ESO development roadmap

Malyore · July 14

Does ZOS switch between like three different teams each year for content?

There was the Infinite Archive for sets to begin to focus on class abilities. Then there was scribing to fill gaps in builds, with the potential for class grimoires being added. So it seemed like classes were getting expanded.

Then they begin to focus on starter zones, making the very very beginning of the game seem a bit more high quality. Nice, a focus on the places we've already been, with a prospect of adding new content to current zones.

Then subclassing is introduced and is currently being adjusted still. Not sure what the direction with it is. Potentially just fun, but that's usually not allowed for long.

As far as I know, IA, scribing, and old zones aren't being touched this previous or upcoming update (or did I miss that?).
So what happened with all of those and their prospects? The game feels like it's on a randomizer and without a sense that there is actually anything to look forward to or being built up to in the future. There's no goal or vision in mind. Each year just seems like survival.

"Verses and Visions aren't just gifts. They make your [game] more interesting. Don't waste them."

DenverRalphy · July 14

I don't think even ZOS knows. They're stuck under the Microsoft Gaming umbrella, and just look to the news to see where the Microsoft Gaming Division is going. It ain't pretty.

MJallday · July 14

100% - most of them dont even know if they'll have jobs next week let alone whats coming a year out.

Thysbe · July 14

short term roadmap:

as far as prepaid content is concerned they have to have a roadmap - let alone for the steam TOA . If there is no clear roadmap for unreleased content you are always entitled to get your purchase refunded for the unreleased part:

the rest - I think they use the famous Doro-Hakushu suru approach: you throw mud against a wall and look what sticks best. If it falls down you take a different mud.

Heren · July 14

DenverRalphy wrote: »

I don't think even ZOS knows. They're stuck under the Microsoft Gaming umbrella, and just look to the news to see where the Microsoft Gaming Division is going. It ain't pretty.

I don't know if microsoft is entirely to blame here, there is another mmo now also belonging to microsoft that have a roadmap for the, what, 4 or 5 next years ?

Cooperharley · July 14

I am curious to see over the next few years what the changes done to ZOS as a whole will cause. Now that ZOS has one focus in ESO, you’d think that’d equal more quality and more content, but I’m not so sure. If Microsoft allows for more money to be funneled into ESO as a result, that could be huge! We’ll just have to see.

We still haven’t even heard from Jo Burba, the new studio director. Very curious to see his first post or video or interview. I know he’s been with the team for a while now, but I never even knew that until Matt left lol. I’d love to see his vision for the game in 1, 2 or 5 years!

Ingenon · July 14

I agree that the current roadmap seems to be short term. Finish the prepaid content. Beyond that I have not seen a published roadmap.

I am in wait and see mode. My ESO+ subscription has run out, I have purchased the Content Pass, and I am waiting to see how they finish Solstice before I spend any more money on the game.

Tazzy · July 14

The announcement in April clearly showed, they themselves do not know what direction they will take in the next few years. However, I have the feeling that they have very clear guidelines regarding their revenue and that leads to immense pressure. I doubt they have a roadmap for the next 3-4 years, they want to keep all options open.

Destai · July 14

So there was a big roadmap discussion here back in like 2023 - was a huge, productive thread where people walked through with Kevin and folks what kind of roadmaps would be nice. I don't think anything came from those discussions, still seems like they're taking it day by day.

It was also surprising that people had to give so many examples of roadmaps back then. So I'm not confident they have anything to communicate in that fashion. And even with it being a frequent topic, there's so little engagement, that I don't even know if it's a conversation that they can or want to have. The discussion from back then has since disappeared, and repeatedly asking the CMs hasn't brought it back. So who knows.

What I'd like to see is a high level overview, here's the major overhauls. Let's just use an example - scribing.
Let's say, initial roll out, then subclassing, then add scribed class skills, add more weapon skills, new scripts, etc. Again not really going into too much because I don't think it'll land anywhere, but that's what I'd like to see.

I'd also like to see a breakdown of what combat initiatives are underway. Again, frequent ask - is hybridization finished, and if not, what remains? When is combat "done" from a development perspective? Seems like we're 10 years in and it's still a game of whack-a-mole.

These are frequent topics, and it'd be nice if the CMs could find some way to sustain their engagement with them. We really should be way past the "we've been talking internally about XYZ" and more into the realm of concrete communication deliverables.

LPapirius · July 15

Malyore wrote: »

Does ZOS switch between like three different teams each year for content?

There was the Infinite Archive for sets to begin to focus on class abilities. Then there was scribing to fill gaps in builds, with the potential for class grimoires being added. So it seemed like classes were getting expanded.

Then they begin to focus on starter zones, making the very very beginning of the game seem a bit more high quality. Nice, a focus on the places we've already been, with a prospect of adding new content to current zones.

Then subclassing is introduced and is currently being adjusted still. Not sure what the direction with it is. Potentially just fun, but that's usually not allowed for long.

As far as I know, IA, scribing, and old zones aren't being touched this previous or upcoming update (or did I miss that?).
So what happened with all of those and their prospects? The game feels like it's on a randomizer and without a sense that there is actually anything to look forward to or being built up to in the future. There's no goal or vision in mind. Each year just seems like survival.

"Verses and Visions aren't just gifts. They make your [game] more interesting. Don't waste them."

Have you ever seen the end of the movie "Thelma and Louis"?

Cooperharley · July 15

Destai wrote: »

So there was a big roadmap discussion here back in like 2023 - was a huge, productive thread where people walked through with Kevin and folks what kind of roadmaps would be nice. I don't think anything came from those discussions, still seems like they're taking it day by day. It was also surprising back then that people had to give so many examples of what roadmaps were, so I'm not confident they have anything communicate in that fashion. And even with it being a frequent topic, there's so little engagement, that I don't even know if it's conversation that can or want to have. The discussion from back then has since disappeared. So who knows.

What I'd like to see is a high level overview, here's the major overhauls. Let's just use an example - scribing.
Let's say, initial roll out, then subclassing, then add scribed class skills, add more weapon skills, new scripts, etc. Again not really going into too much because I don't think it'll land anywhere, but that's what I'd like to see.

I'd also like to see a breakdown of what combat initiatives are underway. Again, frequent ask - is hybridization finished, and if not, what remains? When is combat "done" from a development perspective? Seems like we're 10 years in and it's still a game of whack-a-mole.

These are frequent topics, and it'd be nice if the CMs could find some way to sustain their engagement with them. We really should be way past the "we've been talking internally about XYZ" and more into the realm of concrete communication deliverables.

Most of these conversations we have never result in anything unfortunately. That’s been a long standing problem. “We hear you” doesn’t mean “yes sounds good, we’ll do that.” Ultimately they listen, and then stay with their own ideals and agenda regardless of if it’s good for the community or not. It’s a cultural thing at ZOS that has needed to change.

I think purely listening to the community is never a good idea. But ZOS largely NEVER listens and it feels bad for sure. It’s why we’ve seen a steady drain in population over time throughout the years.