Switch to Linux. Dump Microsoft applications. ESO runs great on Linux. Support the devs while sticking it to Microsoft.

They panicked earlier this year when people started ditching Windows.

I think it's only fair to speak with your wallet at this point. Honestly, I'm not mad at Microsoft. I'm not. I think one way or another, this would've happened.

Before this all happened, we had the following historical issues:

• Increasingly thin content releases
• Unsatisfactory storywriting for 6+ years
• A focus on event-driven content despite community appetite for permanent systems
• A focus on FOMO-driven monetization at the expense of earnable in-game content
• Combat changes that defy reason and feedback going live. (U35, Subclassing, etc.)
• Cyrodiil having nearly a decade of performance issues
• Nearly a decade of poor or hostile communication from the studio. Communication only improved within the last 1.5 years when it became clear the game and studio were facing hardships.
• PTS cycle feedback not preventing issues from going live.

If their previous headcount delivered us the quality of product outlined above, what do you think the headcount now will deliver? I'm sorry, but personally speaking, I don't see this as a worthwhile investment at this time.

Do I want ESO to survive? Yes, of course.

But, if it doesn't, it's not my fault or my responsibility. It's not any of ours. It's on the studio and their relationship with their parent company.

The studio has had years of feedback and opportunity to make this grow and stand out. Rich Lambert once lamented the game's lack of mainstream recognition. Maybe if that had been better addressed, or accepted, things would be different. Imagine the success the game could've enjoyed had they made this year's improvements back in 2020 or earlier. Maybe things would've looked different when Microsoft began their evaluations. Hard to say.

For me, I've given enough feedback, I've given enough money. I hope they can turn ship around with they have. If a year from now, things are looking up, or they can show improvements in their decision making, I'll be more open to spending on the game again. If not, is what it is.

It's been fun regardless.

Destai wrote: »

• Increasingly thin content releases
• Unsatisfactory storywriting for 6+ years
• A focus on event-driven content despite community appetite for permanent systems
• A focus on FOMO-driven monetization at the expense of earnable in-game content
• Combat changes that defy reason and feedback going live. (U35, Subclassing, etc.)
• Cyrodiil having nearly a decade of performance issues
• Nearly a decade of poor or hostile communication from the studio. Communication only improved within the last 1.5 years when it became clear the game and studio were facing hardships.
• PTS cycle feedback not preventing issues from going live.

Who was responsible for that? And who just got laid off?

People are trying to over-analyze this stuff way too much. If I'm enjoying a game and feeling good about it, I'll spend money on it. If not, I won't. If I'm on the fence, like now, I'll wait for more information and evaluate. I stick to short term subs and I don't pre-order and I spend on this or any other game if and when and where I feel they are providing the entertainment value I'm looking for.

Imo there's not much more to it.

I don't cancel subs or stop spending money on a product because I'm trying to hurt someone. I do so when I feel my coin could be better spent elsewhere. Whom specifically may be negatively impacted by my choice to stop spending is immaterial.

It wouldn't be our lack of spending that hurts them, as that honor lies squarely in the lap of the decision makers who created the unfortunate situation to begin with. And in this particular case it would be the geniuses who brought the Xbox division at Microsoft to its knees.

[edit] I should add that it goes both ways. I don't stop spending just to "stick it to the big bad corpos" either. Which is why I haven't yet canceled my ESO+ sub.

Arizona_Steve wrote: »

Switch to Linux. Dump Microsoft applications. ESO runs great on Linux. Support the devs while sticking it to Microsoft.

They panicked earlier this year when people started ditching Windows.

I am getting a new PC tomorrow, and my friend suggested to setup Linux on it instead of Windows... and that's exactly what I'm going to do. After you comment it makes much more sense.

Bo0137 wrote: »

Title.

Trust me, I am as hurt as most of you are. My discontent with Microsoft cannot be put to words.

Yet, I must see things with reason.

Speaking with my wallet (cancelling ESO Plus or stop buying stuff or stop playing) will hurt ZOS and ESO itself and those who are still hired way more than it will hurt Microsoft.

You can still disregard Microsoft AND support ESO and ZOS.

Fight corporate greed. But do not hurt who you love with cross fire

I've paid over $5,000 over the last 11 years to play ESO. Why didn't my spending along with many others like me not prevent what happened last year and again on Monday?

Hate to break to folks, but spending more or less money on ESO will have precisely zero impact on how things play out.

ZOS is a corporation too. It's just smaller than MS is all.