What actually became of the Server Re-Architecture Project?

Flaaklypa · July 7

in January 2022 Matt Frior made a post that stated the "bigger half" of 2022 is gonna be spent on redesigning the servers of ESO to fix PvP. With (and hold your horses); Periodic updates. Now literally 2,5 years later and I have not seen any update what so ever, not even a mention of what actually happened to this project even when trying to dig for it.

Theist_VII · July 7

Was trying to play Gray Host last night on Xbox NA and there was a queue of 33 people. Got in, and went to Alessia Keep just to crash outside the gate with a few other groupmates of mine, only to be repeatedly denied access back in until at least three of us timed out of the campaign.

We finally got back in after an hour of waiting, just to find the combat completely unresponsive, having to recast abilities multiple times just for them to go off.

This is what Cyrodiil was like before the server update; now it’s right back to square one.

spartaxoxo · July 7

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

Destai · July 8

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

Right, but what’s the current work, if any, being done to resolve the performance issues. I think it was last year that we asked for roadmaps for that effort and we’ve yet to get a plan.

gariondavey · July 8

@React

tsaescishoeshiner · July 8

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

So it's one year since we've had an update about PvP performance. It's been longer than that since we've gotten new PvP content--I remember reading that new PvP content was on hold until performance was improved (I forget where).

So the upcoming PvP feature in Q4 (late Fall) might be something that doesn't involve large-scale PvP or doesn't add strain to the servers somehow. I'm going to wait until then to see if we hear from them about it, since it makes sense that performance concerns might come when discussing new PvP content.

blktauna · July 8

Please keep in mind they called that card game PvP, so temper your thoughts accordingly

Anifaas · July 8

The same as the DLC dungeons, DLC zone, companions on release and, former, standard quest cadence. Poof.

Photosniper89 · July 8

1) This thread. It's 2024 we NEED communication about what they are doing to fix this stuff - it has been going on for 7 years.

2) They called the housing stuff a new "system". My take on what PvP "system is coming - a listing system for dueling. ZOS can't add anything that is going to put strain on their servers so it's going to be a small 1v1 or 4v4 "thing".

reazea · July 8

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

So they should keep trying even if it means hiring three new devs to work on the issue. ZOS can afford it. If ZOS can hire a new dev for housing then they can certainly hire more devs for PvP and performance improvements.

reazea · July 8

Photosniper89 wrote: »

1) This thread. It's 2024 we NEED communication about what they are doing to fix this stuff - it has been going on for 7 years.

2) They called the housing stuff a new "system". My take on what PvP "system is coming - a listing system for dueling. ZOS can't add anything that is going to put strain on their servers so it's going to be a small 1v1 or 4v4 "thing".

I also predict the new "PvP function" will be a dual finder. ZOS stated it's not going to be anything to make Cyrodiil better, which is what is most needed in ESO at this time.

React · July 8

As far as we know, the project is dead/abandoned. The only update we got essentially stated that the project had not made any significant progress after 1.5 years, and that there was no ETA for the future of it.

I doubt we are ever going to see performance improvements in ESO. The current state of the game post u42 is absolutely atrocious, perhaps some of the worst performance we've ever seen.

I'm not hopeful for the Q4 PVP content, either. If it's a dueling or BG related feature, then it's really of no interest to me. It'd be great if they introduced a new pvp zone or did a massive rework/overhaul to IC, but that just feels like a pipe dream.

Dagoth_Rac · July 8

reazea wrote: »

Photosniper89 wrote: »

1) This thread. It's 2024 we NEED communication about what they are doing to fix this stuff - it has been going on for 7 years.

2) They called the housing stuff a new "system". My take on what PvP "system is coming - a listing system for dueling. ZOS can't add anything that is going to put strain on their servers so it's going to be a small 1v1 or 4v4 "thing".

I also predict the new "PvP function" will be a dual finder. ZOS stated it's not going to be anything to make Cyrodiil better, which is what is most needed in ESO at this time.

The new companions usually come with Chapter. But this time companions are Q4, same time as the PvP system. This might just be that ZOS also want something more casual in Q4, to appeal to those who like lore and stories. Or ... maybe it is a system where you train your companion to battle other player's companions?

Marto · July 8

More varied enemy types, animations and mechanics. Notably since High Isle.
Arcanist. The server performance improvements are likely why Arcanist even exists in the first place, allowing for their animations and effects to be displayed without much issue.
The Q4 PVP feature. None of us have any idea what it is, really, but it's likely only possible because of improved server
Companions
We'd need to look at the numbers to be sure, but maintenance seems to be shorter on average.
This is just anecdotal. I've noticed performance has gotten worse when player characters are still loading in, but once they do, performance is greatly improved. There could be 20 players doing rotations on screen and the game is handling it fine.

Keep in mind most, if not all of the improvements are going to be fairly invisible. That's the point. To make the experience more seamless. And a lot of it is to benefit the devs themselves. To make adjustments, hotfixes, and patches faster to make.

Is it perfect? No. Am I disappointed with the results so far? Yes, but I'm sure ZOS is even more angry, since this was mostly meant to benefit them.

But hey, that's how gamedev goes, I guess. And just because you dont' see it or the devs don't talk about it doesn't mean nothing is being done.

LittlePinkDot · July 8

I was thinking that the new PvP feature is going to be randomly generated battlegrounds maps kinda like how infinite archive is randomly generated.

EdjeSwift · July 8

LittlePinkDot wrote: »

I was thinking that the new PvP feature is going to be randomly generated battlegrounds maps kinda like how infinite archive is randomly generated.

Archive maps are not randomly generated, you cycle through the same sets.

Elsonso · July 8

.

reazea wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

So they should keep trying even if it means hiring three new devs to work on the issue. ZOS can afford it. If ZOS can hire a new dev for housing then they can certainly hire more devs for PvP and performance improvements.

Uh… pretty sure the “housing dev” is not a new dev.

Sluggy · July 8

Marto wrote: »

More varied enemy types, animations and mechanics. Notably since High Isle.

Arcanist. The server performance improvements are likely why Arcanist even exists in the first place, allowing for their animations and effects to be displayed without much issue.

I really don't understand why people continue to think this has any significant impact on the server. All of this stuff on the server is exactly as it always has been just with incremented numerical values.

CatoUnchained · July 8

Elsonso wrote: »

.

reazea wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

So they should keep trying even if it means hiring three new devs to work on the issue. ZOS can afford it. If ZOS can hire a new dev for housing then they can certainly hire more devs for PvP and performance improvements.

Uh… pretty sure the “housing dev” is not a new dev.

So who is the PvP dev? Does ZOS even have one person dedicated to Cyrodiil PvP anymore? ...because they should have at least a couple devs that focus solely on Cyrodiil/IC PvP.

Elsonso · July 8

CatoUnchained wrote: »

So who is the PvP dev? Does ZOS even have one person dedicated to Cyrodiil PvP anymore? ...because they should have at least a couple devs that focus solely on Cyrodiil/IC PvP.

Brian Wheeler is the Lead PVP and Combat Designer.

LaintalAy · July 9

Flaaklypa wrote: »

in January 2022 Matt Frior made a post that stated the "bigger half" of 2022 is gonna be spent on redesigning the servers of ESO to fix PvP. With (and hold your horses); Periodic updates. Now literally 2,5 years later and I have not seen any update what so ever, not even a mention of what actually happened to this project even when trying to dig for it.

The hardware was updated.
The redesign was abandoned afaik.
The change to quarterly updates was announced.

The whole thing went offline whenever Firor's post was unstickied.

Now the game is reduced to CP3600 players willingly farming mats in Bal Foyen and house decorating for the rest.

Jaraal · July 9

Destai wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

Right, but what’s the current work, if any, being done to resolve the performance issues.

They are monitoring threads about performance issues and taking the information to the team.

joergino · July 9

CatoUnchained wrote: »

So who is the PvP dev? Does ZOS even have one person dedicated to Cyrodiil PvP anymore? ...because they should have at least a couple devs that focus solely on Cyrodiil/IC PvP.

Why? That would be manpower pointlessly wasted. For this to even be considered, there would have to be a steady income generated for the money spent. Don't forget - IC is so unpopular, the DLC actually had to be given away in an attempt to get players there.

CrazyKitty · July 9

Jaraal wrote: »

Destai wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

Right, but what’s the current work, if any, being done to resolve the performance issues.

They are monitoring threads about performance issues and taking the information to the team.

Which is different than what they've been telling us for how many years now?

Jaraal · July 9

CrazyKitty wrote: »

Jaraal wrote: »

Destai wrote: »

spartaxoxo wrote: »

They said it wasn't having the effect they wanted and scrapped it a long while ago IIRC

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/637691/server-multithreading-update-july-2023/p1

Right, but what’s the current work, if any, being done to resolve the performance issues.

They are monitoring threads about performance issues and taking the information to the team.

Which is different than what they've been telling us for how many years now?

Someone asked what they are doing about performance. And that is all we are certain they are doing about performance.