Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

Episode: When's Crossplay Coming to Elder Scrolls Online?
Release Date: May 23, 2025

Introduction

In the final episode of the limited series Elder Scrolls Online Podcast hosted by Kinda Funny, hosts Greg Miller and Snowbike Mike engage in an in-depth discussion with key figures from Zenimax Online Studios—Rich Lambert, Game Director of Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), and Matt Feyror, Studio Director. The conversation delves into the game's evolution, community dynamics, technical challenges, and future developments, with a particular focus on the much-anticipated crossplay feature.

Leadership and Studio Dynamics

The episode opens with Greg expressing his regret that the series is concluding, highlighting the enjoyable collaboration with Rich and Matt.

• Greg Miller [00:10]: "What's up, everybody? Welcome to the final episode of the Elder Scrolls Online podcast..."

Rich Lambert reflects on his time with the team, emphasizing the strong leadership and supportive environment fostered by Matt Feyror and the late Robert Altman.

• Rich Lambert [02:23]: "I really only play on. See on the regular."

Matt Feyror discusses the impact of leadership on the studio's culture, particularly the loyalty inspired by Robert Altman.

• Matt Feyror [01:15]: "...it's really hard to get across kind of the culture that. That we have that results from that. But it was loyalty. Right. It's like he was loyal to us."

Impact of Xbox Acquisition and COVID-19

The conversation shifts to Xbox's acquisition of ZeniMax and how it has influenced ESO. Matt highlights the seamless transition and continued support from Xbox, which has enabled the studio to focus on game development without major disruptions.

• Matt Feyror [03:32]: "They bought ZeniMax for great games. Right. And a great game publisher. So it's in their best interest and our best interest to keep doing what we're doing."

Greg brings up server stability issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, where player numbers surged, overwhelming the game's infrastructure.

• Matt Feyror [07:31]: "...we had an influx like that... lots of server issues because this was at that point a six, seven year old game and we weren't prepared..."

Rich Lambert elaborates on the challenges of remote work and maintaining efficient communication without the usual in-person interactions.

• Rich Lambert [09:00]: "The random wandering around. You see something, you ask a question... We had to relearn how to do all of that remotely."

Console Launch and Technical Enhancements

The hosts discuss the significant milestones of launching ESO on new consoles like the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. Matt details the technical upgrades made to ensure the game runs smoothly on these platforms, including modern shaders and performance modes.

• Matt Feyror [10:46]: "Yeah, we did that in the middle of the pandemic... it runs great."

Rich adds that the graphical improvements have been well-received by both developers and players.

• Rich Lambert [11:05]: "Our graphics guys love that. Yeah, just love that."

Community Growth and Player Dynamics

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the ESO community's evolution, especially during the pandemic when virtual worlds became essential for social interaction.

• Matt Feyror [12:53]: "The mood of the community kind of changed... it was very important to a lot of people maintaining their sanity for that time."

Rich shares heartwarming stories of players forming real-life relationships through ESO, underscoring the game's role beyond mere gameplay.

• Rich Lambert [18:15]: "Couples have met in the game, met then, met in real life, gotten married or now bring them to the community events..."

Matt emphasizes the diversity of activities within ESO, from PvE quests to housing, which cater to various player interests.

• Matt Feyror [15:23]: "...another activity that is now very important and central to the experience."

Crossplay Discussions

When addressing the recurring question of crossplay, Rich and Matt acknowledge its importance to the community. They reveal ongoing efforts to update the underlying technology to facilitate cross-platform play, although they caution that it's a complex process.

• Matt Feyror [25:24]: "We're working on doing some underlying tech changes that would make it possible."

Greg presses on why crossplay hasn't been implemented yet, to which Matt responds by highlighting the technical and stakeholder challenges involved.

• Matt Feyror [26:06]: "The platform holders... it's something we really want to do."

Rich reinforces the commitment to making crossplay a reality, assuring the community that it's a priority despite the hurdles.

• Rich Lambert [25:18]: "Anything is possible."

PvP Enhancements and Future Plans

The hosts delve into ESO's PvP systems, exploring recent tests aimed at improving large-scale battles in Cyrodiil. Rich explains the technical constraints and the team's dedication to enhancing player experiences without compromising server performance.

• Rich Lambert [31:22]: "The whole goal of doing this test is to prove out performance..."

Matt outlines the history and future of PvP in ESO, indicating that upcoming tests could pave the way for more robust PvP interactions.

• Matt Feyror [34:43]: "...this experiment that we're doing is kind of this new..."

Community Engagement and Toxicity Management

Rich and Matt discuss their proactive approach to fostering a positive community environment. They highlight the importance of loyalty and trust, explaining how ESO maintains low toxicity levels through supportive community events and inclusive gameplay.

• Matt Feyror [43:12]: "We have a community that will welcome you, that doesn't enforce a playstyle on you..."

Rich shares personal anecdotes about meeting community members and the emotional connections forged through ESO.

• Rich Lambert [18:16]: "Like, you know, we all get together. You run into them, you know, in a hallway... it's a big honor."

Modernization and Future Content

Looking ahead, Rich and Matt outline ESO's modernization efforts, including graphical updates, UI overhauls, and new storytelling methods. They reveal upcoming content such as the Seasons of the Worm Cult, a new island—Solstice—and the Soul Wall event, which will offer server-specific story progressions.

• Rich Lambert [57:46]: "This year is focused on the wurm cult... a brand new island with some very cool stories..."

Matt discusses the shift from the chapter model to a more flexible content delivery system, allowing the team to address long-standing issues while continuing to deliver engaging content.

• Matt Feyror [48:39]: "...this model gives us the time to do those things while delivering great content."

Advice for New Players

As the podcast winds down, Matt and Rich offer guidance for newcomers to ESO. They encourage experimentation with different playstyles and emphasize that players can always adjust their characters as they explore the vast world of Tamriel.

• Rich Lambert [61:36]: "You're never behind, so you can always play with whomever..."
• Matt Feyror [61:21]: "Go through the original tutorial, create a new character and then go to Orsinium, which is my favorite place in the game."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Rich and Matt for sharing their insights and experiences. Snowbike Mike reflects on the significance of ESO in his gaming life, while Greg emphasizes the deep connections forged through the game.

• Snowbike Mike [62:24]: "This whole time. I'm very excited."
• Greg Miller [62:38]: "Matt and Rich, thank you so much for letting us be part of your story for the past four episodes..."

The hosts encourage listeners to engage with ESO and continue supporting the vibrant community that sustains it.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Feyror [01:15]: "It's like loyalty. Right. It's like he was loyal to us."
• Rich Lambert [09:30]: "We had to relearn how to do all of that remotely..."
• Matt Feyror [12:53]: "...it's very important to a lot of people maintaining their sanity for that time."
• Rich Lambert [18:15]: "Couples have met in the game, met then, met in real life..."
• Matt Feyror [25:24]: "We're working on doing some underlying tech changes that would make it possible."
• Rich Lambert [43:12]: "We have a community that will welcome you..."
• Matt Feyror [48:39]: "This model gives us the time to do those things while delivering great content."
• Rich Lambert [57:46]: "This year is focused on the wurm cult..."
• Matt Feyror [61:21]: "Go through the original tutorial, create a new character and then go to Orsinium..."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive look into ESO's past challenges, present achievements, and future aspirations. By addressing technical hurdles, fostering a supportive community, and continuously evolving the game, Zenimax Online Studios demonstrates its commitment to delivering a rich and engaging experience for both new and veteran players. The discussion on crossplay indicates a promising direction, aligning ESO with contemporary gaming trends and expanding its accessible player base.

For those unfamiliar with the podcast, this summary provides a clear and detailed overview of the episode's content, capturing the essence of the hosts' conversation and the depth of ESO's ongoing development.