There's no way ZOS are implementing a "battle pass" system.

Anigma11 · February 20

I've heard that a lot of people are scared of Zenimax implementing a "battle pass" due to the announced changes for 2025, but I really don't think that's a possibility. First of all, ZOS began the golden pursuit feature late last year, so if the way of progressing the battle pass was by completing certain objectives, it just wouldn't make much sense since golden pursuits and seals of endeavour quests already function that way. So if that kind of progression is off the table, that leaves progressing the battle pass by completing dungeons, trials, and delves, etc. However, that wouldn't work, since that's exactly how most events function, therefore events would become obsolete. There would also be far less incentive for people to purchase crown crates (ZOS' big money maker), since a battle pass would likely result in most people already getting an influx of cosmetic items.

I just want people to stop fretting about the possibility of a battle pass in ESO, because it's clearly quite unfeasible, not to mention the intense backlash ZOS would face as a result.

the1andonlyskwex · February 20

I think the expectation is that Golden Pursuits are a prototype for the Battle Pass and that over time the number and complexity of the Pursuits will grow while some of the rewards will become locked behind a paywall of some sort (probably ESO+, but possibly something separate). At that point Golden Pursuits will effectively be a Battle Pass in all but name.

Masteroshi430 · February 20

Golden Pursuits are the monthly endeavors that were missing but with cool rewards (note that the code allow them to have multiple Golden Pursuits at once so they can double/triple the fun in the future), I don't think it will be part of a battle pass, If I reckon properly, ZOS has a rule to not change things that are part of the base game into paid features, IMO if they ever do a battle pass that would be with new content.

Wait and see, I hope they will come up with a more interesting ESO+ so I can finally subscribe.

Taril · February 20

People are fretting about "Battle Passes" because the word "Seasons" was used.

Thus they're thinking the same old "Seasons" and "Battle Passes" of the myriads of live service titles out there.

The reality is that it's likely just going to be exactly the same as Chapters have been for yonks. Only with more dynamic content release schedules (Instead of dropping a chapter containing the exact same stuff every year)

To be honest a lot of this fear comes from this awkard way that ZoS decided to go about announcing this... Using the word "Seasons" to describe the new content and then not elaborating for 4 months was not the smartest call.

DenverRalphy · February 20

The rampant rumors and speculation are simply because ZOS made a mistake in using the word Seasons and Seasonal in their description of how their release schedule is being changed. Everyboy just equates that to the likes of the plethora of games that use the Seasons/Battlepass model to monetize their games.

the1andonlyskwex · February 20

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The rampant rumors and speculation are simply because ZOS made a mistake in using the word Seasons and Seasonal in their description of how their release schedule is being changed. Everyboy just equates that to the likes of the plethora of games that use the Seasons/Battlepass model to monetize their games.

I still don't think it was a mistake. I think it was intentionally telegraphing their planned monetization strategy in the absence of annual Chapters.

Pepegrillos · February 20

Golden Pursuits might just be the free track of the battle pass. They launched it sooner to test it before the paid track is deployed.

AzuraFan · February 20

DenverRalphy wrote: »

The rampant rumors and speculation are simply because ZOS made a mistake in using the word Seasons and Seasonal in their description of how their release schedule is being changed.

They also talked about it too early (in Firor's letter) without offering any details and pushed the announcement of the details to April. That has given plenty of time for people to speculate in a vacuum.

Elvenheart · February 20

But they also said that whatever content comes in a new “season” is never going away, which is different than the way other games do their seasons if I’m understanding it correctly.

I agree with the people that are saying that seasons probably wasn’t the best word to describe what they’re going to be doing, it’s probably just a popular word in the gaming world today so they thought adopting it for their new system would sound trendy.

Thysbe · February 20

Elvenheart wrote: »

But they also said that whatever content comes in a new “season” is never going away, which is different than the way other games do their seasons if I’m understanding it correctly.

Not necessarily - Throne and Liberty Battle Pass for example was very much like the Golden Pursuits - a timed "do x of that" and "do xx of that" until a deadline. Unlocking cosmetics and consumables with certain thresholds. The task for the free version were the same as the ones for the "premium" one, the latter giving the better rewards ofc. All the content was repeatable and still available after the season.

LadyGP · February 20

Taril wrote: »

People are fretting about "Battle Passes" because the word "Seasons" was used.

Thus they're thinking the same old "Seasons" and "Battle Passes" of the myriads of live service titles out there.

The reality is that it's likely just going to be exactly the same as Chapters have been for yonks. Only with more dynamic content release schedules (Instead of dropping a chapter containing the exact same stuff every year)

To be honest a lot of this fear comes from this awkard way that ZoS decided to go about announcing this... Using the word "Seasons" to describe the new content and then not elaborating for 4 months was not the smartest call.

Pretty much agree with this and where the fear comes in. I think they said seaons just so people understood better what they meant. Really it just sounds like any software company now a days.. I've worked for a few and each one of them go through the phase where they shift from the old school way of developing to adapting the agile methodology - that's really all they are wanting to do. Wrapping their sprint cycles up into "seasons" is how the non software dev can grasph what is happening and the timing of things.

People just read way to much into IMO.

Displaced_Salad · February 20

Considering the prevailing pattern of ZOS to treat players like mushrooms, go back on their word, and be as clear as mud with their explanations and plans, I can understand the speculation. Frankly, the game could benefit greatly from periodic releases and updates rather than yearly ones, but someone (corporate someone, that is) has decided that they must mitigate the "outrage" that will occur. No matter what decision is made, some players are going to not like it. My point being, if things had ever been handled properly, perhaps the feedback might no be so reactionary. It's a monster of their own making.