Do you want ESO's guild trader system to be reworked to a global auction house?

Gray_howling_parrot · April 2022

Many other games include global auction houses or market boards rather than ESO's unique system of having guild traders. While this system is nice and unique, it makes it difficult to sometimes find certain items and to sell things depending on the guilds you belong to.

redspecter23 · April 2022

If it happens, I'd be fine with it, but understand the gold sink that is currently being tossed to trader bids each week would either have a massive inflation effect on the market or it would be incorporated into the new global auction with higher listing fees. One thing that tends to be forgotten about the current system is that it removes some amount of gold from the economy weekly that a global auction wouldn't do without some other gold sink added.

Arthtur · April 2022

Here we go again.

Cuddlypuff · April 2022

Indifferent to the Auction House for items. However, I'd like player to player crown sales to be worked into a global system. That would never happen though.

VaranisArano · April 2022

Before we rehash all the pros/cons of Auction Houses and Guilds, here's ome reminders of ZOS' intentions and official comments for Guild Traders.

March 2013: "Will there be an auction house?" asked of Creative Director Paul Sage @5:00 into the video: https://www.buffed.de/TESO-The-Elder-Scrolls-Online-Spiel-15582/News/The-Elder-Scrolls-Online-Creative-Director-Paul-Sage-aeussert-sich-zur-Item-Progression-zu-Mounts-und-zum-Gildensystem-im-Video-1072227/

August 2014: Benefits of Guilds - "The Road Ahead" https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/1059

August 2014: Introduction of PVE Guild Traders - Creating ESO: Identity and Update 3 https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/1087

May 2014: Lack of an Auction House - Ask Us Anything Variety Pack # 14: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/947

April 10, 2015: ESO Live @ https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/3924079#Comment_3924079

April 28,2015 : ESO Live "Ask Us Anything" @37:40 "Player guilds are actually an integral part of our world and trader access is a key benefit to guild membership. We don't have any plans to change this at this time." Also, the transcripte: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/1760019#Comment_1760019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N17KZ_ZCK0&list=PLZng8hzxXSt6-402bM1G2UuZbtnlrMn0z&index=23

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/2875274#Comment_2875274

There well may be more. I don't regularly watch ESO Live, so I only pick up those comments when someone on the forums referenced a specific ESO Live.

Are those going to convince the pro-AH crowd? Probably not. Hope springs eternal, and there's all sorts of arguments about "Well, they said they weren't and then they did!" or "But all of those are old quotes!"

Sure. Whatever. If you really want an Auction House, I don't expect the Devs' thinking to convince you. You want what you want. To be frank, I'm pretty sure an undated "Nope, still not doing it" wouldn't stop the debate.

The above links are for the people going "What have the Devs actually said about the possibility of an Auction House?"

So far? A resounding "No."

Tommy_The_Gun · April 2022

Tbh. Both systems are kinda flawed if you think about it. A great thing ZOS could do for both traders and non-traders is to add an option to trading guilds to also buy stuff from others, on top of selling stuff. Because you see, trading vendor NPCs don't feel like an actual traders. More like sellers. It would be cool if trading guild could also post "buy request / offer" - what item in what amount and for what price. Any player visiting trading guild NPC could see that offer and as long as they would have required items in their inventory - they could sell it to you.

Tandor · April 2022

Yes, and I expect it to happen after the significant number who wanted account-wide-achievements got their wish granted

!

Actually, I'd settle quite happily for a modification of the present system to allow a small number of items to be listed direct with the NPC at the Guild Traders without the need for guild membership - at a higher commission to be received by the guilds at those locations.

kevkj · April 2022

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

Tbh. Both systems are kinda flawed if you think about it. A great thing ZOS could do for both traders and non-traders is to add an option to trading guilds to also buy stuff from others, on top of selling stuff. Because you see, trading vendor NPCs don't feel like an actual traders. More like sellers. It would be cool if trading guild could also post "buy request / offer" - what item in what amount and for what price. Any player visiting trading guild NPC could see that offer and as long as they would have required items in their inventory - they could sell it to you.

I do like this idea a lot, it does give individual players an avenue to sell certain items that are sought after by guilds. The guilds would obviously be able to set the buy price and a limit so their coffers aren't drained. I can imagine this will only widen the gold/purchasing power gap between those in top trading guilds and those outside of it (being able to afford to always buy items whereas smaller guild might have to be conservative with their buy limits).

Sylvermynx · April 2022

Yes of course. But don't hold your breath on it happening.

Dark_Lord_Kuro · April 2022

I hope not
Having kiosk all around tamriel is much more immersive than having 1 big tent in the middle of mournhold(lets be honnest it would be put there) that somehow sell everyting
I really like the guild trader system

I think it would be ok for non guild member to "rent" a few selling spot( 10 ish?) on one trader for a week guild would receive the rent price, listing price and the house cut
This would help non guild member to sell their stuff and still provide an adventage to guild member

Ratzkifal · April 2022

The guild trader system is fine. What's not fine is the lack of commercially viable guild trader spots.
Is it really so difficult to put a wayshrine at one side of a central plaza in the hub city of a chapter, put a total of 12 guild traders left and right of said plaza and have the crafting area and bank at the other side of the plaza?

A trader location is only good if many people come to the zone regularly and pass by these traders on their way to whatever they are doing. Crafting something and missing materials? There is a shop right there. Want to do pledges but ran out of potions or food? There is a shop right there. Proximity to wayshrine and areas of interest are key!

The biggest issue the ESO economy has is that guild traders are simply getting too expensive and that is due to the lack of good locations, rampant inflation and crown exchanges being used as a sort of pay-to-win-the-guild-trader. Trading guilds that don't sell crowns will lose their trader. Trading guilds that are just casually selling are mercilessly driven into obscure locations nobody ever visits. You basically have to join a big guild and then you have to pull your weight or get kicked.

Global Auction houses on the other hand have the problem that the richest players can completely corner the market on some resources because they watch it like a hawk and have more pocket change than most players have seen in their life time. Expect prices to go up even faster and even higher in an auction house. It's not really an alternative and loses the social aspect of trading guilds completely.

Lumenn · April 2022

I'll say yes as I mainly play on console. I've been here years so I know/have read all the arguments for/against. To ME it's just more convenient for the players and no system, no matter how.... quaint....is foolproof to manipulation, so might as well.

Starlight_Knight · April 2022

no - at leased not without a overhaul of guilds, i mean thats the reason we are in them, for traiding.

Theres no other guild activities to work for, no guild houses, no guild reputation or guild pvp ranks, take the traiding away there is no reason to be in a guild.

Gaeliannas · April 2022

Is it this time of the week again already?

Lailaamell · April 2022

Trade works fine as its dont come with suggestions like global trading wich will just destroy the market

newtinmpls · April 2022

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

It would be cool if trading guild could also post "buy request / offer" - what item in what amount and for what price. Any player visiting trading guild NPC could see that offer and as long as they would have required items in their inventory - they could sell it to you.

Hmmm... this might have to be a separate thing, such as along with "list 30 items [for X price]" we could each also have "list 30 items for which I would pay X price" BUT this would necessitate committing some kind of money; something like potential payment + listing fee.

Freelancer_ESO · April 2022

I think it'd be better to shift to a combo system with both.

The current system has several major problems:

First, most of the game can't actually participate in selling because the number of Guild Traders is too small.

Second, the number of slots for players to sell things produces an environment where goods that do not sell and don't have high value become unavailable.

Third, the current system basically funnels money to people that are running addons/using data from addons which causes prices to skyrocket.

The thing is though you can't get rid of the current system without making a huge mess mess.

Many of the guilds are dependent on selling items to function and people have put in huge amounts of effort to make the guilds.

I'd suggest adding a Marketplace that will only sell items for a max of 75k, that will not sell CP160 items, that will only sell items that can be obtained in a given area, that is only accessible via talking to wandering npcs, and that takes a 20% cut of all transactions with adjustments for pricing something wrong and gouging, addons would not be able to touch the marketplace, items would not be immediately listed for sale and payment would not immediately be provided, the seller of the goods and the purchaser would not be listed anywhere, and any item that is purchased would be bound on purchase.

Lorewise, it'd be a group of individuals using Fargrave to move goods but, as they are a bit unreliable with the movement of goods/the goods remaining what they were originally and thus they avoid certain goods and the goods have restrictions after purchase.

This would also allow for an excuse for the system to put it's thumb on the economy when things get out of hand.

newtinmpls · April 2022

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

I'd suggest adding a Marketplace that will only sell items for a max of 75k 10k, that will not sell CP160 items, that will only sell items that can be obtained in a given area, that is only accessible via talking to wandering npcs who would have wagons marked "Marketplace", and that takes a 20% cut of all transactions with adjustments for pricing something wrong and gouging, addons would not be able to touch the marketplace, items would not be immediately listed for sale and payment would not immediately be provided, the seller of the goods and the purchaser would not be listed anywhere, and any item that is purchased would be bound on purchase. (these restrictions are too unworkable, too annoying).

I'd allow 10 items per account to be listed for sale, but I'd also allow 10 "I'll buy this off you for X price" items to be listed as well; which could either require pre-payment by the purchaser OR could allow a COD option (which I hesitate about, as it could be abused).

tmbrinks · April 2022

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

I think it'd be better to shift to a combo system with both.

The current system has several major problems:

First, most of the game can't actually participate in selling because the number of Guild Traders is too small.

I greatly disagree with this point. I'm in 3 trading guilds. 2 of the 3 are never at cap for members, and have a guild trader at least 9 out of 10 weeks.

The system is open to all.

Does every guild get a spot. No.

But choosing to not go to those guild that do have traders, but may have some requirements (those 2 are very, very reasonable... literally covered by 1 or 2 items sold a week), does not mean people "can't actually participate"

Freelancer_ESO · April 2022

tmbrinks wrote: »

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

I think it'd be better to shift to a combo system with both.

The current system has several major problems:

First, most of the game can't actually participate in selling because the number of Guild Traders is too small.

I greatly disagree with this point. I'm in 3 trading guilds. 2 of the 3 are never at cap for members, and have a guild trader at least 9 out of 10 weeks.

The system is open to all.

Does every guild get a spot. No.

But choosing to not go to those guild that do have traders, but may have some requirements (those 2 are very, very reasonable... literally covered by 1 or 2 items sold a week), does not mean people "can't actually participate"

ESO has around 200 Guild Traders. Each Guild can have up to 500 members. So, a maximum of 100,000 people can be in a guild with a trader at a time per server section.

ESO's player count is in the millions so...

The only reason slots are open despite many people being in multiple guilds is because the system is that horrendously unpopular.

LordRukia · April 2022

Let's see. Do I want a global AH system or a system that requires add-ons on PC to be reasonably functional or basically goes ignored on console? Imagine not having access to TTC and other add-ons, that will really show you how trash this current system is.

VaranisArano · April 2022

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

tmbrinks wrote: »

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

I think it'd be better to shift to a combo system with both.

The current system has several major problems:

First, most of the game can't actually participate in selling because the number of Guild Traders is too small.

I greatly disagree with this point. I'm in 3 trading guilds. 2 of the 3 are never at cap for members, and have a guild trader at least 9 out of 10 weeks.

The system is open to all.

Does every guild get a spot. No.

But choosing to not go to those guild that do have traders, but may have some requirements (those 2 are very, very reasonable... literally covered by 1 or 2 items sold a week), does not mean people "can't actually participate"

ESO has around 200 Guild Traders. Each Guild can have up to 500 members. So, a maximum of 100,000 people can be in a guild with a trader at a time per server section.

ESO's player count is in the millions so...

The only reason slots are open despite many people being in multiple guilds is because the system is that horrendously unpopular.

My experience in a couple trading guilds is that we always had some empty slots because people joined and...
Didn't list anything
Didn't sell anything
Didn't participate in guild raffles/auctions/activities
Went inactive for a couple weeks

It usually took a month or more of inactivity before people got kicked. I'm in a trading guild now who basically lets me sit for months without selling anything because when I do get in a farming mood I can easily sell a million or more in crafting materials in a week.

Basically, you can't complain that players who want to trade can't participate because there's not enough Guild Traders when those same trading guilds are constantly recruiting to replace inactive members.

If you want to participate in a Trading Guild, you can find a Trading Guild to join.

If you don't want to join a Trading Guild, that's your choice, and a whole different problem.

ZeroDPS · April 2022

if no then make search results(filtered) appear not in 100 items list per request but all together

ShawnLaRock · April 2022

I want these forums to be reworked to disallow any more mind-numbing posts about this topic.

TTC already IS an auction house.

S.

OneWingedAnge7 · April 2022

I'd love it. While we're at it, have an auction house for crowns to gold.
Neverwinter has both systems and I loved it.

Kiralyn2000 · April 2022

Arthtur wrote: »

Here we go again.

This. Regardless of my personal opinion of the trader system (dumpster fire), I'm tired of these threads popping up regularly.

It's never going to change, the current system is too entrenched in the game design. Not going to happen, please stop asking.

tmbrinks · April 2022

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

tmbrinks wrote: »

chessalavakia_ESO wrote: »

I think it'd be better to shift to a combo system with both.

The current system has several major problems:

First, most of the game can't actually participate in selling because the number of Guild Traders is too small.

I greatly disagree with this point. I'm in 3 trading guilds. 2 of the 3 are never at cap for members, and have a guild trader at least 9 out of 10 weeks.

The system is open to all.

Does every guild get a spot. No.

But choosing to not go to those guild that do have traders, but may have some requirements (those 2 are very, very reasonable... literally covered by 1 or 2 items sold a week), does not mean people "can't actually participate"

ESO has around 200 Guild Traders. Each Guild can have up to 500 members. So, a maximum of 100,000 people can be in a guild with a trader at a time per server section.

ESO's player count is in the millions so...

The only reason slots are open despite many people being in multiple guilds is because the system is that horrendously unpopular.

I would bet every bit of gold I have in game, that the number of active players per server, per platform is less than 200,000. Defining active to be "log in at least once a month".

Steamcharts can give you an idea of how many people are playing on PC (both EU and NA servers) at any time, you can take that number and multiply by a factor of 10 (to account for non-steam, and not everybody on at once, which is being more than generous) and still be a LONG ways away from a million. There are most assuredly not "millions" playing on each server. There might be millions of accounts, but how many of those are free accounts created on weekends like this, then never touched again.

And not everybody thinks the system is "horrendously unpopular"

Curtdogg47 · April 2022

I’d like a global search option so that I could find items and see prices between traders. Then travel to the trader with my item or best price and buy.

I do like the current system as I feel it adds to the feel of being in the world and traveling around. A quicker way to find what I am looking for would be nice.

bmnoble · April 2022

No I want them to focus on fixing performance and delivering new content.

If it were not for this games guild trader system I likely never would have joined any of the guilds I am in and have been in.

People complain about the prices of rare items in this game, if you had an auction house instead a handful of players would be able to buy out every single one of those items the moment they are listed and go about re-listing them at a truly stupidly high price, I have the capital now I might even join in if an auction house were to be added.

With the current guild trader system you at least have a fighting chance to get to those items first or find bargains among the other listings the re-listers haven't noticed or been able to reach in time.

People complain about uniform prices thanks to TTC, I use to use the Global Trade Network in SWTOR when I was active in that game, even the most worthless low level gear would be bought out to be re-listed at a uniform price, the items on there from one seller to the next would only ever end up varying in price by 1 credit or 1000 credits between sellers trying to undercut their competition.

Amottica · April 2022

The system working, speaking as a player who has been here for a year now. There is a very real reason why a central system will not get any consideration by Zenimax and that is server performance. It would increase the query when searching for items many, many times over which would increase server load significantly even in the best-designed databases. Considering Zenimax is trying to improve server performance and has specifically said they are not interested in adding new systems this type of idea will not even make it to the table.

It also stands to reason that the same people who run the show today were leads in developing this game from early on and were part of making the decision to walk a different path and have this game stand apart from other MMORPGs. It is their baby and it works.

Drammanoth · April 2022

Here we go again...

The Elder Scrolls Online

Do you want ESO's guild trader system to be reworked to a global auction house?

Do you want ESO's guild trader system to be reworked to a global auction house? 332 votes