The fantasy MMO The Elder Scrolls Online has removed the possibility of a six-month subscription from its offers. Some see this as a sign that TESO may soon go “Free2Play”.
It has happened without fanfare: There is simply no longer a way to subscribe to The Elder Scrolls Online for 6 months. The corresponding option has been removed.
In the official forum, a thread was opened. Players asked what this was about. Could this be an indication that TESO may not have a subscription in 6 months and will become Free2Play or Pay2Play?
No, says a representative from Zenimax. It is simply that the 6-month option was rarely chosen. Players preferred a monthly or quarterly renewal. Thus, it was removed from the offer.
However, such a “removal of long-term subscriptions” has been a precursor to moving to Free2Play in other MMOs, and many (especially media) see this as a possibility for The Elder Scrolls Online, leading to discussions.
Mein MMO believes: Yes … it could strategically “somehow” play a role. But it is extremely unlikely that TESO will go Free2Play. If TESO changes its business model when launching on consoles (which would likely make sense), it will probably adopt a Buy2Play model with later paid DLC.
What a Buy2Play model can mean for a game that is being developed at full steam is currently being experienced by Destiny players: They pay $20 for a DLC that would be a substantial content patch in the “Pay2Play” model. Essentially, exactly the type of content patch that TESO already released three times last year.
The bargain hunters circling around TESO, hoping that they can finally play it for free, will likely have to be patient. So far, all Free2Play rumors have come exclusively from outside and have been crazily constructed, like the alleged console end. Zenimax itself has not given the slightest signal in that direction.
Although the crucial port to consoles might have higher chances with a different business model than Pay2Play. Explaining to players on Playstation 4 and Xbox One that they have to pay monthly will likely be a significant challenge.
