Elder Scrolls Online Will Segregate PC, Console Players

[Andy Chalk]

Elder Scrolls Online Will Segregate PC, Console Players

The Elder Scrolls Online will have separate servers for console, PC and Mac players in order to ensure a level playing field for PvP combat.

Bethesda Softworks is developing The Elder Scrolls Online for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC and Mac, but sadly that doesn't mean we can look forward to an online commingling of buttons and mice in the world of Tamriel. While the game will be multiplatform, it will employ separate "megaservers" for Xbox One and PS4 players, while PC and Mac gamers will share a third, separate online realm between them.

Creative Director Paul Sage told Polygon that the separate server environments are being used in order to ensure fairness in PvP encounters. The mouse and keyboard setup used by PC and Mac gamers would presumably give them a serious advantage over controllers, which - speaking in broad generalities and without meaning to cause offense - are a slower and less precise way to get things done.

"PC is still untouchable, it's the PC," said Sage. "We're working to perfect UI and gameplay specific to the PC version of Elder Scrolls Online and the console version will have its own UI and be more controller-specific, but PC is going nowhere."

This isn't actually the first time PC and console gamers have been kept apart over issues of control; in 2010 it was reported by "reliable sources" that Microsoft had pulled the plug [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102261-Rumor-Microsoft-Killed-PC-Xbox-Cross-Platform-Play] on cross-platform play between the Xbox 360 and PC because PC gamers were "destroying" controller-equipped console players with embarrassing regularity.

Sources: Polygon [http://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1093/kw/megaserver%20console]


Permalink

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Oh boy, and the posts just to start trouble have already started...

OT: Probably good for PvP, just to keep it even. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes with melee combat, but with FPS games, PC gamers have a huge advantage. Smart move on their part.

 

[cidbahamut]

Good.

That means they can drop console support and keep the game going provided they coded their engine with scalability in mind. You know, assuming the game survives long enough for that to be a concern.

 

[VanQ]

For a moment I thought Xbone and PS4 players would be playing with each other =/

This would be something worth watching. I can see the players self imposing a Horde/Alliance type faction between themselves with XBone on one side and PS4 on the other.

OT: Fair enough, as long as they don't pull bullshit timed exclusives for expansions and content, there shouldn't really be a problem with this.

 

[Roxas1359]

Oh great, first comment and already we've got someone setting small brush fires. *puts on flame suit* >.>

OT: I really don't see much problem with this at all, and as long as there is no timed exclusive BS *looking at you Microsoft* then all should be good.

 

[VanQ]

For a moment I thought Xbone and PS4 players would be playing with each other =/

This would be something worth watching. I can see the players self imposing a Horde/Alliance type faction between themselves with XBone on one side and PS4 on the other.

"MAH D-PAD EZ STRONGER!"

DON'T YOU MAKE ME SHARE BUTTON YOUR HUMILIATING DEFEAT, PLEB!

 

[Johnson McGee]

They should separate PS and Xbox players too, Xbox people will dominate using their awesome kinect controls and voice commands! (sarcasm)

Don't consoles support usb keyboard and mouse though? sometimes, maybe?

also appropriate:

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

PC elitists... sigh. Seriously though I agree mouse/kb can be more precise... I wish there was a way to have movement bound to a wii-chuck analog-like stick with buttons and a mouse for look. I feel more in control of rate of movement with an analog stick vs. a 0 or 1 keypress.
Hybrid gamer FTW.

 

[Weaver]

Oh God Andy, you're begging for the flood gates to be open!
*runs and hides*

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Don't consoles support usb keyboard and mouse though? sometimes, maybe?

Some games do, but I don't think very many do. I think Unreal Tournament 3 did, and I had used a mouse for one part of Dirge of Cerberus on PS2.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

PC elitists... sigh. Seriously though I agree mouse/kb can be more precise... I wish there was a way to have movement bound to a wii-chuck analog-like stick with buttons and a mouse for look. I feel more in control of rate of movement with an analog stick vs. a 0 or 1 keypress.
Hybrid gamer FTW.

It already exists my good man.
OT: Is this really such a huge concern with an MMO? I guess it depends what the combat is like. I can see PC having the advantage in WoW, but even other hotbar MMOs shouldn't be *too* much of an issue, right?

 

[neppakyo]

Awww. I expected hate driven my way. I am disappointed

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

They should separate PS and Xbox players too, Xbox people will dominate using their awesome kinect controls and voice commands! (sarcasm)

Don't consoles support usb keyboard and mouse though? sometimes, maybe?

also appropriate:

This is my favorite summary of pc vs consoles

On topic, this seems fair. It wouldn't surpise me to see pc users crush console plebs users because they have more skill. To me, kb+m vs controllers are like driving a stick vs automatic. Sure, you get better benefits from driving a stick, that doesn't mean I care or want to learn how. I'll stick with my controller so I can play from bed or in a chair

 

[BlackMageBob]

My mouse/keyboard/keypad configuration costs as much as a PS4. I wouldn't be surprised if that beat a fifty-dollar control pad in a similar game.

 

[Steve the Pocket]

Wait, wait... this is going to be on Mac? O_O

Oh, wait, of course it is, because they're trying to compete with World of Warcraft, one of the few big-budget games with a Mac userbase in the world.

 

[Deshin]

Wouldn't it just be less hassle at this point to just incorporate keyboard and mouse compatibility to the consoles? I mean hell the PlayStation had its own mouse peripheral and that was before the golden dawn of USB jacks!

 

[Deshin]

Not really, because then the people who didnt take advantage of it would whine up a storm about how utterly they got destroyed by people using M/KB combo.

OT: If it cuts down on the whining good. One less thing for people to ***** about on the game forums is a plus in my book.

Then again I am always fond of easy kills...so I am torn...

Well allow me to retort: Fighting games and arcade sticks!

I'd love to see alternative controls make their way back into video gaming. None of this kinect crap. I'm talking proper arcade sticks, lightguns, mice, steering wheels, flight sticks, Steel Batallion-esque battlestations. We seemed to have taken a massive step backwards this last gen with preferential peripherals and no sir I don't like it.

 

[Jaden Kazega]

Well allow me to retort: Fighting games and arcade sticks!

I was so waiting for you to ask "What does Marsellus Wallace look like?" xD

EDIT: Anyway, back on-topic, I thought this was sort of standard in video games? The idea of playing Elder Scrolls Online on the PS4 does sound cool, but I wonder what kind of changes will need to be made to the UI. Skyrim had a fairly controller-friendly UI (though I have the PC version); in fact, it seemed almost built around the idea of a controller.

 

[shintakie10]

PC elitists... sigh. Seriously though I agree mouse/kb can be more precise... I wish there was a way to have movement bound to a wii-chuck analog-like stick with buttons and a mouse for look. I feel more in control of rate of movement with an analog stick vs. a 0 or 1 keypress.
Hybrid gamer FTW.

It already exists my good man.
OT: Is this really such a huge concern with an MMO? I guess it depends what the combat is like. I can see PC having the advantage in WoW, but even other hotbar MMOs shouldn't be *too* much of an issue, right?

It depends on how the pvp is. If its even slightly faster paced where position matters then PC will have a control advantage due to bein able to mouse turn much much faster than a console player will be able to turn with a controller.

Here's an example from WoW. In order to cast a spell you have to be facin your target. Console player sees a PC player, starts castin. PC player runs through console player. If he were another PC player he'd be able to mouse turn immediately to face his opponent and still hit them with the spell, a console player would have to turn the full 180 degrees at whatever speed its set to. Chances are the cast would finish and not go off at that point.

It might work if you can't run through other players and everyone moves fairly slow in pvp though.

 

[Deshin]

Man, if another game came out with Steel Battalion's Battlestation, I would buy whatever console that was for and buy that up so fast it would make some folks heads spin.

And we are seeing some decently cool peripherals as of late, if the Oculus Rift and that game treadmill is anything to go by. Soon man, soon we will have a holodeck!

Those are all for the PC though. PCs already have an assortment of controllers and if they can't take a specific device then you can bet there's someone out there who's already made a driver that can! Consoles are what I see stagnating I used to waste HOURS UPON HOURS dual wielding my GunCon2s playing Vampire Night 2 player mode solo. Great fun and trains hand eye co-ordination!

I was so waiting for you to ask "What does Marsellus Wallace look like?" xD

The thought didn't even cross my mind... amazing how some things seem to seep through subconsciously!