Partial Lift of NDA for Update 14

ZOS_GinaBruno · April 2017

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

LiquidPony · April 2017

@ZOS_GinaBruno what about the new gear sets? Those may have some affect on group balance. Not sure why the details of new sets aren't included in the patch notes in the first place.

Edit: and just to be clear, those of us who play on console (which is a pretty big chunk of the population at this point) can't really test on PTS, so any additional information that can be published would be a huge help to us console plebs.

technohic · April 2017

I need to read better. I had just assumed the base patch stuff was fair game. Glad to know it is ok now.

Legoless · April 2017

Great news!

MissBizz · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Because the NDA wasn't confusing enough already...

WhiteMage · April 2017

This also means, I take it, that you can disclose whether you are or are not in the closed beta, yes? That seems unavoidable when talking about experiences in the battlegrounds or trial.

casparian · April 2017

WhiteMage wrote: »

This also means, I take it, that you can disclose whether you are or are not in the closed beta, yes? That seems unavoidable when talking about experiences in the battlegrounds or trial.

As it stands, you are allowed to talk about experiences you could only have if you were in the closed beta, but you are not allowed to reveal that you are in the closed beta.

ZOS the rules are too confusing pls 2 nerf

ginoboehm · April 2017

@ZOS_GinaBruno yeah how should anyone know what is ok to talk about or not.... just do away with that silly nda it has 0 sense anyway.

ZOS_GinaBruno · April 2017

LiquidPony wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno what about the new gear sets? Those may have some affect on group balance. Not sure why the details of new sets aren't included in the patch notes in the first place.

Edit: and just to be clear, those of us who play on console (which is a pretty big chunk of the population at this point) can't really test on PTS, so any additional information that can be published would be a huge help to us console plebs.

Yes, that's fine. We'll also add a description for each item set in Monday's PTS patch notes.

ZOS_GinaBruno · April 2017

MissBizz wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Because the NDA wasn't confusing enough already...

The part you should also bold is the last sentence, which clarifies this:

"For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial."

Savinder · April 2017

WhiteMage wrote: »

This also means, I take it, that you can disclose whether you are or are not in the closed beta, yes? That seems unavoidable when talking about experiences in the battlegrounds or trial.

While it is implied, when it comes to NDAs (or any contract) and their modifications, everything should be clearly specified to avoid issues like this one.
So, is it official that players with access to Morrowind can admit it, or are such admissions still considered under NDA?

LiquidPony · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

LiquidPony wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno what about the new gear sets? Those may have some affect on group balance. Not sure why the details of new sets aren't included in the patch notes in the first place.

Edit: and just to be clear, those of us who play on console (which is a pretty big chunk of the population at this point) can't really test on PTS, so any additional information that can be published would be a huge help to us console plebs.

Yes, that's fine. We'll also add a description for each item set in Monday's PTS patch notes.

@ZOS_GinaBruno Awesome, thanks!

Dasovaruilos · April 2017

Good decision. I was going to make a post asking exactly that.

2/3 of your players can't access the PTS and just reading the patch notes was terrible. PC people, please share your tests for us console players that can't go in there.

HoolDog · April 2017

@ZOS_GinaBruno

Hi

Any changes to the RNG system or any kind of token system planned for future PTS updates or in the final Morrowind patch.

Thanks for your time

MissBizz · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

MissBizz wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Because the NDA wasn't confusing enough already...

The part you should also bold is the last sentence, which clarifies this:

"For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial."

Yes, sorry, you're right I should have. It's still quite confusing though as other mentioned, if you're in closed beta you shouldn't tell anyone but you're allowed to mention battlegrounds in how you well your class does but not actually talk about the battlegrounds itself. It's just weird.

Turelus · April 2017

Interesting... I guess I'll start getting some information to post.

FleetwoodSmack · April 2017

MissBizz wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

MissBizz wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Because the NDA wasn't confusing enough already...

The part you should also bold is the last sentence, which clarifies this:

"For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial."

Yes, sorry, you're right I should have. It's still quite confusing though as other mentioned, if you're in closed beta you shouldn't tell anyone but you're allowed to mention battlegrounds in how you well your class does but not actually talk about the battlegrounds itself. It's just weird.

I have to agree with this. The NDA was poorly worded, the PTS patch notes in which was a nerf was poorly written as if it was a buff... I mean I get you're just relaying info, Gina... But it's getting to the point where Update 14 in general is a hot potato and no one wants to even touch it.

Preyfar · April 2017

MissBizz wrote: »

Yes, sorry, you're right I should have. It's still quite confusing though as other mentioned, if you're in closed beta you shouldn't tell anyone but you're allowed to mention battlegrounds in how you well your class does but not actually talk about the battlegrounds itself. It's just weird.

Yeah, it's kind of weird as it contradicts that statement as well. I think the NDA should probably be re-worded and re-posted to be more clear as to the intent -- with a "what you can talk about" and "what you can not discuss" section.

Nolic1 · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Question can we do videos on the new changes to the 3 base classes balance and the champion point system from test or are we not allowed to yet?

Randactyl · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

MissBizz wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Because the NDA wasn't confusing enough already...

The part you should also bold is the last sentence, which clarifies this:

"For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial."

Gina spittin hot fire :clap: :thumbsup:

edit: it's really not that difficult to understand.

You are free to talk about how your characters of the four vanilla classes feel in Update 14 scenarios, which now includes saying things like "In battlegrounds I feel more effective on my magsorc due to x passive change" or "in the new trial I feel less effective on my healer Templar due to the synergy change for x skill".

You are still not permitted to update 14 content. This includes things like the Warden class, architecture of the battleground arenas, scoring mechanics of battlegrounds game types, domination flag capture speed, enrage timers in the trial, that the 10th boss in the trial is a sentient sweetroll with a 50 million point damage shield, etc.

joaaocaampos · April 2017

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Yes, that's fine. We'll also add a description for each item set in Monday's PTS patch notes.

Did you welcome community feedback? Are they going to readjust the changes made in the last Patch Note? Please bring good news!

BuddyAces · April 2017

If you didn't get an invite can you still test the base game changes on pts? I'm confused

leeux · April 2017

Would that mean that streamers are able to stream gameplay of base game areas and base game classes?
As long as they don't show Vvardenfell and any new content under NDA, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to SHOW if they are allowed to talk about it.

TazESO · April 2017

BuddyAces wrote: »

If you didn't get an invite can you still test the base game changes on pts? I'm confused

Yes, but it's also under NDA except as noted above by Gina.

Gilliamtherogue · April 2017

Can we stream/record/etc the non Morrowind PTS material since that NDA portion has been lifted?

aeowulf · April 2017

@Giliamtherogue - can you please let us know your views on how a NB saptank performs now the NDA is partially lifted taking into consideration the recent sustain/balance changes.

Tasear · April 2017

Gina this was all a trap

, but seriously talking about Templars right now just gets you going in circles. As such your job is hard.

Floliroy · April 2017

Gilliamtherogue wrote: »

Can we stream/record/etc the non Morrowind PTS material since that NDA portion has been lifted?

I want to know too

Avidspark · April 2017

When in doubt, do not shout.

I'll just keep lips sealed...easier than trying to wrap my tiny little mind around what is and is not allowed to say

Mulcibur · April 2017

@ZOS_GinaBruno Can you stream/make videos about the 4 base class changes and test?

ZOS_GinaBruno · April 2017

Nolic1 wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Hi everyone,

As of right now, we are partially lifting the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) specifically for the balance changes made to the four existing classes. This means you’ll be allowed to talk publicly outside of this forum area about the changes for the four existing classes and how they affect your character on the PTS in different scenarios, including how your characters perform in the new Battlegrounds and Trial.

Please note that the NDA still applies to any content in the Morrowind Chapter such as Vvardenfell, the Warden class, Battlegrounds, and Halls of Fabrication. For the latter two, it’s fine to discuss how your characters perform in them for the sake of class performance and balance discussions, but please refrain from divulging details about the Battlegrounds and Trial.

If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Question can we do videos on the new changes to the 3 base classes balance and the champion point system from test or are we not allowed to yet?

Yes, that's fine. "Talking" in this case can be via text or video, but make sure you're not showing any of the new content in Morrowind (Vvardenfell, the Trial, BGs).

joaaocaampos wrote: »

ZOS_GinaBruno wrote: »

Yes, that's fine. We'll also add a description for each item set in Monday's PTS patch notes.

Did you welcome community feedback? Are they going to readjust the changes made in the last Patch Note? Please bring good news!

We always welcome feedback, and everyone is reading even if you don't see a public reply.

We do have some tweaks coming to next week's PTS incremental, but please don't expect to see a complete 180 on some of the gameplay-related changes. Keyword here is tweaks.

BuddyAces wrote: »

If you didn't get an invite can you still test the base game changes on pts? I'm confused

Yes, this has always been the case.

Mulcibur wrote: »

@ZOS_GinaBruno Can you stream/make videos about the 4 base class changes and test?

Yes. Again, as mentioned above, just make sure you're not streaming in Vvardenfell or showing any of the content from Morrowind. Being in any of the existing zones is fine.