Playing on the "wrong" system...

skyfiredraco · March 2021

Bit of a cheeky title, but thought it might get some discussion

But how many of you out there prefer to play on the "wrong" system?

Time for a story...

I started playing ESO on the ps4, and i've been playing elder scrolls games on console since Morrowind on my old Xbox. I was an early adopter (had the "imperial edition" when it first came out) and experienced all the early growing pains of the game.

I didn't play as much as many and i took periods away from the game... but it was always one of my "comfort food" type games. Go somewhere, do a quest, do a delve, run a dungeon, etc.

All told, over the years i put ~600 hours into the game (chump change for many, i know, but currently my #2 played PSN game behind Destiny 2).

Through all that i never had a really good PC, but i always heard how much better things were on the pc side. Faster, shinier, addons, etc.

Flash forward to a bit more than a year ago and my financial situation is good enough that i finally built myself a beast of a rig. Even today it can run pretty much anything i throw at it on high/ultra/whatever.

I decided to reroll ESO on steam and see how the other side lived...

So let me start this next part in saying that... i agree... the game is baseline better on pc. I went from 3 minutes to load into a vulkhel guard filled with shadowy silhouettes (as people loaded in) to loading in fully in seconds. And addons... dear lord ADDONS. A mini map, easy writs, skyshards and lorebooks on the map, a mini map, crafting materials getting markers when looted, easy guild vendor pricing and things like a mini map. Literally change the game.

But... something didn't click... and i still can't quite tell you why... Over the course of about a year steam says i put ~70 hours into ESO. And while i didn't dislike my time... i never even got a character to max level... dunno...

I just figured i'd fallen out with the game.

Then i got lucky... and managed to pull a ps5 on a random walmart restock...

That was ~2 months ago and just about a week ago i decided... what the heck... lets see how ESO is on the new console.

I installed it, fired it up and loaded up a level 21 warden i barely even remember making.

I don't have my addons.
The load times etc. are MUCH, MUCH better than before... but my pc rig is still faster.
There is more population on pc (not that the pop is bad on psn... but there were noticeably more on pc)
...
And i am absolutely having a blast again.

Something feels RIGHT about sitting on my couch with my controller and my big screen (and yes, i have a steam link... but it still takes some hoops to jump through every time to get my pc to my downstairs tv).

In 3 days i've taken the warden from 21 to 32. I've completely cleared Stonefalls (i've never actually done Ebonheart Pact and that was the zone she was parked in so... there we go lol). I've done a couple dungeons. I went dolmen grinding in Al'akir for funzies.

It was when i was hunting down skyshards and stopping to fish and hunt chests that it hit me how much more fun i was having here than on my pc.

A small voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that i really SHOULD be playing the "better" version of the game.

But a much bigger voice mentions that i just found the Deshaan public dungeon before i decided to log out in my Psijic Villa.

So... yea... think i'm gonna stay with my ps5 for now. Even without my addons and with the lower player count. And i wondered how many others went through the same thing.

Who else started with a console, moved to pc and then moved BACK? And did you ever really pin down why?

Just curious to see other stories out there

Cheers all

El_Ploplo · March 2021

I play on PC basically like I would play on a real console. No addons, gamepad and on my couch. I play mostly solo by the way and I don't want to cheat using addons to show me where are skyshards or lorebook. The only exception are the location of boss on public dungeon because of the atrocious respawn time.

Scardan · March 2021

Ah, do not worry about. Just have fun. The better version of the game is one that gives you more fun at the moment. Perfectionism only cripples fun.

Seraphayel · March 2021

Wrong system? For me the wrong system to play ESO on is the PC, honestly. ESO is the perfect console MMORPG because it's simple and easy enough to be played with controller and just more enjoyable on console in my opinion.

The first year until the launch on PS4/Xbox I was a PC player, changing to PS4 first and now Xbox (SX) was the best decision. I'm missing UI features that are provided by addons, but that's it. For an MMORPG to play on PC ESO for me is just too shallow and I don't like to play non-tab-targetting MMORPGs on PC either so...

ESO on Xbox is the best and the Series X drastically reduced loading times, so no complaints here. I hope the next gen version improves graphics and then I am really really happy about playing on console.

Parasaurolophus · March 2021

Guys, what if the OP is not interested in a casual game? You say that you play mostly alone, but the whole challenge is only in dungeons and trials.

WiseSky · March 2021

Seraphayel wrote: »

Wrong system? For me the wrong system to play ESO on is the PC, honestly. ESO is the perfect console MMORPG because it's simple and easy enough to be played with controller and just more enjoyable on console in my opinion.

The first year until the launch on PS4/Xbox I was a PC player, changing to PS4 first and now Xbox (SX) was the best decision. I'm missing UI features that are provided by addons, but that's it. For an MMORPG to play on PC ESO for me is just too shallow and I don't like to play non-tab-targetting MMORPGs on PC either so...

ESO on Xbox is the best and the Series X drastically reduced loading times, so no complaints here. I hope the next gen version improves graphics and then I am really really happy about playing on console.

I am Really Happy you are enjoying ESO!

But

I have re read this comment multiple times and every time I read it I find a new pieces of information that makes me do mental Gymnastics in order for the statement to make sense, I am confused...

Uvi_AUT · March 2021

Hey, whatever you like best is the best for you

For me I would rather nail my *** to the ground with 9 Inch nails before I play an mmorpg on console.
Seriously, no Addons? No Chat? No two Monitors? No Discord/Teamspeak. And the worst thing in the whole world, a Controller instead of Mouse and Keyboard.

Barf Station for me.

Hallothiel · March 2021

Uvi_AUT wrote: »

Hey, whatever you like best is the best for you

For me I would rather nail my *** to the ground with 9 Inch nails before I play an mmorpg on console.
Seriously, no Addons? No Chat? No two Monitors? No Discord/Teamspeak. And the worst thing in the whole world, a Controller instead of Mouse and Keyboard.

Barf Station for me.

To each his own. Your post sums up all I dislike about pc (keyboard & mouse?? Feels like I’m at work 🤣)

phaneub17_ESO · March 2021

I play ESO in two ways, PC through Steam and same account is attached to Google's Stadia, so I can play on my phone with a razer kishi controller anywhere in the house, even from the "throne" if you catch my meaning. My only grief with Stadia is no addons and I can't get the chat box to show up. I know I can't type from my phone, but I like reading zone chat.

Seraphayel · March 2021

WiseSky wrote: »

Seraphayel wrote: »

Wrong system? For me the wrong system to play ESO on is the PC, honestly. ESO is the perfect console MMORPG because it's simple and easy enough to be played with controller and just more enjoyable on console in my opinion.

The first year until the launch on PS4/Xbox I was a PC player, changing to PS4 first and now Xbox (SX) was the best decision. I'm missing UI features that are provided by addons, but that's it. For an MMORPG to play on PC ESO for me is just too shallow and I don't like to play non-tab-targetting MMORPGs on PC either so...

ESO on Xbox is the best and the Series X drastically reduced loading times, so no complaints here. I hope the next gen version improves graphics and then I am really really happy about playing on console.

I am Really Happy you are enjoying ESO!

But

I have re read this comment multiple times and every time I read it I find a new pieces of information that makes me do mental Gymnastics in order for the statement to make sense, I am confused...

Well, I don't know your questions, so ask and I'll try to answer.

WiseSky · March 2021

Seraphayel wrote: »

Wrong system? For me the wrong system to play ESO on is the PC, honestly. ESO is the perfect console MMORPG because it's simple and easy enough to be played with controller and just more enjoyable on console in my opinion.

You state its the prefect MMORPG for consoles cause its easy but in the next paragraph you say how you miss Ui features.
Hence its not perfect to your tastes. And for what Reasons is ESO more enjoyable on console then PC?

Seraphayel wrote: »

The first year until the launch on PS4/Xbox I was a PC player, changing to PS4 first and now Xbox (SX) was the best decision. I'm missing UI features that are provided by addons, but that's it.

You have not stated why you have changed from PC to PS4 and then Xbox. By going to Console you are loosing a feature you said you like about the UI that is not Available on console.

Seraphayel wrote: »

For an MMORPG to play on PC ESO for me is just too shallow and I don't like to play non-tab-targetting MMORPGs on PC either so...

This comment blows my mind... how is ESO more Shallow on PC? What is your definition of Shallow? We are literally playing the same game.

Seraphayel wrote: »

ESO on Xbox is the best and the Series X drastically reduced loading times, so no complaints here. I hope the next gen version improves graphics and then I am really really happy about playing on console.

This also blows my mind...I guess you got a reduced Loading time from switching from ps4 to series X.
That does not mean that Loading times are better then on PC, Maybe you had a Potato PC before that.

You are also saying that you wish you had the graphics improved and that would be really really really amazing to added to consoles...

Therefore you are advocating that console is the best to play ESO on but without any positive attribute to Console as the better platform.

You are literally saying: ESO is great on Console and it could get better if it has AddOns and better Graphics.. as PC does

BlueRaven · March 2021

Mac user here.

•No real client support. On the Mac forums you get better help from other players then from Zos.
•Major bugs that go unaddressed for years. Like serious lag and frame rate drops beyond the issues pc has.
•Macs can use PS and Xbox controllers for years now, eso has yet to update the client.
•Oh and the newer macs they refuse to support.

So if you want to talk about systems...

Seraphayel · March 2021

WiseSky wrote: »

1. You state its the prefect MMORPG for consoles cause its easy but in the next paragraph you say how you miss Ui features.
Hence its not perfect to your tastes. And for what Reasons is ESO more enjoyable on console then PC?

2. You have not stated why you have changed from PC to PS4 and then Xbox. By going to Console you are loosing a feature you said you like about the UI that is not Available on console.

3. This comment blows my mind... how is ESO more Shallow on PC? What is your definition of Shallow? We are literally playing the same game.

4. This also blows my mind...I guess you got a reduced Loading time from switching from ps4 to series X.
That does not mean that Loading times are better then on PC, Maybe you had a Potato PC before that.

5. ou are also saying that you wish you had the graphics improved and that would be really really really amazing to added to consoles...

6. Therefore you are advocating that console is the best to play ESO on but without any positive attribute to Console as the better platform.

7. You are literally saying: ESO is great on Console and it could get better if it has AddOns and better Graphics.. as PC does

1. When it comes to gameplay and comfort it absolutely is. It can easily be played with a controller (many pro players on PC do this as well and use the Xbox controller). UI features are things that are helpful but not mandatory. I wish I would have a combat metrics add-on just for myself, but I don't need it to enjoy the game. Most things I am missing are just unnecessary comfort features.

2. ESO on PC didn't strike me. I just found it not very interesting to play on PC because there are way better MMORPGs available I could play on PC so why bother with ESO? Then I played it on console and it blew my mind because it was the perfect symbiosis of gameplay / enjoyment and comfort. As I said, 99% of the addons are unnecessary and very rarely contribute to my enjoyment.

3. ESO overall is not a very in-depth MMORPG. Gameplay wise I find it way simpler than e.g. WoW which is my PC MMORPG. Although WoW is tab target, it's overall gameplay is way more complex and less clunky, therefore requires a more focused and precise gameplay which cannot be achieved with a controller. ESOs engine is so clunky that this really doesn't matter much, you can achieve similar numbers on console to PC when you commit to it. This would be impossible in WoW. ESOs gameplay is just very... shallow in comparison. Creating builds is complex, but in the end most builds look and play exactly the same. That's what I mean with shallow.

4. I switched from Xbox One X to Series X (PC > PS4 > One X > Series X) and I am pretty sure that my loading times are on par with PC loading times with similar hardware. I do have a potato PC, but that doesn't matter at all, I can have the same performance on my XSX as on a high end PC for half the price (at least when it comes to ESO).

5. The One X / PS4 Pro were already capable of way better graphics, the Series X and PS5 are undoubtedly able to play ESO on maximum / ultra settings. The problem here it just isn't enabled yet on ZOS' side which I hope will be with the next gen update. ESO already looks great on my Series X, it could just look even better. And my 65'' TV beats any PC monitor due to it's size alone.

6. + 7. Gameplay matters most for me. And I find the gameplay in ESO on my sofa and on my huge TV way more enjoyable than on my 32'' monitor. So yes, I find ESO to be way better on console due to said reasons. And ESO on consoles indeed is great. Addons don't matter much and graphics can be enhanced if ZOS allows it.

Lord_Eomer · March 2021

Started with PS4 as day one then moved to PC after 2 years.

Danikat · March 2021

The only "wrong" system would be one that's a bad choice for you. Other people's need to mitigate buyers remorse by insisting they've got the best possible gaming machine and anyone who chose differently made a mistake shouldn't ever factor into your decision.

If the 'benefits' of one system over another are irrelevant to you or you'd actually consider them a deteriment to your enjoyment then that means it's the wrong choice for you even if it's right for someone else.

(Admittedly I'm playing on PC mainly because that was the only version available when I got the game, but it's the one I would have chosen anyway as the PC is more likely than the TV to be available in my house, so that makes it a better choice for any game I want to play a lot.)

Tygerfire · March 2021

So, back to the orginal post, I did almost the same thing, except with the xbox version. I played it early, liked it, even upgraded to a XB1X and found a nice performance boost and reduced load times, and yada yada yada put 3 years into the game and about 10 maxed characters.

After building a decent PC myself, I decided to try out the PC version on a Steam free weekend or something like that, and I liked the differences. Faster loading, enhanced graphics, etc.... and chat typing vs. only voice chat is a huge difference. Once I started playing around with add-on's, I was hooked. I bought the Summerset expansion and restarted my empire from scratch.

It was tons of fun knowing how to do the basics of the game, and then being able to plan things out. Since I knew the landscape, I concentrated on grinding to CP160 as fast as possible, and building up my crafting stats to get a reliable source of income. Then I made my way through the original storyline and havn't looked back.

I do occasionally, go back to my XBX version of the game, because I actually "miss" some of the characters that I played for so long. And while I can do without mini maps and other certain improvements through add-ons, Not having Lazycrafter was a deal breaker. I do hold out hope that someday they will allow addons on consoles, like they do with Skyrim and Fallout 4 and I could again revisit it.

skyfiredraco · March 2021

went to bed when this had no replies. Now it has a thread. Cheers everyone

Played for a few more hours and still getting that feeling.

Just having more fun now on ps5 than i have since i moved to PC.

Maybe it is a new class and area (never done a warden past 20'ish, never done ebonheart pact). Maybe it is the fact i can have a console experience with near pc load times and graphics (yay ps5). Maybe it is just the familiarity of having dozens of mounts, pets and costumes and a magnificent house (i friggen love my Psijic Villa... even if i don't do much with it... lol).

I dunno. But i'm happy to be back playing ESO again. WoW has consistently disappointed me for two expansions now and i keep bouncing off of FF14 when i give it a try.

Feels really nice to have an MMO "home" to blow off some steam in... even if it is on console

Nord_Raseri · March 2021

Uvi_AUT wrote: »

No Chat? No Discord/Teamspeak.

Uh, we have built in voice chat in eso on console. Not to mention voice chat from the system as well. As far as discord goes, endgame guilds use it, to my detriment, for planning trials ahead of time.

Edit: typo

THEDKEXPERIENCE · March 2021

I played on PC for a year, switched to console at launch and will never go back.

As much as the ceiling is way higher on PC if you’re broke like I was 6 years back then you’re at a severe disadvantage. I was playing on a low def non-gaming laptop with a track pad and not a mouse and zero add-ons. I still killed some of you in PVP however so, lol.

Console is just more uniform and fair to all players.

Hoolielulu · March 2021

I tried pc for three months and while the graphics were better, load times were amazing, and mods changed everything...I went back to PS4. It's home.

cynicalbutterfly · March 2021

I started playing on PS4. Never tried the PC version but in my experience, it doesn't make the game better or worse playing on pc versus consoles. I used to be a PC player on other games and the amount of bots, add ons, and exploits were enormous compared to my console playing. Sure we got bots on PS4 but over all, it feels like a much smoother play. I can relax in my rocking chair and play for hours. The major problems that people experience on consoles are due to the game developing much faster than the console system can handle. Everything eventually needs an upgrade. That's just the nature of technology. On another note, I am super excited to see how my new PS5 handles ESO. It's still in shipping but I've heard some awesome tales about performance compared to PS4.

Kurat · March 2021

PC has benefits over console. Addons, better graphics, faster load times, higher server population, way more fps, pts and patches/new content before consoles.
Console players only list comfort without realizing that you can use controller on pc also. You can also use tv as pc monitor and play from couch.
No reason to use console unless you enjoy 30 fps lol.

Vanya · March 2021

I cannot fathom the possibility of playing an MMO on consoles with a clumsy controller, I never did and I never will. The old school mouse/keyboard plus PC seems way more reliable and practical, and a huge Television. I would be totally lost too be honest.

Vanya · March 2021

Kurat wrote: »

PC has benefits over console. Addons, better graphics, faster load times, higher server population, way more fps, pts and patches/new content before consoles.
Console players only list comfort without realizing that you can use controller on pc also. You can also use tv as pc monitor and play from couch.
No reason to use console unless you enjoy 30 fps lol.

Today's generation of consoles is very close to match PC standards, not much of a huge difference as it was in the past.
Faster load times 10 seconds more or less or 5 is not a big deal or a breaker.
Actually it may not be bad idea to have least populated server , besides that why would you need massively populated sever? It only added annoyance,lag and performance issues.
You keep forgetting that owning a console for exclusive games with a quality big screen TV can be expensive and there are benefits of consoles in other aspects ultimately certain individuals cannot own high end PC plus newest console with again very high quality TV. There is always a reason to use console ,exactly tells me you do not have enough experience with consoles in a first place.

Yes graphically PC will be superior but its getting less and less, I mean consoles are catching up to it ,besides that some ultra High end rigs cost mini fortune that very majority can only dream off thus console seems a better option.

ArchMikem · March 2021

Bought the game for Xbox One over five years ago. After a while I decided to buy ESO on Steam when it was dirt cheap and tried it 7.6 hours, went right back to Xbox, and now I play it on the One X, hoping to get a Series X. Someday.

But I never MOVED to PC, just wanted to see what the fuss was. It wasn't even all that different since I played it using my Xbox controller. I just absolutely hated the idea of starting all over again. NONE of my progression or Crown Items. That's terrifying.

colossusx · March 2021

I give the Xbox an edge for couch time and doesn't feel like I am working... With Covid, went to a work from home over VPN scenario and was basically working on one side of room and turning my chair around at the end of the day to game. It got tiring. Xbox gets me out of the office. I was maybe CP50 on Xbox before Covid. ~CP 600 on both. I jump back and forth between PC and Xbox now.

I use a controller on both. The only addon that I really would like to see on Console is a minimap but other than that the latest crafting changes made crafting super easy. When shard hunting on new characters, it can be rough leaning over and looking at the tablet/laptop for shard map but...

Someone said that in an earlier post about no chat or discord or what have you. Not sure about PS, but with Xbox we have in game voice, Xbox Party voice, chat pad capability on the controller. I also had a Bluetooth keyboard but recently got the Razer Turrett. A little overkill for chat basically but RGB is awesome. Also, discord is available on phone so if needed there is that.

I just got a series S because the series X is practically impossible to get. I can't add it to my cart and pay before I lose it. Frustrating but... The S is actually a good step up with loading speeds and it still looks great on the 4k TV. Can't wait to see the console update later in the year.

WiseSky · March 2021

Kurat wrote: »

PC has benefits over console. Addons, better graphics, faster load times, higher server population, way more fps, pts and patches/new content before consoles.
Console players only list comfort without realizing that you can use controller on pc also. You can also use tv as pc monitor and play from couch.
No reason to use console unless you enjoy 30 fps lol.

^^This^^

The only possible thing that console has is the In game Voice with random people.

A feature I really don't think I would use... especially in BG

Seraphayel · March 2021

cynicalbutterfly wrote: »

On another note, I am super excited to see how my new PS5 handles ESO. It's still in shipping but I've heard some awesome tales about performance compared to PS4.

We basically have no news what the next gen version of ESO is capable of, so where have you heard so tales? Are those rumors players are spreading?

Vanya wrote: »

I cannot fathom the possibility of playing an MMO on consoles with a clumsy controller, I never did and I never will. The old school mouse/keyboard plus PC seems way more reliable and practical, and a huge Television. I would be totally lost too be honest.

See, playing ESO with a (good) controller is not more or less clumsy than playing ESO with keyboard and mouse. But that's due to ESO's inherent clumsiness and not because controllers are less reliable in ESO.
_____________

Overall I find it a bit questionable that people who have never played ESO on console want to judge about the console version of the game. Addons are really not necessary at all. The newest consoles are as capable as PCs when it comes to performance. Besides that? Yes, ESO might look worse than on a $1000 gaming PC but that's due to ZOS limiting (next gen) consoles.

Hoolielulu · March 2021

Kurat wrote: »

PC has benefits over console. Addons, better graphics, faster load times, higher server population, way more fps, pts and patches/new content before consoles.
Console players only list comfort without realizing that you can use controller on pc also. You can also use tv as pc monitor and play from couch.
No reason to use console unless you enjoy 30 fps lol.

Except all of my friends are on ps. After 3.5 years it was hard to start over on pc and make new connections.

Mettaricana · March 2021

I play on console much easier on hands back neck etc just to sit back on couch and play on 65in 4k no squinting to read no compatibility issues that requite me to swap out gfx cards or find annoying work arounds to keep game working. Like years before i transferred to ps4 my pc had a weird gfx card issue that prevented me from getting to do anything in craglorn every single visit would crash 10 mins after i got to craglorn and only in craglorn no mods nothing hundreds of tweaks reinstalls etc finally gave up for months trying started to look for other games when taxes came in i got a monster gfx card finally could play craglorn... now a ghost town back then becase it was nerfed into the dirt over and over i missed all the trial hypes etc. Oh and new gfx card now didn't like cyrodiil or anything marshy tropical like shadowfen or all of AD.. so when that transfer popped up i jumped ship went to ps4 may not have mods to play the game 50% better for me. But i dont have half the issues pc and non of the service issues of xbox. Biding my time til i can nab a ps5 before some scalper so i can play with graphics and load times a lil closer to pc version.

ThorianB · March 2021

I think for you, OP, it might have been a comfort thing. Like your old favorite chair. PC is technically better but console is more comfortable and cozy. So that draws you back.

I always play on PC, but i have a car story. I use to own a 78' Ford Thunderbird. This was a boat of a car with big comfy seats and lots of room. It wasn't efficient but it was fun drive and comfy to ride in. Then i got a mid 80's Honda Civic. The car was very cramped I felt like the dash was in my face. The seat was tiny and it was hard metal covered in thin foam or something. I am tall so i had to duck and squeeze in. I had to drive with the seat laid back so i didn't look like a giraffe tucked into a clown car. BUT the car was a lot more reliable and got 2.5 times the gas mileage. It was not fun to drive and it wasn't all that comfortable to spend time in. At the time, the Honda is what i needed but i missed my Thunderchicken a lot.

Consoles are your Thunderbird.