The Elder Scrolls Online – Going Free To Play?

If you didn’t see this coming you are blind. The Elder Scrolls Online will be dropping subscriptions. Starting with the elimination of the six-month subscription option in December. Players of MMO’s know the signs when a game will be going the way of free 2 play. Bethesda Softworks has finally announced the game’s subscription will cease in March, at that point the game will be re-branded as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.

So what does this mean for you? Maybe you got the gameplay got tired of the bots stealing all the nodes, or you never got a chance to try it. Well even though it is going free to play it will be much like Guild Wars and similar games where you will still have to buy the game. If you already have the game and let your subscription lapse well you can just jump right in.

Once you own the game you will have full access to all previously released content, including the new Champion and Justice systems. Again if you already own the game just log back in like nothing happened and play (remember starts in March). Now if you are truly dedicated, there will be the “ESO Plus” membership much like SOE’s memberships and other f2p games membership/sub options.  It will be available in 30, 90, and 180-day duration.

By getting the membership you will be able to access all future DLC, which Bethesda says will consist of “game packs with optional adventure content,” i.e more zones and quests. Access to these optional quests will be lost if you let your ESO Plus membership lapse of course, but you will get to keep any items and rewards you may have squired from the areas.

ESO Plus membership also gives a “character progression bonus.” an allotment of crowns, the new in-game currency that is used to purchase “convenience and customization items” like pet’s mounts, as well as DLC, which will be available separately from ESO Plus memberships (able to purchase by themselves).

Current ESO subscriptions extended beyond will automatically be converted to the ESO Plus memberships. Again if you canceled your subscription you can just leap right back into the game and will be given a complimentary 500 crowns for doing so. You will not be able to receive a refund for existing subscriptions.

The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited goes live on March 17.