Opinion: Freerunner quest are very... meh.

Usureki · July 10

On Wednesday I was so hyped to see what's the Freerunner stuff is about, then received a 'quest' to deliver a frozen sweetroll to a random chest in a random area... that was one of the most miserably hollow content I've played on ESO like ever. Like we're RPing Wolt curriers now? At least they are delivering food to people, not to boxes in the middle of a desert. I found this quest so lame I've realized that the next day I simply forgot that the stuff exists and missed doing any more quest. Maybe today. Idk, I'm disappointed.

What are your thoughts on the Freerunners? Are they anything like you expected?

EDIT:
Just to add some positives to my feedback: I like how the quest reward is not simply 700 gold, but instead a set item I might need to collect and a treasure item I can sell to a merchant. The white food I cannot understand tho, everybody is 100% eating purple or yellow food, a 3 gold white food quest reward is literally spam in the inventory. I also liked how the board was already present before the quests actually appeared. Maybe that caused the big hype and big expectations from my side.

Usureki · July 10

Oh no.. I've accepted a new quest just now, and it's 'Kill a Boss in Malabar Tor'. Really? Is ESO this dead? This is soooo weak.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5C3mvRm0aOY

I recommend watching the above, this is exactly how I feel right now.

These 'quests' are a disgrace.

We have loads of unimplemented areas and aspects of the Elder Scrolls Second Era lore, we have so many interesting characters and plots already in ESO, we have an army of recommended content for the game on these forums... and despite all of this, this is the content we are receiving? Really?

KalevaLaine · July 10

Ah, I enjoy stuff like this. I'm a grinder, but I get your point.

Sadly there are only almost meaningless rewards.

Other with the dynamic events, I got some missing set items from Maelstrom there.

Usureki · July 10

KalevaLaine wrote: »

Ah, I enjoy stuff like this. I'm a grinder, but I get your point.

Sadly there are only almost meaningless rewards.

Other with the dynamic events, I got some missing set items from Maelstrom there.

I mean I'm okay that we have quests like this.. but the hype around Freerunners kinda made me think that there will be a certain amount of depth to these quests, at least like the Mages/Fighters guild. Instead of new stories, npcs and places to adventure with we have a board with very primitive quests. I mean no offense to anyone, but this 'content' could be vibe coded with Claude under 4 hours by a single person. It is a shame, that this content was supposed to be one of the main points advertised in Season one. The other is the Thieves guild quest, which is bugged.

I love ESO and I want to support ZOS, even after all the storm we're through, but this content was developed way before the layoffs. As a customer, I'm not satisfied with the level of quality this Season One beginning represents. I do hope that the team remaining will find new ways to develop content, as this quality is a first class ticket to mass server shutdowns.

frogthroat · July 10

I haven't yet done anything else than Dynamic Encounters since this season started, so I don't know other stuff that much. But are those really called "Freerunning"? That is the term in-game? Like, the artistic form of Parkour? Does it include artful, gymnastic parkour, ie. freerunning?

James-Wayne · July 10

You just wait till you see what Rumors are later in season 1.... You'll be begging to do more favors 😆

BretonMage · July 10

They strike me as a bit like the "radiant quest" system in Skyrim. With, from the sound of it, a chain of letters for story significance. And like the radiant quest system, it's not supposed to be as meaty as a zone quest, it's basically just something to do with a tiny bit of randomness.

Nemesis7884 · July 10

Honestly if this is all the creativity a writer can come up with, no wonder msoft wants to replace everyone with ai

tsaescishoeshiner · July 10

I don't mind it as a miniquestline where you get to work with the characters later. However, the letters from the NPCs so far haven't made much sense as to why we're "corresponding" or why they're just describing themselves and their history and ambitions to a random stranger.

Syldras · July 10

Theres's already a thread where people have been discussing this:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/695923/i-dont-understand-the-point-of-favours

Thoriorz · July 10

I started a thread asking about the rewards for these quests because what I’m getting is just standard junk, and I was wondering if, with more Favors or reputation—or whatever you want to call it—basically by progressing further, the rewards would improve (maybe motifs, rarer furnishing plans, maybe some gold mats, etc.)—basically something that would make it worth my while to spend my playtime on these quests. No one replied to me there...
So looks like I’ll keep getting what I’m getting now. I know there’s some “big” reward, but I also know it’s a piece of furnishing junk that probably won’t be sellable, so as a non-housing player, these new daily quests don’t really interest me. It’s a shame—a rarer furnishing blueprint, some gold mats here and there, or some Motifs as rewards would have spiced things up a bit and provided more motivation.(for me)
But right now, seeing the rewards, it doesn’t make sense for me to do these quests, so I’ll spend my time in ESO on other activities instead.

Tazzy · July 10

Usureki wrote: »

Oh no.. I've accepted a new quest just now, and it's 'Kill a Boss in Malabar Tor'. Really? Is ESO this dead? This is soooo weak.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5C3mvRm0aOY

I recommend watching the above, this is exactly how I feel right now.

These 'quests' are a disgrace.

We have loads of unimplemented areas and aspects of the Elder Scrolls Second Era lore, we have so many interesting characters and plots already in ESO, we have an army of recommended content for the game on these forums... and despite all of this, this is the content we are receiving? Really?

Hehe...'The world thanks you, hero' .....lol
The video nail'd It!

Firstmep · July 10

I was hoping the -definetly not generic daily- quests would get a bit more interesting, but so far, eh. One of the quests is literally pick up quest item, port to location, hand in port back to quest giver. This is some 2004 WoW kill 10 boars type of stuff. Very disappointed.

Firstmep · July 10

Usureki wrote: »

KalevaLaine wrote: »

Ah, I enjoy stuff like this. I'm a grinder, but I get your point.

Sadly there are only almost meaningless rewards.

Other with the dynamic events, I got some missing set items from Maelstrom there.

I mean I'm okay that we have quests like this.. but the hype around Freerunners kinda made me think that there will be a certain amount of depth to these quests, at least like the Mages/Fighters guild. Instead of new stories, npcs and places to adventure with we have a board with very primitive quests. I mean no offense to anyone, but this 'content' could be vibe coded with Claude under 4 hours by a single person. It is a shame, that this content was supposed to be one of the main points advertised in Season one. The other is the Thieves guild quest, which is bugged.

I love ESO and I want to support ZOS, even after all the storm we're through, but this content was developed way before the layoffs. As a customer, I'm not satisfied with the level of quality this Season One beginning represents. I do hope that the team remaining will find new ways to develop content, as this quality is a first class ticket to mass server shutdowns.

Both this and the not so dynamic encounters reek of very low effort (I hope the forums mods don't take this as bashing I'm criticizing the content).
Both these were hyped as some magical experimental type content and in the end just more of the same that we already have.

Eldovar · July 10

Firstmep wrote: »

Both this and the not so dynamic encounters reek of very low effort (I hope the forums mods don't take this as bashing I'm criticizing the content).
Both these were hyped as some magical experimental type content and in the end just more of the same that we already have.

For me: these are all just minor effort 'features' with a new fancy name to fill up roadmaps. Throw some rewards systems like pursuits, events and battle passes on top and you get a stacked roadmap that looks impressive when seen as a whole. But the reality is quite different.

Ravenshadow6513 · July 10

The NPC next to the board explains who and what the Freerunners represent. Sure, you delivered sweetrolls, but if you read the quest, you understand the context behind it. Personally, I like that I'm learning more about these lore characters and I like what the Freerunners are trying to do. Plus, I've gotten leads, recipes, and gold from the boxes.

Gabriel_H · July 10

Playwise: No different to the delve/boss dailies you get in a new zone
Conceptually: While basic at the moment, it has the potential to expand - and ZOS noted that when announcing it.
Conclusion: Pretty much what I thought it would be. Hoping they pursue the potential and add some depth and life to the world.

Vonnegut2506 · July 10

I got to feed starving cats today. What kind of a monster doesn't like saving animals?

Gabriel_H · July 10

Firstmep wrote: »

Usureki wrote: »

KalevaLaine wrote: »

Ah, I enjoy stuff like this. I'm a grinder, but I get your point.

Sadly there are only almost meaningless rewards.

Other with the dynamic events, I got some missing set items from Maelstrom there.

I mean I'm okay that we have quests like this.. but the hype around Freerunners kinda made me think that there will be a certain amount of depth to these quests, at least like the Mages/Fighters guild. Instead of new stories, npcs and places to adventure with we have a board with very primitive quests. I mean no offense to anyone, but this 'content' could be vibe coded with Claude under 4 hours by a single person. It is a shame, that this content was supposed to be one of the main points advertised in Season one. The other is the Thieves guild quest, which is bugged.

I love ESO and I want to support ZOS, even after all the storm we're through, but this content was developed way before the layoffs. As a customer, I'm not satisfied with the level of quality this Season One beginning represents. I do hope that the team remaining will find new ways to develop content, as this quality is a first class ticket to mass server shutdowns.

Both this and the not so dynamic encounters reek of very low effort (I hope the forums mods don't take this as bashing I'm criticizing the content).
Both these were hyped as some magical experimental type content and in the end just more of the same that we already have.

The problem with DEs is the Siege Camp problem. Very powerful enemies, with some complex mechs, that are totally swept aside by the sheer number of players and their damage.

The one in Auridon for example: You are supposed to be putting out fires and saving horses while dealing with ever spawning enemies, but the enemies are dying too quickly to be of any obstacle. You don't need separate teams dealing with them, as the other team deals with fire/horses. It just renders the encounters meaningless.

Nemesis7884 · July 10

One of the strength of eso vs other mmos (besides maybe swtor) have always been the well written quests...but these feel like Skyrim radiant quests...ai slop

JustLovely · July 10

Feels like AI generated fetch quests to me.

Gabriel_H · July 11

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Playwise: No different to the delve/boss dailies you get in a new zone
Conceptually: While basic at the moment, it has the potential to expand - and ZOS noted that when announcing it.
Conclusion: Pretty much what I thought it would be. Hoping they pursue the potential and add some depth and life to the world.

Going to add to my earlier comment. The reward coffers have the chance to drop antiquity leads too.

shadyjane62 · July 11

Usureki wrote: »

Oh no.. I've accepted a new quest just now, and it's 'Kill a Boss in Malabar Tor'. Really? Is ESO this dead? This is soooo weak.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5C3mvRm0aOY

I recommend watching the above, this is exactly how I feel right now.

These 'quests' are a disgrace.

We have loads of unimplemented areas and aspects of the Elder Scrolls Second Era lore, we have so many interesting characters and plots already in ESO, we have an army of recommended content for the game on these forums... and despite all of this, this is the content we are receiving? Really?

Thank you for this video.

DoofusMax · July 11

Usureki wrote: »

What are your thoughts on the Freerunners? Are they anything like you expected?

They're fine if you accept them for what they are. They're mostly "can we please have more dailies in base-game content?" Ignoring Craglorn, there are only a handful of PvE dailies available in the alliance zones:

1. Daily crafting writs
2. Three guild dailies
3. Northern Elsweyr Defense Force in Grahtwood (requires completing the Elsweyr Prologue to unlock)
4. Cyrodiilic Collections in Shadowfen (requires completing the Murkmire Prologue to unlock)

I'm ignoring pledges and the daily random dungeon. They're technically PvE, but you can look back at the decade-long series of complaints about trying to do any story quests associated with those. They're all about getting in, beating the boss, getting your Transmutes (daily random) or key(s) (pledges), and moving on. I'm also ignoring the Daggerfall Reaquisitions board missions because I haven't done all of them yet.

I'm mostly enjoying the Freerunner stuff because it's an excuse to go back and revisit stuff in zones that I haven't done in a while. There probably isn't anything in the coffers aside from some odd recipes and maybe a lead or something which I haven't already collected (haven't collected enough coffers to be sure on that), so I'm mostly doing it for the sight-seeing.

Nemesis7884 · July 11

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Playwise: No different to the delve/boss dailies you get in a new zone
Conceptually: While basic at the moment, it has the potential to expand - and ZOS noted that when announcing it.
Conclusion: Pretty much what I thought it would be. Hoping they pursue the potential and add some depth and life to the world.

Going to add to my earlier comment. The reward coffers have the chance to drop antiquity leads too.

I do like that stonefalls drops malestorm set...

CatalinaWineMixer2 · July 11

It's still nice to have more features. Any new content is a good thing no matter how small or large it may be. Now that this system is in place, it can be expanded upon. I honestly find it enjoyable. Its thoughtful with a kind of mysterious storyline. I actually do read and listen to all of the lore and characters in the game so im interested to see where these little tales take us. The lower level rewards fit the new player aspect. I get it, this type of content might not appeal to everyone. Thats understandable. Maybe the rewards in the later stages turn into gold food and better items, or perhaps we get event ones, holiday ones, ect. Something like that might draw some more people to it too in the future

Eldovar · July 11

I don’t mind the system but I would love it that the game detects which zones you have acces to (sub or DLC) to generate those missions.

Everything they add lately is in the old ugly basegame zones. There are so much nice locations I bought over the years but the game keeps sending me to same 5 same looking delves from release day.

SaffronCitrusflower · July 11

JustLovely wrote: »

Feels like AI generated fetch quests to me.

Me too. This is worrisome for the future.

AzuraFan · July 11

Eldovar wrote: »

I don’t mind the system but I would love it that the game detects which zones you have acces to (sub or DLC) to generate those missions.

Everything they add lately is in the old ugly basegame zones. There are so much nice locations I bought over the years but the game keeps sending me to same 5 same looking delves from release day.

Agreed. I know there are players who don't own everything, but tough. It's crazy to always limit this sort of thing to the alliance zones. They need to branch out and use the DLC zones. We need more variety.

Usureki · July 11

JustLovely wrote: »

Feels like AI generated fetch quests to me.

Procedural generation is not necessarily with artificial intelligence. Considering the amount of content we receive in the launch of Season One I'd think they do not use AI for development at all. QA was weak though.

Finedaible · July 11

I'm guessing all that expensive voice acting has finally caught up with the studio in these dark times. Favors did have some decent rewards for what they are though.

Favors quests feel like the same philosophy Todd Howard had about implementing "radiant" questing to Skyrim and other Bethesda titles; minimal work/cost for a semblance of repeatable variety over quality. Not that I think ESO had the most sustainable practices, but Favors do feel very low impact. Dailies already kind of filled this role previously however. I mean, Battlereave Urcelmo posting a job to feed stray cats in Auridon? Seems quite a bit below his station and priorities, lol. I think Favors are ok, just not something to really take seriously, and they probably shouldn't have tied it to somewhat prominent characters really.

They could have made it more of a guild posting like in the olden days with Fighter's and Mages guilds performing jobs for the townsfolk, in my opinion.