

amapola76 · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

Linaleah wrote: »

adendum. when choosing a tutorial, a strong suggestion is made for a new character/account to start with coldharbour as its most chronologicaly sound.

Yes, this. I would like to see a strong nudge for new players to start the original tutorial with their first character, with some brief information about why, but ultimately the choice should always be the player's.

amapola76 · February 2020

Choose which tutorial out of the zones I own I'd like to start in (including a 'Random' option).

Gelmir wrote: »

Cactus_Back wrote: »

Choosing a starting zone would obviously be an ideal option as it would please everyone. But if that's not possible I'd like to get back to starting in Coldharbor. We don't start TES5 in Solstheim just because we own Dragonborn DLC, do we?

You shouldn't have random starting zone, because this is an RPG, which is closely tied to a story. And every story comes with a chronology. Those who advocate for random starting zones don't even know how the story-telling advances in this game. You can't do Morrowind before even Wrothgar, because there are NPCs and quests that are chained chronologically: e.g. a quest result in Wrothgar affects the dialogue of a quest in Morrowind. Messing up the sequence of events messes up the experience.

And yet we do in fact have the freedom to play the game that way, other than the starting zones. People play Morrowind before Wrothgar all the time.

Some people care about the chronology. Some people only care about it on their first character. Some people don't care about it at all. New players should be informed that there's a relevant chronology, but then the choice is theirs.