|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News from: Elder Scrolls Off The Record
Dear Listeners, Viewers, Fans, Friends I honestly didn’t think I’d have to do this. But due to constant accusations, badgering, questioning, and in some rare cases, genuine innocent curiosity, I feel that I obligated to pen such a letter. In the past weeks, I have been absolutely bombarded with questions regarding how I’ll be playing […]
Read More at: Elder Scrolls Off The Record
Foghladha,
I'm of two minds when reading this article. First, let me say that I agree with him in that no one should tell you how to play a game.
"It genuinely astonishes me – and not in a good way – just how many people want to convince me that my playstyle for ESO is somehow “wrong”."
I saw this today on MMORPG.com One writer spoke of how they love the challenge this game gives them. I happen to agree with the author of the article. For the most part, it's pretty easy, but bosses actually make you think and work. It's been trial and error on more than a few of them for me. The very first response was something to the effect of, "If this game is hard for you, you're playing it wrong and you have the wrong build." This drove me nuts. There is no such thing as a wrong build. Just because you (the poster, not Fog) copy and pasted the preeminent soloing build from Beta, does not mean everyone has to min/max. This game is about having the freedom to play what you want to play in an MMO. If her build challenges her with tougher fights, and she enjoys that, who is anyone to poop in her corn flakes?
The other half of my brain then speaks up and says, "Yeah, but sometimes people are playing it wrong."
Another example from MMORPG.com today, a poster keeps complaining about not having enough quests to level. Everyone starts yelling at him that he is wrong and while he is mistaken, the tone of the responses set the original poster on the defensive. No one was really offering any solid advice on how to remedy the problem, just ridiculing him. I took it upon myself to try and explain in the most non-condescending tone I could muster (sometimes the written word can convey a different and unintended tone from the spoken word.) that while this game is still a theme park, it's not your standard quest hub theme park. It is going to hold your hand from quest hub to quest hub. You need to get off the beaten path, explore, find all of the skyshards, public dungeons, hidden crafting areas, instanced dungeons, etc.
In conclusion, I think it's important that we, as players and ambassadors of the game remember, that while you may know a better way to do something in the game, be mindful, it may not be better for that player. Try to keep our enthusiasm in check and talk with, not at fellow players about the game. How we phrase our advice is just as important as what our advice is.
Just to be clear, I don't mean to preach. I have been just as guilty of this in the past, if not more so, than anyone on this forum. I'm Irish. I'm get very emotionally invested in things I like. My enthusiasm can take over and make me my own worst enemy. It's at those times I need to take a breath, step away from the keyboard, let the emotions die down and then craft my response. Oh, and if I get that way in Raid Call, don't hesitate to give me the proverbial Gibbs smack (from NCIS) across the back of my head. :)
Well said Fog! I consider myself an experienced mmo noob. I do all sorts of things wrong and all sorts of things right (mostly on accident!). I sometimes ask what may be a stupid question to others, but to me it's a genuine question. The way we respond to people's questions shouldn't make them feel defensive or make them feel like an idiot. One thing my employer keeps repeating non-stop is "Happy, Helpful, Friendly" That should also apply in the gaming world.
There really is no right or wrong build, some just work better than others overall...but maybe that's not what the player wants!
Once again, well said...and I will certainly give you the Gibbs smack if you act up in Raid Call :-P
There's one key word in the post - Respect!
I recall reading the article that prompted the playing wrong/wrong build response. While the writer of that post was a jerk, the complaints that prompted it were a bit off the mark too. Some builds and play styles are better for some content than others. Complaining that the game is not properly balanced because you refuse to shift your own style to suit varying conditions is poor form. I'm not telling anyone how to play, but I'm also not advocating taking a nerf bat to a knife fight.
Totally agree Mickey.
They have incorporated various strategies for various fights - and allow players the versatility to adapt when needed. To be stubborn and say "I don't want to change just for one fight!" is o.k. - if that is the way you want to approach it - but then realize you may have to over level quite a bit to do it the exact way you want.
Other times it is all about strategy and nothing to do with your play style - like the early fight with Doschia = the snake lady. So many people and I'm not talking about guild mates - just the general population fail to recognize that you need to destroy those orbs to win the fight - so they think their build is a "fail" when it isn't the build. Also, there is "sneak" in the game for everyone for a reason... not all encounters need to be fights. This is the first game in a long time when all out damage isn't always the way to "win". I love it!!!
Did Fog write the article under a different pen-name? O.o
My post was slightly off topic. I agree wholeheartedly with the post Fog linked. That writer insists on acting their own way but completely accepts that this will lock them out of certain content and is fine with that choice. ESO does let you play however you like, just accept the downsides of that.
Yeah, Morigana, Doshia is what prompted the balance complaints. It's a mechanic mastery fight, the build you take into it is of little relevance, as you note.
People like the writer of this linked article are great, they encourage the play your own way ethos. Players like the Doshia "balance" complainer don't. They encourage homogeneity, everything the same for everyone so no choice you make actually matters, play style becomes cosmetic rather than a stand out feature to really set you apart.
