Thoughts on Seasons?

Nomadic_Atmoran · January 17

wolfie1.0. wrote: »

Libonotus wrote: »

lillybit wrote: »

The difference is the zones and content will be (mostly?) free and you'll just be spending money on optional cosmetic unlocks. Plus if you sub one of those seasons will be free each year. I think that's a fair trade tbh

Its really not a fair trade…. at all…. the content we are getting is literally lacking for the asking price of the battlepass. The battlepass price is near enough the same as a chapter. I have to laugh

Then dont buy it. If its just cosmetics then its not required. When I will start getting alarmed is when they put a new class or skill line in the top tier.

What an insightful comment.

PeacefulAnarchy · January 17

tohopka_eso wrote: »

I might've missed it in the stream but I searched the main ESO site and tried looking in some of the other threads. I just can't find the pricing for the seasons that was mentioned.

It was in the stream. The content of the seasons is free.
The tomes have a free tier everyone has access to.
USD14.99 for the premium with extra cosmetics and no season limit on the other rewards
USD29.99 for the Premium + with an extra cosmetic and more tome points.

https://youtu.be/Bg3gcsstoXk?si=3uTfYmMLEB9fQ29I&t=1420
23:40 in this video

tohopka_eso · January 17

PeacefulAnarchy wrote: »

tohopka_eso wrote: »

I might've missed it in the stream but I searched the main ESO site and tried looking in some of the other threads. I just can't find the pricing for the seasons that was mentioned.

It was in the stream. The content of the seasons is free.
The tomes have a free tier everyone has access to.
USD14.99 for the premium with extra cosmetics and no season limit on the other rewards
USD29.99 for the Premium + with an extra cosmetic and more tome points.
https://youtu.be/Bg3gcsstoXk?si=3uTfYmMLEB9fQ29I&t=1420
23:40 in this video

thank you, guess I'll rewatch it over the weekend

peacenote · January 17

Sadras wrote: »

. But a whole year without a story- and questing zone (not event zone) worries me...

This is how I feel about four man dungeons. Are we really, definitely, not getting even one? I did watch the reveal, but I was tired, and I'm unclear if it was said that there definitely is not one coming or if we are all assuming this because it wasn't highlighted on that graphic. I may have missed some details.

In general, my take is that the intent to improve longtime problems is sincere, and this is awesome. I understand that part of this is trying to listen to feedback on PTS and actually react to it, which the strict schedule didn't really allow. If this works well, I think everyone is going to be so much happier. It was so frustrating, for us but I think for ZOS, too. So I really appreciate the idea and the effort.

I do think the reveal tried very hard to make it clear that concerns were heard, but because that was the focus, it was less clear which things that are going well will continue to be a priority alongside improvements. So between the fact that there was no mention of 4 man dungeons, and how Susan gave a whole little commentary on how she likes to play solo, it left me feeling a little concerned about how much upcoming content will allow for playing with friends, and be designed for that. Can you increase the difficulty of overland while grouped and still see and work with your friends? Can you bring a friend in, if you want to, with you into the solo dungeon, even though it's scaled for solo?

Also, I'm very happy there was a trial listed on the graphic, but it's so much easier to find three other people than eleven, which means the four man dungeons play a pretty important role in having enough new content for coordinated, challenging group play. I absolutely could be wrong about this, but I'm guessing the Night Market and the dynamic world events are building off of ideas from the Writhing Fortress, which I enjoyed but was more of a "you could go in grouped with anyone, geared with anything, as long as you had the numbers" kind of thing, which, to me is actually solo content you can do with friends (like questing) and isn't really a substitute for the dungeon content which is designed to be a specific challenge for a small group of people to work through together, and is more end-game-ish. There really doesn't seem much for end game, PvE vets to do in between their raid times, with no new dungeons to explore.

Unrelated, and I guess this is on me since I've never played another game with a "battle pass," but it's super confusing to me that it says "battle" but seems to be about cosmetics? I would have thought a battle pass would be about getting content for combat, or entry into a ranked section of play, or something like that.

Now if it was called a "Crown Pass" or a "Glamour Pass" or something, I would instinctively understand its point better.

twisttop138 · January 17

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

twisttop138 wrote: »

I'm curious though Kevin. New zones, classes etc all cost quite a bit. A fear I've seen, that I also feel, is that now there's no return on that investment. What incentive does Zos have to make us something like, say Western Skyrim. A large zone full of side quests and delves and all the accoutrements. Or to invest in a new class. Other battle pass games in the genre are very skint on the content except the paid tier of the pass for cosmetic items.

Not trying to be an ass, genuinely curious. As we start to look more like fallout 76, a game I play and love, its worrying.

Edit to add. I do appreciate that there is more that hasn't been brought up yet. This is a mistake on your guys part I believe. The Livestream talked long about the new way to pay you guys and not nearly enough about what we'll play. Not super different to previous years, but this year is different. Thank you. You do quite a bit of the heavy lifting for Zos in how many players view the company. I hope they appreciate your hard work.

Totally get the question. No harm done. The incentive for us is simple. Ultimately, we want to make a game that you, the player, wants to continue to play and return to. We know folks come to ESO for a variety of things, and we want to continue to support that. To do that, we will need to continue to provide content that you will want to play and engage with. So the things you noted, like investment in a new class, or a new zone with story content and delves, new trials, etc. These are things that we have seen players ask for and we want to continue to deliver those. With the new structure, we can do that without having to stick with one specific deadline like we did under chapters. Lastly, the new leadership team is very serious about building the game with you, the player. A big part of that is delivering on gameplay elements you want, being honest and adapting on things that miss the mark wherever possible, and ideally delighting with things you didn't expect. This is on top of continuing QoL improvements. If those elements continue to build a healthy and happy ESO community, then that is our return on investment.

On the livestream bit, thank you for the feedback. We have passed similar feedback on to our Leadership Team and other teams in charge of the production. The goal for the stream was to articulate that a lot was changing and changing because of player feedback. We will have a stream to talk about more about the specific details of seasons beyond Season Zero (keep your eyes open for that announcement) in the coming months. But we viewed it as an opportunity to level set with the immediate changes happening. Which with the existence of this thread, shows was needed, but with more detail to try and clear up any confusion. The payment piece is one part of that, but as you can see, there is quite a bit changing and going over that and what is coming in Update 49/Season Zero was the goal.

Thank you Kevin. For your frank and open response. While I'm apprehensive about the future, I know for myself I will judge after I play it. I owe ESO that much, as well as the friends I've made here that I wouldn't want to lose. I think in all this, we all just want a fun game that sticks around. Providing a good experience in our shared world. Mistakes aside, I can respect the new leadership and will watch with interest how it continues to evolve.

lillybit · January 17

peacenote wrote: »

Sadras wrote: »

. But a whole year without a story- and questing zone (not event zone) worries me...

Unrelated, and I guess this is on me since I've never played another game with a "battle pass," but it's super confusing to me that it says "battle" but seems to be about cosmetics? I would have thought a battle pass would be about getting content for combat, or entry into a ranked section of play, or something like that. Now if it was called a "Crown Pass" or a "Glamour Pass" or something, I would instinctively understand its point better.

I've never played games with a battle pass either but I think it's just the standard name for a system like this. They've used it so players can better understand what we're getting.

They haven't actually called it that, just said it's a battle pass like system, and it's in game as Tamriel Tomes (on PTS the menu is in place but not functional yet). I imagine that's what it'll be marketed as once it's established.

I agree it doesn't much match what they're offering but they can't help an existing term

Destai · January 17

@ZOS_Kevin I was thinking about this - will there still be net new cosmetics in the future content that’s not in the Tomes? I am concerned that all or most future cosmetics will be in the Tomes system. I mean things like motifs, houses, mounts (yes I know there’s new for gold ones).

AvelineBlack · January 17

I'm not excited to see season passes that includes story or anything in that nature because I've left games like destiny that sunsets seasonal content when the season is over and then there is no way to go back to previous qeust and content. Aswell as I'm a eso plus member so now the price for eso plus goes up and then addition to that a BP and then only after 1 years of eso plus active you get like 1 season pass that doesn't make sence so you miss one month of getting eso plus out if the 12 then you don't qualify for it anymore then what's the point. I get the BP is purely optional and by the looks of it the most important resources from the BP should be on the free track but at this point I'd rather just buy a yearly bundle similar to the 2025 content pass for a similar price tag then spend approximately 180 to 200$ on a BP for the year. I'm also a console player so won't have access to the pts but will see how the seasons and seasonal "story" gets released and how it will effect the long run. I do understand the new model to make time management easier for new zones and classes and dungoens and trials easier that it's not putting a massive time pressure on the dev team I'm just concerned that the BP will end up the same as destiny's BP model wich in not excited for

jenorthar · January 17

I like the idea of centralizing rewards into one system and understood that the Impressario rewards were going to be rolled into that. My question is how is that going to work for things in progress. For instance, I am one piece short of getting Doomchar and was going to grab it at the next Jester Festival. Will the fragments be available in this new store or will I lose the progress I have in the collection?

PeacefulAnarchy · January 17

jenorthar wrote: »

I like the idea of centralizing rewards into one system and understood that the Impressario rewards were going to be rolled into that. My question is how is that going to work for things in progress. For instance, I am one piece short of getting Doomchar and was going to grab it at the next Jester Festival. Will the fragments be available in this new store or will I lose the progress I have in the collection?

There are two new systems. The Gold Coast Bazaar, and its trade bar system is what is replacing and expanding on the impressario. I assume that all the same catch up mechanics and items will be there along with the additional stuff, but they haven't explicitly said so. You can get your last doomchar piece in mayhem next week or hearts festival in Feb if you want to get it before the update.

Tamriel tomes, the season pass, is what is replacing and expanding endeavors and login rewards.

Castagere · January 18

It's just a big confu

Sadras wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Sadras wrote: »

But a whole year without a story.

While we will not have a zone questline this year, we will have new quests and stories to tell.

Oh yeah, typography, I meant a story-zone, like Wrothgar.
I do appreciate there being new stories in general.

Also BTW seconding the post above: Really appreciate the communication and the continued attempts to explain this whole thing since the reveal. I don't envy the task with such an overhaul.

I role-play my character. He's a good guy who helps people. So the thieves guild and dark brotherhood dlc's are useless for me unless you changed them.

Vonnegut2506 · January 18

Castagere wrote: »

It's just a big confu

Sadras wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Sadras wrote: »

But a whole year without a story.

While we will not have a zone questline this year, we will have new quests and stories to tell.

Oh yeah, typography, I meant a story-zone, like Wrothgar.
I do appreciate there being new stories in general.

Also BTW seconding the post above: Really appreciate the communication and the continued attempts to explain this whole thing since the reveal. I don't envy the task with such an overhaul.

I role-play my character. He's a good guy who helps people. So the thieves guild and dark brotherhood dlc's are useless for me unless you changed them.

Couldn't you just role-play that you are helping people learn to safeguard their valuables and their lives by providing a public service through taking their goods and providing examples of how not to get murdered? You could even role-play that you are going to give the items back and your "victims" are just actors hired for the fake murders. They will even re-appear just like they weren't actually killed.

shadyjane62 · January 18

Will there still be crafting dailies in new seasons?

cyberjanet · January 19

I have no idea what a Battlepass is, I've never played a game that used them. And I stopped ESO+ when they launched the Content Pass.

Sotha_Sil · January 29

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Sadras wrote: »

But a whole year without a story.

While we will not have a zone questline this year, we will have new quests and stories to tell.

Too bad

LordDragonSlayer · March 2

I am not sure what they are thinking but I believe they are looking for steady income stream and I understand that. I am also convinced that they have lost a lot of money because their game content, login rewards, crown costs, etc are just not good or they are too expensive. This is all in US dollars, if you buy crowns on sale, then each crown is roughly $0.43 but if you buy them at full price, then each crown is roughly $0.71. That 10,000 crown house just cost you either $43 or $71. Too me that is a lot of money to pay for a digital property that could go away at any moment.

I would pay 15 to 20 per month for everything but to nickle and dime us to death in my opinion is just wrong. I feel like they are trying to use the WOW money revenue stream model by creating season passes but they were never as big as WOW but even WOW has lost players due to this nonsense.

I just wish they would go back to releasing the next story line/chapter or whatever it is called and let us buy it or not. I also wish they would really think about the quests they are putting in and try not to make them for the 10 year old. One of the things I hated about WOW was go do this quest over there and next go that spot of there but you are not done, now go this spot and then repeat it all.

I do not have the numbers but I believe that their average player base age is in the low to mid 40s or higher. Almost all of the guilds I am in are full of members who are 50+. So, I would think a little more thought would be put into it.

Everyone I have talked to has real major concerns of what is going to happen in April and a lot of them are considering quitting or at least dropping ESO+ and not getting this new pass.