Americans Are Boring

So this weekend, as many readers are aware, is Elder Scrolls Online's biggest beta weekend yet, with over 500,000 beta keys being given away by Curse.com. After combing through leaked footage, and footage recently released by various media outlets, I have come to the conclusion that Americans are boring and predictable. All of the English speaking videos I've seen depict Questing, PvE, and PvP, with a strong focus on the first hour of gameplay. The only videos I have found depicting crafting come from outside North America, from our Spanish and German speaking friends. Unfortunately the German video I found also has a German UI, so I can't really comment on what is going on in the video. The Spanish video (also embedded below) is using the English UI, so be prepared for my breakdown on the crafting system!

Before I begin on my analysis on the video, I would just like to say sorry in advance if the videos linked are leaked gameplay footage. I respect ZOS, and respect their NDA. With that said, let us listen to some very fast speaking Spanish.

So the first thing you'll notice is that both the Clothing and Blacksmithing stations are located near each other. This is somewhat of a standard in MMOs, to have different crafting stations within close proximity. I for one am glad to see this. I find it a huge time sink to run all over town to work on my different crafts, especially if you need to craft components from one craft to make something in another. If you haven't experienced this, I envy you.

We can also get a glean into the crafting skill lines. They are: Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Clothing, Enchanting, Provisioning, and Woodworking. In the video we see some of the Blacksmithing skill line. Metalworking lets unlock new materials to craft higher tier items. Keen Eye: Ore makes it easier to spot ore gathering nodes (probably some sort of graphic appears on screen). The Miner Hireling will send you crafting materials and possibly "other items" everyday (I suspect these are additives, tempers, or style materials).

Now let us take a look at the crafting interface. On the Creation tab we see Type, Material, Style, and Trait. Also note that there are check boxes for 'Have Items' and 'Have Knowledge'. These will let us filter out what we can't craft, and help us plan how to progress in our crafting skills. The Type and Material toggles are pretty standard for MMOs, so we'll all feel at home with those. As would be expected (espcially if you've played past TES games) the material used affects the look of the item. But here is where it gets interesting with Style. We can craft items in the different racial styles (Dunmer, Altmer, Orc, Nord, etc), which also affect the appearance of the item. Spoiler: Ancient Elf, Reach, Primitive, Daedric and Imperial are also craftable styles. We've already been introduced to the (easiest) way to unlock Imperial. The rest however are not playable races, so there is probably a lot of grinding and opening sacks involved in finding these racial styles. Rest assured, there will be money to be made if you can craft Ancient Elf or Daedric armor. Moving along then, Traits. Traits as we can see are the "additive" ingredients we have long heard about, but never seen. They add effects to crafted items such as Precise which increases weapon and spell critical values, and Defending which increases total armor and spell resistance. We don't get to see all the traits in this video, but I would bet you a sweetroll some traits that are more useful than others. So keep an eye out for Traits.

The next tab we see is Improvement. Pretty straight forward. Select item, toggle quantity value, press Improve. Moving on. Extraction is another common theme in MMOs that we should all be comfortable with. Select item, press Extract, get crafting materials. Moving on.

Research. From what we see here each piece of gear needs each trait to be researched. if we flip back to 0:58 in the video, we see a skill called Metallurgy. I'll bet you TWO sweetrolls this skill has something to do with research. If you're in the beta and have an interest in crafting, I encourage you to check out that skill to learn more.

At 3:18 in the video we get a look at Alchemy, one of the three consumable types of crafting (the others being Provisioner and Enchanting). The interface here is much different than Blacksmithing, which I suspect is why they are showing it. After selecting a Solvent (base liquid, Natural Water in this case) you can select two Reagents. Sadly they didn't have any Reagents to show us in this video. Reagents are things like Mountain Flowers, Imp Stool, Nirn Root, etc. These are harvestable flowers and plants you can find in game.

We also get a look at a blacksmith vendor, where you can buy Style materials. I can't say I'm a fan of this. One of the (what should be rare) materials needed for crafting can be bought from an npc for 21 gold, including the ones for the rare styles (Ancient Elf, Reach, etc). This will severely reduce the value of crafted gear.

Now that you've watched the Spanish video, and understand what they are showing you, I recommend watching the German video. They played a higher level character and better show the Extraction and Improvement process.

Adapting to the surroundings. Elder Scrolls Online

I use the same methods no matter what game economy.

That's a bold statement. It's true nonetheless. I have been speaking with several of my future guild-mates. My specific job has been handled and changed, but remains almost the same. I have recently been pseudo-promoted to a position as a battalion general / tactician. One of the many reasons why I was selected for this position was that I have an ever changing mind. I am able to adapt. Adaptation in several colleges around the world is considered a virtue. Adaptation is something I consider to be a very good quality in someone who is claiming to be a Gold Goblin. Adaptation allows you to achieve more than you would prior to becoming adaptive. However, I spend most of my time using the "same old tricks" as it were. Everything is primarily the same each game, each area in which you are trying to learn. So without current game or beta knowledge, I am certain I can achieve greatness and overcome challenges with the upcoming release of Elder Scrolls Online. 

As with my tactics in PVP, my strategy so to speak is going to be that of the same. Pick a foothold. Any will do, but it needs to be sufficient with the goal set in mind. Our goal, like any other sword swinger is to be victorious. So how would we go about being victorious in a pre-decided battle of wits? Easy. We prepare. We train. We fight. 

So how would we go about being victorious when it comes to money? Easy. We prepare. We train. We calculate. A small difference, but it can mean all the difference. Preparation is one of those acts that I like to thump into the heads of my pupils. Preparation can mean the difference between 10 gold, to potentially 1000 gold. Without the proper money guided knowledge, how can you expect to take advantage of the markets? 

What is my strategy at launch you might ask? 

Without prior knowledge to what is happening in the beta, I can only tell you this. Penny pinching. Buy only what you need, and save the rest. Set aside every penny you can afford. Do not neglect yourselves, repair bills and food. Set a budget. Calculate what you want to have by the end of the day. When you press that button to log out, you should have more money in your bag than you started with. As long as that number keeps going up. You are on the path to success. 

Here are some helpful tips for you. 

• Goblinism - Sell grey or otherwise useless items
• Hoarder - Do not keep items that are no use to you. ie. Do not save materials that you are going to use later like for blacksmithing or weaponsmithing. Sell it now, deal with it later.
• Level. Your. Toon. - The first thing everyone worries about is money to spend on items such as fast travel and gear. Do not worry about these things, they will come with time. 
• Preparation. - In world of warcraft terms, this would be considered a chest spawn, or node spawn. Keep up with these places. Mark them down on a little pad of paper, so you can come back later. 
• Ironforge Jumping - When you find yourself bored, and you are merely jumping around in place, or conducting lewd acts in trade chat. Go fishing, go back to those areas you have completed, help another player. Anything that can result in your pockets jingling a little more than earlier is a step up. 
• Research - Many of you, will just ask, others will seek. Whatever you have to do, you need to explore as much for yourself as possible. If someone tells you, you may not remember. If you see it for yourself, you most certainly will. 
• Notes - I keep a journal of everything I bid on, sell, research. I keep it in the filing cabinet next to my computer. If I want to know what the market price of iron was 2 weeks ago, and want to know the contrast of what it is today. I have those records. I can establish a median on my own. 

As far as techniques go, Well I guess you will have to follow me won't you? I will divulge as much information as possible prior to launch. I am afraid it won't be until after launch that I really get down into the nitty gritty. With the NDA under the beta, I cannot release any information what so ever, as far as the game goes. Having that said here are some helpful informational tips on the beta:

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I hope that helped.

-Ashleign

Experimentation

As with many ventures of mine, I have a great deal of experimentation to undergo when pursuing new avenues. For the first time in my life I am following through with an idea that I have had. Many times, and I am sure many can sympathize with me, I have picked something up for a few days. Only to drop it and move on with my life. However, this idea is different. I find myself wanting to do more. I find it almost intoxicating.

Blogging has never really been a very important thing for me to do with my online free time. I find myself eager, and wanting more lately. With a few friends and some non-mentioned alcoholic beverages, we discussed the possibility of stock markets on the outside of MMO games. Where players, that either could not play the game, or could not make money inside the game, could still get a piece of the action.

Many people out there, are unable or otherwise don't care about money markets within MMOs.
It is something I love. I spend on average, about 10 hours a week to gold management alone. That's not counting my PVP and my "Ironforging time."

So what to do with all of this useless information that I have accumulated over several years? Sell it? Share it? Keep it to myself?

I couldn't look back on my wasted life and say I did nothing with the knowledge. I have decided to share it.

So my friends and I will be sharing with you, all of our secrets in the months to come. Hopefully, with any luck, we will have fun along the way.

Welcome to The Tamriel Gold Goblin.

I am your host. ChillBilly.

Good to have you.