A few hours ago, a rumor circulated in fan forums: Something monumental has occurred in Tamriel! A hero noticed that he could no longer walk through monsters as he did the day before. Because The Elder Scrolls Online has apparently decided to introduce a collision detection system. You can find all this and much more in our news about The Elder Scrolls Online.
The good news up front: As mentioned on the Twitter account of The Elder Scrolls Online, another beta phase is apparently just around the corner. Many are already expecting it next weekend! The reason the beta servers remained closed for most of us this weekend could be that significant changes in the game design of The Elder Scrolls Online are currently underway. And these naturally need some time to take effect. You don’t need a host of players staring over your shoulder, possibly asking, “Are you done yet?”
.@Silvaz3 We will be announcing the next #ESO beta event very soon, so be sure to keep an eye on our social channels & official website!
— Elder Scrolls Online (@TESOnline) February 22, 2014
The collision detection is here
Collision detection has long been a topic among the developers of the highly anticipated fantasy MMORPG TESO, which is set to release on April 4. However, as the developers mentioned just a few weeks ago, they have always decided against it because it would create too much strain on the servers, especially in PvP. Performance and thus the gaming experience would have suffered greatly. Since the game design of TESO mass battles involves far more than a hundred players, the price for a collision detection in PvP would have been too high.
Now it seems, a compromise has been found. The collision detection will only apply to mobs outside the PvP zone Cyrodiil. Players cannot block each other’s paths, which eliminates some possibilities for grief-play.
Early voices are excited about the change. It feels organic and enhances the game significantly. Overall, these changes represent a huge step forward.
To be like the Spartans in 300!
The design decision on whether collision detection belongs in an MMO or not has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years. Collision detection generally tends to favor tanks and particularly large races. They can shield vulnerable group members with their stout bodies and heavy armor and form a protective wall. Additionally, tactical chokepoints can be held by a few warriors against overwhelming odds – parallels to the epic “300” arise here, as a small band of Spartans held the pass of Thermopylae against a multitude of Persians… coming soon in 3D with 30% more oiled bodybuilding physiques.
Such tactical considerations are of course crucial for PvP. TESO designer Brian Wheeler, who is responsible for PvP, is against collision detection in PvP chiefly because it is very buggy and prone to failure. Especially when many players converge, few enjoy collision detection. It contributes only to general frustration and lag.
Of course, no one wants to be a lagging Spartan!
Other changes in the beta include fixes in animation and an increase in monster difficulty starting from level 5.
Well, you have probably read the word “collision detection” much more often today than you ever thought possible at breakfast this morning!
