Action RPG

Elder Scrolls Online’s Longest-Running Issue Is The Target Of A New Play Test, But It’s Just A First Step

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Initially launched in 2014, one of The Elder Scrolls Online’s key attractions was the vast, multiplayer battlefield known as Cyrodiil. This open-world zone for player versus player (PvP) combat attracted hundreds of players from the game’s three factions, engaging in fierce battles to conquer each other’s territories. In fact, it was a significant highlight in TopMob’s initial review of The Elder Scrolls Online, with Kevin VanOrd praising ZeniMax Online’s MMO as particularly thrilling during intense PvP engagements and finding the epic battles to be enjoyable.

Looking back from 2025, just past the initial euphoria following The Elder Scrolls Online’s launch, it became apparent that the intricacies of Cyrodiil were causing considerable strain on the servers. With hordes of players and a game system as vast as a continent, performance issues persisted even after multiple attempts by ZeniMax Online to address them. Playing PvP in Cyrodiil today means grappling with low frame rates and intense lag, making the sieges nearly unplayable for many. This is disheartening considering its once-prominent status as a key selling point of the game. However, there’s hope on the horizon with the introduction of Cyrodiil Champions, an experimental test mode that could potentially revolutionize our experience.

The upcoming Cyrodiil Champions trial on ESO’s live PC servers from March 24 to 31 aims to pinpoint the fundamental issue causing the mode’s disappointing performance, which ZeniMax Online is optimistic will be achieved. This test phase retains the epic large-scale siege battles that Cyrodiil is renowned for but dramatically streamlines class abilities and essentially shuts down everything else (passive abilities, armor types, stats, etc.) in an attempt to demonstrate a key point: the problem may lie in the intricate interplay of each player’s stats and abilities overwhelming the server, rather than faulty coding or inadequate infrastructure.

In a recent interview with TopMob, ESO game director Rich Lambert expressed that the primary objective for this upcoming test is to put an end to the internal discussions about the game’s performance once and for all. Winning scenario one: if the test runs smoothly and players embrace it as intended, we’ve won. Scenario two: if the test doesn’t go as planned, we can still claim victory because we’ll have a clear understanding of what needs to be improved.

According to Lambert, the team is regularly receiving feedback about Cyrodiil, and it’s one of the main issues ZeniMax Online frequently encounters in ESO. For eight years, ESO has been following an annual chapter release pattern (similar to expansions), which introduces a significant new zone along with fresh story content and often a major feature such as NPC companions or the card game Tales of Tribute. In a blog post from December 2024, studio director Matt Firor revealed that ESO would not see a new chapter in 2025, instead opting to switch to a seasonal approach with smaller updates.

According to Firor, the team is planning on conducting more experiments as they look to the future, and they’ve shared a variety of concepts for enhancing ESO during the coming year. Particularly, he emphasized the importance of addressing the performance issues in Cyrodiil, stating that the team aims to make it a hub for hundreds of players again, just like it was shortly after its launch in 2014. They’ve set an ambitious target for this improvement.

Cyrodiil Champions represents an initial idea by ZeniMax Online, yet one that’s still in its infancy and has much room for growth before becoming a fully realized feature. According to Lambert, the team opted for this approach as early as October, aiming to create a preliminary version swiftly to validate the concept.

In Lambert’s perspective, the drive behind the Cyrodiil Champions test mirrors that of the 2016 One Tamriel update in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). This significant modification liberated ESO from faction-restricted zones and allowed for all game content – quests and enemies – to adjust dynamically according to players’ levels.

Lambert expressed that they aim to evolve, progress, and introduce excitement. He likened the potential impact of Cyrodiil Champions to the transformation One Tamriel brought years ago, which significantly improved their game. He believes Cyrodiil Champions could have a similar effect, and they’re eager to continue innovating in this direction.

In the heart of Cyrodiil, as a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that the gameplay dynamics are about to undergo a significant shift. Unlike the usual versatility of class abilities, which can dish out damage and heal, or control crowds while dealing damage, or hit multiple targets simultaneously, these capabilities will be streamlined in Cyrodiil Champions.

For instance, my trusted Templar Javelin, which typically inflicts damage and topples foes, will now only perform the knockdown effect. Similarly, abilities that traditionally heal and deal damage will now focus on either healing or dealing damage, not both. Some skills may also target a smaller number of opponents to maintain server performance.

This adjustment aims to identify and address the specific issues causing Cyrodiil’s performance issues. It’s all part of an effort to ensure a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone in this epic battlefield.

As a gamer, I’ve been pondering about this change for quite some time now. Brian Wheeler, our combat and PvP designer, has hinted at a significant separation between PvE (Player versus Environment) and PvP (Player versus Player) abilities. He believes that by stripping down the additional layers from each ability, we can pinpoint and address the performance issues in Cyrodiil more accurately. This shift is quite drastic for our game, but it’s all part of the journey to make it even better!

According to Wheeler, engineering advancements have reached their limits. Now, it’s about design. We should evaluate what functions are truly necessary and ask, “Is it really necessary for it to perform all these additional tasks?

While the test may technically succeed, Lambert isn’t certain about further development of Cyrodiil Champions. The future steps rely heavily on the player’s reactions and responses.

Lambert shared that the internal testing feedback for this game mode has been incredibly favorable. The ‘time-to-kill’ has increased, reducing instances of quick multiple kills. Additionally, many difficult character builds that were tough to damage on the live server have been streamlined. As a result, the game mode now feels more inviting and accessible. Although it’s not yet fully developed, there may be some minor issues, but these were intentionally accepted for a faster release. The goal is to avoid spending years developing only to discover that the changes weren’t effective after all. Lambert hopes players will enjoy this new game mode as much as they have during testing.

If the test doesn’t proceed as planned, Wheeler mentioned that it would still provide the team with valuable insights on addressing the issue of Cyrodiil, a challenge he has been eagerly advocating for over the past decade. Regardless of whether we see more Cyrodiil Champions tests to perfect this feature or something new altogether, Wheeler emphasized that ZeniMax Online will consistently aim to preserve the aspects of Cyrodiil that fans adore.

In simpler terms, Wheeler stated that Cyrodiil offers a distinctive gaming experience unmatched in other MMOs. This special quality will always be a fundamental aspect of Cyrodiil. The intense keep battles, the thrill of conflict, and the sense of large-scale warfare are key elements that make Cyrodiil stand out. What sets Cyrodiil apart is its open-ended warfare, and we aim to preserve this dynamic and maintain the unique atmosphere it provides.

Individuals eager to experience Cyrodiil Champions firsthand have the opportunity to join the experimental Cyrodiil campaign within ESO from March 24th to 31st. By participating, you can collect in-game prizes via a fresh Golden Pursuits reward system. Although the trial is PC-exclusive at this time, console players will still be eligible to engage in certain activities and secure rewards during the testing period.

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2025-03-19 21:40

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