
In an interview with GameStar, Matt Firor, General Manager of ZeniMax Online, has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls Online will require a subscription fee. This news, in conjunction with the fact that upcoming MMOs Final Fantasy XIV: Realm Reborn and WildStar have also announced subscription fees, suggests that publishers still feel that the subscription model is viable for the genre.
The Elder Scrolls Online will also require purchase of the game itself, which includes a free month’s subscription. No word yet on exact pricing, but it’s not looking like the World of Warcraft payment formula will be deviated from.
It’s looking like there will be three key MMO players in the coming months; ESO, FFXIV:RR, and WildStar. With all three using the same subscription model, with similar pricing, it will be interesting to see how each one fares both short and long-term. Free-to-play hasn’t killed the subscription MMO just yet, and the economic performance of these three games will likely...
Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk is now live for all platforms (including PC/Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation), kicking off a new era for The Elder Scrolls Online. This inaugural Season is live from April 2 until July 8 and lays the foundation for all future Seasons by introducing new reward systems, the first wave of player-focused improvements, class and combat redesigns, new zones and challenges, and more.

Check out some of the rewards you can unlock and acquire in ESO’s first ever Tamriel Tome, arriving April 2, 2026.
Get an in-depth view of the future of ESO with the 2026 Seasons Direct, followed by two developer and community member roundtables. Join the team at ZeniMax Online Studios as they share the many ways ESO is evolving with new adventures, stories, challenges, and systems, plus get your first look at each Season arriving in 2026. A new age for The Elder Scrolls Online is about to begin!
Subscription? What is this cable? LMAO no way in hell I will just restart Skyrim :-)
Yeah no
wow they just killed a good game to me. I think when the numbers are low enough they will take it off
Should have done what Guild Wars 2 did...I'm canceling my pre order. Really disappointed!!
no thanks, I pay for plus already. If that's how your gonna be you can count me out.