Would you still play ESO if it was NOT a Elder Scrolls game?

SCP343 · December 2022

Yes

i would play because this game's combat is way much better than other mmorpgs, but i dont play it right now because of 10 weeks of block bug

Malthorne · December 2022

No

This game would’ve been shut down years ago if it was not propped up by the elder scrolls IP.

VaranisArano · December 2022

I don't know that I ever would have picked up ESO in the first place if it weren't a TES game.

On the other hand, without the TES franchise, ESO is basically yet another WOW-killer fantasy MMO with its flagship PVP mide borrowed from DAoC that had a bad launch so it's entirely possible that there wouldn't be a game left to play.

ALAEACUS · December 2022

No

I was literally saying this the other night in Craglorn zone chat. With all the problems and TERRIBLE press this game got at game launch, a brand new IP probably would NOT have survived. The Skyrim-kiddies and Elder Scrolls fans really are responsible for this MMORPG still existing.

Destai · December 2022

No

I can't imagine being as excited about it initially were it not an ES title. And even if I had picked it up, I don't think I'd be as forgiving to ZOS were it not for the IP.

Whatever ZOS's next game is, I am doubtful I'd play it - especially if it's much of the same leadership behind ESO.

Parasaurolophus · December 2022

No

I want to explain my opinion in more detail.
I'm a huge TES fan and I've been playing ESO almost since launch. Even though vanilla is pretty bad at capturing the spirit of the TES series, I still played this game almost from the start, just because it's Elder Scrolls. But this does not mean at all that I do not appreciate good and deep gameplay. I absolutely disagree with eso's development policy, which made 90% of this game more like a visual novel than an RPG. However, I like the combat system and the content. I like PVP when the balance doesn't cause major problems. Seriously. I like the gameplay in this game. I even have more complaints about the design of the world, locations and setting. But I really like this game in general. And by the way, I know quite a few people who play eso and have never played past TES games. And even if eso disappoints me a lot, I will still play it, at least just go through quests.
But why did I vote "NO"? Just because I understand that there are many good online games with good gameplay on the market. But there must be something more that would become the main game for me and take a lot of time.

SeaGtGruff · December 2022

No

I had never played any MMOs before and actually had a personal grudge against the idea of buying a game but then having to pay a monthly subscription fee on top of the purchase price to be able to play it.

When I found out that ESO lets you explore (almost) all of Tamriel and doesn't require a monthly subscription to play, I bit the bullet and gave it a try. I've never regretted that decision and for me the last few years of changes, content, and new features have actually been pretty solid.

I even went against my personal beliefs and decided to start subscribing to ESO Plus a couple of years ago-- another decision that I've never regretted.

Now that ESO has broken me of my personal aversions and prejudices toward MMOs in general, I'm more inclined to try one or two of the other MMOs out there, but for now I have no real desire to do that-- mainly because of how much time an MMO tends to gobble up.

Thus, if ESO had not been an Elder Scrolls game, I most likely would never have given it a try in the first place.

But now that I'm no longer anti-MMO, I would definitely continue to play ESO if it were somehow transmuted into a non-TES game-- but first I'd need to have been broken of my MMO aversion by some other MMO, which would have been unlikely.

Lumenn · December 2022

No

MEBengalsFan2001 wrote: »

I don't care about the ESO lore. In fact I find it rather bland and not all that interesting. I like the combat and build variety that the game offers.

I'm waiting for a Dragon Age MMO. I would jump ship for that game.

Oh, a Dragon Age MMO would get me fast...

That being said even with this being elder scrolls it took me a bit to start. Word of mouth can have a strong influence, and all I'd heard/read from NON PAID reviews and forums indicated that it dropped the ball at launch. If it weren't for me being bored out of my mind, it going to console, and a personal friend saying that they've been working on fixing the game(wow, 6 years later....hmm) I still wouldn't have picked it up, despite PROBABLY being one of the few here that started TES with the first two on PC and not Morrowind. Some strong competition (like a D.A. MMO ) would be welcome, especially if they communicate and don't openly mock their players on camera.

robwolf666 · December 2022

No

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

Jarl_Ironheart wrote: »

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

Absolutely. I could care less about lore. I care about the combat the the challenging game play.

Out of genuine curiosity, what is challenging combat to you in ESO?

PvP is the most challenging aspect of ESO to master and the ultimate measure of skill in ESO.

Yes, it must be very challenging to learn how to jump around like the floor is lava to avoid getting hit.

Tandor · December 2022

Yes

Not being interested in PvP or competitive PvE I have no issues with the game (other than the change to achievements which I've simply adapted to). While I've played every TES game from the beginning and was attracted to that aspect of ESO, I'd have been similarly drawn to it as a fantasy PvE-centred MMORPG regardless of that aspect, and stayed with it as I have done since launch due to it's quality of both content and, for me, performance.

spartaxoxo · December 2022

No

There likely wouldn't even be a game to play. The devs have been upfront that what saved this game after its initial failures was that they really didn't have a vision before. And that when they decided on the vision of "This game is an Elder Scrolls game first and foremost," they were able to reshape the game into something that worked with the release of One Tamriel.

The Elder Scrolls Franchise wasn't just the initial appeal for many of us, it was the grand unifying vision that guided the devs into crafting the game we have today.

SkaiFaith · December 2022

Playing since One Tamriel and the reason I started playing is because it's Elder Scrolls. I wouldn't have touched it at all if it wasn't for that title.
Would I still be playing this if it wasn't ES? In a world where I'd have started it even if not an ES game, yes, I don't see why right now I should abandon it. But as I said before, I would have never picked it up to begin with, if not for the title (I was not an MMO player).
So I think the "core value" of making it an Elder Scrolls game before anything else is the right way to go for the devs, at least imho.

driosketch · December 2022

No

I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy playing this game. I mainly just do my own thing, having tuned out a lot of the forum talk to the point that I don't know which issues has the forum bothered currently, but I feel awkward asking at this point.
That said, I admit I honestly play this game because it's Elder Scrolls. It's that combination of nostalgia and a satisfying character creation system that keeps me hooked.

bmnoble · December 2022

No

For me to get into an MMO it needs to be about something that interests me, the fact that this is Elder Scrolls Online, is what got me to eventually play it after giving up waiting for the Elder Scrolls 6 to come out.

The other top MMO's on the market might be interesting game in their own right with their own good features but if someone wants me to sink the kinda time that an MMO requires, the games setting needs to interest me first, to get me to play and most importantly to keep me playing.

If ESO had released under a different name as a unique fantasy IP, with no connection to the Elder Scrolls games, I probably never would have bought it.

If your saying for example if ESO were to suddenly declare itself non canon tomorrow though, I would keep playing, since I am already into the game, so long as they didn't do anything insane story wise I would keep playing.

DirtyDeeds765 · December 2022

No

No, if ESO wasn't ESO, I would be playing ESO.

If there was no ESO, I would maybe play it. But I would have to check out alot of the other mmos and games and evaluate what I think is best. Which I haven't ever done because ESO is ESO.

@DirtyDeeds765

Clyde_BlueSnake · December 2022

Yes

If it still has a playable reptilian humanoid race, a likely yes. (but if it has a anthro reptile appearance to it like similar to Argonians, not some half-human + half-lizard, then it's a very likely yes) If not, no.

fizzylu · December 2022

I have never played ESO because of it's tie to TES so I can't really say "no".... but I also don't want to say "yes" because I feel like that insinuates that the game is good enough to keep me playing even without the weight of TES behind it haha so despite not feeling comfortable choosing either answer, I do feel strongly about this subject so:
I do not care about TES enough for that to be the reason I play, I also do not think the game is anything like other TES games thanks to it's watered down MMO style class building and some other stuff.... but I do think a lot of people, even know many personally, that do play simply because it is a TES game and I fully believe the only reason why it even remotely succeeded despite being such a rocky MMO is because of it being TES based.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · December 2022

No

Put me in the “only here in the first place because it’s an Elder Scrolls game” column too. Issues with the game are irrelevant as far as that goes. It could have been running perfectly 24/7/365 plus the occasional leap year since release, I would not care because the MMO portion is not a selling point for me. Rather the contrary, it’s a drawback because I can’t play if my internet is acting up, and there are activities in game that I can’t do when I want because I need other people to want to play at the same time.

Shihp00 · December 2022

Yes

This game is dead to me if not for the combat system.
Ready to quit anytime if they ever remove LA Weaving and everyone starts playing at the "same level".

BretonMage · December 2022

No

I've never played ESO for any other reason than it's Elder Scrolls. It's a great bonus that I find it a lot of fun.

SeaGtGruff wrote: »

I had never played any MMOs before and actually had a personal grudge against the idea of buying a game but then having to pay a monthly subscription fee on top of the purchase price to be able to play it.

When I found out that ESO lets you explore (almost) all of Tamriel and doesn't require a monthly subscription to play, I bit the bullet and gave it a try. I've never regretted that decision and for me the last few years of changes, content, and new features have actually been pretty solid.

I even went against my personal beliefs and decided to start subscribing to ESO Plus a couple of years ago-- another decision that I've never regretted.

Now that ESO has broken me of my personal aversions and prejudices toward MMOs in general, I'm more inclined to try one or two of the other MMOs out there, but for now I have no real desire to do that-- mainly because of how much time an MMO tends to gobble up.

Thus, if ESO had not been an Elder Scrolls game, I most likely would never have given it a try in the first place.

But now that I'm no longer anti-MMO, I would definitely continue to play ESO if it were somehow transmuted into a non-TES game-- but first I'd need to have been broken of my MMO aversion by some other MMO, which would have been unlikely.

This mostly for me, except I'm still anti-MMO

Nightowl_74 · December 2022

I'm not sure. If I remember right I was between MMO's when I first tried ESO and the fact that it's Elder Scrolls definitely held some sway but I didn't stay and it wasn't until a couple years later when I heard that it was much improved that I gave it another shot. Maybe if it hadn't had that bit of extra pull I would have just decided nope, and never looked back, though.

rpa · December 2022

Yes

I did not purchase ESO and give it retry years later because Elder Scrolls but becuse lack of viable competition in genre.

Dojohoda · December 2022

No

It being an Elder Scrolls game is the only reason that I started playing ESO.

endgamesmug · December 2022

No

Im a huge "Lord of the Rings" fan read all of tolkeins books age 12, so when i saw what Oblivion was like many years later it was an instant attraction and has with everything elder scrolls related ever since. If it wasnt related to that it would have been ignored.

Amottica · December 2022

The question is moot since we play the game because we enjoy this game. Something has to grab our interest to start playing a new mmorpg but we continue because we like the game We might have started ESO because we like TES games.

Going behind that is extremely hypothetical and isn’t a simple yes or no answer.

ArchangelIsraphel · December 2022

Yes

I'm a bit of an oddity. I didn't start playing ESO because of the Elder Scrolls. I actually had no interest in the Elder Scrolls as a series at all before playing ESO. While some aspects of its lore interest me and draw me in, I can take it or leave it and am really flexible about its storyline. I started playing ESO because of the type of adventure gameplay it offered, the housing system, and the vast variety of motifs that allow me to build and tell my own stories in my head as I play. The game serves as a platform which inspires me to write non- ESO related fiction because I can play my characters in an adventurous setting and have them encounter different situations that make me consider what their reactions might be. I'm now playing and modding the heck out of Skyrim for the same reasons.

I'd play this game anyway because The Elder Scrolls as a story, while interesting, is not what brought me here at all.

Geldauran · December 2022

I would not have bothered with it if it weren't for Elder Scrolls brand and lore.

fred4 · December 2022

Yes

Look, I'm into the (veteran) combat, both PvP and PvE. I came from Skyrim, but that's long forgotten. "Play as you want", the homogenisation of classes, has been a curse that ESO could get rid of, if it was up to me. I don't know that I'd re-engineer the game yet again after all the work ZOS have done, but I didn't see the point of it in the first place. We've gained some viable playstyles, but we've also lost some, such as mag-stacking PvP magsorc.

Would I play ESO, if it looked like FFXIV? I might, though I have friends who would not. I do like the more realistic art style and character models of ESO.. I like that the colours are more subdued and realistic compared to even something like New World.

In terms of questing, Elder Scrolls was never all that for me. There are better written, voice-acted and directed games. Well written cut scenes lift a game for me. I understand that Morrowind players loved that game for the lore, but I'm more like the player in a "Viva La Dirt League" skit, at this point. "Skip".

Turtle_Bot · December 2022

Can't really answer Yes or No to this question since it has some nuances that need taking into account.

Would I still play ESO if it wasn't affiliated with TES, the answer here is, Yes I likely still would.

Would I have picked up this game if it wasn't affiliated with TES, the answer here is, No I likely wouldn't.

Being an ES title is what got me interested in the game to begin with, the reason I kept playing it was because of its gameplay being vastly superior to anything else on the market.
With performance consistently dropping and the many issues surrounding U35/U36 combat, balance and bugs, I have found myself playing the game less and less though.

DreamyLu · December 2022

Yes

It doesn't matter for me that it's - or not - an Elder Scroll game.