Poll: How Do You Feel About the Visual Upgrades in ESO's Starter Zones?

licenturion · March 10

The recent starter zone reworks introduced new assets, improved lighting, and environmental changes. What’s your take on these visual improvements?

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. The older zones still feel dated, mainly due to the continued use of outdated rock and mountain assets, which are heavily present in these areas. This concern was also highlighted by many players on the PTS in their feedback.

Unfortunately, this feedback was ignored, and the developers did not replace these old, low-textured assets with the improved post-2015 versions (from the Orsinium DLC onward). This feels like a major missed opportunity, in my opinion.

sans-culottes · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

licenturion wrote: »

The recent starter zone reworks introduced new assets, improved lighting, and environmental changes. What’s your take on these visual improvements?

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. The older zones still feel dated, mainly due to the continued use of outdated rock and mountain assets, which are heavily present in these areas. This concern was also highlighted by many players on the PTS in their feedback.

Unfortunately, this feedback was ignored, and the developers did not replace these old, low-textured assets with the improved post-2015 versions (from the Orsinium DLC onward). This feels like a major missed opportunity, in my opinion.

This is a good poll, and I’m interested to see the results. I completely agree with you. My opinion’s maybe somewhere between options 2 and 5 in your poll. If I were Rolling Stone or something, then it’d get 2.5/5 stars. If I were feeling generous, then I’d maybe give it 3/5 stars.

All this to say, I think it could’ve used more work. The rocks and mountains are very prevalent, so it’s a bit of a missed opportunity to not address them. This also has the unfortunate effect of highlighting the disparity between the little visual tweaks and the older content.

Highlor3 · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

sans-culottes wrote: »

licenturion wrote: »

The recent starter zone reworks introduced new assets, improved lighting, and environmental changes. What’s your take on these visual improvements?

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. The older zones still feel dated, mainly due to the continued use of outdated rock and mountain assets, which are heavily present in these areas. This concern was also highlighted by many players on the PTS in their feedback.

Unfortunately, this feedback was ignored, and the developers did not replace these old, low-textured assets with the improved post-2015 versions (from the Orsinium DLC onward). This feels like a major missed opportunity, in my opinion.

licenturion wrote: »

The recent starter zone reworks introduced new assets, improved lighting, and environmental changes. What’s your take on these visual improvements?

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. The older zones still feel dated, mainly due to the continued use of outdated rock and mountain assets, which are heavily present in these areas. This concern was also highlighted by many players on the PTS in their feedback.

Unfortunately, this feedback was ignored, and the developers did not replace these old, low-textured assets with the improved post-2015 versions (from the Orsinium DLC onward). This feels like a major missed opportunity, in my opinion.

This is a good poll, and I’m interested to see the results. I completely agree with you. My opinion’s maybe somewhere between options 2 and 5 in your poll. If I were Rolling Stone or something, then it’d get 2.5/5 stars. If I were feeling generous, then I’d maybe give it 3/5 stars.

All this to say, I think it could’ve used more work. The rocks and mountains are very prevalent, so it’s a bit of a missed opportunity to not address them. This also has the unfortunate effect of highlighting the disparity between the little visual tweaks and the older content.

Same, options 2 & 5 reflect what I think about these improvements.

My highest hopes were the graphical update of rocks & stones' meshes/3d models, to at least have the same quality of the ones found in the first DLCs (Hew's Bane & Gold Coast), but didn't happen.

VDoom1 · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

I’m happy to see the old zones getting a bit of a visual update, it’s a nice touch!

For a long time, players have noticed how much better new zones look, with improved visuals, textures, and more detailed environments. But then you go back to a starter zone like Stros M'Kai, and the difference is hard to ignore. While it doesn’t make the game unplayable, it does break immersion a bit when older areas feel outdated compared to newer content.

This update won’t be a massive game-changer, but it’s a welcome improvement. It helps maintain consistency across the world, making ESO feel more polished as a whole. Small upgrades like this add up over time, keeping the game visually fresh without needing a full overhaul.

colossalvoids · March 10

Unnoticeable – I barely noticed any difference compared to before.

I would lean to unnoticeable but some things do look bit better and some apparently a bit not for my personal taste. Overall I don't see much point in it when it's so small and I do not really trust them to tinker further looking at the least expansions compared to word that was done up until greymoor or so.

LunaFlora · March 10

Stunning! – The updated visuals make the world feel much more immersive and is a gamechanger.

Looks good, i especially like the water improvements.

Aektann · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

I think update of old armor and weapon styles would be preferable.

ElvenOverlord · March 10

Haven’t checked yet, but want to see the results.

I wouldn’t say feedback was ignored but it was probably taken into consideration for further improvement in the future. I consider this to be the first step in a long term, ongoing progress to visually update the game. I highly doubt they would have chosen to implement all the feedback in this recent update. It’s a good first step

Northwold · March 10

I haven't seen it yet but it sounds like a step in the right direction rather than a complete overhaul. I would stress that I think doing this stuff is incredibly important. This is the first thing new players see. It needs to look good if it's not also to be the last.

Rebirthment · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

While I haven't noticed much of a difference within Khenarthi's Roost or Bleackrock Isle outside the water update, I do like the visual update to Port hunding in Stros M'kai! I always liked how more lively the place looked in the past compared to the other starter zones and this update spruced the place up further

You can really tell the visual water update here helps out especially!

sans-culottes · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

Aektann wrote: »

I think update of old armor and weapon styles would be preferable.

They’re in desperate need of it.

Highlor3 · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

Aektann wrote: »

I think update of old armor and weapon styles would be preferable.

They were doing that with the new Ancestral Styles, but they stopped releasing those. There were some uncovered Ancestral Argonian Style in its early development (no textures). I'm still waiting for Redguard, Dunmer, Khajiit and Bosmer ones.

Cosmo_Nova · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

It's a nice little improvement. It's also realistically the most we were going to get. Completely redesigning and revamping all 20-ish basegame zones to be fully in line graphically with the newer areas would be an absolutely phenomenal amount of development work, easily exceeding the scale of an entire Chapter zone. ZOS would no doubt have to put a lot of other stuff on hold to make that kind of update, so there's not a lot of incentive for it, even if it would be really cool.

Veinblood1965 · March 10

Cosmo_Nova wrote: »

It's a nice little improvement. It's also realistically the most we were going to get. Completely redesigning and revamping all 20-ish basegame zones to be fully in line graphically with the newer areas would be an absolutely phenomenal amount of development work, easily exceeding the scale of an entire Chapter zone. ZOS would no doubt have to put a lot of other stuff on hold to make that kind of update, so there's not a lot of incentive for it, even if it would be really cool.

I think this is the case but I cannot vote as have not logged in yet. I recently acquired a PS5 and looking at one of the lakes in one of the new zones was exactly like looking at the bottom of a real lake, extremely realistic, I literally said out loud "holy @$@$". Going back to the older zones it was apparent how much of an improvement ZoS has made over the years.

I don't think improving the older zones would draw me back there at all however as it's not why I visit. Nice wish list though.

emilyhyoyeon · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

What the devs have changed, I really love, and the fact that they are doing this kind of updating at all is really exciting to me. But I do agree with it being a lot better with improved rock textures, for example.

I could see there not having been enough time over PTS to do something like rehaul the rock textures. Hopefully the feedback given on PTS can be applied in upcoming updates.

One of the things I suggested over PTS was putting some of the NPCs in the zones in some of the newer cultural outfits like
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Pellitine_Tea-Fete_Gown

Lozeenge · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

it's ok.

ghastley · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

I don't think I would want a "game-changing" update, anyway.

CoronHR · March 10

Unnoticeable – I barely noticed any difference compared to before.

i am surely struggling to see any real changes. the textures look the same, but maybe that's not what they changed? i think it might look a little greener in betnikh and khenarthi's roost. stros m'kai and bal foyen look the same .. or am i looking at the wrong zones? smh

SeaGtGruff · March 10

Haven’t checked yet, but want to see the results.

I haven't logged in yet, but I'm not expecting to notice a huge difference, as I keep my graphics setting set to the next level up from the lowest setting.

Danikat · March 10

Unnecessary changes – The old assets and visuals were just fine.

It's unlikely I'll notice a difference. I don't know if it's my eyes or that I don't pay that much attention to graphics but unless it's a big change or I have a side-by-side comparison I don't notice improvements in graphics.

I had a quick run around Kenathi's Roost (just because that's where I had a character) and didn't notice anything different. Maybe at some point I'll spot some of the new objects they added, but for now it looks the same to me.

AngryPenguin · March 10

Unnecessary changes – The old assets and visuals were just fine.

This effort tells me ZOS if focusing on cosmetic changes, which are ok if needed, but ZOS should be focusing far more on actual core combat and performance issues first. I feel like these cosmetic changes are a distraction from fixing some of the things that are broken with the game.

Hollyniss · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

Agreed. Even with the updates the starter zones are not on par with the newer areas. Currently there's not a huge noticeable difference. Changes are too subtle. I also hope they'll update the rest of the vanilla zones as well. Auridon for example is underwhelming; it's not on the same level as Summerset (chapter) despite it being part of the isles. Valenwood is another one that's very underwhelming. Barren and plain for a supposed wild, untamed, lush, dense forest/jungle that's easy for a non Bosmer to get lost in once you step off of the main 'path.' Black Marsh (Shadowfin & Murkmire) is another one that should be lush and wild, easy for non Argonians (other races have to hire an Argonian guide to navigate and even then, it's still difficult) to get lost.

Also, some of the textures didn't get updated/upgraded so they REALLY stand out lol (the stonework in Betnikh for example). Looks pretty bad...

MotherOfMoss · March 10

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

I was torn between "better but not a game-changer" and "unnoticeable". I can notice the differences, but I am not sure they would have caught my eye had I not known to expect them and gone looking for them. (I am deeply attached to the starter zones and was more than a bit worried what they'd be like! I am happy to report they are still very much recognisable.) Didn't spot a lot of new assets apart from some trees and lamps, I think... until I got to the Foyen docks which had a bunch of new structures. They fit in well and looked good. Thereafter I started noticing more and more new assets in each zone, so I think they are very well placed: you don't pay attention to the clutter because it is where it belongs

So definitely no big changes – but what changes there are I would say are good. Particularly Bleakrock looks actually a fair bit better and, you know, not so bleak, heh, with the improved lighting and snow effects(?). I think they also made water and sky a bit bluer everywhere, which is improving Hunding's look surprisingly lot, making it less monochrome. Bonus points for not making the water too blue (looking at you bubblegum turquoise water of High Isle and Summerset).

That being said, I'm not sure the changes really qualify as the kind of facelift that would bring the basegame zones up to par with newer parts of the game (and a facelift like that would be a HUGE effort so I was surprised even this much is being done). And a part of me is happy to say that, because I wouldn't want to lose access to the Khenarthi's Roost, Auridon and Betnikh that I've always loved so much.

DP99 · March 11

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

They definitely do look better. Some more so than others, but overall, I think that they did a good job.

Aliyavana · March 11

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

Aektann wrote: »

I think update of old armor and weapon styles would be preferable.

They have a seamount raider motif that is unused by the bethnikh orcs. Shoulda updated npcs as well

Supreme_Atromancer · March 11

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

When you notice the changes, you can feel the love and attention to detail that's gone into the bits that were done, and its appreciated. The water is excellent, too.

At the same time, I don't feel like the changes have brought the starter zones more in line with the post-basegame zones.

I think a lot of people wont even notice them. The difference in quality between old and new is still obvious and drastic.

Others have pointed out the rocks, and I strongly agree that updating these textures would be high-impact. Architecture is the other thing that sticks out like a sore thumb.

TheKingofCats · March 11

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

licenturion wrote: »

The recent starter zone reworks introduced new assets, improved lighting, and environmental changes. What’s your take on these visual improvements?

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed. The older zones still feel dated, mainly due to the continued use of outdated rock and mountain assets, which are heavily present in these areas. This concern was also highlighted by many players on the PTS in their feedback.

Unfortunately, this feedback was ignored, and the developers did not replace these old, low-textured assets with the improved post-2015 versions (from the Orsinium DLC onward). This feels like a major missed opportunity, in my opinion.

I have a few notes: on the positive side, the new assets including upgraded water, the EXCELLENT sand texture, and the very well done docks (and the ground for Port Hunding and Bleakrock) really bring these zones closer to how they should look when compared to a zone like Blackwood or Elsweyr.

However there are still a lot of changes needed: Khenarthis Roost got shafted as their walkways/ground is still the same. All of the zones still use outdated rocks, plants and other assets. The buildings do not match the established design for each race. I'd like to see a larger sweep of changes that focus on having these beginner zones really look just as good as new zones. I'd like to be able to step onto Khenarthis Roost and not even see a hint of the old ugly designs. Also, I noticed a while back that several npcs were given armor upgrades, having them don the Divine Prosecution style. This was undone. Why? Now they are back to wearing the hideous old gear. I avoid base game because of how fake it looks. When I am in High Isle, the textures and designs are so real and beautiful, crisp and sharp, that it feels like I am actually there. I'd like to see that be the case for base game including: plants, buildings, gear and armor/clothing on npcs, the walkways/gravel etc.

TinyDragon · March 11

Unnoticeable – I barely noticed any difference compared to before.

I was really excited to see this- I had hoped that the base game would be reasonably seamless in terms of experience with DLC zones, and any DLC items used in the base game would blend in (instead of the new assets being noticeably better quality).

However, this really hasn't happened. There are almost no DLC assests used in the base game zones (I found one Elsweyr thing in Khenarthi's roost- I stopped looking after a while though). This feels like a massive missed opportunity considering how much DLC assets there are.

I was hoping the architecture (and rocks etc) would be touched up so that it looked more detailed, sharper and better colours.

The base game refresh was so minimal, that I had to get my partner to sit with me and run through each zone side by side. I kept thinking items were new, or things had changed, but it was so similar. I felt I was being gaslight into seeing updates that weren't really done.

MotherOfMoss · March 11

Looks better, but not a game-changer – The improvements are nice but not drastic enough to make a big impact.

TheKingofCats wrote: »

The buildings do not match the established design for each race. I'd like to see a larger sweep of changes that focus on having these beginner zones really look just as good as new zones. I'd like to be able to step onto Khenarthis Roost and not even see a hint of the old ugly designs.

I'd be for upgrading the environments a bit more, subtly, but the old racial styles are also a part of the established design of each race, and I'd personally hate to see e.g. the Khajiit style buildings flat-out replaced with Elsweyr style ones. The lace-like detailing on the Khajiit style doesn't exist in any other style, and I think it has its own charm. They're two different styles and both khajiit.

That said, the buildings in all the basegame styles do obviously look dated, and I'd love to see them spruced up somehow. That is probably quite unlikely to happen, though, because it would be an insane amount of work to re-draw all those structural parts. Cf. the water, sand, air changes which take effect in a blanket manner (or so one would assume). And, they'd almost certainly face backlash for doing that, as they have faced considerable negative feedback, as well as positive, for virtually any major visual overhaul of an existing thing (new skill animations come to mind, for instance).

So I find it very unlikely we'd be seeing a big architecture overhaul, just like we haven't seen the basegame outfit styles redrawn even though we keep wishing that would happen. I'd keep my hopes up for those rocks and other land textures. They seem the most likely to be changed further.

Sidenote, I also wish there were writ boards, full crafting areas and writ dropoffs in the starter zones. These are actually some of my favourite places in the game and I wish I could "live" in them! (I'd also like to have the Maormer embassy of Mistral as a home, but I know that's actually technically impossible

)

HatchetHaro · March 11

Stunning! – The updated visuals make the world feel much more immersive and is a gamechanger.

Okay, actually, this update doesn't really look that impressive, but running around the zones themselves feel drastically better. I'm not sure if it's placebo, since there's no real way I can compare the befores and afters, but it's definitely a game changer for me.

Now do all the base game zones.

TaSheen · March 11

Unnoticeable – I barely noticed any difference compared to before.

I haven't spent any time in any of those zones in about 6 years, so I just don't have a current frame of reference.

The Elder Scrolls Online

Poll: How Do You Feel About the Visual Upgrades in ESO's Starter Zones?

Poll: How Do You Feel About the Visual Upgrades in ESO's Starter Zones? 277 votes