From Anticipation to Apathy. Have We Lost Faith in ESO?

Asikoo · July 9

I don’t know about you, but I used to feel a jolt of excitement every time the PTS patch notes dropped. I’d refresh the forum like a kid on holiday morning, despite the gnawing voice that whispered, "This won’t be good for the game."
Since Update 36, that voice has gotten louder. Each set of notes has felt like another reminder that the things many of us love about ESO just aren’t on the devs’ priority list. Still, I clung to a shred of hope, because hope is stubborn, and so am I.

But today I opened the forum, scrolled through the newest notes, and felt… nothing. No thrill, no anger, just a hollow indifference, Just… emptiness. That spark I once had for this game? It's gone.
I realized something that hit me harder than any nerf ever could: I don’t care anymore.
Hope has faded. Have you lost faith in ESO, too?

Renato90085 · July 9

Never had

Koshka · July 9

Same. I still enjoy playing with friends and building houses, but that's about it.

The_Meathead · July 9

Since U35, it's felt like most decision making has been very poor.

Before that, I really did have a lot of faith that by and large good decisions and that while it might take a while to catch up, an effort at balance was going to be consistently made.

At this point, I'm playing in spite of the direction things are going and definitely not because of it. At some point, too much of the game I love will be gone, and then so will I.

alpha_synuclein · July 9

Most of my enjoyment evaporated during U35. If it wasn't for the group content and people to play it with I wouldn't be here.

crappyjazz1964 · July 9

I am starting to get bored. PVE, PVP, houses, all of it. Not entirely sure what to point to as the root cause but I'm kinda looking for something else to invest my time in.

moderatelyfatman · July 9

It was U35 that my opinion changed. There was literally nothing good that came out of it and when ZOS refused to roll back the changes, the players left.
We're stil in the shadow of patch 35: proc sets do more damage than most skills unless you are an arcanist, guild skills out damage most class spammables (ie. Rapid strikes meta), DoTs last twice as long for half the damage.

colossalvoids · July 9

Happens every single patch, someone always joins the ranks. Was like that on a steady decline for me since Elsweyr, for someone it was u35, for others it was Morrowind patch way prior to all of that.

moderatelyfatman · July 9

colossalvoids wrote: »

Happens every single patch, someone always joins the ranks. Was like that on a steady decline for me since Elsweyr, for someone it was u35, for others it was Morrowind patch way prior to all of that.

The problem is the lack of recovery. If ZOS had said 'Ooops, sorry!' and then rolled back most of the unwanted changes then most of use would be happy.
If we'd had a patch since High Isle where people had gone 'This is awesome', then there would have been good to balance the bad.
But no, it has been a steady decline...

Major_Soulless · July 9

I don't have the hype I had a year ago for this game.

Arcturus · July 9

This is precisely what happens when you continue implementing updates that disregard the interests of your player base. I genuinely miss the days when each aspect of the game had its own identity, rather than this homogenized mess we’re left with now. At this point, the game feels more like an abomination than a cohesive experience.

From my perspective, for instance, I play as a Sorcerer—yet if I want to remain even remotely viable in current content, I’m effectively forced to wear medium armor, wield basic melee weapons instead of magical staves, and rely on stamina rather than my magicka pool. At that point, I have to ask: am I even playing a Sorcerer anymore, or just dressing one up in name only?

Then there’s the tired excuse of “changing the content release model.” What that has really translated to so far is recycled assets, predictable and uninspired storylines, and conveniently fabricated landmasses or islands that just magically appear—clearly a shortcut to avoid the effort of crafting a high-quality map in an established location. Add to that a growing pile of similar corner-cutting decisions, and it becomes hard not to question the overall health—and future—of the game.

A developer should be genuinely concerned when their community not only rejects changes, but becomes increasingly vocal about it. But unfortunately, I fear we’ve moved past that stage. As OP mentioned, we’re in a far more dire place now—the kind where players don’t even bother complaining anymore. What was once a loud, passionate forum has gone quiet, replaced by a creeping disinterest that speaks louder than any outrage ever could.

Cooperharley · July 9

I feel like since U35, there has been a trend in the wrong direction. I think the developers would HEAVILY benefit from an in game survey system similar to how the OSRS developers implemented surveys. Frequent questions about your opinion on the direction of the game, happiness with recent changes, suggestions, etc.

The forums are not representative of the playerbase at large and neither is Reddit. The best way to find out community sentiment is in game, but rather than do that we have more announcements about crown store sales.

Don’t know if it’s a leadership issue or what, but there needs to be some changes in thought process and decision making for these changes. The only thing outside of the addition of the arcanist that has been remotely positive IMO, albeit controversial, was subclassing. Most other combat changes have been largely disconnected from my point of view and they’re often missing the mark.

So all in all, I agree, and find that I’ve developed a steady downslope in my faith in this combat team. I’m sure they’re good people, but I feel they’re very disconnected/misinformed. Spreadsheets aren’t everything. Ask your players how things FEEL in game.

Ex: in the most recent notes, they changed the arcanist banner to allow for the production of crux when you don’t already have one, yet inspired scholarship already does this. So now it’s just a dead skill. What’s going on here?

Tandor · July 9

I share most of the sentiment expressed here, except that for me the decline started a little earlier, with U33 and the switch to account-wide achievements. These days I don't spend anything like the amount of time on the game as I used to.

Malyore · July 9

I've always known truly, as a simple matter of design, this is not a good videogame. The foundations are not well made, and many surface choices seem to be lacking as well. I've never really had that faith in the game. There are elements here and there, usually older ones, that seem truly beautiful. They get choked out by the rest of the game.

But I keep playing because my elder scrolls character is too important to me still, and I enjoy customizing armor and doing housing (without all the flashing and bright affects).

Vulkunne · July 9

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Destai · July 9

I haven't felt hype since High Isle.

While I still enjoy the game, knowing that most of the shinies will be in the store doesn't really make any release feel exciting. It's not where the content is.

Patches notes, I'm largely mixed on. I really question their decision making process sometimes. It seems like everything's based on spreadsheets rather than feel. The most frustrating thing is - there's been some really big upsets, like U35, and it doesn't really seem to amount in any lessons learned. Let alone better communication.

Even things like maintenance, we've complained about how it impacts events. The best we get is some curt, frustrated-sounding response.

Cooperharley · July 9

Vulkunne wrote: »

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Critical opinions of stuff like this comes from a place of admiration and love for the game, not malice. Smiling and pretending everything is 100% good is just as unhealthy for the game as being incessantly negative.

There’s a medium where you don’t engage in personal attacks but give educated opinions with examples and still remain professional. Nothing wrong with saying you’re not a fan of where the game is going directionally.

Vulkunne · July 9

Cooperharley wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Critical opinions of stuff like this comes from a place of admiration and love for the game, not malice. Smiling and pretending everything is 100% good is just as unhealthy for the game as being incessantly negative.

There’s a medium where you don’t engage in personal attacks but give educated opinions with examples and still remain professional. Nothing wrong with saying you’re not a fan of where the game is going directionally.

Ok please show me where I implied wrongdoing on anyone offering an opinion, with that said:

I didn't mention Malice either, you added that from your perspective, also never mentioned pretending and even indicated that the game has room to improve. Please feel free to tell me more about why you feel this way. Please review my quote and indicate where I launched a personal attack or how that conclusion that you reached is pertinent to what I posted. My opinion as always was presented in good faith.

As for everything else, you would be absolutely amazed how much good a smile can do against the dark certainty that others choose to live in. I choose to smile instead but never indicated anyone else should be forced to do the same.

DenverRalphy · July 9

Vulkunne wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Critical opinions of stuff like this comes from a place of admiration and love for the game, not malice. Smiling and pretending everything is 100% good is just as unhealthy for the game as being incessantly negative.

There’s a medium where you don’t engage in personal attacks but give educated opinions with examples and still remain professional. Nothing wrong with saying you’re not a fan of where the game is going directionally.

Ok please show me where I implied wrongdoing on anyone offering an opinion. I didn't mention Malice either, you added that from your perspective.

Nope I never mention pretending and even indicated the game has room to improve. Please feel free to tell me more about why you feel this way.

Please review my quote and indicate where I launched a personal attack or how that conclusion that you reached is pertinent to what I posted. My opinion as always was presented in good faith.

As for everything else, you would be absolutely amazed how much good a smile can do against the dark certainty that others choose to live in. I choose to smile instead but never indicated anyone else should be forced to do the same.

I don't think they were implying you were demonstrating malice. Instead they were just describing where they believe critical responses to patch notes generally come from.

Vulkunne · July 9

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Critical opinions of stuff like this comes from a place of admiration and love for the game, not malice. Smiling and pretending everything is 100% good is just as unhealthy for the game as being incessantly negative.

There’s a medium where you don’t engage in personal attacks but give educated opinions with examples and still remain professional. Nothing wrong with saying you’re not a fan of where the game is going directionally.

Ok please show me where I implied wrongdoing on anyone offering an opinion. I didn't mention Malice either, you added that from your perspective.

Nope I never mention pretending and even indicated the game has room to improve. Please feel free to tell me more about why you feel this way.

Please review my quote and indicate where I launched a personal attack or how that conclusion that you reached is pertinent to what I posted. My opinion as always was presented in good faith.

As for everything else, you would be absolutely amazed how much good a smile can do against the dark certainty that others choose to live in. I choose to smile instead but never indicated anyone else should be forced to do the same.

I don't think they were implying you were demonstrating malice. Instead they were just describing where they believe critical responses to patch notes generally come from.

The post was a reply to mine, in quotes and referenced what I was saying. It is safe and appropriate to consider this a response to me, as others would have done the same.

Desiato · July 9

Maybe this is a new feeling for *you* but someone feels this every update going all the way back to 2014.

You should have seen the DK mains when the most OP class the game has ever seen was toned down. To some of them, DK wasn't OP, it was just attractive to OP players!! Yes, some players actually convinced themselves of that.

I went through this when subclassing was introduced. I expressed my concerns and chose to either accept it or move on. I accepted it and it's fine. I knew there would be a process of adjustments that would follow because Barriers every 12 seconds is OBVIOUSLY broken. This is life in an MMO. Even an MMO you think is great is broken to someone else.

Subclassing happened and there's no putting the genie back in the bottle. It has to be balanced. It's worse for the game if all content is completely trivialized. I suggest not clinging to pure classes like they're your lifeblood. Adapt and move on.

This too shall pass. And if it doesn't it's just a game. Were you planning on playing it for the rest of your life?

The thing to do is take a break if it's negatively affecting you.

Rittings · July 9

I know I'm fatigued by the constant Nerfblade updates every single patch. My blade hasn't truly been viable for a long time - and just because it has a couple of good damage increases that subclassing has lead to use of, my pure blade must now just get completely crushed... meaning the Nerfblade is now just dead and only a gimmick class.

RealLoveBVB · July 9

I was always excited for updates and new things.
Now I am always afraid when opening Patch Notes.

Soarora · July 9

Yes. Patch notes at best make me nervous. I’ve been here through too many unpopular decisions while quest writing continues to be disappointing. I think at this point all I care about is how difficult new dungeons are (and of course zos not killing my builds), but dungeon difficulty and challenger rewards feels like a fight not worth trying to fight anymore.

rothan117 · July 9

I am losing interest in the content. The whole Hermaeus Mora arc, particularly the 2nd chapter just did not resonate with me. And the Solstice content feels very thin and weak, it is supposed to be the first half, but it feels more like a quarter or less compared to old chapters. And it was not engaging at all, played through it once and no interest in taking alts through it. Subclassing and scribing have both left me uninterested in using them after trying them out. Since finishing Solstice story I am spending way less time in game and am playing other games instead.

Cooperharley · July 9

Vulkunne wrote: »

DenverRalphy wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

Cooperharley wrote: »

Vulkunne wrote: »

The patch notes usually are a mixed bag. however, I have noticed there have been some nice improvements.

But um sometimes it helps to just smile and be happy ESO still is. Alot is going on these days, and other games are not around anymore. I'd rather ESO have the chance to improve vs end up like them.

Critical opinions of stuff like this comes from a place of admiration and love for the game, not malice. Smiling and pretending everything is 100% good is just as unhealthy for the game as being incessantly negative.

There’s a medium where you don’t engage in personal attacks but give educated opinions with examples and still remain professional. Nothing wrong with saying you’re not a fan of where the game is going directionally.

Ok please show me where I implied wrongdoing on anyone offering an opinion. I didn't mention Malice either, you added that from your perspective.

Nope I never mention pretending and even indicated the game has room to improve. Please feel free to tell me more about why you feel this way.

Please review my quote and indicate where I launched a personal attack or how that conclusion that you reached is pertinent to what I posted. My opinion as always was presented in good faith.

As for everything else, you would be absolutely amazed how much good a smile can do against the dark certainty that others choose to live in. I choose to smile instead but never indicated anyone else should be forced to do the same.

I don't think they were implying you were demonstrating malice. Instead they were just describing where they believe critical responses to patch notes generally come from.

The post was a reply to mine, in quotes and referenced what I was saying. It is safe and appropriate to consider this a response to me, as others would have done the same.

Just to re-iterate I think you blew that way out of proportion lol. Like Denver said that was a general statement. It’s not that deep

Smiling is great, was just post a “just saying” reply..

ApoAlaia · July 9

Given that I would like to continue playing ESO for the foreseeable I do my best to not get worked up when patch notes deliver another bucket load of anti-fun.

Even when they explicitly state that they are watching us having fun right before delivering their cargo of wretched, joy smothering substance.

Besides, is no secret that forums are to sadists what carrion is to flies and I'm not keen on providing free satisfaction for them.

So I just... 'whatever' it and keep enjoying what is left to be enjoyed.

the90thmeridian · July 9

yes, when subclassing happened everyone knew the subsequent balance changes were going to be another update 35. between that and how dead west weald was / is (buildings there but every door with locks on it, etc) i knew i would not be buying the content pass. solstice dropped and from what ive heard the zone is just as dead as west weald was / is. so from i'm not done with eso, i still find it fun, but my gameplay has really changed. sometimes i log in to get the daily rewards, sometimes i dont, i didnt do really anything with zenithar this year, just enough to get the outfit done. other than coming on to do scheduled trials in a couple of guilds im in i dont really play at all anymore. that'll probably end when update 47 hits, im sick of having to be a language lawyer to understand what skills do, how my build can best utilize them, etc. its just too much for too little in return.

TheMajority · July 9

I don't think 'faith' is the right word since ESO was not something I was trying to believe in or doubted the existence of. more like I don't trust, I never was putting faith in it

licenturion · July 9

I care only about new content and systems and don’t care about some nerfs or AWA achievements.

So for me everything is still fine. My goal is still to finish my sticker-book and all the story quests on my main.

The patch notes have some quality of life stuff like swimming mounts, stacking etc that I like. And I also like dungeons.

Not super hyped this year though. I prefer the chapter approach instead of this content pass. I haven’t started the Solstice main quest and plan on playing right before the second part comes out. I also don’t watch series until the whole season has dropped.

tsaescishoeshiner · July 9

I'm still excited for PTS notes every time. The notes this time have some popular changes, a few that some people don't like, and some quality of life/cosmetic changes. Mount swimmies will be fun and convenient, and Nightblade/Banner Bearer are getting an appropriate tune-down (that might require more improvements going forward to balance).

It's not a particularly hype patch because there aren't sweeping combat changes or anything--people have for years requested slower, less intense combat changes in the quarterly patches. Sometimes we get that.

And they might introduce some new areas of change on week 2 or 3, like they do sometimes, so we'll see.

Nothing wrong with not being excited about the game on a particular patch. I know a lot of people who are on break from the game, I think because of other RPG and online game releases and just seasonal interest, which a lot of MMOs deal with.