The 16 MMORPGs with the most players according to official numbers from the developers

Rank 9 – Elder Scrolls Online

Setting: Fantasy | Developer: Zenimax Online | Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox | Release Date: April 4, 2014 | Model: Buy2Play

What is known about the total number of players? The officials from Zenimax usually reveal during the annual review how the player numbers of Elder Scrolls Online have developed. In the update for the year 2024, there was mention of 25 million players. At the Summer Game Fest 2025, there was then an updated status report via YouTube: They have surpassed 26 million players.

It should be noted that not all of them are buyers. For Elder Scrolls Online, a free play event is held regularly where interested parties can play the MMORPG for a few days for free.

With Update 44, there was a comprehensive update for the PvP battlefields at the end of 2024:

Start video
Elder Scrolls Online: Conquer the Battlegrounds – Trailer introduces the highlight of Update 44

What kind of game is this? In The Elder Scrolls Online, freedom is a big deal. Thanks to flexible character scaling in the open world, you are free to choose where to do which quests and whom to play with.

ESO also impresses with the unique story and the setting of the game world. There are many iconic locations that you already know from the “Elder Scrolls” games, as well as the well-known compass instead of a minimap.

ESO received several DLCs annually for years, along with a major chapter. Those who subscribe to the optional ESO Plus membership gain access to all DLCs as well as most expansions. However, the developers are planning a sort of seasonal content model for the future – and Season 0 starts soon!

The Elder Scrolls Online also offers numerous dungeons and raids, housing, PvP battlefields, server vs. server PvP, an ingame card game, and many other activities.

Who is this interesting for? Anyone who is a fan of The Elder Scrolls and enjoys wandering through MMORPGs alone should definitely check out ESO. The game impresses with a good story, nice graphics, a lot of content, and an action-packed combat system in which you also have to block enemy attacks. What the near future brings, you can find out here: Elder Scrolls Online reshapes its future and Skyrim is a part of it

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.