Auros wrote: »

Simple: I love loot, in any form, through quests, drops, achievements, events, fishing etc.

Why not introduce some RNG items that would make the player feel really unique, while doing every day activities anyway? The element of surprise! It could be through fishing, antiquity system, random event, you name it. But a simple implementation like the tri-factor system in Diablo (for example) that when you get that ring or piece of armor, that has the perfect stats - it really feels unique and satisfactory. It could be also an item with a unique skill bound to it, for example, not game breaking, but QoL, or immunity 10 seconds (PvE - only), revive, extra shield, glowing head if you will - you name it - the limit is the imagination OR the perfect stats maybe?

ESO seems to be focusing more on "content matters" and "player ability matters" and less on "items matter" or "stats matter". I think ESO is trying to distance its gameplay from the intense grind that RNG loot would inspire. That system would be far from "casual" play and push players to grind content over and over and over to try to get that perfect item. You just have to look at the sticker book to know that isn't what ESO wants players to be doing. ESO wants players to get what they want in "relative" ease and get into the CONTENT they want faster (we call this the "end game").

Now, we can argue about how effective ZOS is being at steering ESO in that direction, but it does appear to be where they want the ship to go... and I like that direction myself. I want to enjoy the content, not worry about having sub-optimal weapons or armor. I like knowing that what I am wearing is the best that it can be (for the given stats) and it didn't require me investing 100 hours just to get it! I think that is a positive about ESOs current direction.

Second, ESO has been moving further and further away from a "levels matter" system. I think they looked at games like WOW, with the endless level cap and item farming treadmill and they want to get away from all that. For better or worse (go ahead and argue), ESO is placing more and more development into the "end game", where level doesn't really matter anymore. That bars being able to RNG loot at different levels.

So what is the "end game" really and why does it matter? There's the first 50 levels, which is supposed to be the "beginning game" for players. Then, there's the first 300 Champion Points, which is supposed to be the "mid-game". Finally, there's post-300CP where the "end game" finally opens up for players. ESO is pushing content for this "end-game" experience. They are shortening the other 2 phases more and more to get players INTO that "end-game" so they can start playing the content they want to play! Generating loot less than the level cap, for players in the "end-game", would be counter to getting players to that end game in the first place!

Third, I completely agree with players liking this "element of surprise"! ESO has chosen to place that in non-combat items like achievement titles, motif pages, and furnishings. I think that is the correct place to go given that combat (the single largest function of the game) shouldn't come down to 100 hours grinding for RNG weapons. You can make achievements and non-combat styles a total grind-fest because those are more for status and cosmetics. Something that doesn't hurt feelings on the battlefield or cause an imbalance in dungeon gameplay.

Tandor wrote: »

Billium813 wrote: »

ESO is pushing content for this "end-game" experience. They are shortening the other 2 phases more and more to get players INTO that "end-game" so they can start playing the content they want to play!

Some want to play...

Which is fine, so long as ZOS don't leave out the large number (arguably overwhelming majority) of players who have no interest in any endgame activities like veteran content and PvP, and who are in danger of having their additional content cut back.

Also, in pushing for more repeatable content ZOS seem to be potentially switching to more RNG, not less. What's the point of doing more repeatable content if it isn't to have more chances of getting the decent loot that you want/need?

Agreed.

Auros wrote: »

I agree that existing build-based and item levels should remain. Maybe some QoL and goodies, that are non-game breaking. We remember the spell-craft idea ... existed since launch. Well, if they can not risk to introduce it, maybe some "funny" QoL things could be introduced in addition to what already exists.

And I personally am not into Trials and Arenas as well. So... what do I do, once I complete every zone quests and achievements?

Yes, I love exploration, just give me a reason to continue doing it

To give a good example, there's a certain similarly established MMORPG that has recently released additional alternative content for the entirety of levels 1 to 32. I'm having a ball exploring that, and I'm not alone!

What if these items you randomly got were more amusing than useful? I'd hate it for another layer of RNG torture to be added to the game, but if the interesting trinkets weren't gameplay-enhancing, but just interesting, there'd be no need to grind. How about some funny treasure that's related to the quest you just completed or food/drink that caused some visual effects? Maybe more random encounters like those from Zenithar's event, in which you gained items that could be used in other encounters.