Ok ok I thought hard about it but I simply can’t resist, back on March 29th 2014 I wrote :
The problem lies after launch, after people have tore through the content, when people are being asked to subscribe for a third, fourth and fifth month because that’s where many titles find themselves up a certain creek without a paddle.
The issue isn’t just about how good the game is, that’s only part of the battle. Another issue lies with retention and that’s where subscription only titles have struggled over the last few years, which is why so many of them end up turning free to play.
The Elder Scrolls Online faces a real struggle, history is not on its side but maybe, just maybe, it will be the chosen one and prosper, time will tell, but if I were placing bets, I’d bet that their subscription model will be radically different within 18 months.
Fast forward to today and an announcement regarding The Elder Scrolls Online : ESO Heads To Consoles June 9th. Heading to consoles isn’t the issue, although there is some unhappiness about the fact that console players won’t be able to play with PC players, however the really big news is :
In the latest and biggest Elder Scrolls game ever made, you can choose to adventure alone, quest with friends, or join an army of hundreds in epic player vs. player battles as you explore and discover the secrets of a persistent Tamriel. And with Tamriel Unlimited, coming to console on June 9th and PC/Mac on March 17th, 2015, you will no longer be required to pay a monthly game subscription to play ESO.
The official forums are a mixture of people saying “I told you so” and people saying “They’ve sold us out“. The reality of the situation is that you really did not have to be Nostradamus to see this coming.
Elder Scrolls Online launched last year at a time when the subscription model for MMO’s was in mortal peril. The subscription model champions of course were the likes of World of Warcraft and Eve-Online, however the abandon all hope those who enter the subscription arena had claimed titles such as Lord Of The Rings Online, Age Of Conan, Star Trek Online and Star Wars The Old Republic. In short, The Elder Scrolls Online was up against it from the start.
They made a valiant attempt to swim against the tide but the forces of nature were just too strong. However those who have played The Elder Scrolls Online and enjoyed the subscription model should be wary before throwing their toys out of the pram about this. There will still be an option to have a premium membership and that will have perks. This models has proven successful for titles such as Star Wars The Old Republic, which took a similar journey.
Personally I’ve never played The Elder Scrolls Online and part of my decision to give it a pass was based on previously have subscribed to Age Of Conan, Star Trek Online, Star Wars The Old Republic and watched them all end up ditching their subscription model. However it is more appealing to me now that it will be buy to play rather than buy to play + subscription to keep playing.
I have sympathies with those who are disappointed by the decision, I really do. I’ve been in their shoes, but that’s exactly why I’m not surprised this has happened.
This will not be the end of the game, it’s a new dawn.