Elder Scrolls Online To Go Free To Play

Zenimax and Bethesda have come to a decision to make Elder Scrolls Online free-to-play on PC and MAC begining March 17, 2015 and in June 9 they will launch ESO on Xbox One and Playstation 4 (ESO on consoles will be free-to-play also).

According to this anonymous source, there are reports that are surfacing internally that going free-to-play will be the surest route to ensure the title’s longevity. Following a drop in subscribed players, something to be expected with nearly all MMOs, this transition in remuneration for the publisher is expected. Similarly Star Wars: The Old Republic, another big title MMO had made a similar shift not too long ago. What signs point to this being true? Well, as reported in PC Gamer, six-month subscriptions have been pulled from the Elder Scrolls Online without mention to players. Currently subscriptions extend only as far as 90 days at a time.

Head over to Games.On.net and one can see reports of Australian games retailers Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi dumping the game from their physical stores, seemingly detecting the devaluation of the title. This is not to be confused with a price drop one would see when a title is deemed too buggy to work or simply failed to capture the attention of gamers at the moment. Dumping the title is seen as a sign that a profit can no longer be made from it. Another sign that free-to-play is coming has to do with its import to Xbox One and Playstation 4 at a later date this year. MMOs on gaming consoles like DC Universe Online are known to adapt this model once they leave the realm of PC exclusivity.

The date has yet to be specified, but it’s been reported in the International Business Times that consoles will be ready to play the Elder Scrolls Online later this year.