I returned to ESO a while ago now because they were doing things that I wasn't seeing any other modern MMO doing. I said then, and still believe it overall, that it's one of the few titles out there that actually deserves the "RPG" part of its label.
One thing I also appreciated about it is that, while it was B2P and with Sub Optional, they weren't going overboard with the cash shop. I'm not a fan of cash shops to begin with, but at the very least, ZOS was showing restraint in their reliance on it. I even emailed them thanking them for doing so and asked, selfishly, that they please maintain that balance.
Fast-forward to a couple months ago, and I walked away completely. Why? Well, ZOS continued to expand on the cash shop, started pushing more and more into the loot crates. Maybe I'm wrong, but I swear they found a way to double-up on the types of loot crates available at a given time. And the insidious practice of giving out free crates to draw people in (giving that free fix to get people hooked) was a real turn-off to me.
Also noticed more and more emphasis being put on the cash shop, with the most unique content coming out of that, rather than from the game itself, and more "pay for convenience/speed" being added... housing items, and so on.
I initially thought the idea of trading in redundant or unwanted items for gems was a nice compromise, but have come to find that equally insidious. Really want that time-limited mount but are 100 gems short? Just buy more crates and keep exchanging items for the gems!
Also, the way they automatically add items to your collectibles without giving you the option to exchange them for gems is pretty messed up. What if someone doesn't want a particular collectible? Tough. You don't get a say in the matter. If you don't have it already, you're keeping it, like it or not.
With Elweyr, I finally got fed up and uninstalled. I'd really hoped they could keep the cash shop restrained, but I guess I should have known better.
That said, I *do* wish people would stop misinforming others who may not know better by stating how the craft bag is the only reason to sub for.
You people are literally making folks think they're paying $15 just for a crafting bag, and you *know* that isn't the case. I've had to correct more people about this than I can even remember. I suggest subbing and they're like "nah, it sounds like a rip off. All you get is that bag". When I tell them what they *actually* get, many times they change their mind and find it to be well worth it.
So if you're one of those people repeating that nonsense... please stop. I know it's popular to parrot it mindlessly. But it's a lie. So please, stop.
To be clear, to any who don't know better... becoming a subscriber gets you: - Access to all DLC content - which is a lot in itself. - 1500+ Crowns to spend in the cash shop each month (this alone would cover the $15 sub fee) - XP, Crafting XP, and Gold bonus - The crafting bag - More bank space - More housing deco slots - perhaps something else I'm forgetting
Even removing the crafting bag, and despite my feelings about the game itself, credit where it's due, ESO+ has the best benefits of any sub-optional MMO I'm aware of. Well worth it if your'e going to play. If you disagree with me on that, that's fine. But please stop misinforming people with this notion that the craft bag is the only benefit for subbing.
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One thing I also appreciated about it is that, while it was B2P and with Sub Optional, they weren't going overboard with the cash shop. I'm not a fan of cash shops to begin with, but at the very least, ZOS was showing restraint in their reliance on it. I even emailed them thanking them for doing so and asked, selfishly, that they please maintain that balance.
Fast-forward to a couple months ago, and I walked away completely. Why? Well, ZOS continued to expand on the cash shop, started pushing more and more into the loot crates. Maybe I'm wrong, but I swear they found a way to double-up on the types of loot crates available at a given time. And the insidious practice of giving out free crates to draw people in (giving that free fix to get people hooked) was a real turn-off to me.
Also noticed more and more emphasis being put on the cash shop, with the most unique content coming out of that, rather than from the game itself, and more "pay for convenience/speed" being added... housing items, and so on.
I initially thought the idea of trading in redundant or unwanted items for gems was a nice compromise, but have come to find that equally insidious. Really want that time-limited mount but are 100 gems short? Just buy more crates and keep exchanging items for the gems!
Also, the way they automatically add items to your collectibles without giving you the option to exchange them for gems is pretty messed up. What if someone doesn't want a particular collectible? Tough. You don't get a say in the matter. If you don't have it already, you're keeping it, like it or not.
With Elweyr, I finally got fed up and uninstalled. I'd really hoped they could keep the cash shop restrained, but I guess I should have known better.
That said, I *do* wish people would stop misinforming others who may not know better by stating how the craft bag is the only reason to sub for.
You people are literally making folks think they're paying $15 just for a crafting bag, and you *know* that isn't the case. I've had to correct more people about this than I can even remember. I suggest subbing and they're like "nah, it sounds like a rip off. All you get is that bag". When I tell them what they *actually* get, many times they change their mind and find it to be well worth it.
So if you're one of those people repeating that nonsense... please stop. I know it's popular to parrot it mindlessly. But it's a lie. So please, stop.
To be clear, to any who don't know better... becoming a subscriber gets you:
- Access to all DLC content - which is a lot in itself.
- 1500+ Crowns to spend in the cash shop each month (this alone would cover the $15 sub fee)
- XP, Crafting XP, and Gold bonus
- The crafting bag
- More bank space
- More housing deco slots
- perhaps something else I'm forgetting
Even removing the crafting bag, and despite my feelings about the game itself, credit where it's due, ESO+ has the best benefits of any sub-optional MMO I'm aware of. Well worth it if your'e going to play. If you disagree with me on that, that's fine. But please stop misinforming people with this notion that the craft bag is the only benefit for subbing.