Elder Scrolls MMO Announced for 2013

[IWantsACuatro]

The Elder Scrolls Online is Real

ZeniMax Online Studios is developing a massively multiplayer version of the popular single-player fantasy series.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/122/1224248p1.html

"After much speculation, the MMO version of The Elder Scrolls role-playing series has officially been announced. Developed by ZeniMax Online Studios, The Elder Scrolls Online will allow players to quest across the entire continent of Tamriel 1000 years before the events of The Elder Scrolls V, which includes the provinces of Cyrodiil (where The Elder Scrolls IV was set) and Skyrim (setting of The Elder Scrolls V)."


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It's not being developed by Bethesda Game Studios, but the publisher remains Bethesda.

I really don't know how I feel about this since I don't play MMOs. I just hope they don't sell out and stop making single player games (Here's looking at you, Blizzard).

First screenshot. Meh.

http://i47.tinypic.com/atvj9g.jpg

[Kai]

Meh indeed.

First Elder Scrolls Online Details Make it Sound Like Just Another Fantasy MMO (http://kotaku.com/5907598/first-elder-scrolls-online--details-make-it-sound-like-just-another-fantasy-mmo)



The issue of Game Informer packed with info on the newly-announced Elder Scrolls MMO is already in some people's hands and, well, if you were hoping for a game that was basically Skyrim only with real people, you're in for one hell of a disappointment.

From everything contained in the article, it sounds like "Elder Scrolls Online" is basically "Just Another MMO".

Things start going wrong on the very first page of the story, as ZeniMax Online's Paul Sage says "it needs to be comfortable for people who are coming from a typical massively multiplayer game that has the same control mechanisms, but it also has to appeal to Skyrim players".

A page later? You're playing the game in third-person, and its combat centres around hotbars activating skills. Your attacks have cooldowns. In clear terms, that means no real-time combat. It is literally explained as using "World of Warcraft mechanics".

You can't do something or go some places in the game unless you're appropriately levelled up, just like a regular MMO. ZeniMax is "keeping large areas inaccessible to save them for use as expansion content". Only "some fraction" of the caves and other landmarks in the game are waiting completely unmarked and unexplored. You can't own a house because it's "too hard to implement in an MMO". NPC characters don't run on the same schedules they do in the main games.

Oh dear.

It's not all doom and gloom. Some aspects, like the fact the game has public dungeons (ie, dungeons part of the game world and not separate "instances") and a system where the faction which controls the Imperial City gets to name an Emperor from amongst the playerbase sound kind of cool.

But overall, my heart, it is sinking. Why, exactly, is this game being made if, a few bells and whistles aside, it's just another fantasy MMO, and retains so little of what it is people play Elder Scrolls games for? It even looks like just another fantasy MMO, losing much of the refined elegance of Bethesda's games in exchange for a simpler style that looks little like the past few games in the series.

If I sound overly negative on this game based solely on someone else's preview, well, that's because I am. I don't play conventional MMOs because I find their tropes, especially their combat, to be tiresome and artificial. To hear those bones will be propping up this game is all I need to hear to already be more than a little bummed out.

People always wonder why no MMO has ever beaten World of Warcraft. It's because the people who want to play World of Warcraft...already play World of Warcraft, and don't need to play something built using the same system. This franchise, like Star Wars: Old Republic before it, was a great chance to try something new, something that can capture the imaginations of the hundreds of millions of people who don't play WoW, not the ten million who do. To hear it won't be, as a massive fan of the Elder Scrolls series, is disappointing.

Subscribers to the magazine should be getting their hands on the mag over the next few days. Everyone else, info like this will be added to Game Informer's online hub in the weeks to come.

[IWantsACuatro]

So they sold out?

Wonderful. Everyone is catching EA syndrome.

I wouldn't mind an Elder Scrolls MMO that was heavily quest/storyline based and didn't rely on the multiplayer element as all of them do. Public dungeons is a good start I guess.

Though I could see whosever 'emperor' would either be paid or have absolutely no life.

[sehui]

It looks like shit man...

Elder Scrolls shouldn't be made into an mmo, it just doesn't translate well. Talk about a sell-out.

[xellos88330]

I don't really think calling them sell-outs is fair at all. Since I am primarily an MMO gamer I could easily call "Skyrim" a sell-out to appease the fancies of the single player fanatic. I have tried to play Elder Scrolls before, but could never get into it much because I felt that most of the time I was just hacking and slashing for no real purpose other than to save an imaginary world and be congratulated by imaginary folk. Many of my friends play Skyrim and have tried to get me into it, but I just can't get past the boredom of playing a game for hours on end all by myself. One thing is for certain now. I will be able to play Elder Scrolls with them all now. It is actually uniting both types of gamer. According to this introduction video, it seems to solve a lot of the issues between the two camps. I for one, can't wait till this game comes out.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJTsq2XeKY

Alpha Review


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLp0ykvotEI

IGN E3 Interview


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsqALZWir4

Elder Scrolls Online website

http://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en/

[baseline bum]

I hope this doesn't ruin the Elder Scrolls series, but it probably will since they can make a lot more money charging monthly fees than selling a SP game one time to each player. Oh well, it was a good run while it lasted with Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim.

[xellos88330]

If you watched the videos I posted, they say the combat basics will be the same as Skyrim. The only difference is the UI. IMO the best way to ruin a game is to go away from the control scheme. Since they seem to have that in mind, I doubt that the series will be ruined because of that. On the other hand (take into account some of the chatter on Spurstalk) there are going to be elitist pricks out there that could potentially ruin the experience of everyone around them. In one of the videos, they talk about the mega server tech that they are going to employ. There is only one world that everyone plays on. They are talking about a questionairre that will assign you to similar minded folks and your character will be phased into a select group of those who answered similarly. If you want to be a prick, you will be playing with pricks. If you want to RP, you will play with RP'ers and so on.

I do understand why everyone is somewhat concerned for the franchise though. The lore is pretty awesome.

[ElNono]

Fucking hate MMO... they better not axe the SP games

[baseline bum]

IMO the best way to ruin a game is to go away from the control scheme.

No, the best way to ruin a game is to populate it with a huge group of faggots who take it way too seriously. Case in point:

YersIyzsOpc

[baseline bum]

Fucking hate MMO... they better not axe the SP games

I doubt the SP game will have anywhere near the talent working on it. I mean, if you're Bethesda and you get a foothold into the MMO scene, no way you're prioritizing a SP game where you get a one-time sale for $60 when you can sell the MMO title for $40 in store + $15 per month. Once MMO takes over FPS and NBA2k/Madden/FIFA/etc I'm done with gaming.

[redzero]

Aren't MMO's the ultimate carrot-on-a-stick? I don't how one who likes MMO's can claim that the actions in a single player game serve no real purpose.

[xellos88330]

The last single player game that made me feel satisfied with the all around experience was actually Dark Souls. The reason why I say that the single player experience is not as good as the MMO experience is because there is nothing that ties into the real world. In an MMO you are playing with/against real world people. I have stated before that I prefer MMO games because I love talking to people and meeting new people who share a common interest. That to me is priority. It may not be everyones cup of tea, but it is definitely mine. I don't care about achievements/gear/trophys or any of that crap because it doesn't mean a damn thing. I can however forge friendships that will last even when I am not playing a game. Real world stuff you know?

[ElNono]

I doubt the SP game will have anywhere near the talent working on it. I mean, if you're Bethesda and you get a foothold into the MMO scene, no way you're prioritizing a SP game where you get a one-time sale for $60 when you can sell the MMO title for $40 in store + $15 per month. Once MMO takes over FPS and NBA2k/Madden/FIFA/etc I'm done with gaming.

I know. It fucking sucks and it's bullshit. If they end up doing that, I hope EA buys them up and they end up like Bioware, making Fallout Arcade that nobody buys.

[baseline bum]

I know. It fucking sucks and it's bullshit. If they end up doing that, I hope EA buys them up and they end up like Bioware, making Fallout Arcade that nobody buys.

I hate MP gaming period; now SP is an afterthought when developing FPS, and MMO is so much worse than MP. The SP campaigns in adventure games like Elder Scrolls are going to be horrible. I'm sure the same will happen with GTA by iteration 6 or 7 too. :depressed

Welcome to the future model of gaming. It was great for the last decade buying these amazing and huge games for the inflation-adjusted cost of dinky Nintendo titles developed by small teams of 3-4 people in the 80s, but that's dead once MMO takes over.

In the MMO model you don't own the game anymore. In the MMO model you can't go back and play that game you loved 15 years ago because no one else is going to be there. MMO is going to kill the golden goose.

[ElNono]

Next up... Buy the $40 online-only game. Pay an extra $5 for each SP mission DLC...

It's all moving to rental-only, and frankly, don't see it working outside the US.

[baseline bum]

Next up... Buy the $40 online-only game. Pay an extra $5 for each SP mission DLC...

It's all moving to rental-only, and frankly, don't see it working outside the US.

What makes you think that? Is MMO crap not big in other strong gaming nations like Japan and South Korea?

[ElNono]

What makes you think that? Is MMO crap not big in other strong gaming nations like Japan and South Korea?

Half of the Chinese playing these MMOs are farming mod points and items to sell them for money. When people gets tired of paying through the nose for virtual bullshit, that market will just stop existing.

I just hope there's a massive server crash at some point and these fuckers get sued to oblivion.

[The Reckoning]

even though the game looks nice, as i slated in the OP, i still think "meh."

one massive server? that doesn't seem like a good idea...that requires constant maintenance. the world pvp looks awesome. it seems like theyre taking this MMO from a "clockmaker theory" standpoint.

creating one massive world on one massive server and just seeing what happens. should be interesting, but id imagine the min reqs for comp and internet speed must be outrageous.

meh.

[symple19]

Relax people. Fallout 4 is allegedly what BGS is working on now http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2013/01/09/bethesda-teases-fallout-4/ . With FarCry 3 and Dishonored, as well as the approach of Bioshock:Infinite, Crysis3, and Metro 2033 (FPSers that still focus on the SP experience more than the MP), SP gaming is still in fairly good shape. ME3 was a nice return to form for Bioware (except the awful ending), so hopefully they can continue to improve after the abortion that was DA2.

AAA titles like those above, as well as the still kicking strategy genre (CIV/Total War series e.g.) will ensure the game market doesn't go to complete shit for single players.

Not for PC gamers anyway. Torchlight is another good one that came out last year (Fuck Blizzard and Diablo3). Guess I still have hope.

oh, and lol ESO. lol MMO's in general.

[GoodOdor]

Relax people. Fallout 4 is allegedly what BGS is working on now http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2013/01/09/bethesda-teases-fallout-4/ . With FarCry 3 and Dishonored, as well as the approach of Bioshock:Infinite, Crysis3, and Metro 2033 (FPSers that still focus on the SP experience more than the MP), SP gaming is still in fairly good shape. ME3 was a nice return to form for Bioware (except the awful ending), so hopefully they can continue to improve after the abortion that was DA2.

AAA titles like those above, as well as the still kicking strategy genre (CIV/Total War series e.g.) will ensure the game market doesn't go to complete shit for single players.

Not for PC gamers anyway. Torchlight is another good one that came out last year (Fuck Blizzard and Diablo3). Guess I still have hope.

oh, and lol ESO. lol MMO's in general.

Diablo3 probably turned me away from Blizzard for life. Could hardly contain my anger a week into playing it tbh.....fuck.

[redzero]

How did Blizzard fuck up Diablo 3? I didn't play any of the Diablo games, so I'm just asking out of curiosity.

[xellos88330]

Tons of server issues...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I43GUnZN_s4

I was pretty upset with diablo 3 as well. I was expecting something new, but it turns out was basically a prettier looking version of Diablo 2.

[GoodOdor]

How did Blizzard fuck up Diablo 3? I didn't play any of the Diablo games, so I'm just asking out of curiosity.

Tbh hard to explain if you haven't played Diablo2.

[Trainwreck2100]

Half of the Chinese playing these MMOs are farming mod points and items to sell them for money. When people gets tired of paying through the nose for virtual bullshit, that market will just stop existing.

I just hope there's a massive server crash at some point and these fuckers get sued to oblivion.
I see what you did there

[The Reckoning]

anyone pick it up?

[baseline bum]

Diablo3 probably turned me away from Blizzard for life. Could hardly contain my anger a week into playing it tbh.....fuck.

You had to know Blizzard was going to shit once Activision acquired them.

[baseline bum]

anyone pick it up?

Fuck that game, I hope they lose $100 million on it.

[The Reckoning]

Fuck that game, I hope they lose $100 million on it.


watched a couple of the streams. doesn't look as terribly bad as it did in development.

seems like it plays just like a single player game just that there happens to be people doing the same shit and that it's a lot more linear than skyrim or oblivion.

pretty much is a more generic elder scrolls game with other people there and there's only one multiplayer map or zone that you actually fight each other


here's one review that's already out

http://www.examiner.com/review/the-elder-scrolls-online-review-still-an-elder-scrolls-game-at-heart

gamespot has a twitch stream going that's actually hilarious because people keep hassling the dude about being paid off and he actually tells them "idk what the fuck you're talking about"

there's still that degree of customization there as well...anyway it's interesting to look at but i doubt ill play. my laptop can barely handle minesweeper.

[The Reckoning]

on a side note


the greatest mod in skyrim ever


http://youtu.be/Bifmj1O3D24

[Technique]

anyone pick it up?

Yeah. Amazing game. Best MMO since old school WoW.

[baseline bum]

on a side note


the greatest mod in skyrim ever


http://youtu.be/Bifmj1O3D24

Not as good as the best one in Oblivion though tbh

2fxVeAVl2I8

[DJR210]

You had to know Blizzard was going to shit once Activision acquired them.

Reaper of Souls is pretty good actually. Made me blow the dust off my Diablo III.


on a side note


the greatest mod in skyrim ever

:lol

[baseline bum]

I still think the bathing beauties is the greatest skyrim mod ever tbh

[The Reckoning]

wtf???

idk man that's a bit creepy


http://youtu.be/qE4cBh1KJb0




especially if you can decapitate them afterwards...da fuq is wrong with people