The fantasy MMO The Elder Scrolls Online will indeed switch its payment model. It will adopt a Buy2Play model. It will be available on consoles XBox One and Playstation 4 on July 9.
This is a bombshell. The fantasy MMO The Elder Scrolls Online is actually changing its payment model, but it will not be, as some speculated, a Free2Play game; instead, it is switching to Buy2Play.
This means: Players will have to buy the base game to play it, but will not have to maintain a monthly subscription (like with World of Warcraft). However, money will probably be required to unlock content that comes with later content updates (the major patches). Everything that has been released in TESO until the switch will be available to everyone.
The Elder Scrolls Online will continue to offer a “Premium Membership” called TESO Plus. Those who engage in this will receive a fixed amount (1500) of the new in-game premium currency “Crown” every month. With these crowns, players can purchase and download additional content. It is likely that these crowns will also be available for purchase “without a subscription.”
With these crowns, new game content (DLC) can be purchased as well as some cosmetic items like companions or services. However, the game should also be well playable without crowns and a subscription.
During an active “TESO Plus” membership, players will have access to all DLCs and receive a 10% bonus on experience, gold, and crafting materials.
On March 17, the switch to the payment model will occur for PC players. The Elder Scrolls Online is set to come to consoles XBox One and Playstation 4 on June 9.
As part of this change, The Elder Scrolls Online will also take on a new name. From now on, it will be known as “The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.”
The technical details are explained by Bethesda in a FAQ on the switch to a Buy2Play model.
Players on Xbox One or Playstation 4 will need an Xbox Live Gold or Playstation Plus membership to play TESO. Pre-order customers who have already secured TESO for the consoles will now receive a TESO Unlimited variant. Existing subscriptions or game cards will be converted into the corresponding duration of the “Premium Membership.” As a welcome post, everyone starts with 500 crowns.
My MMO says: Yeah, this is probably the “The Secret World” way. The base game is free. To further ensure financing, additional new content (DLC) will likely be placed behind a paywall. Currently, there are no details on what will be DLC and what will not. However, it is assured that the game will also receive non-paid updates.
One actually expected such a change, as an “subscription model” would have been very hard to sell on consoles. Therefore, the “Free2Play” rumors that have circulated for a long time are definitely unfounded. This is a completely different model.
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