I think not making companions customizable is a huge missed opportunity.

kirgeo · May 2021

Lugaldu wrote: »

kirgeo wrote: »

Lugaldu wrote: »

kirgeo wrote: »

ZOS why can't you let the players write their own story with companions?
Is there anything wrong with a silent companion with no backstory just like our player character?

Since they appear to be pretty useless in gameplay, at the very least make them useful in Roleplay.

For me a silent companion without backstory would be totally useless for any RP purpose. Their stories and the interaction with them, however, seems the most interesting part so far.

Interesting. Most people I spoke to in RP guilds (nothing erotic) have said having a voice less, blank slate of a character is much better for RP as they can fill in their motivations and such. Maybe a PC is different from an NPC for RP.
Its only of casual interest to me.

Sure, if I have a silent/blank NPC as companion then I can think of any possible role for him and make up a story in my imagination. But there is no real interaction for me in the game, the companion would be just a mute follower like a noncombat pet. At least the first time we play with them, the companions' reactions will be unpredictable and the relationship will either develop in a positive or negative way, I think that´s an interesting aspect.

That is a good point, like Dragon Age or Mass Effect. I'm so used to Elder scrolls companions being an afterthought in most games. Didn't even think of that aspect.

Still useless in my decision to buy the chapter full price, but I appreciate the explanation. Not going to lie, most memorable companion for me in a Bethesda game is Dogmeat.

TelvanniWizard · May 2021

kirgeo wrote: »

Lugaldu wrote: »

kirgeo wrote: »

ZOS why can't you let the players write their own story with companions?
Is there anything wrong with a silent companion with no backstory just like our player character?

Since they appear to be pretty useless in gameplay, at the very least make them useful in Roleplay.

For me a silent companion without backstory would be totally useless for any RP purpose. Their stories and the interaction with them, however, seems the most interesting part so far.

Interesting. Most people I spoke to in RP guilds (nothing erotic) have said having a voice less, blank slate of a character is much better for RP as they can fill in their motivations and such. Maybe a PC is different from an NPC for RP.
Its only of casual interest to me.

So true. From a rp pov, an alt, even mute, or with a predefined story/personality you can always ignore, is was better than this fixed companions, with their extremely limited customization.

Lugaldu · May 2021

I really don't understand why one should need a mute companion without story, especially since they obviously do not fulfill the desired function in combat, thus they are useless for eveything else except rp. Can someone please explain this to me. Just as a dressing doll?

MasterSpatula · May 2021

It's an NPC for you to interact with, not a feature to allow you to play two characters at once.

TelvanniWizard · May 2021

Lugaldu wrote: »

I really don't understand why one should need a mute companion without story, especially since they obviously do not fulfill the desired function in combat, thus they are useless for eveything else except rp. Can someone please explain this to me. Just as a dressing doll?

For rp purposes that would be nice, yes. But right now it doesn't even get close to be useful for rp.

Iccotak · May 2021

Slyclone wrote: »

You buy a personality (boy, girl, weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist, whatever they can come up with) slot and customize as you wish. Simple as that.

I'd also like to acquire companions I meet in the world like a TES game - not just a "Build-a-Friend" toy. I want companions with depth & character - not some generic categories like;

weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist

Slyclone · May 2021

Iccotak wrote: »

Slyclone wrote: »

You buy a personality (boy, girl, weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist, whatever they can come up with) slot and customize as you wish. Simple as that.

I'd also like to acquire companions I meet in the world like a TES game - not just a "Build-a-Friend" toy. I want companions with depth & character - not some generic categories like;

weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist

Yes i meant it as basically people that you would meet in Tamriel, but without the body. I want to customize the look(character creation style), outfits, costumes, but i want them to come up with the dialogue,quirks, way of life, how they act around things, but eventually be my companion as in like Piper in fallout4.

But also they could add the possibility for them to be involved in all I do with my own characters in Tamriel.

Personality, but not just poses or emotes.

Be reactive to my choices both in dialogue and fashion.

Must be deep.

Iccotak · May 2021

Slyclone wrote: »

Iccotak wrote: »

Slyclone wrote: »

You buy a personality (boy, girl, weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist, whatever they can come up with) slot and customize as you wish. Simple as that.

I'd also like to acquire companions I meet in the world like a TES game - not just a "Build-a-Friend" toy. I want companions with depth & character - not some generic categories like;

weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist

Yes i meant it as basically people that you would meet in Tamriel, but without the body. I want to customize the look(character creation style), outfits, costumes, but i want them to come up with the dialogue,quirks, way of life, how they act around things, but eventually be my companion as in like Piper in fallout4.

But also they could add the possibility for them to be involved in all I do with my own characters in Tamriel.

Personality, but not just poses or emotes.

Be reactive to my choices both in dialogue and fashion.

Must be deep.

There is no way to have that level of customization and have a character with a specific & unique backstory with their own unique dialogue and quests.

You can't have it both ways - I'll take the interesting NPC made by the devs over the "Build-a-Bear" that would never come close in terms of depth

BretonMage · May 2021

I think what they wanted was to give us a companion like Raz or Naryu, someone with an interesting personality and dialogue that would be fun for us to adventure with. I've actually wanted that for a really long time, so I'm happy they've made it happen (though admittedly I wanted someone who would be competent in a fight). So I DON'T want a mute companion we can RP into anything we want, because that's not the point and it wouldn't be very engaging.

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

spartaxoxo · May 2021

BretonMage wrote: »

I think what they wanted was to give us a companion like Raz or Naryu, someone with an interesting personality and dialogue that would be fun for us to adventure with. I've actually wanted that for a really long time, so I'm happy they've made it happen (though admittedly I wanted someone who would be competent in a fight). So I DON'T want a mute companion we can RP into anything we want, because that's not the point and it wouldn't be very engaging.

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

You can change their clothes

Iccotak · May 2021

BretonMage wrote: »

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

Probably because

1. Their race/sex is actually important to their backstory and who they are as a character.
2. They would have to hire multiple voice actors to give players that option

These companions are more like characters from Bioware games or Fallout 4 (in terms of depth and quality) they are NOT blank slates. Accept this, move on, and enjoy their personalities (their combat skills are a different matter)

Crazyprophet · May 2021

I think, personally, as a Skyrim fan... This sounds like what Skyrim does but cooler. Like, you find and get to know people out in the world and they may choose to adventure with you. It's better even, inasmuch as it sounds like these companions have WAAAAY more story than poor Lydia :P

I'm thrilled personally!

I'll be even more thrilled if they add more as the game goes on.

BretonMage · May 2021

Iccotak wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

Probably because

1. Their race/sex is actually important to their backstory and who they are as a character.
2. They would have to hire multiple voice actors to give players that option

These companions are more like characters from Bioware games or Fallout 4 (in terms of depth and quality) they are NOT blank slates. Accept this, move on, and enjoy their personalities (their combat skills are a different matter)

That's what I meant though: "within the confines of their given race/gender". I think it's fantastic they've given us an NPC with their own personality and backstory, but it would be preferable if we could tweak their faces/hairstyles.

kirgeo · May 2021

Iccotak wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

Probably because

1. Their race/sex is actually important to their backstory and who they are as a character.
2. They would have to hire multiple voice actors to give players that option

These companions are more like characters from Bioware games or Fallout 4 (in terms of depth and quality) they are NOT blank slates. Accept this, move on, and enjoy their personalities (their combat skills are a different matter)

Just to clarify you are agreeing with the quote?
Because that is exactly what the OP said. Change hair, eyes, nose but keep race and gender.

Iccotak · May 2021

kirgeo wrote: »

Iccotak wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

Probably because

1. Their race/sex is actually important to their backstory and who they are as a character.
2. They would have to hire multiple voice actors to give players that option

These companions are more like characters from Bioware games or Fallout 4 (in terms of depth and quality) they are NOT blank slates. Accept this, move on, and enjoy their personalities (their combat skills are a different matter)

Just to clarify you are agreeing with the quote?
Because that is exactly what the OP said. Change hair, eyes, nose but keep race and gender.

ah I thought they said the opposite

however, I don't think anything of their face should be customizable.

spartaxoxo · May 2021

BretonMage wrote: »

Iccotak wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Having said that though... it would be nice to be able to change their appearance a little, within the confines of their given race/gender/etc. Why is that not possible?

Probably because

1. Their race/sex is actually important to their backstory and who they are as a character.
2. They would have to hire multiple voice actors to give players that option

These companions are more like characters from Bioware games or Fallout 4 (in terms of depth and quality) they are NOT blank slates. Accept this, move on, and enjoy their personalities (their combat skills are a different matter)

That's what I meant though: "within the confines of their given race/gender". I think it's fantastic they've given us an NPC with their own personality and backstory, but it would be preferable if we could tweak their faces/hairstyles.

Their faces make them who they are in a big way. Hairstyle, maybe. But faces, no way. Mirri is Mirri. She may require room and board, but she's a "person" not a "pet."

Dark_Lord_Kuro · May 2021

BretonMage wrote: »

Lephrel wrote: »

I honestly have no interest in "bonding" with an NPC in a MMO, covid hasn't made me that desperate, besides this literally defeats the purpose of an online game haha.

This may be an online game, but it's first and foremost an Elder Scrolls game. Customisation is in its DNA.

Also, bonding with an NPC is good fun, and having boring characters is considered a drawback of MMOs, not something to aspire to.

The companion in other elderscroll game were not customisable either

Dark_Lord_Kuro · May 2021

kirgeo wrote: »

Think we will get a make your own companion tool, Once they have made all different combinations of Race/Gender/Class for companions?

ZOS why can't you let the players write their own story with companions?
Is there anything wrong with a silent companion with no backstory just like our player character?

Since they appear to be pretty useless in gameplay, at the very least make them useful in Roleplay.

Yes
They would be even more bland and they woulnd get story guest so they would be boring side character with no developement

Fischblut · May 2021

You buy a personality (boy, girl, weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist, whatever they can come up with) slot and customize as you wish. Simple as that.

Good idea!
I would love "silent assassin" personality for my companion

No idle chat, mysterious void past, no negative reaction to my usual gameplay (so that I don't have to worry about making my companion upset). The silent assassin has seen alot, and he can't be displeased with anything. Bonus feature (but not required) - he might even get rapport increase if he sees some dark deeds

And, of course, I need full customization of their appearance.

I really don't understand why one should need a mute companion without story, especially since they obviously do not fulfill the desired function in combat, thus they are useless for eveything else except rp. Can someone please explain this to me. Just as a dressing doll?

People are not asking to take away options for different companions.
Those who want Mirri and Bastian (or any other pre-made companion with some story), will have them. Those who want blank companions, should be able to get those.
I rarely like pre-made NPCs, and in ESO I like literally a few characters (none of which will ever be made companions).

And, as companions are useless in combat, for me they would be precisely "dressing dolls"

Someone pretty to follow me around and match the look of my character. The fact that they even try to help in fights would just add extra cuteness to them

Skeletal companion (equipped with different personalities like Beast, Jester, Heroic) would be the most used among my characters

I also want Draugr companion with Zombie personality for one of my characters. There is zero chance to ever get such pre-made companions...

This companion feature so far is a disappointment for me. And the fact that it's supposed to be main selling point of the chapter is double disappointment

If we will continue to get pre-made companions with such limited customization options, my interest in them remains zero

TelvanniWizard · May 2021

Fischblut wrote: »

You buy a personality (boy, girl, weird, fooĺ, lover, fighter, pessimist, whatever they can come up with) slot and customize as you wish. Simple as that.

Good idea!
I would love "silent assassin" personality for my companion No idle chat, mysterious void past, no negative reaction to my usual gameplay (so that I don't have to worry about making my companion upset). The silent assassin has seen alot, and he can't be displeased with anything. Bonus feature (but not required) - he might even get rapport increase if he sees some dark deeds And, of course, I need full customization of their appearance.

I really don't understand why one should need a mute companion without story, especially since they obviously do not fulfill the desired function in combat, thus they are useless for eveything else except rp. Can someone please explain this to me. Just as a dressing doll?

People are not asking to take away options for different companions.
Those who want Mirri and Bastian (or any other pre-made companion with some story), will have them. Those who want blank companions, should be able to get those.
I rarely like pre-made NPCs, and in ESO I like literally a few characters (none of which will ever be made companions).

And, as companions are useless in combat, for me they would be precisely "dressing dolls" Someone pretty to follow me around and match the look of my character. The fact that they even try to help in fights would just add extra cuteness to them
Skeletal companion (equipped with different personalities like Beast, Jester, Heroic) would be the most used among my characters

I also want Draugr companion with Zombie personality for one of my characters. There is zero chance to ever get such pre-made companions...

This companion feature so far is a disappointment for me. And the fact that it's supposed to be main selling point of the chapter is double disappointment
If we will continue to get pre-made companions with such limited customization options, my interest in them remains zero

I wish I could give this comment more than one insightful.

BretonMage · May 2021

Dark_Lord_Kuro wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Lephrel wrote: »

I honestly have no interest in "bonding" with an NPC in a MMO, covid hasn't made me that desperate, besides this literally defeats the purpose of an online game haha.

This may be an online game, but it's first and foremost an Elder Scrolls game. Customisation is in its DNA.

Also, bonding with an NPC is good fun, and having boring characters is considered a drawback of MMOs, not something to aspire to.

The companion in other elderscroll game were not customisable either

True, but they were more distinctive-looking.

RupzSkooma · May 2021

I know the reason why companion system is like this is to sell you more companions but I kinda like the system.They have their own back story/quests and likes/dislikes.

Elvenheart · May 2021

I’m on the train that says at least let us put hats, hoods, or helms on them. Making it so we don’t see the headgear when we talk to them in the menu is totally fine.

AlienMagi · May 2021

All of these issues would be immediately solved if they let us put headgear on our companions.

There is absolutely no reason to not give us an option.

There are infinite clones of reasons why they should.

Iccotak · May 2021

BretonMage wrote: »

Dark_Lord_Kuro wrote: »

BretonMage wrote: »

Lephrel wrote: »

I honestly have no interest in "bonding" with an NPC in a MMO, covid hasn't made me that desperate, besides this literally defeats the purpose of an online game haha.

This may be an online game, but it's first and foremost an Elder Scrolls game. Customisation is in its DNA.

Also, bonding with an NPC is good fun, and having boring characters is considered a drawback of MMOs, not something to aspire to.

The companion in other elderscroll game were not customisable either

True, but they were more distinctive-looking.

the ESO companions have pretty distinctive appearances.

So what this really comes down to is that you just don't like their face? Sounds like it would be solved with a cover of the head with a helmet or a hat.

I don't expect the problem to last long considering that there may well be more companions in the future

BretonMage · May 2021

Iccotak wrote: »

the ESO companions have pretty distinctive appearances.

So what this really comes down to is that you just don't like their face? Sounds like it would be solved with a cover of the head with a helmet or a hat.

I don't expect the problem to last long considering that there may well be more companions in the future

I hope so. More story content is always welcome.

what_the · May 2021

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

Suna_Ye_Sunnabe wrote: »

I would have only cared about them if I could customize them myself, rather like the pawns in Dragon's Dogma. At least they would have been useful then for RP purposes, but as they are now I won't be touching them.

Exactly my thoughts.

🤨
They each have their own backstories and personalities, I would say they are RP ready right out of the gate...

Amottica · May 2021

I think the opportunity Zenimax is looking for is to be able to sell us more companions in the future. As such being able to heavily customize them as we can one of our characters would truly be missing a huge opportunity.

TelvanniWizard · May 2021

what_the wrote: »

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

Suna_Ye_Sunnabe wrote: »

I would have only cared about them if I could customize them myself, rather like the pawns in Dragon's Dogma. At least they would have been useful then for RP purposes, but as they are now I won't be touching them.

Exactly my thoughts.

🤨
They each have their own backstories and personalities, I would say they are RP ready right out of the gate...

Only if you want to RP with Mirri and Bastian. Out of that, is totally limited.

Iccotak · May 2021

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

what_the wrote: »

TelvanniWizard wrote: »

Suna_Ye_Sunnabe wrote: »

I would have only cared about them if I could customize them myself, rather like the pawns in Dragon's Dogma. At least they would have been useful then for RP purposes, but as they are now I won't be touching them.

Exactly my thoughts.

🤨
They each have their own backstories and personalities, I would say they are RP ready right out of the gate...

Only if you want to RP with Mirri and Bastian. Out of that, is totally limited.

With more companions on the way...

If you want a "companion" with a backstory that you help make then play with a friend.

That's kind of what companions are designed to encourage you to do