I prefer to have advance notice so I can plan appropriately.

although i did enjoy an impromptu duel with a dev one time.

Yep! I prefer the more formal events to have advance notice but impromptu stuff like the current event is a nice surprise.

Not really. Like others, I like to be able to plan a little in advance. Also, this doesn't feel like an 'event'. It's just, 'do whatever you normally do - and we'll give you some extra stuff (XP, mats).'

I don't see what is bad about them. I guess a few days warning would be good for those who want to try to be on more for them. But, in that case, maybe you could extend them a couple of days? Really though, any event is better than no event. So if we were not going to have one and suddenly we do, I just don't see how that is bad?

The downside though with this event is that there are ongoing performance issues while it is happening. So if I wanted to use the double xp to level a character with some random dungeons, and the dungeon finder isn't working, then what good is the event? Or if people can't log and now there is an event, I can imagine them being rather pissed. I would be if I was having severe login issues at the time I play and suddenly there was an event. It would be a real let down. So if you are looking for ways to improve, perhaps if you do an impromptu event while there are ongoing issues, maybe consider how to adjust for that. Like if double XP is a big part of the event, and people cannot log, then maybe gift XP items so people can have that when they finally can log? Or if farming is part of the event where more mats are given, maybe give event satchels every day during the event just for logging with a bunch of nice mats.

I think one important thing is that the surprise event, like this Explorers Event, not feature items you can't get if you miss out. The XP and gold is nice, but you can get XP and gold outside this event. At a slower pace, but you will get it. I would not want surprise events that feature style pages or pets or skins or other things that can only be obtained during event.

Not a fan of this sort of standard event being a surprise. That said, surprise events like a random pirate/bandit attack on a town, Molag Bal or his minions dropping in somewhere by surprise occasionally, that would be welcome and awesome.

Oh yes please. Surprise events are most often quite pleasant and a welcome addition to the daily grind. However as stated above these should only contain generic rewards as in this current event.

I understand why you made it a Yes/No poll, but I hope you also read the replies here for nuance. I voted no to highlight my feelings below.

I've always wanted an official in-game calendar.

Honestly, that ESO is a AAA MMO and doesn't have a nicely organised, fixed rotation calendar of events is very surprising to me. It feels confused and unsettled, as if you don't have confidence in the game, and need to try things out all the time and keep players on their toes. Older players can't tell new players when events will happen which adds to the confusion and feeling of flux.

An esoteric events system means players can't easily indulge in their fave bits of the game. If you've been playing the game for a long time, having a good exciting joyful reason to go back to old zones is great! Not everyone likes all the content, after all. If people like a Summerset event, give them a fixed date when they know to log in. An unpredictable events system just messes around with players time. You know how players loathe RNG, well RNG events feel bad. Let people love your game and make time for it so it suits their lives. A calendar isn't boring, it's respectful. I don't use that word lightly.

But my fave reason for an events calendar is that it makes ESO feel like a proper place to live in. Ah! Lets go on holiday to Elsweyr because at this time of year it's their holiday event!! Hooray. We'll all wear our Elsweyr holiday clothes and be silly and fun there. These things happen in the real world, and it makes Tamriel feel like a real place too.

Ta for reading ^^

EDIT: Reading this back, I think I was a bit ruder than I meant to be. So apologies. I've edited accordingly.

No - because I think this is just an excuse for this messed up last update.

I think it's okay for an event of this type to be held without forewarning, but events that let players earn tickets, special reward coffers, and purchase limited-time offerings from the Impresario or other event merchants should definitely be announced in advance so players can plan appropriately.

Yes, but only non-ticket events.