Elder Scrolls Online; faction locks from a developer's perspective?

News & General Discussion
1

So this is a topic I’ve been discussing on the Elder Scrolls forums, but I’m really interested in hearing the opinions of various game developers on the issue. Especially when it comes to Unity users, there is a lot of variety in opinion. And I’m willing to bet more maturity given that such a neutral party is not so emotional as the fandom can be.

The Elder Scrolls is going online, and this time around you get to explore all of Tamriel__*__!

It’s set 1000 or so years before Skyrim, and the Imperials of Cyrodiil have made a pact with a Daedric lord for power. The other provinces have banded together into three factions, each vying for power. Players will get to band together and try to take over Cyrodiil, and one player will become the emperor himself until he’s overthrown.
Here’s the factions, for anyone familiar with the races: Daggerfall Covenant (Bretons, Redguards, Orcs), Ebonheart Pact (Nords, Dark Elves, Argonians), Aldmeri Dominion (High Elves, Wood Elves, Khajiits), and the enemy faction that is the Empire (Imperials).

Very much Dark Age of Camelot style, as one of its lead developers is involved.

But there’s one issue that’s arisen for many fans.

*You’re only allowed to travel to your own provinces and Cyrodiil, which is the center stage where all PvP takes place. All of Tamriel finally together in one game, but you’re not allowed to explore it all. This flies in the face of why many play Elder Scrolls games in the first place; the go-anywhere-do-anything attitude, the freedom to explore, and the freedom of self-expression. You’ll never be interacting with the other races and cultures of the world except with the business end of your axe.

The intention is to provide a concentrated, exciting PvP environment in one spot rather than have it be spread too thin amongst other provinces. I’m told this worked beautifully in DAoC.

Polls I’ve taken suggest that ~20-30% of potential players like the current setup, ~20% think this setup will prevent them from enjoying the game, and the rest prefer a different setup but are still willing to play.

So game developers, what is your take on this system? Is three-faction PvP all it’s cracked up to be, and does it necessitate faction lockouts? Is it right for Elder Scrolls? Is the population just jumping the gun on how the experience will actually stand to be for them?

Other relevant information:
-The game uses a Megaserver to dynamically place you on a server with your friends and guildies when you log in, as well as anybody with similar interests as you, as dictated by a survey you fill out. This is to prevent having to reroll on a different server when you find out your friends play somewhere else. It does not however prevent having to reroll to a different faction.
-Lore-wise, the factions aren’t entirely stable to begin with. The only real thing they seem to share is geography. The Daggerfall Covenant seems to be the most reasonable as the races may share some ideals.
-The world is not seamless like most Elder Scrolls games. They may be separated either by faction (for four main worldspaces) or by province.

2

I like the Elder Scrolls series, but to be honest I would not want want to play this game for a second. Compromising the exploration for a PVP mechanic? I’ve yet to see a PVP game that isn’t gimmicky at best. It sounds like just another realm based MMO with elder scrolls name and art slapped on it. I’m not saying that this may not become something many people enjoy playing, and I’m also not suggesting it shouldn’t be built, but personally I would consider it as much an elder scrolls game as WoW.

I used to be active on the elder scrolls forums back in the old days of Morrowind modding and this idea of a mmo elder scrolls game isn’t new. It’s always been my understanding that Bethesda loath the idea of exactly what is being suggested here and so do I.

3

I always thought this is a dumb idea. TES are about exploration, really, not PvP.

4

MMOs are supposed to be the opposite of the word “restriction” … :confused:
Unlike.

5

Even one land in Tamriel is huge. I agree with the developers, better to concentrate on one area and make that the best.

6

Do note, however, that they are still splitting their attention between 9 provinces. All of Tamriel already is in the game, you’re just not allowed to go there.

7

If they made it so there were in game consequences for going there, or you’re not *Supposed to go there, it would be different, but they want to make it impossible for players to go to those areas, built in and hard coded, that’ incredibly lame.

I just wonder how much of a game plan there actually is if you took the IP away.

8

Sounds incredibly dull and boring with what “sounds” like good ideas. But really in practice are not.

9

I was going to buy it just to explore - I’m not interested in PvP, just going from place to place.

10

Hope you like to make alts then. xD

11

It sounds like they’re making a great game, but one that’s designed for people other than their current core fanbase. In their previous games the focus was exploration, but now they’re making a game where the focus is PvP and they’re re-using their existing brand. It doesn’t mean the game will be bad, but it’s likely to mean that a lot of people will be disappointed because of the brand mismatch.

However, going from single player to MMO more or less necessitates some pretty major changes anyway. Personally, what I’d like out of an Elder Scrolls online game is another Skyrim or Oblivion where I can invite my friends to party up with me, and where half of the dungeons and quests are designed for multiplayer, and where there’s significant new content (ie: a new land, even if they’re individually smaller and less dense) released as DLC every 3 months or so.

12

I believe “they” is the modders, not Bethesda.