On May 1st, the lead developer of Zenimax’s fantasy MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online, Matt Firor, commented on the current state of the game. He reassures players with five free days and reveals some insights. What is planned for the future of TESO?
Many players have expressed their frustration over the numerous maintenance work in recent weeks. Zenimax now aims to counter the players’ frustration with 5 Free Days. Further highlights in Firor’s report can be found in his outlook for the future. Plans include the introduction of a long-missing penalty system that characterized single-player games, as well as further improvements specifically in group play. Some additional instances are also planned along with “Quality-of-Life” enhancements.
The look at the present and the near future of TESO
Lead developer Matt Firor already reached out to fans a week ago and apparently, they want to make this a tradition. In the second letter to fans, Firor dives right into the thick of things and addresses the current status.
At the moment, according to Firor, they are working diligently to combat bots, curb gold sellers, and mitigate quest bugs. They are still relying on the help of the players and ask for further feedback.
In the near future, the Kargstein Update will provide a first big boost of new content that is currently undergoing testing on the test server. An announcement regarding when the patch will go live for players is expected soon.
Firor faces negative criticism from the press and players
Firor addresses some negative reports from the press and feedback from players later in the letter.
[pull_quote_center]ESO evokes strong emotions in players – both positive and negative.[/pull_quote_center]
For a successful game, it is important to listen to all kinds of criticism, no matter if it comes from the press or players. Zenimax has made it a point to take this to heart. Firor promises the community to take every criticism to heart to make the game a little better week by week.
The future plans for The Elder Scrolls Online
For the long-term future of The Elder Scrolls Online, Firor and Zenimax have set quite a few goals. Here is a list of planned features for the rest of 2014 and beyond.
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In addition to bug fixes, the fight against black market gold farmers, and adjustments to game balance, we have a long list of features and updates we are working on and want to integrate into the game in 2014 and beyond. Below is a brief overview of what to expect. For most of these features, we do not yet know in which update we will include them, but they are currently in development:
- A system that allows players in groups to see each other even if they are in different phases.
- A legal system where theft and killing NPCs (non-player characters) have consequences if you are caught.
- Migration of the European megaserver to our European data center.
- Personal customization of the field of view.
- Dyeing and coloring of armor.
- Two new veteran dungeons: Crypt of Hearts and City of Ash.
- New region in Kargstein with a new trial: the Serpent.
- Improved ways to collect items in the world.
- Story and quests for the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood.
- Spell weaving.
- Horse racing.
- Dragonstar Arena – similar to Trials, but for up to four players.
- Improvements to fishing.
- Improvements to the crafting system.
- Improved group search.
- Better facial animations for NPCs.
- New guild features: changes to the guild store user interface, customizable guild emblems, capes, and guild kiosks – guild stores that are accessible to all and available to the highest bidding guild.
- Automatically leveling dungeons that adjust to the level of your group leader.
- Achievements for repeating dungeons.
- PvP dungeon in the Imperial City.
[/intense_testimony_text][intense_testimony_author image=”https://images.mein-mmo.de/magazin/medien/2014/04/matt-firor-zenimax.jpg?1025dc”]Matt Firor[/intense_testimony_author] [/intense_testimony] [/intense_testimonies]
What do you think of the changes coming to The Elder Scrolls Online? Are you looking forward to them? Do you have any favorites? And what about the five free days? Is that enough for you?
