The well written, painstakingly crafted story of ESO is essentially meaningless.

TheAmu · June 2014

I bet the writers of ESO are proud of their work. And they should be. Writing all those quests, crafting them, getting the right balance of drama and humour, fun and urgency, desperation and despair.

Everything you went through for your faction, the people you met, fought with, the people you lost along the way...

Everything you fought and died for...

Means nothing.

All that story, all that character development. Everything you did, everything you achieved. A complete waste of time.

Because as soon as you accept the challenge to travel to another faction to begin Veteran Ranks, all of that is erased. Nobody knows you. Your own faction doesn't recognize you. YOU! Who gathered an army and charged boldly into Coldharbour to take on Molag Bal!

YOU! Who had to get the blessing of every other faction leader before they would even consider allowing your humble army to save Tamriel in the first place.

Why would the writers, why would the developers allow their players to feel like everything they went through was a waste of time? Why would they disregard all your character development, development they made by progressing through their own story?

I wouldn't mind the VRs so much if everything I went through to get there was properly acknowledged.

ShADoW0s · June 2014

Its more like an alternate reality, where its a "what if" situation. But I do agree is badly though out and implemented, feel kinda cheap, like you are 6th grader writing a story which ends with "and it was all a dream".

Teevesnacks · June 2014

I didn't feel like it was a waste of time /shrug

Cadwell said I could experience events from the other factions point of view and I said "okay, cool"

I'm essentially a different person when I enter those VR zones, Mr Anonymous they call me

Mind you one of the reasons there are VR zones is that players wanted to experience all content with one character

Just like due to player feedback they made you start in the "third" zone in your factions quest line and then people started complaining they were underleveled for content

Coggage · June 2014

I'm glad I never bother with storylines in mmorpgs then. What an anticlimax for people who like backstories, lore or whatever though.

As you say, what point is there in a storyline if nothing your character does is in any way significant? At least in a solo computer rpg game you can possibly affect events to some degree, maybe even significantly, but in an mmorpg you never will. Mmorpg backstories are just irrelevant padding and verbiage, even if it's well done.

MonkeyAssassin24 · June 2014

This is what happens when the masses complain they will miss out on content. I think people were mainly upset they couldn't visit some of the zones they had wanted to see when the game was announced if they picked a certain faction.

Is it slightly cheap and annoying? Yes, but I look at it my own way...every decision I'm allowed to make in the veteran zones I go with one that will potentially weaken them. Even though I am saving the day and being the hero, I use available opportunities to weaken them. For example (possible spoiler) I had to choose a new leader for a zone and one said he would bolster the defenses while the other said she would care for the people...why would I want their defenses bolstered? I chose the latter

TheAmu · June 2014

Teevesnacks wrote: »

I didn't feel like it was a waste of time /shrug

Cadwell said I could experience events from the other factions point of view and I said "okay, cool"

I'm essentially a different person when I enter those VR zones, Mr Anonymous they call me

Mind you one of the reasons there are VR zones is that players wanted to experience all content with one character

Just like due to player feedback they made you start in the "third" zone in your factions quest line and then people started complaining they were underleveled for content

So why not just BE a different person?

I'm sure when players asked to be able to do content for the other quests this was not what they had in mind. It certainly wouldn't have been something I'd asked for if I'd had the chance.

If I wanted to play through the other areas as a complete stranger I would have created an new character who would be a complete stranger.

khele23eb17_ESO · June 2014

They really should have added a proper storyline for VR content. Make you a spy sent to infiltrate and sabotage other factions or an agent of some cross-faction mages/fighters guild taskforce... You go about your mission while helping the general populace and fighting evil daedra incursions.

baronzilch · June 2014

The thing that boggles me is, what was the point of the VR content? You can already experience all three alliance areas just by rolling three toons. If you were locked into your chosen alliance, it actually would have meant something, it may have been spectacular... maybe even brilliant. But, as is, it seems pointless.

Teevesnacks · June 2014

TheAmu wrote: »

Teevesnacks wrote: »

I didn't feel like it was a waste of time /shrug

Cadwell said I could experience events from the other factions point of view and I said "okay, cool"

I'm essentially a different person when I enter those VR zones, Mr Anonymous they call me

Mind you one of the reasons there are VR zones is that players wanted to experience all content with one character

Just like due to player feedback they made you start in the "third" zone in your factions quest line and then people started complaining they were underleveled for content

So why not just BE a different person?

I'm sure when players asked to be able to do content for the other quests this was not what they had in mind. It certainly wouldn't have been something I'd asked for if I'd had the chance.

If I wanted to play through the other areas as a complete stranger I would have created an new character who would be a complete stranger.

Well I probably would have, but the community wanted to see the other factions areas and they got it

Guess this one of those "be careful what you wish for" moments

But hey, I'm still having fun

TheAmu · June 2014

MonkeyAssassin24 wrote: »

This is what happens when the masses complain they will miss out on content. I think people were mainly upset they couldn't visit some of the zones they had wanted to see when the game was announced if they picked a certain faction.

Is it slightly cheap and annoying? Yes, but I look at it my own way...every decision I'm allowed to make in the veteran zones I go with one that will potentially weaken them. Even though I am saving the day and being the hero, I use available opportunities to weaken them. For example (possible spoiler) I had to choose a new leader for a zone and one said he would bolster the defenses while the other said she would care for the people...why would I want their defenses bolstered? I chose the latter

Until you realise those choices are also meaningless. I know it's up to you how you interpret your actions. And I don't want to disregard your way of playing.

But the fact is, your efforts won't in any way hinder that rival faction. Certainly not according to the narrative. ANYTHING you do is helping them and they'll love you for it.

For example, I know the quest you're talking about. I made the same choice, and that was MY faction. I made that choice because I thought it would be good for the people. You made the same choice thinking you were undermining them. Makes. No. Difference. Everyone still loves you.

I don't know what happens when you complete the quests for both rival factions but I bet it's something like, "Well done. Now...uh....go back to your first faction and...kill enemy soldiers whose shoes you just spent all that time walking in..."

What is the point of building these relationships, building these attachments to each and every faction if, by the structure of the game, you are forced to go back and kill them all anyway?

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

The option to explore the other factions on your main character is just that an option. SURE the alternatives right now aren't great as the only other real option is Craiglorn.

But there is that other 2/3 of the story that is there to experience so WHY NOT. Because its a betrayal to your faction?? Possibly but the war is really just a fabrication created by Molag Bal so all of Tameriel ignores him and lets him be while the factions focus on their "war".

So now you have option to see the other factions stories either on your main or an alt.

Well lets see your main vists the factions in a different reality or timeline or whatever that has no real effect on your main story you completed.

You can make an alt that visits the factions instead but really the character has no soul. YOUR the soul so seeing the content is a betrayal no matter how you look at it. But how can you truly choose a side without knowing the full story?

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

ALSO the Devs CAN let you go back to your timeline to continue the story once they create more of it. Sorta of a AD/EP/DC version 2 the after math of Molag Bal. Maybe more Daedric princes use his Dark Anchors and Dark Portals.

RedTalon · June 2014

Depending on how long the game goes for its not without meaning, has a certian knight said and a certain dreadic prince you will need to know that side of the story and the other princes are coming.

Plus Bal is not done, there is a lot of between the lines stuff. Remember you only wounded him which is a big deal but he said it was part of his plan so we will see.

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

RedTalon wrote: »

Depending on how long the game goes for its not without meaning, has a certian knight said and a certain dreadic prince you will need to know that side of the story and the other princes are coming.

Plus Bal is not done, there is a lot of between the lines stuff. Remember you only wounded him which is a big deal but he said it was part of his plan so we will see.

Yea he is wounded so you may not see HIM but he can still send minions and warriors after you. Though a wounded Daedric Prince you'd think takes a LONG time to recover so I imagine we WONT see him again for a VERY long time.

kip_silverwolf · June 2014

I don't feel like it's a waste of time. I'm enjoying having my character experience the different factions. I simply view her as a mercenary wandering Tamriel without being tied to any particular faction,
*shrug* what can I, she's in it for the money.

RedTalon · June 2014

Shaun98ca2 wrote: »

RedTalon wrote: »

Depending on how long the game goes for its not without meaning, has a certian knight said and a certain dreadic prince you will need to know that side of the story and the other princes are coming.

Plus Bal is not done, there is a lot of between the lines stuff. Remember you only wounded him which is a big deal but he said it was part of his plan so we will see.

Yea he is wounded so you may not see HIM but he can still send minions and warriors after you. Though a wounded Daedric Prince you'd think takes a LONG time to recover so I imagine we WONT see him again for a VERY long time.

True wondering what princes they are still planning on entering the fray since Bal is out of the picture save for his minions for awhile.

Anath_Q · June 2014

The merc approach works, but even better would be extending the story in a more consistent way.

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/110884/how-to-improve-the-veteran-content-experience#latest

Surinen · June 2014

Altmer have been horribly written. almost as if writer got possessed by a derranged tumblric spirit of loonies. It is the first time that we meet Alinor's Monarch and what we get? an idiot girl who speaks nonsense like 'stop bigots and racists'. I have expected a King or Queen who upholds Altmer values, who oversees eugenics infanticide, who exiles and executes heretics. Who tricks and uses lesser races. What we got is an adventurer, one that would fit cartoons much better than Aldmeri Dominion. really, this was my first impression 'oh, it's disney! and here's a rebelious princess X'. Qusts limit your choices, you are forced to act as if you have soap for a breakfast: stop bad guys here, stop bad guys there, stop this and that. for me, the most 'painful' experience happend during College of Aldmeri Propriety; I was forced to root out veiled heritance (this part is fine, daedric worshippers should be put down ) but what is worse I could not torture bosmer and khajiit. after this quest, you hear instructors pretending (assumption) that they are happy to train lesser races. I would like to see it place to become a reeducation center, just like it was under veiled heritance supervision. brainwashing, recoding.

exploring other factions is fine although it should not be forced. I'm myself not really interested in the lesser races and their little struggles. I would do them, but game should not force me to do it in order to achiev max level possibly.

Ysne58 · June 2014

I just started Cadwell's Silver recently. I was left with the impression that the purpose of visiting the other two alliances in that anonymous fashion was in order to understand them better. I was also left with the impression that there were other dangers -- the first of which gets introduced in Craglorn by the way-- that players would need to face.

Quaesivi · June 2014

To be honest... the so called story pales in comparison to any TES games... even Oblivion, which I hated the most. Sure not many people in any MMO cares for the story but I'd have expected better from something with TES brand. Why Molag Bal as the -main- villain when there are more capable ones? 90% of the story is composed of ignoring everything from the previous TES lore. And as a Dunmer fan, the very massive thing that pisses me off, is why Azura (or any of the 3) is even in somewhere far away, nowhere related to Dunmers, actually helping her human worshippers instead of Dunmers, its just... a huge plothole.
Craglorn story, just feels meh... probably because no one actually does the story so I only know it halfway but Celestials... still kinda feels meh nonetheless. There were so many things that could be done better, story wise.

MasterSpatula · June 2014

Teevesnacks wrote: »

Just like due to player feedback they made you start in the "third" zone in your factions quest line and then people started complaining they were underleveled for content

I've never understood what they were thinking there. Sometimes it feels like ZOS only listens to the players when the players say something dumb.

billp_ESO · June 2014

Quite a bit different than DAOC's three factions. In that game, the three factions all have different classes, and cannot go into the other factions' areas. So you could never meet someone of another faction that was the same as you. This built realm pride.

In ESO, all three factions have the same classes, and even the same races in some cases. So it is quite normal for you, a Templar with X and Y, to meet another faction member and he's a Templar, with X and Y too.

I would have preferred the DAOC way: you want o be one of the Hibs? Then BE one.

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

MasterSpatula wrote: »

Teevesnacks wrote: »

Just like due to player feedback they made you start in the "third" zone in your factions quest line and then people started complaining they were underleveled for content

I've never understood what they were thinking there. Sometimes it feels like ZOS only listens to the players when the players say something dumb.

Players never told them to START us in the 3rd zone they just said they don't like starter zones and having being forced through the story to get off them.

The correct answer was to start on the starter zone but with an easy way off the island.

Ysne58 · June 2014

I can live with the current solution, but I do strongly agree. The correct solutions would have been to start on that first island and have an easy way to get to the next one.

I also strongly believe that the correct solution to dealing with the forced solo crap that is the main quest is to allow groups of at least 2 in to deal with it.

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

billp_ESO wrote: »

Quite a bit different than DAOC's three factions. In that game, the three factions all have different classes, and cannot go into the other factions' areas. So you could never meet someone of another faction that was the same as you. This built realm pride.

In ESO, all three factions have the same classes, and even the same races in some cases. So it is quite normal for you, a Templar with X and Y, to meet another faction member and he's a Templar, with X and Y too.

I would have preferred the DAOC way: you want o be one of the Hibs? Then BE one.

I believe they were actually originally shooting for a more DAOC style with the game but being locked out of another faction was NOT Elder Scrolls.

The current way we get to see the other factions is a "get out of jail free" trick.

They can still take us back to the main story. But at the same time the main story is over.

We COULD consider Cadwells actions a mistake that created a Dragon Break creating more havoc than anybody could imagine which is why not much is known about this era to begin with.

Evergnar · June 2014

It really wouldn't take the devs that much work to put in better (longer) transition scene explaining exactly why you're going into the other faction areas. The current explanation is weak sauce.

Please Zos, just take some time to make a spy quest line. You could tie so many of the existing quests to it simply by throwing in an extra NPC and 10 sec of dialogue.

Shaun98ca2 · June 2014

Evergnar wrote: »

It really wouldn't take the devs that much work to put in better (longer) transition scene explaining exactly why you're going into the other faction areas. The current explanation is weak sauce.

Please Zos, just take some time to make a spy quest line. You could tie so many of the existing quests to it simply by throwing in an extra NPC and 10 sec of dialogue.

Your spy quest stories idea is "fine" but it still prevents people from enjoying the content that's over there without an alt. A lot of people hate alts, and at the same time shouldn't be locked out of 2/3 of the content they paid for. You play an MMO for a more lasting appeal to character and story and alts really take away from that.

tordr86b16_ESO · June 2014

VR content was created for one thing only: make it harder = more time spent getting to end game because there literally isn't any.

PBpsy · June 2014

If you mind spoilers gtho of this thread.

I just finished the third faction and disagree. Cadwell tells you from the start that what is not real but a magic simulation in which you learn what would have happened if you dropped in some other part of the continent and to learn the motivation of the other factions. What you find out is that more or less the factions are all pawns in a greater scheme and most of the problems of those factions are either internal or caused by Molag Bal and very rarely if at all by the other faction. All faction are trying to survive the current age crisis none of them is evil or give much of a reason to hate them (except for DC with their freaking misguided tolerance of vamps).

At the start of the game you really do not have any reason to have an allegiance to your selected faction except for you pressing a button in character creation. You do not have a known past except that you were a prisoner of Manimarco and Molag Bal. You are a blank slate with no known past and even race doesn't count for much in Tamriel when it comes to allegiance. The Cadwell sim shows you that a single allegiance is even more misguided.

I think in the future they will add a new story line in which you are actually using your new found understanding of the people of Tamriel to help all of them and maybe bring about peace and the formation of a new fair and prosperous Empire. Any of the factions actually wining the war by combat would be a disaster for Tamriel.

Coggage · June 2014

On the subject of the storyline, I've just decided to ignore the whole storyline quest chain, henceforth. I've done it all on one character, parts of it with two alts and on my fourth alt I really can't be bothered to do it all again.

It would be nice if alts got different storylines to your main character, I think. Maybe even random ones not involving Molag Bal at all. I've no idea how it could/would be implemented, but it would make a big difference in the "replayability" factor of the game.

LariahHunding · June 2014

Like the show "Heroes", the film "The Matrix", I wish that I would stop after the first chaper (1- 50).