The Elder Scrolls Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing (MMORPG) video game developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks . [1] [2] It was originally released for Microsoft Windows and OS X in April 2014. [3] It is a part of the Elder Scrolls series, of which it is the first multiplayer installment.
As with other games in The Elder Scrolls franchise, the game is set in the continent of Tamriel and features a storyline connected with the other games. The Elder Scrolls Online HAD-been in development for seven years before icts release in 2014. It received mixed reviews INITIALLY, thesis goal Significantly Improved with the re-release and rebranding as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited , with critics praising the exchange.
Similar to MMORPGs, The Elder Scrolls Originally used a mandatory monthly subscriber model, until it transitioned to a buy-to-play model with microtransactions and an optional subscription in March 2015. The game was then renamed to the Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited , [4] [5] and released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles in June 2015. As of 2017, the game had around a million monthly active players, with over 8.5 million players in total since release.
Gameplay
As in previous Elder Scrolls titles, gameplay is mostly nonlinear , with a mixture of quests , random events, and free-roaming exploration of the world. [6] The game does not provide a mode for single-player offline play, though the developers stated that there would be “plenty of content” designed to accommodate players who prefer to play solo. [7]
The player is able to play as many different races; different types of humans: Nords, Redguards, Bretons, and Imperials; Elvish varieties: Dunmer (Dark Elves), Altmer (High Elves), Bosmer (Wood Elves) and Orsimer (Orcs); Khajiiti and Argonians. Players must choose one of five classes when creating their character. Each class gives the player different types of attacks, spells, and passive effects. The game has other character choices, such as the player being able to become a vampire or a werewolf, each of which grants its own skill tree.
Setting
As with other games in The Elder Scrolls series, the game is set on the continent of Tamriel . The events of the game Occur a millennium before Those of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and around 800 years before The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion . It has a broadly similar structure to Skyrim , with two separate conflicts progressing at the same time, one with the fate of the world in the balance, and one where the prize is supreme power on Tamriel. In The Elder Scrolls Online , the first struggle is against the DaedricPrince Molag Bal, who is attempting to meld the plane of Mundus with his realm of Coldharbour, and the second is to capture the vacant imperial throne, contested by three alliances of the mortal races. The player has been sacrificed to Molag Bal, and Molag Bal has stolen their soul, the recovery of which is the primary game objective. [1]
Many parts of the continent of Tamriel are available in the game, with most areas being accessible based on faction. Some areas are accessible with DLC-only from the Crown Store, while others are accessible to players of any faction when they reach a certain level. Players-have the opportunity to join’any of the three factions warring over the Ruby Throne of the Emperor of Tamriel: [1] the First Aldmeri Dominion (représentée par year eagle ) led by Queen Ayrenn, Composed of the Altmer (High Elf) Bosmer (Wood Elf), and Khajiit breeds; the Covenant Daggerfall (represented by a lion ) by High King Emeric, composed of the Bretons, Redguard, and Orsimer (Orcs); and the Ebonheart Pact (represented by a dragonled by Jorunn Skald-King, composed of the North, Dunmer (Dark Elf), and Argonian races. Players may also unlock an additional race, Imperial, which may be a part of any of the three factions. The other major ruling faction of Tamriel is the Empire, led by Empress Regent Clivia Tharn, who has fallen into instability and disrepair, and serves as a non-joinable faction. Pre-ordered copies of the game included in the “Explorers’ Pack”, which is available to all players, and this feature is available in the Crown Store. [8]
The game begins in the Wailing Prison in Coldharbour, where the player’s character is soulless husk has been enslaved. This opening continues another The Elder Scrolls tradition, of beginning the game with the player as a prisoner. [1] After escaping, the base of operations becomes the Harborage, a cellar found at each of the starting cities, and is where the Prophet opens its doors to the questline. Once the Amulet of Kings is retrieved, the Hollow City headquarters, in central Coldharbour blessed by Meridia. Civilians saved from Coldharbour ‘s prisons arrive in the Hollow City, and it’ s there that Molag bal ‘s controlled areas are orchestrated. [9]
Development
The Elder Scrolls Online had been in development for 7 years before its release in 2014. [1] Matt Firor, lead studio at ZeniMax Online, is the director of The Elder Scrolls Online . [2]
While rumors of a massively multiplayer The Elder Scrolls has been circulating for years, accurate information about the game and its imminent May 2012 March 2012, to online publication Tom’s Guide by an anonymous industry source. [10] According to the leak, the game was scheduled to be shown at E3 2012 in June and QuakeCon 2012 in August. On November 8, 2012, Bethesda released a video on YouTube called “An Introduction to The Elder Scrolls Online”, in which the game’s developers talk about the game’s content and development. [11] Several actors have been announced to voice the charactersThe Elder Scrolls Online , John Cleese , Bill Nighy , Kate Beckinsale , Lynda Carter , Alfred Molina , Michael Gambon , Jennifer Hale , Malcolm McDowell , and Peter Stormare . [12]
Beta sign-ups for the Elder Scrolls Online began on January 21, 2013, and continued for seven rounds until February 26. [13] [14] [15]
In June 2013, Sony announced that The Elder Scrolls Online would be available on PlayStation 4 at their E3 press conference. It was later clarified by Bethesda that it would also be available on Xbox One . [16] While playing on PC and Mac play together, those on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 play with others on the same platform. [17] In August 2013, at Gamescom , it was announced that the Elder Scrolls Online would have a monthly subscription fee upon release for all platforms. [18] [19] Subscriptions could be purchased in 30-, 90-, and 180-day increments. [20]While it was announced in January 2014 that the game would not require a Playstation Plus subscription to play online, [21]the Xbox One version would require an Xbox Live Gold subscription in addition to the Elder Scrolls Online monthly subscription. [22] On May 8, 2014, Bethesda spoke about the development of the console editions, announcing that the release date for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game would be delayed until the end of 2014, though it was revealed in December 2014 that the game’s console debut was once again in the spring of 2015. ZeniMax Online Studios announces that the players have purchased The Elder Scrolls Onlinebefore the end of June 2014 Would Have the opportunity to transfer Their characters from Microsoft Windows or Mac OS to platform and Receive Either console free 30-day subscription. [23]
Releases
Original release
The Elder Scrolls Online was announced on May 3, 2012, on the Game Informer website and in that same month’s issue of the magazine. [1] It was released on April 4, 2014, for PC and Mac. Home console releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are released on June 9, 2015.
Shortly after the game’s launch, it was reported that some of the players were unable to activate the 30-day complimentary game time with a purchase of “a strange state of affairs” and “most likely a mistake” “-after a full month had been paid for. [24] A serious item duplication exploit was discovered to win huge fortunes, which was patched shortly after release. [25] ZeniMax later announced that they had done so. [26]
Tamriel Unlimited
On January 21, 2015, it was announced that an effective subscription would be effective March 17, 2015. [27] Aside from the initial game price, there will be an optional subscription called “ESO Plus” which and a monthly allotment of 1500 Crowns, one of the in-game currencies, as long as the player stays subscribed. The DLC will also be available for purchase in the Crown Store. Additionally, the optional subscription grants various perks that allow players to progress slightly faster than a free player. [28]
Gold Edition
On July 6, 2016, ZeniMax announces the release of a “Gold Edition” of The Elder Scrolls Online for September 9, 2016. The Gold Edition includes the base game and a certain vanity item, as well as the four major DLCs: Imperial City , Orsinium , Thieves Guild , and Dark Brotherhood . [29] Additionally, ZeniMax released the “Guilds and Glory” DLC pack for users who already own the base game. [30]
Expansions and updates
Chapters
Morrowind
On January 31, 2017, ZeniMax Online Studios announced a full expansion pack based on Vvardenfell , the setting originally playable in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind . [31] Unlike previous DLC for the game, Morrowind is not purchasable with crown points, and must be purchased as a separate title. The expansion includes a new class, a new trial, and a new player vs. player mode, known as “Battlegrounds”. [31] The expansion was released on June 6, 2017. [32]
Downloadable content
The Imperial City
On June 14, 2015, at the Bethesda showcase at E3, the downloadable content (DLC) was announced for the Imperial City, the Capital of Cyrodiil. [33] It was released for the PC and OS X on August 31, 2015, for the Xbox One on September 15, and for the PlayStation 4 on September 16. It introduced a new currency known as Tel Var Stones, and added the game’s largest dungeon to date, The Imperial City Sewers. The city itself is overrun by the forces of Daedric Prince Molag Bal, with every district and the central White-Gold Tower being merged into his realm. [34]
Orsinium
At the E3 showcase, the new area of Wrothgar was announced in a DLC called Orsinium, the capital of the Orsimer, better known as Orcs. [33] The DLC was released in November 2015, and introduces a solo challenge known as the Maelstrom Arena. The questline involves assisting the Orcish King Kurog with rebuilding the city of Orsinium. [35]
Thieves Guild
The Thieves Guild DLC was revealed by ZeniMax in a new page, Abah’s Landing in Hammerfell, featuring a new line and new game mechanics. [36] The DLC was released in March 2016. [37]
Dark Brotherhood
At the end of the 2015 E3 trailer, “We Know”, a reference to a Dark Brotherhood guild in previous The Elder Scrolls games. [33] The Dark Brotherhood DLC takes place on the Gold Coast of Cyrodiil, and introduces new story content and gameplay mechanics. [36] It was released on May 31, 2016, for Microsoft Windows, and on June 14, 2016, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. [38] It was made available on the Public Test Server on April 25, 2016. In addition to the Dark Brotherhood questline, the release of the expansion of the removal of the Veteran Progression System, [39] a new system of poison crafting, and quality of life changes forThe Elder Scrolls Online More subscribers, including “craft bags”, which allow subscribers to store in their inventory. [40]
Shadows of the Hist
In an interview with IGN , game director Matt Firor said that the last DLC for 2016 would be Argonian-themed. [41] Further information was later released, revealing the title Shadows of the Hist . The DLC includes two new dungeons: The Cradle of Shadows and Ruins of Mazzatun, and was released in August 2016. [42]
Content updates
One Tamriel
In June 2016, a new content update, titled One Tamriel , was announced. The update changed the core gameplay to allow players to play quests, explore areas, and group up. [43] The update was released in October 2016. [44]
Homestead
In October 2016, Firor announced that it would be coming to the game in 2017. [45] It was released on February, 6, 2017 as part of the update 13. There are over 40 different types of houses available, homes are styled after the game’s 10 playable races, and they come in or ready for sale, or they can be bought using real money using crowns. [46]
Reception
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Original release
The Elder Scrolls Online INITIALLY received mixed reviews; the game has a weighted aggregate rating of 71/100 on Metacritic , based on 64 reviews. [55] PC Gamer gave the game a score of 68/100, writing that it is “an MMORPG of moderate scope with a few good ideas” but cautioning that “‘okay’ is not good enough when you’re facing this much of a premium. ” [53] The game was largely criticized for an excess of bugs, a “phasing” mechanism of separated players from groups, and its Veteran Progression System. There was also some controversy about the game’s use of a subscription model.
ZeniMax responded to and fixed many of the game’s early criticisms, releasing major updates since the game’s launch. In January 2015, they announced that the game would become a subscription model, becoming effective March 17, 2015. ZeniMax also announced that the game would be coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 9, 2015, and that the game would be rebranded as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited . [56]
Tamriel Unlimited
Tamriel Unlimited received mostly positive reviews. The PlayStation 4 version of the game has a weighted aggregate rating of 74/100 on Metacritic, based on 30 reviews, [49]PC version has 80/100 based on 4 reviews [47] and Xbox One version received 77/100 based on 11 reviews. [48] Eurogamer’s Dan Whitehead reviewed the game, Saying That “For fans eager for a new fix all thesis years on from Skyrim , That May well be enough. The Ability to share the adventure, Somewhat clumsily, with friends is Both a selling point and a pitfall, but those who concentrate their efforts on the Alliance War will find the experience worthwhile. ” [57]
Sales
The Elder Scrolls Online was the top-selling game in the United Kingdom for the week of April 5, 2014, for individual formats, and number two across all formats. [58] When the game was released on consoles, the game once again became the top-selling game in the United Kingdom for the week of June 15, 2015, across all formats, becoming the second best-selling game at retail [59] ] The game was the best-selling Official PlayStation 4 digital game of June 2015 in the United States and Europe. [60] [61] In the United States, the game was the second and sixth best-selling game of June and July 2015, respectively. [62] [63] [64]
In February 2017, it was announced that the game had surpassed over 8.5 million in retail sales [65] with around one million monthly active players. [66] In June 2017, it was announced that more than 10 million players had played the game since released, and that the game had around 2.5 million monthly active players. [67]