"Still waiting after a decade!": After 11 years, fans are inquiring about the release date of The Elder Scrolls Online from Bethesda
The Elder Scrolls Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO) developed by ZeniMax Studios, has been around for 11 years, yet it remains relatively unknown to many fans of Bethesda's iconic single-player games like Elder Scrolls and Fallout series.
Rich Lambert, studio game director of The Elder Scrolls Online, acknowledges the game's low visibility, attributing it to the team not "trumpeting" it much. However, he is planning a change in the game's communication style to help improve its visibility.
In an effort to boost the game's profile, ZeniMax Studios has implemented core gameplay enhancements such as floating mounts and stackable discovery logs, introduced in Update 47, and continuous content expansions like new dungeons from the Feast of Shadows package. These additions are designed to enrich and modernize the player experience while maintaining the game's online RPG identity.
Despite these efforts, it seems that fans and followers of Bethesda's games are not as likely to pop for a multiplayer game like they would for a new singleplayer Elder Scrolls or Fallout. Even someone ravenous for more Elder Scrolls lore stuff is not tempted by the latest happenings in The Elder Scrolls Online.
The Elder Scrolls Online has managed to maintain a high positive rating on Steam, with an 82% positive rating, indicating that those who do play the game generally enjoy it.
Joshua Wolens, a game journalist with a history of writing about various games, including CRPGs, immersive sims, and visual novels, has a positive view of The Elder Scrolls Online. Despite having a somewhat unpopular opinion about Deus Ex: Invisible War, Wolens appreciates games with ambition beyond their budget, which he finds reflected in The Elder Scrolls Online.
The game's low profile is a point of contention for Lambert, who considers it "the biggest chip on [his] shoulder." He believes that The Elder Scrolls Online is either not taken seriously or dismissed, a sentiment that is likely shared by the hardworking team behind the game who do things right but do not celebrate their successes as much as they should.
While MMOs might not be what people come to Bethesda for, even if they are great, it is worth giving The Elder Scrolls Online a try. With its lore-heavy and somewhat weird elements, reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls 3, it offers an immersive and engaging experience for fans of the series.
Joshua Wolens, who started his gaming journey with Quake 2 at a young age, has written for various publications such as Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times. His insights into the gaming industry and his positive view of The Elder Scrolls Online make him a valuable voice in the discussion about this often-overlooked MMO.
As for a specific release date for The Elder Scrolls Online, no information has been provided. However, with the changes in communication style and the continuous efforts to improve the game, it seems that the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online is determined to bring this game to the forefront of the gaming world.
