The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online has excited many players with the “One Tamriel” update. The developers of Fallout 76 then adopted this idea after several discussions and an active exchange, as chief Jeff Gardiner tells MeinMMO in an interview.
The “One Wasteland” update has shaken up Fallout 76, brought numerous innovations, and completely changed the familiar leveling system. Many players had to get used to what it is like to play Fallout.
However, such a change was apparently planned. On the occasion of this major update and the upcoming “Steel Dawn,” Project Lead Jeff Gardiner and Lead Quest Designer Brianna Schneider answered our questions.
We specifically asked whether the already very similarly named “One Tamriel” update from ESO had been a model. After all, this has changed the MMORPG just as significantly. And ultimately, the studios behind Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls Online are sister studios.
Jeff Gardiner reveals to us: Yes, One Tamriel was a model. And moreover, One Wasteland is a tribute to the work of the MMORPG makers. But how exactly can one imagine this?
What is One Wasteland at all? The update was released on September 15 as the autumn update of Fallout 76 and brought about:
- dynamically leveled enemies
- legendary skills to make players even stronger
- daily operations, a kind of dungeon system for single players and groups
One Wasteland aims to make Fallout 76 more attractive for new players while simultaneously being interesting for veterans. It should ensure that everyone can play in their own way and still have fun while promoting the game in groups.
One Tamriel is the model for One Wasteland
What is One Tamriel? The major update was released in 2016 for the MMORPG and is considered a major breakthrough for ESO. One of the biggest adjustments was that enemies adapt dynamically to the players’ levels.
This keeps the content relevant and the game becomes easier for beginners and better for groups. After all, now almost anyone can play with anyone, regardless of their level, and everyone still contributes to the success.
In the review of One Tamriel on MeinMMO, ESO expert Jürgen Horn even claims that this update has more MMO elements than ever before.
Jeff Gardiner also confirms this to us in the interview. He says:
We adopted the idea for One Wasteland from One Tamriel because the team there repeatedly says it was the biggest turning point. They adjusted the game so you can play virtually anywhere. It changed much about player behavior and mechanics, and the players really liked it.
The game became more successful from that point on.
Jeff Gardiner in an interview with MeinMMO.
Why was One Tamriel so important? Before the update, ESO was still overshadowed by other games like Star Wars: The Old Republic. Players criticized that while it looked like an Elder Scrolls game, it did not play that way.
Only with One Tamriel did this change. The dynamic levels created more of the “Elder Scrolls” feeling: players became adventurers again who could explore the world without being strictly limited by levels. At least to a certain extent, the hardest content is still reserved for the toughest players.
ESO even attracted new players in this way, who could play directly with their friends after creating a character, who were already further along. The MMORPG became more friendly for groups while simultaneously being more enjoyable for solo players – Just as one imagines an Elder Scrolls game, only online in multiplayer.
What does this have to do with One Wasteland? The One Wasteland update has adopted the same system with dynamic levels as one of its innovations. Enemies adapt to the players’ levels, and everyone can contribute to completing events and defeating bosses.
This promotes both group play and the opportunity to invite friends. Because they no longer just get “carried through,” but can also earn their share of the reward properly.
We asked in more detail and wanted to know what the thoughts behind One Wasteland were. What led to the decision to create One Wasteland?
“One Wasteland as a tribute to ESO“
This is what the chief says: Gardiner explains that this level design was actually planned for the release of Fallout 76. However, there were difficulties at that time, which is why another system was adopted, where a player determines the levels of enemies upon entering a zone, even for players who arrive after him.
This was supposed to change with One Wasteland. There were already preparatory changes, such as public teams. Gardiner says:
The goal was for players to be able to play together, especially at events. Over the past year, we tried several things to bring the community together. We introduced light [public] teams that allow them to form groups quickly and provide bonuses when you are in a group.
Events were adjusted and are continually being adjusted to be more player-friendly. And we wanted to ensure that everyone can participate in events, especially seasonal events. Everyone should feel like they earned their share of the reward and have more fun at the event.
Jeff Gardiner in an interview with MeinMMO.
This corresponds exactly to the idea that the developers of ESO already pursued with One Tamriel. “That’s why we called it One Wasteland,” explains Gardiner. “As a tribute to them.”
This is how the collaboration went: In fact, it sounds like the creators of ESO not only provided the template but even helped create One Wasteland. At least with ideas.
Gardiner emphasizes in the conversation: “Our developers and theirs spoke and exchanged ideas on how to do this. It was a fascinating process and really a great collaboration with one of our sister studios.”
However, the developers of Fallout 76 did not simply adopt what helped ESO. One Wasteland offers several new features that fit the Fallout universe perfectly – such as legendary perks that make your characters even stronger.
What does the future of Fallout 76 look like?
The developers are putting a lot of work into the project. So far, One Wasteland is the foundation for helping Fallout 76 achieve the success that the game lacked at launch. The franchise has much to offer, a deep story, and holds opportunities to explore the history of a beloved game series in depth.
Gardiner mentioned in the interview that the lessons the team learned from One Wasteland will serve as a tool for the future. It should become easier to bring better content to players more quickly and easily.
I think that One Wasteland can become a similar turning point for Fallout 76 as One Tamriel was for ESO. The ambitions of the developers clearly speak for that.
The entire interview: In the conversation, Gardiner and Schneider reveal to us what One Wasteland means for Fallout 76 and what changes will occur with Steel Dawn in winter 2020. They also chat a bit about the development in 2021 and 2022.
There, I speak with Jeff Gardiner and Brianna Schneider about the gameplay changes of One Wasteland and Steel Dawn and what they mean for the players. Here you can find the complete interview.
The Bombs Drop Day: Currently, everything in Fallout 76 revolves around the Bombs Drop Day, which is celebrated on October 23. This is the day when the bombs fell and everything began for Fallout. On the occasion of the holiday, there is a Free2Play week and numerous reasons why you should take a look at Fallout 76 (again).
At some point in the coming weeks, Steel Dawn will be released, the Steel Dawn. In this update, the legendary Steel Brotherhood returns to Appalachia. They want to re-establish themselves there, and you should help. One of the biggest features of the update are the C.A.M.P. shelters, basically your own instanced vaults.
