Elder Scrolls Online: Delay For Home Systems

If you were looking forward to The Elder Scrolls Online on your Play Station 4 or Xbox One, don’t get your hopes too high. Originally the game was to be released for the Home Systems in June. ZeniMax Online Studio’s released a statement on May 8th about the current status of the console’s current development.

“We continue to work on the console versions of ESO, and game development has been progressing steadily, but we are still working to solve a series of unique problems specific to those platforms. Integrating our systems with each console manufacturer’s networks—which are both different from the PC/Mac system as well as different from each other—has been a challenging process. It has become clear that our planned June release of the console versions isn’t going to be possible. Though we have made great progress, we have concluded that we’ll need about six months to ensure we deliver the experience our fans expect and deserve.”

Horrible news for the console crowd, but it’s not all bad. For one, the game destined for release on consoles should be a polished version compared to the initial PC release. Players won’t be getting the PC build of TESO, console release should have expanded to include trials, functional guild, improved economic systems, possibly the Thieves and Brotherhood Guilds and crime/morality system, along with a bunch of balance changes and adjustments. If there are a lot of bugs it is going to turn people off about an MMO released for console. Makes us PC players look like beta testers still, especially since there are still a lot of bugs just on the PC version of TESO.

“We want to do what we can to make it up to our fans who want to start playing now, so we have worked out the following arrangement with Sony and Microsoft: Via a special offer, anyone who purchases and plays the PC/Mac version of The Elder Scrolls Online by the end of June will have the opportunity to transfer their character(s) to either console version when they are released. The offer will allow you to begin playing immediately on the PC/Mac, and then add the PS4 or Xbox One version and transfer the character(s) you have created and developed. And, you don’t have to pay full price for the game twice. For $20, eligible PC and Mac players will have the option to add a full, digital version of ESO on either the PS4 or the Xbox One with your character transfer(s), and another 30 days of included game time.”

I think ZOS is doing a good job making it up to the players on home console by offering a copy for consoles at $20, with free character transfers and 30 day game time. It’s not much but when it does finally release on consoles it is giving you a head start at maxing out your crafting, show off your characters to your console friends and be ready for any of the battles ahead.

Aside from the console push back, I want to talk about how ZeniMax Online Studios releasing a MMO for home systems is quite possibly very risky. I’ve been a longtime fan of Bethesda and Zenimax studios. Their games are intricate with open worlds and there is much to explore. My opinion aside, I think Zenimax Online Studios made a good move by releasing an MMO ESO for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. I would honestly be disappointed if this were the first time this generation an Elder Scrolls title would not be released for a home system. Skyrim was a huge hit, and of course longtime fans appreciated another chance to enter Tamriel. As long as ZOS keeps throwing content and amazing quest lines at us, Elder Scrolls fans will always want a piece of it.