I'm not going to stomp on any toes, but if you could re-read your post, and then make it a little easier to read by only referencing each quote once I'd appreciate it. For someone in academia it was very hard for me to slog through a post where each point was hit twice with different information. In fact, I only read it once because even though you changed your points a bit in the second part, but I'll touch on the last paragraph you wrote because I can't really get my head around the last.
Quote:
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I will not be playing the game, and anyone who reads what I have written, and can identify with my position in regards to other games, they will heed my warning, and avoid the game as well. Others who identify better with your position, and believe that there is a difference between the quest-grind, themepark style in WoW and other games listed, and therefore ESO is also distinct, they will heed your advice. You encourage those like you to get into the game, and I discourage those like me from buying the game so that we can get beyond having the same damn MMO published year after year to continue the stagnation in innovation that has hit MMOs. Stagnation from WoW really is the only explanation as to how you have EQ, and then DAoC, and then SWG, and City of Heroes, and then hit WoW, and for the next decade, have nothing but rehashed ideas. I am amazed when people talk about how great and innovative WoW is with the new "Garrisons", meanwhile I just sit here and say that SWG did this a decade ago, EQ and DAoC both instituted guild halls. And that pretty much all the new "innovations" we see are rehashes of the same exact stuff, rather than steps forward. That's why my only hope is for the dynamic creature system and non-quest grind structure EQN is proposing.
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I think that ESO is actually a step backwards when it comes to quest design and exploration and I like it. It's not as open world as EverQuest, and I think that is partially because they probably couldn't justify that as good game design anymore. I love classic EverQuest, and part of it is the immersion and the fact that I rely on other people to do content. There's a bit of that in ESO, but it doesn't come close to EverQuest, and I understand your pain in this part. It also does not come close to an Elder Scrolls game, but because games like Skyrim are basically the exact definition of a theme park for one person, I don't think they could really do that.
I'll concede and say that the game is a lot like other MMO's in the way that it has some of the conveniences that others do. I will disagree however that the class system is a poor one, and that the 3 core abilities you get from your class will make that much of a difference when all is said and done when you build your character. Your playstyle will affect your class the most, and I don't feel that your beginning decision will make much of a difference.
I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy your experience with it, and I think that what I am saying is that people should give it more than two hours to see how deep it goes. I've never actually seen a game where there are crafting stations that you can discover by exploring non quest areas where you can craft specific set gear that has different abilities. I've honestly just never seen that. That doesn't mean it does not exist, but I've never seen it.
I'm excited to explore and get abilities out in the world rather than just handed to me all at once via the Elder Scrolls model where you are instantly able to do whatever you want if you have an inclination, yet at the same time I'm happy that no matter what class I can be a bow wielding healer/support class if I want, even if they do things a little differently.
Basically, what I am saying is I don't think you gave it enough of a chance, and I think there's a great game in there, it just takes some time to get past the starting areas. You're taking a first impression and blasting away at the game when you really have no idea what you're talking about and so many others are doing the same thing, and that is not something an academic would do in my opinion.
That is why I'm bothering to argue at all. Every comment here that has called the game shit has not taken enough time to play it. I also felt it was shit my first beta test, and then the next beta my girlfriend also got into it and it was suddenly a much better game playing with her. I had someone to adventure around with, and I saw more. We made an effort to get further into the game. The game does make a first bad impression though.