ESO gets controversial feature – this is how the community argues about the new NPC companions

With the Blackwood expansion, the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S) introduces NPC companions that accompany you instead of “real” players. However, the feature has already led to intense discussions in the community.

What exactly do the companions bring? According to Rich Lambert from Zenimax Online, the idea behind these NPCs is that even solo players and smaller groups do not have problems mastering more difficult dungeons. There should be a number of these NPCs with their own personalities, to which you can build certain relationships – although at least at launch, they will not be of a romantic nature.

The companions that come into play with the Blackwood expansion are more than just human pets. You can level them up, provide them with equipment, and assign them specific roles to effectively support you. Essentially, you can expect a kind of companion feature akin to what you know from single-player role-playing games like the “Baldur’s Gate” series.

A feature that divides the ESO community

Why can NPC companions also be a problem? ESO is an MMORPG, and this type of game focuses on social interactions with other players. Seeking out teammates to master certain challenges, devising tactics together, building friendships… all of these are central elements of an MMORPG.

Now that NPCs as companions are coming into play, these social interactions may suffer. Some players might prefer to have an NPC they can manage by their side rather than a real teammate. Thus, a heated discussion has arisen in the ESO community regarding these NPCs. We summarize some voices for you:

• Djiku writes in the official ESO Forum: “Since the announcement, I have been absolutely not a fan of this feature and find it completely unnecessary. I strongly suspect that the feature will have negative effects on group play. It could even potentially replace players if the companions are too strong.”
• FreshxPots sees a different problem (via reddit): “Actually, I like the idea behind the companions. But it will surely be disappointing if everyone runs around with the same companions.”
• Nowa13 is not enthusiastic (via ESO Forum): “The game is already somewhat of a solo MMORPG anyway. Now I have another reason to switch to Final Fantasy XIV…”
• Drachenflieger tries to explain the problem with the companions (via ESO Forum): “The new companions will ensure that one person at the crafting tables in the city will dominate as a ‘monster group.’ A sorcerer with 2 pets, a familiar and his companions, preferably sitting on his horse (seen it all) because he is too lazy to dismount. And then run 4-man dungeons solo and do everything alone?”
• Napoleon20 comments on MeinMMO: “No… please, just don’t let them tank or heal properly. Otherwise, I (who have basically only tanks) and healers will be completely useless in dungeon content (except maybe in triples).”

However, there are also players who have no problem with NPC companions.

• sirjakobos is already looking forward to it (via reddit): “Hopefully, the dungeons can really be completed solo this way. I just want to be able to do a dungeon at my own pace and truly enjoy the story and dialogue. I don’t want to rush everything, kill the boss, and have no idea what the hell I just did…”
• Tandor states (via ESO Forum) “If the companions can help some players, then the feature makes sense.”
• Wolfshade hopes for a system similar to Star Wars: The Old Republic (via ESO Forum): “I must admit I liked the companion system in SWTOR, as the NPCs had a certain personality and direction that fit into the setting. My loyal, simple companion worked especially well in PvE with PvP gear! It’s definitely going to be great here too when the Mages rock a 4-man dungeon with 3 pets, Atro-Ulti, Monsterset Dedroth, and companions equipped with Malacath.”
• payjako89 also has no problem with the companions (via reddit): “While you can already complete some dungeons alone, I look forward to an option that makes everything easier with an NPC companion. Because then I can enjoy the story better.”
• rt831 has an idea that he shares on reddit: “I wish the NPCs were the other characters that you create for ESO.”
• Damian writes on MeinMMO: “I find NPC companions especially great for dungeons because you can finally run through at your own pace. Especially for people like me who often find group play really annoying, it’s a great idea.”

So there are currently two sides in the community. One sees the benefits of NPC companions and looks forward to their introduction. The other fears that the essence of an MMORPG will be undermined and that group play will suffer.

We will then see at the release of ESO Blackwood in June how the companions will impact the game. The developers also have the option to make adjustments and optimizations here to ensure that the interaction between real players remains intact despite NPC companions.

What do you think about the NPC companions that are to be introduced in the MMORPG ESO with Blackwood? Are you looking forward to it, or do you consider it a useless feature in an online role-playing game?

In the expert talk with YouTubers Alex0s and MiezeMelli, you will learn why the Blackwood expansion is a good reason to start with ESO in 2021.