ESO has a lot in common with WoW and SWTOR. What I mean by this is the MMORPG is being based off what is already a popular video game franchise. This being understood, many of the potential customers for ESO will not be former MMORPG players. This places ZOS in a rather unfortunate and disadvantageous situation. They essentially need to strike the perfect balance on delivering a game that TES fans will like, as well as a innovative MMORPG that veterans of the MMO industry can respect. This is very difficult to do, and I do not envy this upward battle ZOS must tackle.

From information and articles we have recently gained access to, I have been noticing a particular trend. ZOS is really hoping to make an MMORPG that will appeal to the TES fan base.

"These features combined with the fact that the entire game from level one to max level can be completed solo give this game more of a feel of being an RPG with a lots of co-op options than a standard MMO." - rpgamer.com

This concerns me, however. This is the same exact approach BioWare took with SWTOR and it did not work in their favor. By building a KotOR 3 that you could play with your friends (which is exactly chat SWTOR is), BioWare sacrificed some of the most crucial elements of what makes an MMORPG unique and different from just an RPG. This is a major factor why SWTOR ultimately failed and why it's going F2P next month.

I would rather not see ESO follow a similar path, so this is very concerning for me. I understand the importance of the solo experience and to maintain that for the TES fans. This, however, still is an MMORPG and if that is anyway compromised in favor of the solo experience, I cannot see ESO fairing well in the long run.

This games has a lot of potential to be a huge success and the next big MMORPG. I fear though if ZOS takes a similar stance on the importance of the MMO like BioWare did, then ESO could have some fundamental issues once players are done with the solo experience and are expecting an MMO at endgame.

Thoughts?

The rpggamer quote is kind of invalid. WoW can be done solo 1-50. Look how popular that game is.

Also, from day one of the interviews, MF and PS have emphasized things like the synergy of players' attack strategies, in groups, dungeons, and the like.

It's also worth mentioning that from day one, they said very clearly and plainly that ESO is being unapologetically made to be an MMO. If players are looking for the ES single player experiences, they should go play Skyrim. They know what balance is necessary.

Players looking for TES VI will have to wait for it. Not expect it to manifest itself in ESO. Plus, I mean, come on... Have you seen the latest interviews? They are VERY much trying to transition the single player gamers into ESO.

While it's impossible to determine how everything will play out this early in development I have alot of faith in Zenimax Online's ability to give us exactly what we're looking for. Based off of what's been said they are trying EXTREMELY hard at making the social interaction truly fun, new, and involving. If it works it will be the next big thing in mmog's. At the same time since it is The Elder Scrolls, I will have no problem soloing as well. Really it's almost two games in one. The solo Elder Scrolls Experience, and the cooperative MMO experience. Based off of what's been said so far I have faith that the game will succeed and hit a wonderful balancing note between the two.

There is a difference though. WoW was built to be an MMORPG. BioWare built SWTOR around story and nothing else, hoping the RPG experience with some multiplayer would suffice. It didn't. A solo experience is great for the short run, but it does not work in the long run. This is my fear.

Yes I'm aware of these elements. My concern though is that the game is being built around a solo experience in mind and that the multiplayer aspects are just side features. Hence, the RPG with multiplayer functionality. That's not an MMORPG.

Also, you actually misquoted what ZOS has said. ESO is being unapologetically made to be a good game first and foremost. Once they have that down, then they are worrying about the MMO and TES aspect.

Again, this is the point of the thread. Striking a balance between an MMORPG crowd and a RPG crowd is difficult. One wants a solo experience and one wants an MMORPG. My concern is that ZOS may be overcompensating, ultimately hurting the MMORPG, much like SWTOR did. I don't want this for ESO as it will not last long under those circumstances. It needs to be more than just an RPG with coop. It needs to be an MMORPG.