The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) takes place in the universe of the eponymous video game series. The Elder Scrolls already achieved great success before ESO. A survey now shows that the developers’ plan has succeeded.
After a very rocky start in 2014, the MMORPG ESO has definitely improved. At first, players complained about many bugs and balance issues. Especially the time shortly after the release left many fans of The Elder Scrolls (TES) disillusioned.
At the beginning, the game did not quite know which direction to take. It wasn’t until 2015 that they found their focus.
The Big Plan to Attract Skyrim Players
Especially with the console release in 2015, Zenimax wanted to excite TES players for ESO. Most titles related to Skyrim and Oblivion sold well for Xbox and Playstation.
This is what a developer says about ESO: Lead developer Matt Firor distanced himself from the MMORPG term in an interview back then. He has not changed this opinion over the years. ESO is just as playable solo as all other TES titles. No one has to do anything here, players have the freedom of choice. They can play it as an MMORPG with raids and plenty of dungeons, but they don’t have to.
He therefore prefers to call ESO an online RPG or console RPG, emphasizing that the game is not a classic MMORPG. It is an expansive Elder Scrolls role-playing game. An adventure with friends that players can also undertake alone. Simply just an Elder Scrolls.
Of course, a connection to MMORPGs cannot be denied. Even elements from classics like World of Warcraft can be found in ESO. The rejection of the term likely stems from the fact that the target audience remains the TES fans.
The content for TES fans continues: This trend was confirmed in 2017. With the add-on Morrowind, the volcanic island Vvardenfell from The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind came to ESO. Along with it came the Guardian and structured arena PvP.
With the latest add-on Graymoor, ESO hits the mark. It finally leads players to Skyrim. From then on, you can explore a new part of Tamriel. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is arguably the most popular game in the TES series. Whether this attracts even more players to the already successful MMORPG remains to be seen.
The Community Speaks Up via Survey
A tendency towards TES fans in ESO is now also shown by a survey on Reddit. The user Im_Sheogorath (via Reddit) asked there whether players found ESO through TES or through MMORPGs.
This is the result of the survey: The majority of users had only played TES series games before. Here, Skyrim is especially mentioned. Most have hardly any MMORPG experience. Many even said they did not like MMORPGs or MMOs at all:
I actually hate playing MMOs.
Daedric Windrammer via Reddit
Almost as many players state that they had played both before ESO. They had played some parts of the TES series, but also MMORPGs:
Both here! I started my TES adventure with Skyrim but simultaneously fell in love with WoW.
nitasu987 via Reddit
In contrast, far fewer players stated that they had not played any TES before. Only a few said they came from MMORPGs. Therefore, the plan of ESO to attract TES and especially Skyrim players to the MMORPG has worked. At least with the new add-on, it seems to have reached the status of Skyrim Online.
But how is it with you? Have you always been hardcore MMORPG fans or did you come to ESO through the TES series? Let us know in our survey!
You can still convince yourself that ESO players are a “small” family here:
