A Message from ESO's Game Director

CAB_Life · July 30

I mean, obviously this is disappointing. I hate to be an I told you so’er, too, but I was vociferous that when they announced the class refresh that should have been priority #1 with the updates rolling out fast and sequentially in lieu of any of these rather silly and disposable content bites we’ve been drip fed post the DK update. Now here we are with a studio staffing crisis, reduced resources, a structural and mechanical overhaul that is 1/7th done (1/8th if you count Vamp), and almost nothing further happening until who knows when in 2027. Which, by the way is when numerous competitors with fresh ideas and hungry development teams will enter the market adding further pressure to the player-base. I’ve been playing this game for over a decade and certainly have other things to do to occupy my time in the interim, though I can assure you that many other people do not have the patience or priorities I do and will simply move on to greener pastures.

I’d like to remain positive, but this timeline does not bode well for the future of this game or its community.

Seraphayel · July 30

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Yes, Class Masteries need to be disabled for every class that has been reworked until the moment every class has been reworked.

Wuuffyy · July 30

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

So many other ways to handle balancing other than ‘nerf’.

Buff the masteries (for PvP) and add a section for each ‘overperforming mastery’ detailing how much werewolf gets on that mastery (so a reduced amount) as needed. But note there are already several underperforming masteries now for werewolf in both PvP and PvE.

Alternatively, give werewolf its own masteries but do know this completely goes back on the previous statement (wanting werewolf to keep for identity) and pigeonholes them right back to subclassing. Also, it’s not that you care considering you’ll be asking for the next round of nerfs no matter what they do/don’t do- this is a large part of why it was basically unviable over a cumulative 5-10 years to begin with.

xencthlu · July 30

Everyone should be rehired.

Pixiepumpkin · July 30

Therefore, we are establishing a clear principle for how we build and ship content and features moving forward: quality experiences over calendar dates.

Instead of rushing to hit a previously announced deadline, we are giving our teams the runway they need to do things right.

One can also take this as not having enough people to get the work done in the time done. The proof is in the pudding and the past 2 years have been extremely light on content. I don't care how few or how many people the studio empoys. What I care about is my monetary investmet into the game and the fun factor return, which lately has not been worth it, imo.

The studio used to release massive amounts of content like clockwork. Now it feels like pittance offerings for the same amount of money.

ItsNotLiving · July 30

No more refreshes until 2027? I’ll see you guys in 2027 then. The game is in an unplayable state no amount of rehashed and reused Sheogorath cheese jokes are going to keep me sticking around.

CAB_Life · July 30

Arunei wrote: »

React wrote: »

Good to hear the new PVP zone is releasing in January, that is at least something to look forward to. Fingers crossed it is well designed and worthwhile to participate in.

Hearing the news about the reworks is tragic, and has serious implications for the future of the game. These reworks NEED to be the number one priority for the studio. The game is currently in an unfinished state where DK and WW are so far ahead of everything that it isn't even fun to think about playing other classes. Delaying these reworks is going to SERIOUSLY harm your playerbase in both the short and long term.

Between this and the trials being delayed, it really feels like the studio is signing off on ESO's endgame. Sad to see, especially since it had felt like the game was on an upwards trajectory for the first time ever this year.

Why are we dooming when the letter literally states the game isn't going into maintenance mode? What about a delay to make sure something is done right mean they're "signing off" on anything? Would you rather them push out something before it's actually ready just so it can be said that it was released, the state of it be damned? The letter also states plainly they're looking into other ways to do stuff in the meantime, but we just ignore that part to make it seem like they're completely ignoring anything to do with Classes for now, I suppose.

And why are people assuming the reworks AREN'T a top priority? Just because things are taking longer doesn't mean they aren't focusing on things, but people also seem to think everyone working in a game studio can just be thrown onto X thing or Y thing. That's not how it works, though. The people who design levels would not be able to work on balancing. The people who work on art would not know coding. I'm sure there ARE people who could be moved to the team working on the refreshes, but they can't reroute everyone to working on a single thing.

Because the ‘next’ refresh is coming at least a year after the first if not longer. “Priority”, reasonably, would be dropping all the fluff between now and then and actually releasing the classes, patch after patch, in order until complete. The game is literally incomplete at the moment, with one class visually and mechanically head and shoulders above the rest. We have a decade of content for the game already. It hardly needs more at this very instant.

Seraphayel · July 30

Wuuffyy wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

So many other ways to handle balancing other than ‘nerf’.

Buff the masteries (for PvP) and add a section for each ‘overperforming mastery’ detailing how much werewolf gets on that mastery (so a reduced amount) as needed. But there are already several underperforming masteries now for werewolf in both PvP and PvE.

Alternatively, give werewolf its own masteries but do know this completely goes back on the previous statement (wanting werewolf to keep for identity) and pigeonholes them right back to subclassing. Also, not that you care considering you’ll be asking for the next round of nerfs no matter what they do.

There is no time for fine adjustments. They don't have the capacity for that. Giving DK / WW a blanket minus 15-20% on all damage and healing is easier than trying to adjust specific skills or talents.

cubbo · July 30

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Where does it say 1 rework a year? I read it like they had to push Warden and Sorc back to 2027 instead of 2026. So we should be getting at least 3 reworks in 2027 (warden, sorc and which class was after sorc)?

Serophous · July 30

alternatelder wrote: »

How do you have the same amount of devs that you had from Orsinium-Summerset after the layoffs (as reported by your own), you're not pushing out Chapters that seemingly take 2 years, yet we're still having so much delayed? I'm glad we're getting an update, but it's not the update to pull people back in.

Chances are the majority of people let go were those who were with ESO since the start and knew the system way better than someone hired after those releases (not blaming the devs there. This was a massive knowledge drain to the teams).

The other thing is just because they went back to a previous studio headcount, doesn't mean that work just vanished.

Example: You have a team of 6 working on 120 pages of work. That's 20 pages for each person. 4 get laid off. Now 2 people are doing 60 pages of work. They aren't going to be capable of doing it in the same time frame. The work of the laid off just doesn't suddenly disappear. Now apply this to a pipeline where one team needs something from another (art, sfx, animations, etc) and it quickly starts to compound.

CAB_Life · July 30

xI_The_Owl_Ix wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Where does it say 1 rework a year? I read it like they had to push Warden and Sorc back to 2027 instead of 2026. So we should be getting at least 3 reworks in 2027 (warden, sorc and which class was after sorc)?

With a much fuller staffing compliment they eked out DK and I suppose WW if we’re calling that a class. What makes you think the output would be greater than when they had more resources?

LennaTheRussian · July 30

Necro mains in shambles, probably won't see that rework until 2028 or 29. Be sure to check on them.

Wuuffyy · July 30

Seraphayel wrote: »

Wuuffyy wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

So many other ways to handle balancing other than ‘nerf’.

Buff the masteries (for PvP) and add a section for each ‘overperforming mastery’ detailing how much werewolf gets on that mastery (so a reduced amount) as needed. But there are already several underperforming masteries now for werewolf in both PvP and PvE.

Alternatively, give werewolf its own masteries but do know this completely goes back on the previous statement (wanting werewolf to keep for identity) and pigeonholes them right back to subclassing. Also, not that you care considering you’ll be asking for the next round of nerfs no matter what they do.

There is no time for fine adjustments. They don't have the capacity for that. Giving DK / WW a blanket minus 15-20% on all damage and healing is easier than trying to adjust specific skills or talents.

There is plenty of time for specific adjustments if they aren’t releasing another full rework until all the way in Jan at a minimum. We are a handful of exclusions away from ST not being justified other than bringing a buff or 2 in content (PvE) and I am already incapable of killing certain players that can potentially 2-shot me (DKs) while running one of the more efficient specs in PvP with proc sets and perfectly weaving everything.

We are in this situation now as all they’ve ever really done is blanket changes for balance which have served to make as many things unviable in the past (dot changes affecting DK, subclassing leaving pure classing behind, standardizing abilities including those in the werewolf kit) while giving little care to ‘the finer things’ in the process.

Look no further than Signet, which instead of being reduced or targeted it was basically and completely removed from PvP entirely despite others claiming it helped non-reworked classes compete with DK and wolf.

DeathandDebauchery · July 30

Thank you for the update.

I'd also just like to say broadly that I am sorry to Nick.

I truly felt like this game was headed in an incredible direction under Nick's leadership, the wind was fully back in the sails of this game in March/April of this year and it's so incredibly disheartening to see such a massive shift in the other direction for reasons outside of his control.

I feel like Nick has just been consistently handed the worst possible situations, he had already saved the game once from Rich's driving it in to the ground, and now he has to attempt to save it again from Microsoft trying to drive it in to the ground.

Based on this roadmap, I can't in good faith continue to be the champion for this game that I want to be. While I understand that the decisions made here are to prioritize content, I just can't get past the fact that we are focused on granular new systems instead of overhauls.

I agree with everyone that it was a /huge/ mistake to not make the Class Refreshs's the priority here. No one would rather have Solo Dungeons then class refreshes. No one would rather have 'rumors' or more 'dynamic encounters' then class refreshes.

I understand that a lot of energy and investment have gone in to these new systems, but that was in a different studio era. You are now in the 'scrappy maintenance mode phase' and your development approach needs to reflect that. Game balance being out of whack and game being unfun to play will always take precedent over new or FOMO content.

Please reconsider your focus for the next 6 months.

Radiate77 · July 30

ItsNotLiving wrote: »

No more refreshes until 2027? I’ll see you guys in 2027 then. The game is in an unplayable state no amount of rehashed and reused Sheogorath cheese jokes are going to keep me sticking around.

And here I was on the fence about checking out Mistfall Hunters, maybe I need a break from ESO until 2027. 😁

Renato90085 · July 30

I understand, but I'm sad.

cubbo · July 30

CAB_Life wrote: »

xI_The_Owl_Ix wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Where does it say 1 rework a year? I read it like they had to push Warden and Sorc back to 2027 instead of 2026. So we should be getting at least 3 reworks in 2027 (warden, sorc and which class was after sorc)?

With a much fuller staffing compliment they eked out DK and I suppose WW if we’re calling that a class. What makes you think the output would be greater than when they had more resources?

> What makes you think the output would be greater than when they had more resources?

Seraphayel · July 30

xI_The_Owl_Ix wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Where does it say 1 rework a year? I read it like they had to push Warden and Sorc back to 2027 instead of 2026. So we should be getting at least 3 reworks in 2027 (warden, sorc and which class was after sorc)?

They only managed one rework in 2026 although Warden should've been long finished before the layoffs (remember, the PTS was just one week away). Yet they weren't even able to do that... so expecting three reworks next year seems very unlikely unless they scale them down.

Arunei · July 30

CAB_Life wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

React wrote: »

Good to hear the new PVP zone is releasing in January, that is at least something to look forward to. Fingers crossed it is well designed and worthwhile to participate in.

Hearing the news about the reworks is tragic, and has serious implications for the future of the game. These reworks NEED to be the number one priority for the studio. The game is currently in an unfinished state where DK and WW are so far ahead of everything that it isn't even fun to think about playing other classes. Delaying these reworks is going to SERIOUSLY harm your playerbase in both the short and long term.

Between this and the trials being delayed, it really feels like the studio is signing off on ESO's endgame. Sad to see, especially since it had felt like the game was on an upwards trajectory for the first time ever this year.

Why are we dooming when the letter literally states the game isn't going into maintenance mode? What about a delay to make sure something is done right mean they're "signing off" on anything? Would you rather them push out something before it's actually ready just so it can be said that it was released, the state of it be damned? The letter also states plainly they're looking into other ways to do stuff in the meantime, but we just ignore that part to make it seem like they're completely ignoring anything to do with Classes for now, I suppose.

And why are people assuming the reworks AREN'T a top priority? Just because things are taking longer doesn't mean they aren't focusing on things, but people also seem to think everyone working in a game studio can just be thrown onto X thing or Y thing. That's not how it works, though. The people who design levels would not be able to work on balancing. The people who work on art would not know coding. I'm sure there ARE people who could be moved to the team working on the refreshes, but they can't reroute everyone to working on a single thing.

Because the ‘next’ refresh is coming at least a year after the first if not longer. “Priority”, reasonably, would be dropping all the fluff between now and then and actually releasing the classes, patch after patch, in order until complete. The game is literally incomplete at the moment, with one class visually and mechanically head and shoulders above the rest. We have a decade of content for the game already. It hardly needs more at this very instant.

The letter said the next refresh is being aimed at for next year. That could be in January or February for all we know, they never said it wouldn't be until Spring or later. Just because they mentioned next year does not inherently mean mid or late year, it can also mean early.

And again, they cannot put everyone on a single project. Different people work on different things for a reason. They CANNOT realistically move a bunch of people onto one thing because not everyone is going to have the skills or experience to DO that thing. Also there's the whole "too many cooks" thing where having more hands on a project can actually make it take a lot longer to be completed and make things more complicated the more people there are that need to communicate and agree on things.

LalMirchi · July 30

Many Thanks, Nick!

coop500 · July 30

I actually really don't like this post. Not because of the delays, but the crafty wording usage. Saying these people 'departed' like it was a willing choice, and still framing the Bethesda thing as somehow a good thing while technically not lying if you know how to read between the lines.

The delays speaks volumes on the truth about Bethesda's involvement. They're not helping you guys at all, they're just demanding for yours. We can't even get another instance of the Night Market this year? Like what the heck... Whatever Bethesda is doing with you guys, it must not be good, or helpful at all.

karthrag_inak · July 30

3 team bgs returning permanently brings khajiit some joy. Still, khajiit plays multiple characters of every class and wishes warden, for example, was getting its refresh sooner. Necromancer too. Really all the classes.

Ultimately khajiit is just glad that things are continuing, however delayed. The kind of culling that the studio experienced this month has resulted in the demise of numerous projects that khajiit has cared for in the past.

This one thinks folks should at least recognize how great it is that we still have a game director to direct our salty displeasure toward

CameraBeardThePirate · July 30

LennaTheRussian wrote: »

Necro mains in shambles, probably won't see that rework until 2028 or 29. Be sure to check on them.

I mean Necro is in the best place it's been in years, I'm doing great

Wuuffyy · July 30

CameraBeardThePirate wrote: »

LennaTheRussian wrote: »

Necro mains in shambles, probably won't see that rework until 2028 or 29. Be sure to check on them.

I mean Necro is in the best place it's been in years, I'm doing great

They’re still relatively rough in PvP.

BretonMage · July 30

DeathandDebauchery wrote: »

I agree with everyone that it was a /huge/ mistake to not make the Class Refreshs's the priority here. No one would rather have Solo Dungeons then class refreshes. No one would rather have 'rumors' or more 'dynamic encounters' then class refreshes.

Isn't that because those were already largely done? I think everyone has made it pretty obvious that class refreshes were the number one thing that we were looking forward to, if it (well, Warden anyway) wasn't ready, it probably wasn't through lack of prioritisation.

DenverRalphy · July 30

Arunei wrote: »

CAB_Life wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

React wrote: »

Good to hear the new PVP zone is releasing in January, that is at least something to look forward to. Fingers crossed it is well designed and worthwhile to participate in.

Hearing the news about the reworks is tragic, and has serious implications for the future of the game. These reworks NEED to be the number one priority for the studio. The game is currently in an unfinished state where DK and WW are so far ahead of everything that it isn't even fun to think about playing other classes. Delaying these reworks is going to SERIOUSLY harm your playerbase in both the short and long term.

Between this and the trials being delayed, it really feels like the studio is signing off on ESO's endgame. Sad to see, especially since it had felt like the game was on an upwards trajectory for the first time ever this year.

Why are we dooming when the letter literally states the game isn't going into maintenance mode? What about a delay to make sure something is done right mean they're "signing off" on anything? Would you rather them push out something before it's actually ready just so it can be said that it was released, the state of it be damned? The letter also states plainly they're looking into other ways to do stuff in the meantime, but we just ignore that part to make it seem like they're completely ignoring anything to do with Classes for now, I suppose.

And why are people assuming the reworks AREN'T a top priority? Just because things are taking longer doesn't mean they aren't focusing on things, but people also seem to think everyone working in a game studio can just be thrown onto X thing or Y thing. That's not how it works, though. The people who design levels would not be able to work on balancing. The people who work on art would not know coding. I'm sure there ARE people who could be moved to the team working on the refreshes, but they can't reroute everyone to working on a single thing.

Because the ‘next’ refresh is coming at least a year after the first if not longer. “Priority”, reasonably, would be dropping all the fluff between now and then and actually releasing the classes, patch after patch, in order until complete. The game is literally incomplete at the moment, with one class visually and mechanically head and shoulders above the rest. We have a decade of content for the game already. It hardly needs more at this very instant.

The letter said the next refresh is being aimed at for next year. That could be in January or February for all we know, they never said it wouldn't be until Spring or later. Just because they mentioned next year does not inherently mean mid or late year, it can also mean early.

When the terms "aimed" or "targeted" are used, it's because there's an inherent possiblity they can miss entirely. Especially given that it was followed up with "However, we are discussing some interim options" which alludes to band-aid solutions just in case.

demonology89 · July 30

Thanks for the update Nick.

With the awful wrecking ball Microsoft took to both BGS and ZOS, I'm not upset with the delays. I continue to be hopeful for the future of the game. I see that you and the rest of the team are still passionate about both the game and the community. I am wishing you all the best!

albertberku · July 30

lol, so years of DK gameplay in PvP... At least fix Petrify Break Free so that people dont stay stunned forever until they die. Or better, dont make it a delayed skill, or put a clear huge indication that it will hit and make its window bigger, like similar to Rune Cage. This is mandatory for PvP to be barely playable again if we are going to have to play alongside refreshed DKs for years to come.

But still, 3-sided BGs coming back permanently? I am still happy in the end.

rothan117 · July 30

Given how the development schedule is going to be much more drawn out and how thin the type of content I am interested is going to be for at least another year, I can see that I am going to be spending a lot less time in ESO and will be working my way through my Steam wish list. What I see on those roadmaps just does not amount to much in the way of engaging content.

CAB_Life · July 30

Seraphayel wrote: »

alakeyfox wrote: »

1 rework a year will hammer the final nails in the coffin in for the balance of the game.

As it stands - at the bare minimum we need class masteries removed from reworked classes, as well remove WW ability to benefit from non-WW class masteries. Class masteries were introduced as a way to bridge the gap between reworked and unreworked classes, so it makes absolutely no sense to give them to the reworked classes, further raising their power floor.

Yes, Class Masteries need to be disabled for every class that has been reworked until the moment every class has been reworked.

This would be one bandaid yes. I honestly don’t know how they intend to keep players engaged, though. And negative online sentiment tends to multiply once it starts.

Arunei wrote: »

CAB_Life wrote: »

Arunei wrote: »

React wrote: »

Good to hear the new PVP zone is releasing in January, that is at least something to look forward to. Fingers crossed it is well designed and worthwhile to participate in.

Hearing the news about the reworks is tragic, and has serious implications for the future of the game. These reworks NEED to be the number one priority for the studio. The game is currently in an unfinished state where DK and WW are so far ahead of everything that it isn't even fun to think about playing other classes. Delaying these reworks is going to SERIOUSLY harm your playerbase in both the short and long term.

Between this and the trials being delayed, it really feels like the studio is signing off on ESO's endgame. Sad to see, especially since it had felt like the game was on an upwards trajectory for the first time ever this year.

Why are we dooming when the letter literally states the game isn't going into maintenance mode? What about a delay to make sure something is done right mean they're "signing off" on anything? Would you rather them push out something before it's actually ready just so it can be said that it was released, the state of it be damned? The letter also states plainly they're looking into other ways to do stuff in the meantime, but we just ignore that part to make it seem like they're completely ignoring anything to do with Classes for now, I suppose.

And why are people assuming the reworks AREN'T a top priority? Just because things are taking longer doesn't mean they aren't focusing on things, but people also seem to think everyone working in a game studio can just be thrown onto X thing or Y thing. That's not how it works, though. The people who design levels would not be able to work on balancing. The people who work on art would not know coding. I'm sure there ARE people who could be moved to the team working on the refreshes, but they can't reroute everyone to working on a single thing.

Because the ‘next’ refresh is coming at least a year after the first if not longer. “Priority”, reasonably, would be dropping all the fluff between now and then and actually releasing the classes, patch after patch, in order until complete. The game is literally incomplete at the moment, with one class visually and mechanically head and shoulders above the rest. We have a decade of content for the game already. It hardly needs more at this very instant.

The letter said the next refresh is being aimed at for next year. That could be in January or February for all we know, they never said it wouldn't be until Spring or later. Just because they mentioned next year does not inherently mean mid or late year, it can also mean early.

And again, they cannot put everyone on a single project. Different people work on different things for a reason. They CANNOT realistically move a bunch of people onto one thing because not everyone is going to have the skills or experience to DO that thing. Also there's the whole "too many cooks" thing where having more hands on a project can actually make it take a lot longer to be completed and make things more complicated the more people there are that need to communicate and agree on things.

Okay. So obviously you can’t put the people in charge of the crown store or marketing on the class rework and expect efficiency. But—and I’ve been to ZOS HQ btw—you certainly have buckets of programmers, graphic designers, model and vfx asset designers, sound techs, bug testers, that are likely spread across multiple projects that should be focussing only on the class rework until it is complete. If you’re an environmental artist, you can probably get to work on refreshing the zones that we’ve already started and will probably not resume until who knows when.I don’t know why I need to clarify the obvious, but when I say everyone, I mean everyone that can possibly work on a specific task given their skillset.