Elder Scrolls Online Moves to B2P Model

By Michael Byrne, Editor in Chief January 21, 2015

Well the speculation is over. The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is officially dropping its subscription on March 17th for the PC version of the MMORPG as the team at Zenimax preps for the console launch of the game on June 9th. ESO will still offer an optional subscription that will allow subscribers to get all released DLC content, in game bonuses, and a monthly crowns allowance to spend in the game's cash shop.

From the team at Zenimax:

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited includes all the great gameplay from the original PC/Mac game, plus all the updates and content additions, including the exciting new Justice and Champion systems. All existing PC/Mac game accounts, open or closed, will be updated to the Tamriel Unlimited edition in March and former players will be invited back to the game at that time to experience all that is new in the world. New players will make a one-time purchase of the game and play, without restrictions, for as long as they like – without game subscription fees. Tamriel Unlimited will be supported with special, optional downloadable content available for purchase and an in-game Crown Store for convenience and customization items. Regular updates and new gameplay will be offered to all players to enjoy free of additional charges.

Check out Zenimax's livestream today at noon Eastern time for the full breakdown.

Since this moves the game to a "buy-to-play" model for those that don't currently own the game, we won't be covering the game on this site so I'll just close with, "Yes, Jason. You were right." :)

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In this article: The Elder Scrolls Online, Zenimax.

About the Author

Michael Byrne, Editor in Chief
Mike “Magicman” Byrne has been a part of the MMOBomb family for years and serves as the site’s current Editor-in-Chief. His love for MMOs and gaming in general has led him to covering games for numerous websites including Gamebreaker TV and XIV Nation where he proudly displays his fanboy flag for FFXIV:ARR.

Gomez 8 years ago

80Gb for this MMO? no thank you. Within this space I can fit Conan, GW2, APB, Dragon Nest and many others.

ImInYourPie 8 years ago

Hi, i bought the game for 20 euros but didnt activate it because asked for subscription even for the free 30 days so i decided to wait for it to go b2p. Will i have to buy a new game or will this box and this code be valid?

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Nark 8 years ago

Will be interesting to see how long it take before ESO goes F2P or shut down?

TheMountain 8 years ago

Stay classy...MMOBomb. Just cause you play cheap games on a beige box that can't even run Windows XP is no reason to act like white trash.

TheViper 8 years ago

Honestly just wait for it to go on sale on steam, saw it for around 20-30$ a couple of times if u wanna try it out.

michael 8 years ago

they just need to make this game f2p after u buy it

Echoless 8 years ago

Ah so I have to buy the dlcs that come out too, like dcuo where you can't get good gear unless you purchase the dlcs and so on...No thanks.

Grims Bane 8 years ago

Pulls out wallet and throws money at Zenimax, now they may have my money.

Sir Jaxxy 8 years ago

Though I respect MMOBombs stance to not cover titles with a “buy-to-play” model I would ask that you relook at this decision. I think that if the “buy-to-play” model was better covered on gaming sites that also cover F2P that publishers would take a more serious look at this model for future games. It is working very well for TSW and GW2. In many respects the “buy-to-play” model is the ideal pay model for larger AAA titles that can't afford to risk the Free to Play model and need the rapid ROI to keep stoke holders happy.

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Called It From Beta (Prophet) 8 years ago

Game will go f2p sometime next year when people stop playing because it's still going to be trash. Next on the list to go b2p/f2p is ShitStar, I mean WildShit, sorry WildStar.

Powerslave 8 years ago

HAHA seen this coming ages ago, So many people screaming it will never got F2P/B2P subs rule. I say this to you HA FREAKING HA.

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asdasd 8 years ago

saw angryjoe's review....never touching this game =-=

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Megan Rain 8 years ago

Make it nasty.

lordNoX24 8 years ago

I bought this game the same day it came out. Was playing it for 2 months and it was very fun to play. I stopped playing because the EU server was situated in US and i got so much lag that i couldn't PVP at all. And the castle sieges....oh god.....everyone was teleporting and rubber-banding left and right, it was a freaking clusterfuck of a laggy mess. The core gameplay was fun though, questing was fun and dungeons were pretty hard to solo and that was part of the fun. Also classes are quite unique with a lot of room to build them to your liking. I know they fixed this game up a lot and i'm glad they decided to go the B2P way :) Will definitely be playing this one again. The PVP and the castle sieges are super fun (well when you're not lagging into oblivion) :D

Terranova667 8 years ago

Glad to see it go B2P rather than do a EA /Bioware with SWTOR and make it F2P with major restrictions which was my fear, I think i may pick this up and see how it is once the B2P converstion is done choice is do i go PC or PS4.

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Curty 8 years ago

I think we can still have some hope with Wildstar, right?

ay 8 years ago

Should have been like this since the beginning, i might actually try the game now.

Cryght 8 years ago

i bought the game, back on preorder. lost my p.c access during my free time x.x but its really sweet ill be able to just play again

Henry Lu 8 years ago

B2P? Well that's the next best thing. Might go down to Futureshop to pick a copy up before the B2P conversion. They're practically rotting on the shelves right now,

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