Now that there are no new chapters, does that mean no new zones and no new stories?

FurryCandyHearts · April 6

Without new zones and stories, even if you don't call them chapters, isn't the game now essentially in maintenance mode until it dies from lack of fresh material?

I'm uh.... asking for a friend.

Erickson9610 · April 6

FurryCandyHearts wrote: »

Without new zones and stories, even if you don't call them chapters, isn't the game now essentially in maintenance mode until it dies from lack of fresh material?

I'm uh.... asking for a friend.

We are getting a new zone next year that'll be base game. It'll have different things in it than the zones we're used to (i.e., no strict formula to follow) and it'll emphasize exploration and discovery.

DoofusMax · April 6

Tell your, uhm, "friend" that it's fine. There are no new stories in this season, but there are two coming next (a Thieves Guild and an Uncle Sheo story) and probably a new zone coming in Season Three (Q1 2027). The game is not in maintenance mode. Your, uhm, "friend" is just tuned in to clickbaity stuff.

Morvan · April 6

They have lowkey confirmed Winterhold for next year, just because we're not getting things on the same format doesn't mean the game is in maintenance mode.

If we were any close to that point ZOS wouldn't be reworking every class in the game, they're just focusing their resources on things beyond the usual new zone, which is something they should have done a long time ago if you ask me.

ESO isn't just overland and questing, but for those with that perspective this year might look like less content, but the fact they're looking back and revisiting every old aspect of the game will do way more for the game's health than yet another new zone.

By the way, we're still getting new stories with the Thieves Guild and Sheo questlines, plus Night Market.

Danikat · April 6

Maintenance Mode means what it says - the game gets basic maintenance required to keep it online and nothing else. If a game is getting any updates beyond essential maintence it is not in maintenance mode.

A game getting fewer and smaller updates than it used to and/or getting updates you don't like is a valid concern, but it's a completely different one from being in maintenance mode and confusing the two just makes it very easy for anyone reading to dismiss your complaint as clearly incorrect.

valenwood_vegan · April 6

They have literally announced that new story questlines (later this year) and a new zone (next year) are planned.

Decreasing content is totally a valid concern, but it's not true that these things are no longer going to be offered (yet).

AScarlato · April 6

I think Maintenance Mode is an overused term and doesn't apply to games still in active development.

I do see a downward trend. No one can convince me that Seasons/Battlepasses is a positive direction compared to the full offering package of a Chapter.

We have seen an overall decrease in offerings for a few years now, but I wouldn't say we are in maintenance mode yet.

I'm mostly interested in seeing:

1. How extensive the questlines are this year.
2. What exactly an "excursion zone" is, which is coming in 2027 - so...kinda a long time away.

Silaf · April 6

Well compared to a big zone(summerset), a small zone(clockwork) and 2 dungeons we are used to this year may be less than usual.
Still the new game director direction is correct so far so he deserves some time to restart.

DMuehlhausen · April 6

Go back and watch their video from last weekend.

This is suppose to allow them to release more content and move the story forward and the timeline forward more easily. There are still a lot of zones left on the map that I'm sure they will uncover.

spartaxoxo · April 6

There are new stories this year. They'll just be revisiting older zones. Also there's a new zone coming early next year with events themed around it later this year.

Al_Ex_Andre · April 6

Methink that I read that they think that the game is too big already. So it will have consequences, ie: less content.

FurryCandyHearts · April 7

I shared all these responses with my uh... friend and they thought your responses were all uh Awesome! TY!