agelonestar wrote: »

And while the 8,000 Seals are appreciated, I do think there’s an unanswered question here around players who bought the 2025 Season Pass, since they were the most invested and the most affected. Those players paid extra specifically for this content and got the roughest version of it. It would help morale tremendously if ZOS could clarify whether there’s any form of make-good planned for those customers beyond the universally offered Seals.

Good point. Those who bought the season pass are also facing story quest bugs and skyshard bugs. It does seem odd that everyone will get 8000 seals (which I have no problem with), but there's nothing extra for those who paid good money for the content pass. After all, it was only content pass holders who had access to the writhing fortress in its buggy state.

So while I understand the compensation for everyone for phase 1 and 2 of the event, phase 3 was the most disappointing because of the inability of many to complete the fortress when it became available, followed by the bugs in Eastern Solstice, which is also only available to content pass holders. Since the 8000 seals are being given to everyone, it means there's no compensation for the fortress and Eastern Solstice problems, which doesn't seem right.

AzuraFan wrote: »

agelonestar wrote: »

And while the 8,000 Seals are appreciated, I do think there’s an unanswered question here around players who bought the 2025 Season Pass, since they were the most invested and the most affected. Those players paid extra specifically for this content and got the roughest version of it. It would help morale tremendously if ZOS could clarify whether there’s any form of make-good planned for those customers beyond the universally offered Seals.

Good point. Those who bought the season pass are also facing story quest bugs and skyshard bugs. It does seem odd that everyone will get 8000 seals (which I have no problem with), but there's nothing extra for those who paid good money for the content pass. After all, it was only content pass holders who had access to the writhing fortress in its buggy state.

So while I understand the compensation for everyone for phase 1 and 2 of the event, phase 3 was the most disappointing because of the inability of many to complete the fortress when it became available, followed by the bugs in Eastern Solstice, which is also only available to content pass holders. Since the 8000 seals are being given to everyone, it means there's no compensation for the fortress and Eastern Solstice problems, which doesn't seem right.

Huh!? The Writhing Wall Event is part of the Season Pass. Only players who paid for the content experienced the bugs throughout the Solstice event. No?
What bugs did the Writhing Wall Event cause outside Solstice? I mean, for players who did NOT buy the content pass, what bugs did they get? None?

Then why will they also get 8k Endeavors? I paid for the content, and I get the same reward as players who didn’t pay? And since I paid, I even got more bugs… lol!
Well, like I said earlier in this event, this just shows the "quality standards" we’re getting from ZOS

agelonestar wrote: »

@ZOS_NickG @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

I appreciate Nick taking the time to post a direct and honest message. The apology is welcome, and the 8,000 Seals of Endeavor is a generous gesture for the community as a whole.

That said, I think the Writhing Wall situation highlights some wider concerns that many of us have had for quite a while now.

The state of the event strongly suggests ongoing QA issues and, more importantly, that PTS feedback isn’t being incorporated as effectively as it could be.

This wasn’t a minor issue or two — this was an entire multi-phase feature in a highly promoted “once-in-a-lifetime” event that simply wasn’t ready. Multiple major bugs, repeated blocking issues, and whole mechanics being removed mid-event speak to underlying process problems, not just bad luck.

And while the 8,000 Seals are appreciated, I do think there’s an unanswered question here around players who bought the 2025 Season Pass, since they were the most invested and the most affected. Those players paid extra specifically for this content and got the roughest version of it. It would help morale tremendously if ZOS could clarify whether there’s any form of make-good planned for those customers beyond the universally offered Seals.

A second point I hope ZOS will address is the value proposition of this year’s content.

The 2024–25 cycle delivered:
1. a noticeably smaller zone
2. fewer quests and gameplay hours than any recent chapter
3. and a headline event that launched in a broken state.

All of this came at a higher price than previous years.

I think it’s fair for players to ask: How does ZOS plan to restore player confidence and ensure that next year’s content justifies its cost?

Speaking personally, I enjoy ESO and want it to succeed — we all do, or we wouldn’t be here giving feedback after 10+ years. But events like this shake trust, and it would go a long way to hear more about:
A) what internal changes are being made
B ) how PTS feedback will be used more effectively
C) and how future annual content will meet (or exceed) the quality bar players have come to expect

I appreciate the communication, and I hope this is the start of a more open and transparent dialogue.

(Edit : typo)

This is a very succinct summation of how I've been feeling. Zos very much needs to let us know, and soon. I don't think the usual end of year back patting and self aggrandizing will cut it this year. Neither will talk of "oh we have such amazing stuff we just would love to tell you about but alas we can't. You just wait though. We wish we could say but we can't." I think this year has moved us far past that.

This year really brings things into stark contrast. Gone are chapters. Gone is knowing without a doubt that we will get a place to explore, lots of great side quests, a trial, 6 delves, 6 world bosses, 2 public dungeons and a new system. On top of new plans, antiquity stuff, companions etc. Long gone is the Q4 story dlc. Say what you want about Zos being predictable but I like knowing what the amount of content is and knowing that if I buy it it's worth my money.

Zos I think really needs to blow us away. They can't expect the community to pay more for less. They tried it this year and it didn't quite pan out. Let us hope that @ZOS_NickG has shown us Zos is different under this new leadership. I could never imagine the last guy coming out here and being so open and honest. I want to hope that this year was the last gasps of that era of ESO and that the ship is turning around. Ships can take time to turn but with real open and honest communication and a good road map for next year, I think the community will be understanding of that. I know I will be.

Last'One wrote: »

AzuraFan wrote: »

agelonestar wrote: »

And while the 8,000 Seals are appreciated, I do think there’s an unanswered question here around players who bought the 2025 Season Pass, since they were the most invested and the most affected. Those players paid extra specifically for this content and got the roughest version of it. It would help morale tremendously if ZOS could clarify whether there’s any form of make-good planned for those customers beyond the universally offered Seals.

Good point. Those who bought the season pass are also facing story quest bugs and skyshard bugs. It does seem odd that everyone will get 8000 seals (which I have no problem with), but there's nothing extra for those who paid good money for the content pass. After all, it was only content pass holders who had access to the writhing fortress in its buggy state.

So while I understand the compensation for everyone for phase 1 and 2 of the event, phase 3 was the most disappointing because of the inability of many to complete the fortress when it became available, followed by the bugs in Eastern Solstice, which is also only available to content pass holders. Since the 8000 seals are being given to everyone, it means there's no compensation for the fortress and Eastern Solstice problems, which doesn't seem right.

Huh!? The Writhing Wall Event is part of the Season Pass. Only players who paid for the content experienced the bugs throughout the Solstice event. No?
What bugs did the Writhing Wall Event cause outside Solstice? I mean, for players who did NOT buy the content pass, what bugs did they get? None?

I guess that depends on whether the abysmal drop rates for shard fragments, issues with the invasion bosses in base game delves/dungeons, or the huge variability in whether vitrified souls dropped are considered bugs. IOW players who participated in the event outside of the specific season pass content were actually affected too.

That said, I would personally rank these as being significantly less of an issue compared to the bugs in the event that were exclusive to the season pass (especially since some had easy workarounds), and I do think ZOS should address those that paid for that content specifically. I'll note that they've already said that they will make the fortress available again at some point, which presumably would only be for paid season pass holders. That is good, but I'm not sure it quite meets the mark in terms of compensation, though - that's something only those who paid for the content can answer.

agelonestar wrote: »

The state of the event strongly suggests ongoing QA issues and, more importantly, that PTS feedback isn’t being incorporated as effectively as it could be.

This wasn’t a minor issue or two — this was an entire multi-phase feature in a highly promoted “once-in-a-lifetime” event that simply wasn’t ready. Multiple major bugs, repeated blocking issues, and whole mechanics being removed mid-event speak to underlying process problems, not just bad luck.

Quite the succinct, and generous, write-up. I think you hit the nail on the head.

For me, it's not even a strong suggestion of QA issues, it's a revelation. I feel like there's a few possibilities for how this was released in this condition:
This event is just one of many that felt outright dismissive or ignorant of player feedback. And while we've been seeing more of the CMs, it's hard not to feel like it's performative when the things we all complain about just keep happening. Things go-live and then the CMs waltz on in asking for feedback that was already provided on PTS. It paints ZOS as careless and aloof. I get they're all overworked, but it's frustrating as a customer and IP devotee.

agelonestar wrote: »

And while the 8,000 Seals are appreciated, I do think there’s an unanswered question here around players who bought the 2025 Season Pass, since they were the most invested and the most affected. Those players paid extra specifically for this content and got the roughest version of it. It would help morale tremendously if ZOS could clarify whether there’s any form of make-good planned for those customers beyond the universally offered Seals.

I don't know what else they could do. I think everyone's affected by the quality issues this year. Maybe another 8000 seals or something for those who bought the expansion. I dunno. Kickback doesn't matter much to me if the underlying issues aren't fixed.

agelonestar wrote: »

I think it’s fair for players to ask: How does ZOS plan to restore player confidence and ensure that next year’s content justifies its cost?

Given the way they've treated their own game and community over the years, I don't see myself ever paying full price for an ESO release again.

Honestly, looking at the quality issues over the years, I feel like ZOS is comfortable with lower quality releases and the subsequent blowback. That's my impression, it's on them to dispute it. One doesn't do keep doing something if they're not comfortable with it. We've had moments like U35, the Jabs changes, the PermaGlow changes, and now the recent animation changes. Feels like someone has an "I know better" or "it will blow over" attitude. I've seen at least one ZOS leader demonstrate those qualities.

Regardless, they're signaling to me, whether they mean to or not, that this game is a wait-for-sale value.

But in the spirit of constructive criticism, here's how they could restore my confidence:
In any case, I'm happy to see Nick being open and transparent. It's a welcome change from the previous leadership.