Features

Columns

• Five Things to Do First in Summerset

  Today’s the day. Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset launches on PC for Pre-Order folks, while others have to wait until June 5th. So what all does that mean you can do today, if you’re one of the many who planned ahead? Join us as we list the five things you should do first when Summerset is live on the ESO PC servers.

  Posted on 05/21/2018 by William Murphy

• It's Not All Perfect

  I’m sure I am not alone in this: Whenever I play a game I think to myself as I play, what would I change or what would I do differently? I’ve done this countless of times with Elder Scrolls Online. By no means, I’m not a game designer or a professional developer but I always think of how I could enjoy the game more or change something I dislike. In this article, I would like to discuss with you all what I would change or tweak. As much as I do love the game, nothing is ever perfect.

  Posted on 05/16/2018 by Josh Hay

• The Allure of Elder Scrolls Online’s Never Ending Journey

  I play a lot of MMOs. So say we all, right? But the one, four years later, I keep coming back to no matter what, is Elder Scrolls Online. It used to be Warcraft, which has become more of a “check out the expansion” title for me. But something about the sheer amount of content, progression diversity, and consistent updates keeps me coming back to ESO when no other game can.

  Posted on 05/09/2018 by William Murphy

• Further Thoughts on Summerset

  ESO’s latest expansion is roaring along on the PTS, and this week I’m continuing my thoughts on the new content. As I continued to delve deeper into Summerset and all its new chapter glory, I felt overall my satisfaction peaked. I don’t mean that in a negative way, in fact I am happy at where it peaked. I’m overall happy with how Summerset came and how it was designed. With that being said, let’s go into a little more detail this time on what made the journey as fun as it has been.

  Posted on 05/02/2018 by Josh Hay

• What Keeps Us Coming Back?

  I’ve been playing Elder Scrolls Online since the game was released, longer if you count playing the Closed Beta. We’ve recently celebrated the game’s 4th anniversary. It’s kind of shocking that it has been that long already. With the next Chapter upon us in Summerset, I wanted to look back on my adventures in Elder Scrolls Online and ponder on why I keep coming back.

  Posted on 04/18/2018 by Josh Hay

• Summerset is Nigh

  Man, oh man, for us Elder Scrolls Online players we probably got some of the best news of the year. A new chapter is among us, May 21st (for PC), we will be going to Summerset Isles. There is a lot new and exciting content coming our way and I really just want to give you my take on all of this. Let’s do this shall we?

  Posted on 04/04/2018 by Josh Hay

• The Combat and the Content of ESO

  During the last column, we talked about some of the pressing issues that Elder Scrolls Online has. I would like now to delve a little deeper into the issues. I know we are talking about more of the “negative” aspects of the game but I think we need to clear the air. I said before it’s always good to talk about what is bad to appreciate the good. Let’s begin the deep, dark adventure!

  Posted on 03/20/2018 by Josh Hay

• The Pressing Issues in ESO

  No game is perfect, it’s the sad reality. We typically look beyond the problems and see the good in the game we play. No one likes to focus on the negative aspects. Today, I plan to do just that and see what ZoS could do fix some of my most pressing issues in Elder Scrolls Online. The problems I am going to talk about are discussed daily between the multiple guilds I belong to and immediate friends.

  Posted on 03/07/2018 by Josh Hay

• Dragon Bones Thoughts & Impressions

  Dragon’s Bones has been out for a little over a week now in Elder Scrolls Online, and it’s been an exciting adventure so far. One of the biggest things that came out of this DLC was the “Base” patch: Update 17. This brings a lot of new and exciting changes to the game that are welcomed and some are just… Meh.

  Posted on 02/22/2018 by Josh Hay

• The 5 Best Things in Dragon Bones - Update 17

  Dragon Bones, Elder Scrolls Online’s latest update (Update 17 to be exact) launched yesterday on PC. It comes out in 2 weeks for XBOX and PS4, and brings with it a heaping host of great changes. While the two new dungeons are paid DLC, the bulk of the changes and additions are free for all. Today we’re listing the five best things in ESO’s Update 17…

  Posted on 02/13/2018 by William Murphy

• To Trinity or Not to Trinity?

  We have the trinity in Elder Scrolls Online, but it’s not set in stone. We are not forced into roles. I talked about this a little in the previous column about the Dragonknight. Ever since I wrote that piece I wanted to expand on the freedom we have in this game.

  Posted on 02/07/2018 by Josh Hay

• The Conundrum of the Dragon Knight

  We’ve talked a lot about class balance and general balance in Elder Scrolls Online but lately it seems like one class is getting more attention than the others and no, it’s not the Warden. Dragon Knight has been in an odd spot for a long time now and even when I play my DK, it just doesn’t feel right. If you’re going full Stamina, you’re probably in an alright place. But Magicka DKs feel differently.

  Posted on 01/24/2018 by Josh Hay

• Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Bones

  The first DLC of 2018 is upon us and it’s name is Elder Scrolls Online: Dragon Bones. (Not John Cena) and it’s a bag full of sweet, delicious goodies. Two new Dungeons will be released with this DLC: Scalecaller Peak and Fang Lair. With these new dungeons there will be new loot, achievements and collectibles to obtain. I’m hoping these dungeons will add some sort of challenge.

  Posted on 01/05/2018 by Josh Hay

• The 10 Best MMOs of 2017

  We recently awarded our MMO of the year to Final Fantasy XIV, and for good reason. It’s been another banner year for Final Fantasy fans and their MMORPG, but it’s not the only MMO that had a solid 2017. Sure enough, there weren’t many great new games to play in 2017. But we’re taking a look at the games we played, in beta and fully launched, and picking our favorites.

  Posted on 12/27/2017 by William Murphy

• Finding Comfort in Tamriel

  I've been playing Elder scrolls online since closed beta and have been a subscriber since. There are some days I still struggle to login and play a continuous 3-5 hours. Granted I have had a couple of new games / DLC drop for some other games but yet I still have an itch for some Elder Scrolls Online.

  Posted on 12/22/2017 by Josh Hay

• What's in Store for Tamriel in 2018?

  With 2017 coming to a close, often as gamers we look to the future of our favorite MMORPG or game in general. There are a lot of wishes and hopes I have for 2018 in Elder Scrolls Online. There will be no certain order of like things I want the most and things I want the least, just a general rundown of things I would love to see in future content release and possible expansions. Let’s begin, shall we?

  Posted on 12/06/2017 by Josh Hay

• The Conundrum of Balance Part Deux

  I’m going to be taking a different direction with this post, I want to continue talking about class balance and at the end I will talk about weapon and armor balance. I mean, we could debate about balance all day whether or not one class is better than another. I think we can all agree on one thing though, Warden sucks. Just kidding. They have gotten some much needed love, but what about the other classes?

  Posted on 11/22/2017 by Josh Hay

• Revel in The Clockwork

  Clockwork City is finally upon us and is the newest DLC to be released for Elder Scrolls Online. There are a lot of changes that I will be going over, so please grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride.

  Posted on 11/05/2017 by Josh Hay

• The 10 Most Wanted MMOs of 2018

  I think it’s probably safe to say that the big releases for MMOs in 2017 have come and gone. Unless Blizzard shocks the world and magically puts out an expansion to WoW as a surprise Christmas gift, we’re already looking forward to 2018. So strap on your hype-belts, and board the hype-train, as it’s time to look forward to 2018 and hope it’s far, far better than 2017. This is our list of the 10 Most Wanted MMOs of 2018.

  Posted on 10/31/2017 by Suzie Ford

• The Clockwork City DLC Review

  It’s finally here - we’re venturing into Sotha Sil’s domain, the Clockwork City. ESO’s been keeping their promise of quarterly DLCs, and The Clockwork City is their last announced addition to the game of 2017. What comes in 2018 is anyone’s guess, but if this is the way to close out the year, then Zenimax Online Studios is doing things right. This is our Elder Scrolls Online Clockwork City DLC review.

  Posted on 10/24/2017 by William Murphy

• The Conundrum of Balance

  As much as I love Elder Scrolls Online, the game does have its fair share of problems. I would like to touch on one today: Balance. Balance has been a deep-rooted issue since the beginning basically. We’ve had a lot of problems with pure stamina builds, pure magicka builds and barely in-between.

  Posted on 10/13/2017 by Josh Hay

• The 10 Greatest MMORPG Heroes of All Time

  For our next two lists, we’ll be diving into the NPCs of our favorite MMORPGs to find the best heroes and villains across the genre. This week, we’re starting with the good guys, picking our 10 favorite MMORPG heroes of all time.

  Posted on 10/13/2017 by William Murphy

• The 10 Best Story-Driven MMOs of All Time

  This week we’re ranking the 10 best story-driven MMOs of all time. That means we’re going to try and put numbers on feelings we all have for the narratives we play through when we’re living in these virtual worlds. It’s a tall order, and one we’re sure you’ll have some mixed emotions over. Without further ado, here are our 10 Best Story Driven MMOs of All Time.

  Posted on 10/03/2017 by William Murphy

• The Clockwork City is Coming

  Clockwork City is upon us. Recently we just had the patch notes released and it has been playable on the PTS. There is plenty to go through in these patch notes and I won’t be going over all of them here but I will be going over some of the biggest changes/additions to the game. The first changes I will be talking about will specifically involve the DLC and not the base game patch.

  Posted on 09/25/2017 by Josh Hay

• The 10 Greatest MMORPGs of All Time - 2017 Edition

  It feels like this is a list we should revisit every so often, especially as games change, games launch, and games die in the world of MMORPGs. The following is a list we compiled using something we like to call “our hearts and minds and asses”. Our Top 10 Great MMOs of All Time list is merely our own thoughts, put to paper. We absolutely welcome your own insight, and soon we’ll begin a poll of our users to catalog the Players’ Choice for 2017 too. Now, let’s get on with it!

  Posted on 09/13/2017 by William Murphy

• What's Your Most Wanted Game in 2017?

  It's been an insane year for non-MMO releases. There have been more "Game of the Year" candidates in the first 8 months than any year I can remember. But it's been decidedly slower in the MMO and "almost" MMO world. We've had some bright spots, but the bulk of what I'm personally waiting for is coming in the next three months. So let's hear it... what games are on your must play list for the remainder of 2017?

  Posted on 08/25/2017 by William Murphy

• A Journey in Tamriel

  Our new ESO columnist, Josh Hay, steps to the table and offers a look back at his Elder Scrolls Online history, present, and hope for the future. Read on for his opening piece…

  Posted on 08/24/2017 by Josh Hay

• News on Transmog and Battleground Fixes

  At E3, WCCFTech spoke to Game Director Matt Firor and came away with a few pieces of info worth mentioning for fans of Elder Scrolls Online. Morrowind’s now been out for a few weeks if you include the early access period, and we’re rightly looking ahead to what comes next and when we can expect fixes to the issues introduced by the game’s first Chapter.

  Posted on 06/20/2017 by William Murphy

• A Look at Horns of the Reach and Clockwork City DLC

  During BE3 (Bethesda’s Annual E3 Showcase), we got an all-too-brief look at the two major DLC packs coming up next in Elder Scrolls Online: Horns of the Reach and Clockwork City. The first is a dungeon-based DLC, and the second is a large story-line driven exploration of Sotha Sil’s famed lost city. Today we’re unpacking these announcements and offering our thoughts.

  Posted on 06/13/2017 by William Murphy

• Five Reasons Why MMOs Are Making a Comeback

  Many game industry people continue to talk about how MMOs have come and gone. However, we continue to see major events which point to the opposite. Players are seeking more online experiences through console and mobile gameplay. As many in the industry predicted early on, eventually every game will move into the online space. Sure, plenty of RPGs or fighting games might keep off the intrawebs, but as trends continue, there will be plenty of MMOs coming over the next few years.

  Posted on 05/23/2017 by Garrett Fuller

• What’s Your ESO Story?

  Going to take a different tack with this week’s ESO column. We’re all just waiting for the launch of the Morrowind Chapter in June, wildly guessing what it’s going to be like and where the rest of 2017 will take us. But there’s one thing that I think might be fun to do while we wait – if you’re an ESO player, what’s your story with the game? No, this isn’t an RP exercise, but rather a poll to see how you got started in Tamriel and what keeps you playing month after month.

  Posted on 05/10/2017 by William Murphy

• The Joy of Starting Over

  Of all the things I’m looking forward to most in Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind this June, the ultimate has to be starting over. It’s not that I haven’t made a new character in ESO before, in fact, I’ve probably played through the beginning lands of Tamriel Unlimited more times than I care to admit since the beta of ESO three years and change ago. And that, right there, is why Morrowind is vitally important to me as an ESO fan.

  Posted on 05/01/2017 by William Murphy

• Elder Scrolls Online - Little House on the Ebony Flask

  With the news of the pending ESO expansion Rob felt like there was no time like the present to jump back in and see what all the fuss was about.

  Posted on 02/09/2017 by Robert Lashley

• Home Improvement with Bill the Skoomaman Murphy

  It’s going to be an Elder Scrolls week here at MMORPG.com, as just about everyone is feeling the hype from last week’s Morrowind announcement, and this week’s PC launch of Homestead. Housing is finally here in Tamriel, and while it’s certainly robust, we’ve got a few features we’d love to see added in the coming months.

  Posted on 02/08/2017 by William Murphy

• The Top 5 Morrowind Features

  These past few weeks have been fantastic for Elder Scrolls Online. The game is reaching great heights and now has a fantastic new offering with Morrowind coming out later in 2017. The announcement article goes over a lot of ideas that will be coming up for players. So we thought to break down the list of with some of our favorite features that have been mentioned so far.

  Posted on 02/07/2017 by William Murphy

• Bring On Morrowind – A New Chapter This June

  Elder Scrolls Online is launching their first standalone Chapter this June. ESO: Morrowind launches on the 15 year anniversary of the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and brings players in direct contact with Vivec as he tries to stop something terrible from happening in Vvardenfell. With the new 30+ hour storyline comes a new class (Warden), a new Trial, PVP Battlegrounds, and more. We’re unpacking the announcement and reacting to it all in this week’s column.

  Posted on 02/01/2017 by William Murphy

• What Do We Want in 2017?

  With Housing about to hit Elder Scrolls Online in Homestead next month, and with it pretty resoundingly winning our Player’s Choice award for MMO of the year in 2016, we think it’s time to look ahead to 2017 and what it could bring Tamriel. With every major desire since launch just about added to the game, what could the next 12 months bring ESO? We weigh in with some wants of our own.

  Posted on 01/27/2017 by William Murphy

• How Skyrim Sold Me On Elder Scrolls Online

  When The Elder Scrolls Online came out, one of the most common critiques on social media was that it made players want to go back to Skyrim. This week, Chris discovered that the coin had finally flipped. Playing Skyrim made him want to play ESO. Has The Elder Scrolls Online finally become the living, breathing alternative RPG players hoped it would be at launch?

  Posted on 01/20/2017 by Christopher Coke

• Homestead - Why It's Good News for Everyone

  Homestead is The Elder Scrolls Online next DLC package coming to Tamriel in Feburary 2017. While a large part of the community seems to be ecstatic about it, there is a vocal group of players who are upset with it. Ryan discusses the information we know about Homestead and asks you if there is grounds to be upset or if it’s all false claims.

  Posted on 12/14/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Creation Limitation

  My daughter regularly watches me play video games and being five, she’s starting to want to play them with me. Like most children her age she’s surprisingly good on a tablet or phone and can comfortably play simple games such as Angry Birds or whatever else it is ‘the kids’ now play.

  Posted on 12/13/2016 by Lewis Burnell

• What Shape Will Housing Take in ESO?

  Everything ESO has released thus far has all had a unique story tied to it, new NPCs for us to admire or hate. Coming next year to ESO is an update that, will introduce content to Tamriel that I have no idea how they’re going to include an ongoing story for and that’s, Player Housing.

  Posted on 11/30/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• The Obstacle of Combat

  My time in The Elder Scrolls Online has been an odd one this week because despite my random adventuring across a variety of zones, I’ve begun to grow incredibly frustrated at how a AAA title, and arguably one of the last MMO giants, got something as fundamental as combat so spectacularly wrong.

  Posted on 11/28/2016 by Lewis Burnell

• Castle of the Worm Awaits

  I’ve still not found a guild, or touched crafting, but I have decided I really should begin to make my way out of Glenumbra. I still don’t know the secrets of Daggerfall and that alone is keeping me here. I’ve a couple of quests remaining in the zone but I have to admit I’ve grown tired of the same scenery. I also can’t shake the feeling that Abnur Tharn, whom I keep running into, looks frighteningly like Peter Stormare.

  Posted on 11/21/2016 by Lewis Burnell

• The Adventure Begins

  My life in The Elder Scrolls Online didn't start too well. After logging into my character - who transpires to be a level 15 night elf - I accidentally shot a guard with my bow. Entirely unintentional as I tried to discover how to turn my HUD on, I'd only be in Daggerfall for 60 seconds and already had a bounty on my head.

  Posted on 11/14/2016 by Lewis Burnell

• One Tamriel’s Design of Freedom

  Elder Scrolls Online’s most recent update, One Tamriel, fundamentally changed how the game can be played. Now, with Skyrim’s Special Edition launching for PS4, XB1, and PC, we take a look at how ESO’s One Tamriel has turned the MMORPG into the premier Elder Scrolls experience.

  Posted on 10/28/2016 by William Murphy

• Will We See Smaller MMOs?

  Yesterday, Gamasutra ran a feature about how players can only process about 200 social connections drawing attention to Dunbar’s Number theory. It brought up a very interesting point in the MMO world and how important the true size of a game really need to be? The vast worlds of 2000 to 2010 have given way to highly instanced MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online and Guild Wars 2.

  Posted on 10/19/2016 by Garrett Fuller

• Dueling to the Death

  Dueling is coming with Update 12 along with One Tamriel and a plethora of other exciting features, all of which will be entirely free. However, let us focus on dueling. Dueling isn’t just about poking friends with pointed objects or hurling magical balls of energy at people, but that is a very fun aspect of it. It’s about character improvement and advancing your character in ways you probably would have never thought of.

  Posted on 09/14/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Update 12 - How It Changes the Game

  The Elder Scrolls Online is going back to its roots. Before the game was Buy to Play, it was Pay to Play and all the major updates were free. With update 12, everything will be completely free. While this update does not include any new zones or storylines, it does change the core aspect of the game as a whole. It is a new way to play ESO, especially if you are a new or returning player to Tamriel.

  Posted on 08/31/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Shadows of the Hist Review

  Shadows of the Hist, the most recent DLC added to Elder Scrolls Online, just launched on August 1st for PC. We’ve been dabbling for a bit on the PTR, and now on live, and have come to a verdict on the Argonian-centric dungeon and cosmetically focused expansion.

  Posted on 08/03/2016 by William Murphy

• Shadows of the Hist - First Impressions

  In my last column I discussed the new patch coming to The Elder Scrolls Online and I called it epic, despite not actually having played it. Sadly, I just never had the time to jump into the PTS and give it a shot. Well, today is the day. I am finally able to sit down and dive deep into the new changes and find out if it really is epic or if wisely chosen words make everything sounds grander than they truly are.

  Posted on 07/13/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Update 11 - By the Mother Goddess, It's Epic!

  Time flies when you’re having fun right? Well, it feels like time has gone into light speed. Didn’t we just have The Dark Brotherhood DLC release? We’re already starting to see what is in the next update, aka Update 11. If you don’t believe me that this update is going to be huge, keep reading and if you want to test out everything you’ve read here and more, well, get on the PTS and start checking it out.

  Posted on 06/29/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• What We Know About One Tamriel

  The Elder Scrolls Online was always supposed to be an Elder Scrolls game that allows you to play with friends, but that was never the case. Sure, you could play with your friends, if they were your level, if they were the same faction. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rolled a new character just to play with a friend. At the BE3 event, Matt Firor announced that these invisible barriers will be removed this fall when they launch, One Tamriel.

  Posted on 06/15/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Can You Predict the Outcome of BE3?

  I was invited to join an event that is happening this weekend but sadly due to some circumstances I’m unable to attend. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t do what the gaming community does best, theorize. This weekend Bethesda/Zenimax is hosting BE3, a showcase for all Bethesda and Zenimax games. Basically, a small version of QuakeCon two days prior to the official door openings for the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

  Posted on 06/08/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• PTS Is a Growing Concern

  There is a glaring problem with The Elder Scrolls Online and it’s rarely brought up as a concern. This issue isn’t present in just ESO, it is an ongoing concern throughout the entire MMORPG genre. In this week’s column I’m going to hold off discussing The Dark Brotherhood a bit and talk about something that I think we need to try and rectify or provide ideas to Zenimax and other companies. Let’s discuss Test Servers and the incredibly low population of people that utilize them.

  Posted on 05/24/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• The MMO Leap to Console

  This week if the news taught us anything it is that the MMO leap to console systems has now been validated. Yesterday, Matt Firor made a few announcements in a feature on GameIndustry.biz about the success that Elder Scrolls Online has had in the console market. It opened a lot of eyes in the game world and perhaps this is the jump start we need to really begin seeing major companies invest in MMOs again.

  Posted on 05/20/2016 by Garrett Fuller

• Dark Brotherhood Second Impressions

  I never played the single player Elder Scrolls games (I know its blasphemy). So I’m not incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the Dark Brotherhood. I knew what they were, a guild of assassins, killing those who were marked for death. After going through this new DLC for The Elder Scrolls: Tamriel Unlimited I have a much deeper understanding for what they do and what they are. They’re called Dark Brotherhood for a reason, this DLC is fantastically dark.

  Posted on 05/11/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• My First Murder - Impressions of The Dark Brotherhood

  You can hear the faint sounds of hundreds of conversations happening at once in the town square. It a busy day for the vendors in Wayrest. A dog barks as a person walks pass, a strong breeze whisks through the alleyway, it’s as if the city fell silent for a fraction of a second and all that was heard was the blood bubbling from the throat of your victim, his lifeless body falling to the cobble path and the clamor of the city begins again.

  Posted on 04/27/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• There's No Such Thing as Too Much Communication

  Communication is key when it comes to letting players know more about Elder Scrolls Online. There is no such thing as too much communication but there is such thing as not enough communication. Not enough communication is something that a lot of players are accusing Zenimax of. But is it true and if it’s not true, how much information as players do we deserve?

  Posted on 04/20/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• An Open Letter on PVP

  In this week's Elder Scrolls Online column, Ryan's penning an open letter to Zenimax's Brian Wheeler about the state of the game's PVP.

  Posted on 04/06/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Our Thieves Guild DLC Review

  The Thieves Guild was released just a short while ago. If you’ve spent any time progressing through the storyline or advancing through the Thieves Guild passive skill lines you may have noticed this DLC isn’t anything like the previous two. That said, it does display one major aspect that is missing.

  Posted on 03/23/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• MMOs for Couples

  While the idea of “massive multiplayer” online RPG means that we’re in there with others by design, sometimes it’s nice to just adventure through with a partner-in-crime, just the two blazing a path to glory. With that in mind, we’ll take a look today at five games that that are great fun for two.

  Posted on 03/15/2016 by Suzie Ford

• How to Make ESO's Progression Even Better

  Leveling up through an MMORPG is probably one of the best experiences. It’s all about improving your character, learning new skills, trying different styles to see which one you like best or which is the most effective. Yet once you hit level cap that journey is finished, you’re no longer advancing your character with the exception of gear. ESO was supposed to change this mentality with the ability to morph skills as you got better.

  Posted on 03/09/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• A Healer is a Player Who Gets No Love from ZOS

  I’ve been spending a lot of my free time on the PTS playing the Thieves Guild, so much that when I logged into the live servers today I had been removed from my Trading Guild. Perhaps, I need to properly manage my game time a bit better. While playing on the PTS I’ve come to realize something, something that I’m not particularly happy about and it’s more of an observation than a realization but it’s still upsetting. Zenimax hates healers.

  Posted on 02/24/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• MMOs for Explorers

  In this new column we’re calling The Playlist, we seek to be your MMO Spotify. We want to curate lists of games for all kinds of player types or interests. To start off, we’re going to focus on the best games out there for all kinds of explorers. If you love getting lost in a world, seeing whatever is over the next mountain, we hope to give you quite a few games to check out.

  Posted on 02/17/2016 by William Murphy

• Everything You Need to Know About Thieves Guild

  Patch 2.3.0, aka The Thieves Guild was released on the PTS last week. As long as you own the game you have the opportunity to login to the PTS and give this new DLC a try for FREE. Let me tell you, this expansion is extremely enjoyable. Between doing the Guild Jobs and Heists you’ll always have something to do, not to mention main story quest for the Thieves Guild and the side quests that partake in Hew’s Bane.

  Posted on 02/10/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• A Recap and Analysis of All the Recent News

  These last couple of weeks have been fantastic for The Elder Scrolls Online. A plethora of information has come out about the future of ESO and the first DLC of this year, Thieves Guild. Let me tell you, almost everything looks exceptionally promising. I say almost because there was some bad news that was released. So let’s discuss the bad stuff first and then get into the good stuff.

  Posted on 01/28/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• Pet Class, Where Art Thou?

  In our last ESO column, our own William Murphy listed off his 2016 Wish List. In this list he makes mention to something that I haven’t really thought of before or even felt like I needed, but now I have this weird compulsion to have it implemented. Bill Murphy you have put this want, nay, need in my mind that has altered my ESO experience. All I can think about anymore is how or what new class would fit into ESO and what kind of abilities it would have.

  Posted on 01/15/2016 by Ryan Getchell

• My 2016 Wishlist for Tamriel

  Elder Scrolls Online is one of my personal current favorite MMOs. Zenimax Online may not be perfect, but they sure do deliver great content and seem ready and willing to listen to their players. 2015 had some fantastic updates and DLC, but 2016 could be even greater. In this week’s column, I’m going to list out some hopes and dreams about what to expect from ESO in 2016.

  Posted on 12/31/2015 by William Murphy

• Player Housing - It's More Than Story

  The Elder Scrolls Online has been given the MMORPG award for Best MMORPG of 2015 and rightfully so. ESO strives where other games are beginning to fall behind, keeping the game alive and feeling new. Its content release schedule is probably one of the best I’ve seen from any company. Its primary focus is building the game the people want, which isn’t very common.

  Posted on 12/15/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Who Wants to Log In to Become a Millionaire?

  If you’re the type of person who reads the MMO news, and since you’re here it’s a pretty safe bet, you’ve heard that Zenimax is offering the chance to win one million dollars just for logging into The Elder Scroll Online: Tamriel Unlimited (if you live in the right place, but that’s another story).

  Posted on 12/08/2015 by Paul Nadin

• The Thieves Guild DLC Will Bring Big Changes to Siege Weapons

  Zenimax is its own worst enemy. They’re releasing content that is so enjoyable that it gets consumed too fast. Orsinium was released barely over a month ago and people are already asking for the next DLC update. Is paying the 3000 crowns really worth a month’s worth of content? Without a doubt, but damn you Zenimax for making content so exciting that we burn through it faster than you thought we could. The next DLC will drop in the first quarter of 2016 and it’s all about the Thieves Guild.

  Posted on 12/02/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• The Best Things about Orsinium

  Recently, I’ve been diving back into Elder Scrolls Online with renewed fervor. It’s been a while since I really played the game regularly, and while a great DLC the Imperial City along didn’t bring me back. I didn’t have a truly active group of PVP friends to play with. Conversely, Hrothgar and the swell of content that is Orsinium has me logging in daily once more. Here are a few things I think make Orsinium one of ESO’s best content updates.

  Posted on 11/25/2015 by William Murphy

• How Class Imbalance Works for ESO

  The Elder Scrolls Online has to be one of the most unbalanced games ever to be designed. Dragonknights have a high DPS value with an impressive amount of survivability options. Sorcerers are probably the most annoying classes to fight against with their easy escape abilities. Nightblades have their high burst damage, doesn’t matter if they’re melee range or shooting you from a distance, and Templars are the worst of them all.

  Posted on 11/18/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Opining on Orsinium

  Orsinium is a DLC pack that is filled to the brim with features such as new storylines, new solo arena, shield dyes and much more does it have the longevity needed to keep players interested until the next DLC?

  Posted on 11/04/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Holidays - A Thing of the Future

  Starting October 22nd new cosmetic items are being implemented into the Crown Store, some of which were available as of October 8th. A lot of these items have a theme to them, guess you call them “scary-esc” type theme. Whatever the theme, they make mention that these new cosmetic items will be great additions for the Witches’ Festival that happens in Elder Scrolls Lore in the month of Frostfall (October).

  Posted on 10/21/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Five MMOs for Experienced Players

  In the same vein, we’re going to piggyback on last week’s List of the Five Best MMOs for New Players and suggest five more MMORPGs that you should at least give a try if you’re looking for a new game. And next week, we’ll take it a step further and recommend five “deep cuts” for the hardcore crowd!

  Posted on 10/05/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Imperial City From a PvE Perspective - Is it Worth It?

  The Elder Scrolls Online Imperial City DLC came with a host of changes, including the PvP upgrades and balance that many had been hoping for for some time. Cyrodiil is a place where many players do go to enjoy themselves, and Zenimax has stated before that its goal was to create a zone that would attract different kinds of players. So what is Imperial City like for a player like myself who often plays solo and is more of a PvE-oriented RPG player?

  Posted on 09/30/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Zenimax Listens to Its Community Once Again

  Once again Zenimax listens to the community. If you remember a couple weeks ago I wrote an article discussing some of my displeasures with Imperial City, mostly the fact that Imperial City is always open (unless your campaign is full) and all three factions would have access to it. Well as it turns out I wasn’t the only one who felt this way and Zenimax has heard our pleas and created a campaign with locked gates. However, is it too late for this to make a difference?

  Posted on 09/23/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• After Imperial City, Two Moves Zenimax Should Make

  The Elder Scrolls Online Imperial City DLC has finally reached both consoles and PC, and with it marks a certain chapter in the game's life. The game's console launch was successful from everything we can tell, so the DLC numbers, as well as subscriptions, are going to remain significant. Yet player activity still remains important, and Imperial City is still all shiny and new for everyone.

  Posted on 09/17/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Five Pointed Questions About TESO

  When the development of The Elder Scrolls Online was officially confirmed back in 2012, it was one of the most exciting MMORPG announcements ever. The enormous popularity of the single-player franchise on both PC and consoles meant it had a huge core target audience, and the world of Tamriel had a strong inter-faction conflict element that would transition easily. Unfortunately, it seems pretty safe to say that the game has fallen short of the potential it initially seemed to have.

  Posted on 09/15/2015 by Richard Aihoshi

• Imperial City was Worth the Wait

  Imperial City has launched recently and it’s magnificent. I think this has been one of the best launches of a major content update to a MMO that I’ve ever seen. Not only has the launch gone off with very little issues. They even somehow managed to fix a major issue that has plagued the game since its official release, the lag in Cyrodiil. Yes, you read that right, the lag in Cyrodiil is almost non-existent, emphasis on almost.

  Posted on 09/09/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• The Battleground For Player Cash

  With the rollout of The Elder Scrolls Online's Imperial City on PC this week, this is the beginning of new content arriving in the game for the price of a subscription or a paid unlock. We've debated whether or not a subscription for ESO is currently worth it on here before, and ultimately, time will tell what players think, but some new plans from Zenimax may add room to discuss the idea of value further.

  Posted on 09/02/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Imperial City Gates

  I’ve been playing Imperial City on the PTS and been watching others play it on HitBox / Twitch. I know I say this with every expansion / update that Zenimax releases but holy Meridia this DLC is epic. The boss fights, the loot, the Tel Var system, and so many more incredibly awesome additions to the game. Except, one thing still bugs me, and that’s what I’m going to focus on this week.

  Posted on 08/26/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Housing? Factions? A Long Wait, But ESO May Do It Right

  With the Imperial City, we’re getting a look at some of the new districts coming to the DLC. Zenimax released a guide to the new areas, with each faction’s base operating out of different districts. With bases of operations, especially ones with distinct theming, even as the game demands functional similarity, The Elder Scrolls Online is taking another step in distinguishing itself that should also carry over in another promise for upcoming content: housing.

  Posted on 08/19/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Returning to The Elder Scrolls Online

  The release process of modern MMOs seems to have settled into a normative pattern: Game X gets announced, pre-purchase packs go on sale, closed betas are marketed, and open beta marks the informal launch. These phases are followed by a more official kickoff down the road, which may or may not include a rebranding as free-to-play after a certain amount of time.

  Posted on 08/14/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Is ESO Plus Membership Worth It?

  Now that QuakeCon has passed we have a view as to what is in store for ESOTU. According to Matt Firor, they are planning to release a named DLC pack every 12 weeks. This is pretty epic, considering when they first announced ESO they said they wanted to adhere to a 4-6 week content patch system. While 12 weeks is double their original goal, we’re not talking content patches anymore, we’re talking named DLC packs and all that might entail.

  Posted on 08/12/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• With A New Roadmap, ESO Feels Back on Track

  Zenimax has been sharing details about The Elder Scrolls Online’s first DLC content, The Imperial City for about three weeks. Last week’s QuakeCon presentation centralized all the details of the Imperial City all in one place, while also living up to the “Beyond” portion of the presentation’s title with some new details about what to expect from both the game and its future DLC content.

  Posted on 08/05/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Storyline vs Content

  Now that we have a release date for Imperial City and according to Matt Firor, Wrothgar isn’t far off either (early 2016), I want to pose a question to the community. This question is one that I’m still debating over and can’t come to an actual decision on where I stand, or where I should stand.

  Posted on 07/29/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Console Sales Are Good - So What’s Next for All Players?

  Now that we’re over a month since The Elder Scrolls Online’s release on consoles, we have the next step: the announcement of the first major DLC update and how that will work, as well as hints at other features to come. It seemed like a good time to take a look at how ESO is faring on console, how PC is back on track, and what the Imperial City DLC may tell us about what we can expect from the game in the future.

  Posted on 07/22/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Imperial City - The Most Anticipated ESO Patch Yet

  Imperial City, it has to be the most anticipated feature that Zenimax has discussed since pre-launch and we're finally getting some information about it. The Imperial City is slated to launch August 31st for PC/MAC, September 15th for Xbox One and September 16th for the Playstation 4. It will also be going live on the Private Test Servers later this month so you will be able to test out this update for FREE before it goes on the live servers.

  Posted on 07/16/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• The Top 7 Best MMOs of 2015…So Far

  I’m not going to lie to you: 2015 hasn’t exactly been full of big moments of big announcements. Maybe it’s because all of the best ideas are already taken, maybe it’s because everyone likes different things, or maybe it’s because developers and publishers are getting lazy, but there’s no denying the fact that the MMO genre has seen better years. From a lack of real excitement or hype around releases, to a lack of innovation, it’s not like it used to be.

  Posted on 07/13/2015 by David Jagneaux

• Enough With the Veteran Rank Ping Pong

  Players of The Elder Scrolls Online who have been around for a while know that the game underwent many large changes over the past year. I have praised Zenimax for the dedication to making improvements and listening to the community on certain points during that time. Yet, now that we’re getting our first hints at future content to come, with promises that mid-July will begin reveals about The Imperial City and more, Veteran Ranks are beginning to feel like a bit of a drag on the system.

  Posted on 07/08/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• What Does Paul Sage's Departure Mean for the Future?

  Just a mere three weeks after the console launch of the Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unchained, Paul Sage leaves the project to become Creative Director for an unknown project at Gearbox Software. If you’re not familiar with Gearbox Software they are the creators of the Borderlands series. But what does this mean for the future of ESOTU?

  Posted on 07/01/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Long Overdue PvP Changes Are Finally Happening

  The Elder Scrolls Online is now, despite a few typical launch hiccups, a multiplatform release. Other than a few console launch matters, it finally begins to feel like all of the game's audience is being addressed again. While some felt cast aside in part due to the console announcements and stalled changes over the past three months, we're finally at the point where new announcements can happen.

  Posted on 06/24/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• The XP Boost Potion

  Earlier this week, Monday to be exact, Zenimax implemented something that typically has a bit of controversy around it. Experience Boost potions, I’m completely against anything that increases your leveling experience however the way ZOS implemented it is probably one of the best ways I’ve seen it done.

  Posted on 06/17/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• What Console Players Should Know (And Why PC Players Should Be Happy)

  Now that The Elder Scrolls Online has launched for console, the virtual holding pattern that the game has been in for the past few months should hopefully be ending soon. These months did bring us some idea of the general direction of what to expect for the console versions, but for many of us PC players, things have been in a general lull since update 6 was released, with talk having shifted to the console audience.

  Posted on 06/10/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Will Elder Scrolls Online Satisfy RPG Fans?

  Zenimax emailed me this week. The email was a reminder that I’d paid my $20 to unlock the PS4 version of Elder Scrolls Online and that the game would be launching next Tuesday. I had the tingle, my friends; the little flurry of excitement just before a game you’re looking forward to. Then I remembered just how divided the game’s community was at launch. It makes me wonder, will ESO be a hit or will it just disappoint Elder Scrolls fans who don’t know what they’re in for?

  Posted on 06/05/2015 by Christopher Coke

• The Reason I Canceled My Subscription

  Yes, you’re reading that right, I canceled my ESO subscription last week. The Elder Scrolls Online is a great game and anyone who is thinking of purchasing it for the consoles when it releases on June 9th I would still recommend them to do so. There is no denying that ESO is easily worth its initial investment but I can’t say with confidence that it’s worth the continuous investment.

  Posted on 06/03/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• The Banned Accounts Highlight Industry Issues

  As we get closer to the console release of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, it has been predictably slow on the significant changes to the game front on PC, but there have been a few recent moves that bring certain digital goods matters to the forefront. Zenimax alerted some players that their keys weren't legitimate and decided to end their access to the game as of this week.

  Posted on 05/27/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Is Zenimax Being Secretly Transparent?

  One of the best things a game developer can do is get direction from those who play it. While a developer may have passion for the game they are creating, they will never understand the game itself like those who play it day in and day out. We play the games for a lot longer than any developer. So of course we all have feedback and design concepts that we feel could improve the overall quality of the game.

  Posted on 05/20/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Should Free Trials Begin?

  Ever since the switch to a subscription-optional The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited model for PC, along with the console versions coming in less than a month, the chance to get friends to give the game a shot is ever-more tempting. While the game has been busy since the relaunch, and megaserver tech keeps things buzzing, there are two things that would go a long way to help friends get others into the game, as well as one related possible misstep.

  Posted on 05/13/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Three Things ESO Does That More MMOs Should

  The Elder Scrolls Online has been released for over a year now and I still think the game gets under-credited. Recently I’ve reduced the amount of time I’ve spent in Tamriel and ventured to other games to explore what is new. Sadly, nothing feels new, everything that’s out right now feels like the same old lollipop in just a slightly different flavor.

  Posted on 05/06/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• My 2015 Year To Date MMOG Power Rankings

  Does anyone actually know how many MMOGs are out there now? I certainly don't. Indeed, the category has grown so much that I can no longer even estimate the total number with any real confidence. Many are, of course, not very prominent. Others are a lot more visible and fare far better in terms of attracting and holding our attention. This is my completely personal, subjective ranking of the titles that have had the most interest value for me so far this year.

  Posted on 05/05/2015 by Richard Aihoshi

• Could the Console Version Be the Definitive Edition?

  The Elder Scrolls Online is coming to console in just over a month. With the console beta in the books, and players sharing their experiences with the game in various places around the internet, as a PC player, several few patterns stand out and make me wonder if the console versions will be the definitive version of ESO, and if this game just might be a breakthrough for MMORPGs on console overall.

  Posted on 04/29/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• A Little Rant on Motif-Gate

  Before I go any further with this rant, I need to explain something first, otherwise I’ll get Twitter/Steam/in-game messages asking why I’m still playing ESO. ESO is a great game, with a fantastic company behind it. But it just so happens that this fantastic company has blundered and has the community in a stir. With all the commotion that this blunder has created perhaps it will help Zenimax find better solutions to future endeavors.

  Posted on 04/22/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• When to Embrace Themepark MMOs

  There are hundreds of MMOs out there, and many of us have played dozens or more of them. Along the way, we've picked up a few favorites, maybe even made a mostly permanent home. But there's always that nagging thought... maybe it's time to go back and try that other game again?

  Posted on 04/20/2015 by William Murphy

• So, Where Do We Go From Here?

  Until The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited hits consoles in June, expect that the team’s focus will be on fixes, picking up some pieces dropped in previous updates, and new ventures like crown store items (some new pets just arrived). For PC players, this lull had plenty of advance warning. It’s still a good time to revisit some of the changes promised before and yet to come.

  Posted on 04/15/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• 5 Awesome Buy-to-Play MMOs

  Buy-to-play MMOs are becoming more and more popular around the industry. It’s clear that free-to-play games are expanding and they're becoming more and more popular, but they’re not the only alternative to subscription based games. Even for MMOs, options exist for you to buy the game itself (or a registration code, in most instances) then never have to pay another dime again, unless you want to.

  Posted on 04/13/2015 by David Jagneaux

• 5 Tips & Tricks for How to Succeed in Cyrodiil

  There are so many things you can do in PvP to give you an edge over the other player. Today I’m going to unveil some of the tricks that I utilize every day in Cyrodiil. These will be a mix of tactics and addons that help me excel in PvP.

  Posted on 04/08/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• The Multiplayer RPG Experience

  180+ hours into Guild Wars 2, I’ve only recently begun digging into its assortment of dungeons. Sure, I’ve dabbled in my fair share of pre-level cap PvP and open world small parties, but I’ve been waiting to hit 80 to sink my teeth into the game’s group content. As I mentioned in last week’s column, I’m no stranger to dungeons and raids in MMOs, and have historically sought out group content commensurate to my level.

  Posted on 04/03/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• The First Year

  From launch through now, The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited had much happen during its first year, as the community got to know the game from launch and beyond and the developers decided to make both tweaks and complete overhauls. Here’s a look back.

  Posted on 04/01/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• New Systems Over New Content

  Zenimax Online Studios seems to have adopted a unique way to release content, a way that has some of the community upset and calling the content “unfinished”. Is it really unfinished content or is Zenimax releasing their content in a way that will keep players interested and engaged?

  Posted on 03/25/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Become a Poultry Assassin - Or Welcome Back to ESO!

  Today’s column is a list geared toward you, the returning player who might be stepping back into what seems like familiar territory only to land in a city and find yourself at the mercy of the guards within the first five minutes. Or not. But for those returning to ESO, here are a few quick things to keep in mind.

  Posted on 03/18/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Top 10 Most Anticipated MMO Releases of 2015

  Right now we are in a bit of a lull in the MMO release schedule. Crowdfunding campaigns like Crowfall keep on trucking and the astronomically high level of hype around Star Citizen continues to escalate, but both of those games are pretty far off from a real release. This list isn’t going to mention any current crowdfunding games, nor will it mention stuff that will go into a closed alpha of any kind – only open betas and full releases.

  Posted on 03/16/2015 by David Jagneaux

• 5 Add Ons Every ESO Player Should Have

  With Tamriel Unlimited releasing next week, I thought now would be an excellent time discuss some of the addons that I feel new and old players of ESO should be using. There are hundreds of different addons for ESO but for this column I’m going to focus on five quality of life addons, helping to increase your gaming experience.

  Posted on 03/11/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Update 6 For the Once and Future Provisioner

  We’ve arrived at the release of the packed update 6 to The Elder Scrolls Online before it becomes subscription-optional. This means the road of consistent updates and major content releases that isn’t DLC has reached its end. Aside from tweaks to existing systems and completion of the implementation of others that began with this update, we simply await the conversion and possibly the console versions before we know what else we might see first down the line.

  Posted on 03/04/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• The UI - Has It Won You Over?

  The MMO community is a weird one. We demand that games take a chance and do something new and innovative, yet we get upset when those new things aren’t what we’re used to. The Elder Scrolls Online received a lot of this attention even before the game was being released. ESO’s User Interface (UI) is minimalist. If you asked me my opinions of it two years ago, I would have told you it sucked.

  Posted on 02/25/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• What Will DLC Be Like?

  With a month to go before The Elder Scrolls Online morphs into a buy to play game under the mouthful of a new title The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, there is now more info on how things will work after the switch. When the switch was announced, and the buy to play option with future DLC (included for subscribers or available for purchase) made known, there were still some pressing questions left with regards to just what this might entail.

  Posted on 02/18/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• An Open Letter to Zenimax

  With patch 1.6 finally on the PTS and our review of its major changes being out, I think it’s time I sit down and have a one sided discussion with Zenimax. I’ve sat idly by enjoying all the fantastic content and changes that ZOS has been doing to the game but there are areas of The Elder Scrolls Online that haven’t seen any love since the launch of the game almost a year ago and they need to be addressed.

  Posted on 02/11/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Could B2P Hurt Elder Scrolls Online?

  Welcome to Player Versus Player, the column that pits two MMORPG writers against each other in a battle wits, tears, and experience points. Twice a month, we take to our podiums to debate both sides of your most heated arguments. This week, Elder Scrolls Online rocked our newsfeeds with the bombshell that the game would be going buy-to-play before its summer console launch. Our topic: Is this a good thing for the game or the beginning of the end?

  Posted on 02/06/2015 by Christopher Coke

• A Preview of the Tamriel Unlimited Crown Shop

  Changes are in full swing in The Elder Scrolls Online, first on the PTS, where update 1.6 has been released and players have also been given the opportunity to test out the game's upcoming cash shop, the Crown Store. The Crown Store opened up for testing with players on the PTS given Crowns to use as they please and test an array of items that will likely make their debut when the game transitions over to subscription-optional Tamriel Unlimited.

  Posted on 02/04/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Are ESO Subs Going to Plummet?

  With the announcement of The Elder Scrolls rebranding itself to The Elder Scrolls: Tamriel Unlimited and utilizing a Buy to Play model a lot of people are questioning if it is worth subscribing to the game after March 17th, myself included. Let me explain why.

  Posted on 01/28/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Tamriel Unlimited - The Surprises & Questions of B2P

  So here we are, as reported earlier, The Elder Scrolls Online will be rebranded as he Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited as of March 17th on PC, with the console versions released in June under the same format. Buying the game will allow access to the full content released before the rebranding, and “downloadable content” will be included with the now optional subscription.

  Posted on 01/21/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Understanding Champion Points

  At the end of December Zenimax announced what players are going to receive when the champion system is released, 30 champion points. If you had at least one character veteran rank 1 or higher you’d receive 30 champion points when 1.6 goes live. It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent the last 9 months playing the same veteran 14 character, or even had eight veteran rank 14 characters, you’d still receive 30 champion points. As you can see there is a major flaw in this.

  Posted on 01/14/2015 by Ryan Getchell

• Cage Match: Skyrim vs. Elder Scrolls Online

  Once upon a 2002, there was a little single-player RPG called The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, which sucked up so much of my gaming time you’d think it could have moonlighted as an MMO. Fast forward to 2006 and then 2011, and you’ve got the fourth and fifth installments of The Elder Scrolls series in Oblivion and Skyrim, both vying for my attention almost as strongly as their predecessor.

  Posted on 01/09/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Six-Month Sub Disappears & Those F2P Rumors

  Recently, some players of The Elder Scrolls Online noticed that Zenimax had quietly removed the option to subscribe for six months at a time. Given the game’s somewhat rocky start and time spent since release revamping the game, as well as the upcoming console versions, naturally, the whispers began to swirl. Was the removal of the six-month option an indicator that the game would go free to play or even become a buy to play game?

  Posted on 01/07/2015 by Christina Gonzalez

• Some Intriguing 2015 Questions

  What a difference 12 months can make. Although the MMOG category did see some notable occurrences in 2014, I don't know many people who felt it lived up to the potential it seemed to have at this time a year ago. I wouldn't call it a disaster by any means, but neither did it knock my socks off. Entering 2015, I'm quietly optimistic. That said, I have questions about the what lies ahead, involving Landmark, The Elder Scrolls Online, EverQuest Next and more.

  Posted on 01/06/2015 by Richard Aihoshi

• A Look Back at 2014

  Seriously, it’s the end of the year already? This year has flown by! It feels like it was just a couple of days ago I was helping to slay the werewolves of Camlorn and when it fact it was roughly 270 days ago. Time really flies when you’re enjoying every moment of it. Well almost every moment of it, waiting in the LFG queue is never an enjoyable experience. Within these 38 weeks since the game released, so much has changed and improved.

  Posted on 12/31/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• The Champion System Changes Everything, Leaves Questions

  The Elder Scrolls Online team has been active with reveals in recent weeks, due to how much will be changing in update 6, which itself is just the beginning for subsequent phases of changes, additions, and overhauls. So it’s not surprising that the year closes out with (finally!) details about the Champion system. While no one will get a taste of the actual update until it hits the PTS after the new year, there’s already much feedback and discussion to tide us all over until January and beyond.

  Posted on 12/24/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Should the Faction Restriction in LFG Be Lifted?

  The Elder Scrolls Online has had one major problem that has been a major focus ever since Patch 5.0, unimaginable Looking for Group (LFG) queue times. When update 5 was released, with it came scaling dungeons and daily dungeon pledges. These two new features had players wanting to do dungeons more often and of course that meant more players putting themselves into the LFG queue, only to be faced with endless queue times.

  Posted on 12/17/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• How the Justice System Will Change the Game

  The world is about to get a whole lot more dangerous for those of you tempted by swiping shinies and causing mayhem in Tamriel. Zenimax revealed much about The Elder Scrolls Online's long-awaited Justice System, giving details not just on how it will work for players who decide to take things that don't belong to them, but also how the very game world will continue to see changes.

  Posted on 12/10/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Update 6 Is Bigger Than We Thought!

  Update 6 is a big one. Not only is it going to have the Provisioning Revamp, introduction to the collector system, and even the Champion System, but one addition to Update 6 is one that hasn’t received a lot of attention. One I think is a pretty awesome change. In Update 6, as long as everything goes according to plan, we’re going to be seeing some massive combat animation changes.

  Posted on 12/03/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Provisioning Revamp: More Logical, Less Redundant

  With Thanksgiving here in the US this week, it is probably a good time to talk about food. Namely, the long-awaited Provisioning overhaul that is set to arrive in update 6 of The Elder Scrolls Online. The changes to crafting in the game continue, but Provisioning will not just intend to increase immersion in the game world, but help players with management as well.

  Posted on 11/26/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• How to Make the PTS More Enticing

  As much as this is an Elder Scrolls Online column, the topic I want to discuss branches itself across almost every MMO. It is something that no game has really figured out how to master. What I would like to discuss this week is Private Test Servers (PTS).

  Posted on 11/19/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Time to Slow It Down, ZeniMax

  Timing is everything. The last time in this space, I wrote about The Elder Scrolls Online rebounding from mistakes and negative first impressions moving forward. Since that was published, a major error happened with the latest round of patching, causing discrepancies between what was supposed to be included and what actually made it to the live server, as well as additional bugs, and, for a time, major login errors.

  Posted on 11/12/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Patch 1.5.2: The Unexpected Change

  Patch 1.5.2 went live on Monday and with it came some major improvements that we already knew about. But it also included a few changes that we did not expected. Were these unexpected changes good or bad?

  Posted on 11/05/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• How to Rebound

  A recent column on this site argued that the critical reception for Destiny wasn’t relevant since the game’s sales were high. Yet, developers want to foster a reputation for quality as well. ZeniMax, too, suffered from mixed critical feedback before ESO was released, and in the weeks after launch. Yet ZeniMax embraced the feedback of its community, and now, with a big update set for the live server, is at six months and thriving out there.

  Posted on 10/29/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Selling Convenience vs. Content

  As far as free-to-play monetization models go, there are a couple of different overarching strategies that dominate today’s market. You have games like ArcheAge, which offers convenience bonuses like elevated experience gain, increased labor points, and more. You can see titles like The Lord of the Rings Online steadily offering some convenience and cosmetic items in their cash shops but doing a great deal of business selling content through quests and expansions.

  Posted on 10/24/2014 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Crafting Writs - A Reason to Log In Every Day

  One thing that has always bugged me about The Elder Scrolls Online was the lack of a need to login to do something. As much as it bugs me to admit this, World of Warcraft did it right with dailies. Dailies give an additional reason to login every day, and give another avenue for players to feel like they are progressing. At least they had that in WoW, no so much ESO. However patch 1.5 is trying to change that.

  Posted on 10/22/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Can MMOs Really Do Monthly Updates?

  It's a simple fact that content creators can't produce content at a rate comparable to how quickly people consume it. This isn't just the case with video games: a two-hour movie took a lot longer than two hours to make, a book that takes you a week to read took a lot longer than a week to write, and so on.

  Posted on 10/15/2014 by Jason Winter

• Let’s Talk About Werewolves

  In The Elder Scrolls, werewolves are a part of the series lore, so in creating The Elder Scrolls Online, it was clear that players wanted the option to choose or to somehow encounter a little bit of lycanthropy in their journeys. Werewolves, along with vampires, offer a unique opportunity for a player to enjoy the benefits and be afflicted with the cons of this arrangement, which is not limited by race or class.

  Posted on 10/15/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The 5 MMOs with the Best Quests

  It’s no secret that most MMO quests are incredibly boring. If it weren’t for the engaging gameplay, multiplayer camaraderie, or epic scenarios that players find themselves, chances are this genre wouldn’t exist any longer. If you compare the questing found in most recent MMO releases to that of early pioneers, the types of quests are almost identical.

  Posted on 10/13/2014 by David Jagneaux

• The Champion System - An Entirely New Game Design

  Taking a game that has been in development for seven years, and within seven months of release completely changing the “end game progression” would be a hard thing to do. The amount of pride that would need to be swallowed is unfathomable. But that is something Zenimax has, and is, doing.

  Posted on 10/08/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• What’s Up With the Console Versions?

  When it comes to The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax has published frequent roadmaps for where the game will go. Yet, after delaying the console edition in May for “approximately six more months of development”, the journey of ESO on consoles is still shrouded in mystery. Here are some reasons why patience will be key to the payoff should you want to run around Tamriel on your couch, and why waiting could be the best (or worst) decision for the game’s console future.

  Posted on 10/01/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The End Game Challenge

  Challenge, it’s what we truly crave when it comes to an MMO. Especially those with a subscription fee like The Elder Scrolls Online. No one wants to throw money at a game and have everything handed to them. Okay well there are some people, but they don’t count. Filthy casuals! When I say challenge, I am referring to the bang your head on the desk difficult. What I mean is something that can’t be completed in eleven minutes.

  Posted on 09/24/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• As Month Six Approaches, an Eye on ESO

  When it comes to MMORPGs, their status as ever-changing, live worlds is part of the whole experience. With The Elder Scrolls Online just having received a new major update this week, one that will carry the game into its sixth month of release, it seemed like a good time to reflect upon where the game has come to this point, as well as a couple of wishes for the future.

  Posted on 09/17/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• ESO as an eSport?

  I believe Zenimax is testing the waters with a feature being shown only at conventions. Since E3, they’ve been demonstrating a 4v4v4 system where four players from each faction battle for ownership of a flag placed in the center of the map. This is exactly the type of small scale PvP players have been asking for, except it is lacking one key point, strategy. Whilst this is a great feature and it loads of fun, it is far from ready, at least in my eyes, and I will explain why.

  Posted on 09/10/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Is ESO Going F2P?

  If you went to any ESO related community forums prior to launch you’d see a common topic being discussed, Will ESO go Free to Play? This topic sparked some of the largest debates I’ve seen in the MMORPG community. However, after discussions comparing the pros and cons of the F2P model, the majority of the Elder Scrolls Online community did not want the F2P model. They wanted ESO to be a subscription based game.

  Posted on 08/27/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Update 4 Focuses On Group Content & Community Feedback

  If The Elder Scrolls Online’s last update was focused largely upon guilds, the recent peek at update four looks to focus squarely on groups. The preview focused on such central features as Upper Craglorn, new quests, the new Serpent trial, Sanctum Ophidia, and their various modes. Still, for those hoping for more group content, both Gamescom, where ZeniMax continued to bring out competitive 3v3 modes, and the preview of the coming update should have made for a satisfying week.

  Posted on 08/20/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Spotlight on the Latest PvP Changes

  ESO offers me something that I can’t figure out, it keeps me entertained, it keeps me busy. I’m always trying to figure out new and better builds, and before WoW changed its talent system to incredibly simplified system, it too offered me this. However, there are aspects in ESO’s PvP that have me questioning their design idea. In this week’s column I want to address some of them and provide my ideas as to what would make ESO an even better experience for players.

  Posted on 08/13/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• How ArcheAge Captures the ‘Elder Scrolls’ Spirit Better Than ESO

  In the first of what we hope to become a regular feature on the site, we're presenting you a guest column written by a reader of MMORPG.com. Kyle is a longtime reader of the site, and approached us with a unique take on why ArcheAge appeals to him while Elder Scrolls online did not...

  Posted on 08/06/2014 by Kyle Trembley

• Guilds Take Center Stage As ESO’s Future Begins Unfolding

  Two weeks ago, the Elder Scrolls Online team presented its series of plans for the future of the game. Among these were guild features, PvP changes, new features, and a series of tweaks to make playing together and teaming up easier. With the release this week of update 1.3.3, some of these changes have begun to go into effect, along with a series of other changes.

  Posted on 08/06/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Connecting Players to Virtual Worlds

  In the MMO genre I believe developers should focus on building worlds, not just games. The more developers do to create engaging settings that players grow to care about and become invested in the more enriching the experience it will be for the players. This in turn will make it more financially rewarding for the developers. Loyal customers, especially in an increasingly microtransaction dominated gaming economy, help keep games a float.

  Posted on 07/31/2014 by Robert Lashley

• Emperor Reset Please?

  When The Elder Scrolls Online was in its Pre-Launch phase, one of the aspects that Zenimax used as a major selling point was the ability to be Emperor. Once you’ve earned it you’d be among the few who have accomplished such a feat. When Zenimax designed this system, the concept of Emperor flipping probably never crossed their minds. Even if it did, the idea of all three factions letting it happen was mind boggling.

  Posted on 07/30/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• The Future Takes a Promising Path

  The Elder Scrolls Online is, like all MMORPGs, a work in progress, and a deeper look at the roadmap of that progress was given last week at QuakeCon. In a panel session titled The Future of The Elder Scrolls Online, details emerged about features announced in the weeks prior, as well as some surprises from the team.

  Posted on 07/23/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The Wrong Way to Do Free to Play

  Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade and the developers’ decision to limit free players to the deliberately weaker Ork Boyz is a troubling precedent in the freemium game space. It’s not unheard of for some games to limit your race choice based upon how much you are or aren’t paying. This is the situation in the upcoming PvP-oriented game, and it’s concerning.

  Posted on 07/21/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• 5 MMOs to Play with Non-MMO Players

  By design, MMOs are more fun to play with your friends. Most of them encourage or even require grouping for a lot of the best and most rewarding content, which necessitates either being social in the game world, or coming into the experience with a pre-determined group of friends to play with. Sometimes though, it can be hard to find people. Whatever the case may be, every MMO player wishes X friend would play in their favorite virtual worlds with them.

  Posted on 07/21/2014 by David Jagneaux

• Is ESO Worth Buying?

  In my last column I asked a rather heated question, is ESO Dying? This is a question I get asked a lot during my livestreaming sessions. Another question I get asked is going to be the focus of this column. Is The Elder Scrolls Online worth buying?

  Posted on 07/16/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Veteran Rank Changes Unifying the Game at What Cost?

  ZeniMax published a post late last week saying it planned to make a series of changes to Veteran Rank content. Those changes, which began rolling out this week, were indicative of what the studio called a desire to listen to the feedback people had been giving and gauge just where the community had been on the matter of Veteran Rank content. After listening, there were several key points.

  Posted on 07/09/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Is ESO Dying or Just Carving a Niche?

  The Elder Scrolls Online is just shy of being three months old. Three months isn’t very old for an MMO, especially since they are supposed to be played for years, but it’s long enough for players to know if they like the game or not. Which means do they continue to pay the subscription fee or cancel their account and look for the next greatest thing. In this week’s column I’m going to look at the question that has been plaguing the community for the last few weeks. Is ESO dying?

  Posted on 07/02/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Four Updates That Encourage & Raise Questions

  The Elder Scrolls Online received its latest major content update this week after several smaller fixes and updates. Additionally, June brought another “road ahead” from the team, which, combined with the latest update, look to address some of the game’s ongoing issues, yet also raise some questions (and an eyebrow or two).

  Posted on 06/25/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• TESO - The Post-E3 Rumor Mill

  With the latest iteration of the US trade event having come and gone, it was natural to expect the bump in volume of rumors that has followed. For various reasons, it doesn't seem as pronounced as it once was. Nonetheless, it's still an annual rite. This time, The Elder Scrolls Online has been front and center.

  Posted on 06/24/2014 by Richard Aihoshi

• Craglorn - Is It What We Want?

  With the release of patch 1.1.0, players have been debating if this is the type of PvE End Game they want to spend their subscription fee on. Trials, daily quests, and an entire zone dedicated to doing group content, is it what we want?

  Posted on 06/10/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Settling into Month Three

  With the two-month mark since release hitting soon, an old feeling is beginning to creep in when it comes to The Elder Scrolls Online. I'm still enjoying the game though I've had less time to play recently. While there are always players on when I log in, I can't help but notice that some players are gone. Guilds are quieter or inactive, and my friends have stopped playing the game. ut the pace here seems to have been a bit quick.

  Posted on 06/03/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Zenimax’ Update Mistake?

  We’re now in the second full month for The Elder Scrolls Online. Those that are still enjoying their time in Tamriel have stayed past the first free month and the five free days Zenimax gave out. Yet, it has been a couple of weeks since Matt Firor posted about the game’s road ahead, and some are getting restless, since the Craglorn update has no confirmed release, and much anticipated key fixes are coming in that update too.

  Posted on 05/21/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Battlegrounds - Do We Need Them?

  Battlegrounds are something that The Elder Scrolls Online community has been asking for since the game was first announced. During a recent interview Brian Wheeler (Lead PvP Designer) commented on Battlegrounds in ESO. Are battlegrounds a required feature for ESO or can it strive without them?

  Posted on 05/13/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• The Road Ahead is Paved With Questions

  Now that The Elder Scrolls Online has reached the end of what has been a somewhat rocky first 30 days of game time, the question subscribing has to be on the minds of players. Last week, Matt Firor published a message on the ESO website discussing the issues that have been happening with the game, what's to come in the first update, & the roadmap for the coming months. While these seem to address some of the issues, are they enough, and how effective will they be?

  Posted on 05/07/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• AuA and the Road Ahead

  Yesterday the Elder Scrolls Online community was provided two useful sources of information to quell their burgeoning questions and to whet their appetite for things to come. The first was Game Director Matt Firor’s the Road Ahead and the second was an Ask us Anything (AuA) hosted on Reddit by the Zenimax Online Studios team.

  Posted on 05/02/2014 by Robert Lashley

• ESO Hate

  The Elder Scrolls Online sucks, it does not live up to its hype, it’s not an Elder Scrolls game, PvE is lack luster, someone stole my chest, end game is boring, ESO needs . Yes, ESO has flaws, not a game in the world is flawless. In this week’s column I’m going to take a look at the ESO / MMO community and try and explain why they have so much hate towards such a fantastic game.

  Posted on 04/29/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• It’s Raining, But the Sky Isn’t Falling

  The sky is falling. Or it isn’t. Depending who you talk to about The Elder Scrolls Online lately, you might get one or the other of those two responses. The game’s first month has been plagued by a few limited, yet sometimes significant exploits and bugs.

  Posted on 04/23/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Review in Progress #3

  Dungeons, man... dungeons. Elder Scrolls Online has them by the cartload. I get that ESO has more than its fair share of bugs and design quirks, but I’m having a lot of fun regardless. There’s something about Zenimax’s theme park that really trips my trigger. It needs a lot of polish, sure, but what’s in game now is a lot more fun than I ever expected.

  Posted on 04/18/2014 by William Murphy

• Adventure Zones as End Game

  End Game, those two little words can spark major debates. What exactly constitute as “End Game” content? Is End Game content in a MMO raiding, clearing high tier level content, receive epic items as a reward? Or is it just added quest and story arcs that progress the overall game timeline? Perhaps it is Tri-Realm PvP content. Whatever you consider to be End Game, the Elder Scrolls Online has it.

  Posted on 04/16/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Tamriel Trading Tips

  Making cash in Elder Scrolls Online can be difficult, here are a few tips from Iron Ore baron Adam Tingle to make you rich in Tamriel.

  Posted on 04/09/2014 by Adam Tingle

• The Challenge is Welcome

  While there have been a few bumps in the road for the launch of The Elder Scrolls Online, these have been typical for MMOs. Launch has worked out mostly as anyone with MMO experience might expect, with some players experiencing issues, and some painful growing pains that began once the gates opened up to the masses. Yet this will concentrate more on some pain of a different kind - the kind inflicted upon players through gameplay.

  Posted on 04/08/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• A Successful Pre-Launch?

  MMORPG launches in the past have never had a good reputations. Players that are waiting for the servers to go live for the first time are usually met with an array of issues, ranging from not being able to connect to the game, stuck in a queue, or even persistent roll backs. If this is such a common problem among MMOs why hasn’t a developer come up with a solution to fix them?

  Posted on 04/02/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• There’s Nothing like Launch

  We’re on the verge of a couple of major launches. The first, The Elder Scrolls Online will already have had its first early access players by the time you read this. The other, WildStar, is coming in just about two months. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to discuss MMO launches, and why, despite the bumps and kinks, it is one of the best times for establishing community.

  Posted on 03/31/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The ESO Post-Launch Wishlist

  Yep. We aren’t even live yet and I’m already looking ahead to what’s next for The Elder Scrolls Online. That’s not to say that I feel the game is deficient in launch features, but half the excitement of playing a new MMO is pondering about where it will go next. I’ve got a couple of things I’d like to see, so let’s jump into it.

  Posted on 03/29/2014 by Michael Bitton

• My Endgame is Not Your Endgame

  The term “endgame” has become a contentious one, with people arguing the definition. Part of the issue is when people think that an MMO should have certain things and fit a certain definition. Others choose to focus upon what a game in particular “lacks” rather than what it has to offer. With The Elder Scrolls Online, this has also been the case. Yet ESO’s offerings for higher level players offer some fitting choices.

  Posted on 03/26/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The Longevity of PvP in ESO

  We’ve all played them, MMORPGs with leveling caps, WoW, SWTOR, DAoC, GW2, I can go on for a while listing them but you get my drift. How much play time was during the leveling experience? Very little, right? Most of your time playing was at “end game” or level cap. This week I want to take a step back from all the hype of the Elder Scrolls Online launch and talk about something that might be over looked, the longevity of PvP in ESO.

  Posted on 03/19/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• No Adventure Zones?

  April 4th is shaping up to be an epic day, if you go by early reviews that is. It looks like Captain America: The Winter Soldier could end up being one of the best Marvel movies yet.... But you probably are here for news about that other big thing coming out on April 4th.

  Posted on 03/18/2014 by Robert Lashley

• The Subscription Model - A Matter of Expectations

  Subscriptions. From where we are right now, the topic is worth revisiting. The Elder Scrolls Online is set for release in just a couple of weeks, while WildStar will be debuting in early June. Some feel that the subscription model is outmoded, with a contingent of players that agree that a free to play game attracts them more. Despite some games launching with subscriptions and then converting to a hybrid model, a couple of studios are trying again.

  Posted on 03/17/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• A Responsive Road Towards Launch

  With the Elder Scrolls Online launch less than a month away now, there’s no doubt the Zenimax team is burning the midnight oil on getting the game out the door and fully polished. Yet, with several key items of beta feedback from the testers emerging over the past few weeks, the team is still focusing on addressing these pre-launch. That responsiveness is reassuring, and it’s bringing us back to some of the greater purpose of beta testing.

  Posted on 03/11/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• ESO's Addon Conundrum

  Traditionally, at least for the MMO genre, the more information available to players via the game’s UI, the better. As a result, MMO UI designs often end up being deficient in some way, and depending on how much foresight the developers had, the UI is maligned and rigidly remains as is, or the UI is moddable and the player community releases a slew of mods to shore things up.

  Posted on 03/05/2014 by Michael Bitton

• Zenimax - A Good Guy Developer

  A lot of people gave Zenimax a hard time when they first announced The Elder Scrolls Online. Even though Zenimax Online Studios is a sister company to Bethesda, it is a grand undertaking to take such a beloved series and convert it into a MMO. In this week’s article we’re going to ask a bold question, could Zenimax be one of the best companies that has developed an MMO?

  Posted on 03/05/2014 by Ryan Getchell

• Examining the Economy in ESO

  The Elder Scrolls Online will not launch with a feature that some MMORPG players almost take for granted now - an auction house. Instead, ESO will feature a system where individuals are on their own, as well as an economy intricately tied into the game’s guild system. This way of handling the player economy has multiple implications for ESO’s features and seems intended to encourage players to actually talk to one another in some ways. Will it be a success?

  Posted on 02/26/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• ESO vs Wildstar: NDA Free Edition

  Welcome back to Player Versus Player, your bi-weekly foray into the world of MMO debate! This was a week of free speech and strong opinions. Zenimax finally saw released the NDA keeping Elder Scrolls Online fans silent and the internet has erupted is review. Our authors are free to speak their minds, we’re back for a revisit. Which game will win the day: Wildstar or Elder Scrolls Online?

  Posted on 02/21/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Will Darkness Fall on the Imperial City?

  If you tried to enter the Imperial City in Cyrodiil during any of the recent Elder Scrolls Online beta tests, you were probably disappointed to find out that it wasn’t actually possible to do so. While you get to fight a dramatic looking Daedric Titan at the entrance, defeating said Titan will only lead you to a passage blocked off by a (lethal) magical barrier. It’s clear that Zenimax Online is reserving this space for something significant, but what?

  Posted on 02/20/2014 by Michael Bitton

• Why ESO’s ‘Slower’ Pacing Leaves Me Optimistic

  MMOs have evolved in many ways, but sometimes players want to sit down and enjoy a good multi-course meal spiced with good conversation, music, a couple of drinks, and spending time with one another over a quick fast food stop. Leveling speed is a topic for debate, and it's been brought up as both a positive and a negative aspect from the press impressions for The Elder Scrolls Online.

  Posted on 02/17/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• The Best & Worst Things About ESO

  If you've turned on a computer in the last week, you've probably heard the news: Zenimax is finally pulling back the veil on Elder Scrolls Online. Beginning with the lifting of the press NDA last week and now the total opening of the floodgates, MMORPG has been on the cutting edge every step of the way. I have remained silent, a member of the weekend betas and an occasional visitor to the 24/7 internal test, still bound to NDA. That time has come.

  Posted on 02/17/2014 by Christopher Coke

• I’m OK with ESO Faction Turncoats

  There’s been a lot of controversy lately about “faction turncoats”. What’s funny to me is that this is the kind of thing players have been dying for Zenimax to allow. But now that we have it, the folks who wanted factions to remain race-locked are now speaking out about how they think this move is a.) A cash grab or b.) Somehow wronging the lore or c.) Breaking the game’s PVP. Parties are crying over a bit of spilt milk but this is all better for the game.

  Posted on 02/14/2014 by William Murphy

• ESO: It’s The Little Things

  Last week, the press was finally given an opportunity to weigh in on The Elder Scrolls Online with a torrent of previews that flooded the interwebs. The response was decidedly mixed overall, but personally, I can say I’m a fan of what I’ve played so far. Even after putting in time for my previews, I played quite a bit more of ESO over this past weekend and I found myself consistently surprised at all the little things that added up to make an experience I was already enjoying even better.

  Posted on 02/12/2014 by Michael Bitton

• How Zenimax’ Gambit Could Pay Off

  With the recent lift of some press NDA restrictions for The Elder Scrolls Online, there are some reactions (and reactions to the reactions) that seem to be of the mixed variety, focused upon a few points. The subscription cost has been torn apart, the future of The Elder Scrolls called into question, and the console release looked upon critically. Zenimax has a hand it's playing, and the results, if successful, could represent a new beginning of sorts in the genre.

  Posted on 02/12/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• WoW's Subscribers Are Up... Maybe?

  'Tis the season for 2013 fourth quarter and full year financial reporting, which means we can update ourselves as to how various publishers and their key titles fared during these periods. It's an unfortunate fact of life that game companies dislike making their numbers more transparent than necessary. That said, a little data mining can often be edifying and interesting. Last week learned about World of Warcraft, and from elsewhere, about the Russian market.

  Posted on 02/11/2014 by Richard Aihoshi

• Preorders - Testing Community Loyalty?

  When Zenimax announced preorder details for The Elder Scrolls Online last week, response was clearly mixed. The upcoming subscription-based MMO has several tiers, just like most recent releases, each with its own perks. It was some of these perks, including the ability to play as Imperial in any faction and especially the Explorer's Pack, which lets you play any race in any alliance, which drew the most ire. But what do the reactions mean in the context of the community?

  Posted on 02/03/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Why Notable Voice Acting in ESO Makes Sense

  In just a few months, players will be able to embark on a brand new, AAA subscription MMORPG with a fully-voiced central storyline adapted from a familiar IP. With the recent announcement that The Elder Scrolls Online will feature a roster of notable voice acting talent, some gamers’ sense of deja vu has been rising. The voice cast is another warning sign, some say, and has sparked a fiery debate among those awaiting the game’s release and others curious how it will perform.

  Posted on 01/29/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Why Would a Non-Elder Scrolls Fan Play ESO?

  The Elder Scrolls Online is set to be one of the “big” games of 2014, something both marvelous and frightening at the same time. ESO comes with both the boon and the burden of Skyrim behind it. Luckily, the development team seems to be taking that challenge to heart. What about those of us who dearly love both RPGs and MMOs who have never plunged headlong into Skyrim and don’t know much about the whole universe? What will compel us to want to play Elder Scrolls Online?

  Posted on 01/15/2014 by Suzie Ford

• The Importance of the Ruby Throne

  In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we weigh in on the importance of becoming Emperor in the game's Alliance War RvR component.

  Posted on 01/10/2014 by Michael Bitton

• My Take on the 'Big Three' MMOs of 2014

  Last week, we discussed why 2014 would be an awesome year for MMOs. The big three MMO releases of the year were mentioned, but took a backseat to some other interesting developments. Today, community manager Mike Bitton offers his take on the three AAA MMOs we're all watching closely.

  Posted on 01/08/2014 by Michael Bitton

• Wildstar vs Elder Scrolls Online

  Player Versus Player: the column where MMORPG writers collide and debate the issues you care about. With 2013 behind us, we cast our eyes forward to the lush, release-heavy lands of 2014. Both Wildstar and Elder Scrolls Online wait in the wings to earn your subscription dollars. But in a time when free-to-play has become the law of the land, is there room for both? Join Chris and Rob as they weigh in on which game will win the day and then let us know what you think in the comments!

  Posted on 01/08/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Looks Like a Good Year for Player Housing

  Some of my colleagues have already taken us through the year in MMOs that was in 2013 and shared a taste of what's to come and what we're anticipating. Like you, we're players who enjoy the genre and don't always agree on what's fun or what will hold our interests. What does stand out is what several of 2014's games (and games we expect to release this year) are doing on one particular front: housing.

  Posted on 01/06/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• Three Questions for 2014

  Last week, Rob Lashley gave you three words to sum up 2013. This week, he is back, this time with three questions for the forthcoming year. See what Rob wants to know before heading to the comments to tell us what you want to find out in 2014.

  Posted on 01/02/2014 by Robert Lashley

• Three Ingredients for Late Nights in ESO

  Depth is an element of MMOs that players need to feel immersed and involved in their game of choice. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at depth in Zenimax' game and much more. Read on!

  Posted on 12/31/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• The Most Wanted MMOs of 2014

  In this week’s List, we’re doing the obvious… ranking our staff’s top ten Most Wanted MMOs of 2014. The new year is just a day away, so it’s time we took stock of the ten games, expansions, and so forth we’re most looking forward to in the next twelve months. So tarry no more, read on, and dig our list of the Most Wanted MMOs for 2014.

  Posted on 12/31/2013 by William Murphy

• Strengths and Weaknesses

  We’re a few scant months away from the launch of Elder Scrolls Online, and we’re beginning to learn more and more about the game from Zenimax Online. Last week we got a good dose of detail about the game’s PVP: Alliance Warfare. We learned about taking keeps, small groups, PVP ranks, and so on and so forth. And all this information got us thinking. There are quite a few facets to ESO that could be construed as both a strength and a weakness.

  Posted on 12/29/2013 by William Murphy

• Launch Day Comes

  It's now official: Elder Scrolls Online will launch onto the world MMO scene on April 4, 2014. We have a few thoughts to share about that momentous announcement so keep reading before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 12/18/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Tell Us More, Zenimax

  Now that we're getting more of the puzzle pieces that assist in bringing the Elder Scrolls Online picture into full view, we are hungry for more. In our latest ESO column, we plead with Zenimax to tell us more on a few different topics. Read on and then tell us what you'd like to know more about.

  Posted on 12/10/2013 by William Murphy

• Diving Deep into the Progression of ESO

  Character progression in MMOs is one of the most important features and one that players expect a lot from. In a new video, Zenimax has revealed how character progression in Elder Scrolls Online will work. We've got our analysis to offer so keep reading before heading to the comments.

  Posted on 12/03/2013 by William Murphy

• How Much Does Character Creation Matter?

  Last week the Elder Scrolls Online team released a great new video showing off the massive number of ways that players can customize their characters. But is this what players -really- want to see? We offer a few thoughts to answer that question. Check it out before leaving your ideas in the comments.

  Posted on 10/29/2013 by William Murphy

• The Need for Respec

  As it stands right now, there is much that is unknown about Elder Scrolls Online, including whether or not respecialization of skills will be an option. In our latest ESO column, we take a hypothetical look at classes, skills, and abilities and some potential issues if respec is -not- included. Read on before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 10/22/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Werewolves and Vampires in ESO

  One of the features that's only been briefly discussed when it comes to Elder Scrolls Online is the fact that players will be able to become werewolves and vampires just as they have been able to in previous incarnations of Tamriel. In today's column, we explore some ways in which the Zenimax Online team can get this gameplay right... or wrong.

  Posted on 10/15/2013 by William Murphy

• Enough Elder Scrolls in the Online?

  The Elder Scrolls Online will be arriving soon, much to the excitement of fans of the iconic IP. But some worry that there won't be enough Elder Scrolls in the MMO. In today's Tingle's Touchy Subjects, we opine about that subject and await your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 10/11/2013 by Adam Tingle

• What's Next For Subscriptions?

  In our latest Free Zone column, we take a look at what may potentially lie ahead for subscriptions. Can we go back to "the way we were" as in the heady early days of MMOs? See what we think and then leave your own ideas in the comments.

  Posted on 10/08/2013 by Richard Aihoshi

• The Dos And Don'ts of Cyrodiil

  Anybody who's been around the MMO-space for very long realizes that there are lots of "do's and don't's" when it comes to PvP. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we make a few suggestions to the team about things that should, and shouldn't, be in the game. Read on before adding your own list in the comments.

  Posted on 10/08/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Are Four Classes Enough?

  Elder Scrolls Online is going to offer a lot of depth in its character customization and progression. But does that mean the game's four main classes will be enough to satisfy the ADHD gamer in us all? Read on for Bill Murphy's thoughts and let us know your own in the comments.

  Posted on 10/03/2013 by William Murphy

• Do Subscriptions Make a Difference in Community?

  Subscriptions are the hot topic lately with three big-name titles opting to go with a subscription based revenue model. In today's Social Hub, we take a look at the potential impact that subscriptions have on today's games. Read on and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 09/30/2013 by Christina Gonzalez

• Bringing In The Non-MMO Gamer

  We here at MMORPG might be what you call an MMO studio's "target audience". We're the folks who keep games going for years after launch. But we're not the only gamers out there for big IP titles like Elder Scrolls Online. In today's column, we're exploring some of the reasons why Zenimax Online Studios' game might just pull in more than the usual MMO gamers.

  Posted on 09/24/2013 by William Murphy

• Lore Novels

  Last week, Genese Davis profiled books that are about gamers and MMOs. In this week's column, she sheds the light on companion novels to some of our favorite MMOs. See what made her list and see how many you've read. Did she miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

  Posted on 09/19/2013 by Genese Davis

• Crafting Must Meet Big Expectations

  Crafting is an essential part of the MMO experience for many players and no game is under a bigger onus to "do it right" than Elder Scrolls Online. We take a look at what has been revealed so far with regard to crafting in our latest ESO column. See what we have to say before letting us know what you expect from the crafting system in the comments.

  Posted on 09/17/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Sub Standard

  The talk about subscription-based games has been ongoing for the past several weeks since several major titles announced their intentions to utilize subs. In our latest Devil's Advocate, we revisit the topic with a few additional thoughts about the revenue model. Read on and then leave your reactions in the comments.

  Posted on 09/13/2013 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• Immersion in ESO

  MMO developers want their players to be invested in the game. To that end, they try to create ways to immerse players into a living, breathing world. In today's Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at the ways ZeniMax is planning to immerse players in the game. Read on and then tell us what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 09/13/2013 by William Murphy

• The Future of Online Games

  During PAX Prime, we held our annual Future of Online Games panel. The panelists were from all over the industry, and our own Managing Editor took a few key points home from the discussion. Read on to see what those were.

  Posted on 09/05/2013 by William Murphy

• Subscription vs Free To Play

  Welcome back to another edition of Player Versus Player. This is the column where MMORPG.com writers collide and debate the topics you care about. It’s easy to get drowned out arguing on forums and sub-reddits, so we step to the podium to represent your side of the issue before turning it over to you in the comments. Ready for another spirited debate? See what our combatants think of the ever-present subscription vs free to play issue before leaving your thoughts in the commments.

  Posted on 08/28/2013 by Christopher Coke

• Yes, Virginia, It’s Pay to Play

  In the relatively few days since Zenimax announced that Elder Scrolls Online would be a subscription-based game, the talk around the 'Net has been rampant. In our latest ESO column, Garrett talks about why it's time to stop the discussion about the subscription fee and start talking about the game itself. Read on and then head to the comments!

  Posted on 08/27/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• The Rejuvenation of Subscriptions

  In today's Free Zone, we take a look at the recent spate of announcements by several game studios that upcoming titles such as WildStar and Elder Scrolls Online will feature subscription-based revenue models. Check out our thoughts on the subject before leaving your ideas in the comments.

  Posted on 08/27/2013 by Richard Aihoshi

• ESO’s Risky Business

  Now that Elder Scrolls Online's revenue model has been released, it's time to begin discussing whether or not fans think this is a good idea. In our latest Elder Scrolls ONline column, we talk about the risks that are taken with a sub model and ask you to chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 08/22/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• The Return of Subs: FFXIV, WildStar, and ESO

  We've all seen the trend towards F2P in recent years, but with WildStar and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and ESO sticking to subscriptions, is the model truly on its deathbed?

  Posted on 08/21/2013 by Michael Bitton

• Racial & Guild Skills

  Bethesda was on hand recently at QuakeCon. Among other things, the team presented a terrific new video from Elder Scrolls Online. We took a close look at the video and found out some pretty awesome information about how players will level up both racial and guild skills in the game. See what we discovered before heading to the comments to chat.

  Posted on 08/15/2013 by William Murphy

• Building Your Ideal Character

  Customizing a character when first entering a game is a lot of fun but it's not all that goes into making your ideal character. In our latest Elder Scroll Online column, we take a look at customization in the power and skill departments. See what you think before heading to the comments to tell us what you think.

  Posted on 07/30/2013 by William Murphy

• Give Me Nooks and Crannies

  One of the most compelling feature of any Elder Scrolls game is the challenge of ferreting out all the hidden nooks and crannies as well as nuggets of information and items to find. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we offer a few thoughts about why this game needs the same. Read on and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 07/16/2013 by William Murphy

• Making Mounts Matter

  In today's vast MMO worlds, mounts and their efficacy, are vital to most players. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at ways the dev team can make mounts matter and important. Read on and then leave your ideas in the comments.

  Posted on 07/09/2013 by William Murphy

• Gaming Consoles

  During E3, the MMO space was rocked by the announcement that several big MMO titles would be headed to next-gen consoles. What is the likelihood of success? We take a look at that today and hope you'll offer your thoughts in the comments after reading.

  Posted on 06/21/2013 by Adam Tingle

• Top Five Wants for E3 2013

  In The List lately, we've been taking a look at "the mosts" for 2013. In our latest edition, we take a look at five games we really want to learn more about during next week's E3 convention. See what's caught our eye and then let us know what you hope to hear more about.

  Posted on 06/07/2013 by William Murphy

• First Person Concerns

  First-person view recently made its Elder Scrolls Online debut in a new video floating around the interwebs. As excited as we are for the news, we've got a couple of concerns. Read on for our thoughts and share your own with us in the comments below.

  Posted on 06/04/2013 by Michael Bitton

• MMORPG’s Most Wanted MMOs of 2013

  The List debuts today with another terrific series of games that most MMO players are dying to get their hands on at some point this year. We give you our five top choices so see if you agree before heading to the comments to post your list!

  Posted on 05/31/2013 by William Murphy

• On Cyrodiil as World PvP

  The Elder Scrolls Online team has made some interesting decisions when it comes to the game's PvP content. In our latest ESO column, we take a look at the pros and cons of those decisions. See if you agree (or disagree) with our thinking before joining the discussion in the comments.

  Posted on 05/21/2013 by William Murphy

• On the Radar for Summer

  As the Elder Scrolls Online nears the end of development, and as convention season rolls around, there are a lot of things to look forward to in the coming months. We take a look at a few of the things that we're most keen to find out in our latest ESO column. Check it out and then tell us what you're looking forward to learning about in the comments.

  Posted on 05/07/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• F2P or P2P? Keeping Hush on the Business Model

  Zenimax Online has been a bit hush-hush on the business model for Elder Scrolls Online and we're finding this all a bit concerning. Read on and learn why in this week's Elder Scrolls Online column.

  Posted on 04/30/2013 by Michael Bitton

• The Importance of Testing

  Beta testing has become something of a sales tool in many games but it is really much more than that. In today's Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at why testing is important to games in general, and ESO specifically. Check it out and then head to the comments to continue the discussion.

  Posted on 04/24/2013 by William Murphy

• All About the Gameplay

  It seems that players increasingly like to focus on one or two aspects of an MMO and, if expectations are not met, tend to brand the game a failure. But there's more to a game than one or two things, most importantly how "playable" it is. See what we have to say about this issue in our latest Elder Scrolls Online column before heading to the comments.

  Posted on 04/16/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• An Argument for 'Faction Lock'

  The Elder Scrolls Online limits players to only certain races per faction, but is it really all that bad of an idea? We weigh in with this week's TESO column.

  Posted on 04/09/2013 by Michael Bitton

• Bad as I Want to Be

  Many MMOs these days seem to pigeonhole players into being good and pitting them against evil to save the world. But sometimes being bad is just, well, good. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at that notion. See what we have to say before unchaining your inner bad boy in the comments.

  Posted on 04/02/2013 by William Murphy

• On Armor and Weapons

  Armor and weaponry are two critical components to any MMO player's arsenal. In today's Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at how weapons and armor will be utilized in the game. See what we have to say before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 03/12/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Making AvA Thrive

  Three-faction warfare is on the rise in MMOs today including Elder Scrolls Online. In today's column, we take a look at the things that need to happen to make it the best it can be. Read on and then take it to the comments for discussion.

  Posted on 03/05/2013 by William Murphy

• Voice and Choice

  We're discussing Zenimax Online's decision to implement full voice acting and give players moral choice in The Elder Scrolls Online in this week's TESO column.

  Posted on 02/25/2013 by Michael Bitton

• The Solo Game

  There are many features that players look for in MMOs including things like the end-game and, interestingly, the solo game. In today's column devoted to The Elder Scrolls Online, we take a look at the solo game. See what we've got to say before heading to the comments.

  Posted on 02/12/2013 by Garrett Fuller

• Crafting a Community

  Crafting in The Elder Scrolls Online seems to be shaping up to be something very special and quite unique in the MMO space. In today's Elder Scrolls column, we take a look at a recent conversation with Creative Director Paul Sage and his thoughts about crafting and community. See what we gained from the discussion and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 02/05/2013 by William Murphy

• All Aboard!

  Last week's developments on The Elder Scrolls Online mark the kick-off of the official TESO hype machine and we're using this week's column to weigh in.

  Posted on 01/29/2013 by Michael Bitton

• Asymmetrical Factions

  We analyze the potential implications of The Elder Scrolls Online's racial arrangement across its three factions in this week's TESO column.

  Posted on 01/15/2013 by Michael Bitton

• Avoiding the Wall

  One of the things that gets to many players is the proverbial wall that's hit once level cap is reached and there is little else to do. In today's Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at that phenomenon and what ESO devs are doing to avoid it. Read on and then join the conversation in the comments.

  Posted on 01/08/2013 by William Murphy

• Socially Connected on a New Level

  One of the things that many game makers are coming to grips with is the inclusion of social 'connectedness' in today's MMOs. In our latest Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at how TESO devs are making sure their game has all the social connectivity that anyone could possibly want. Read on and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 01/01/2013 by William Murphy

• Why We Love Daedra

  In our latest column devoted to The Elder Scrolls Online, we take a look at the Daedra, the perennial bad guys of the Elder Scrolls universe. See what we've got to say and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 12/24/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Progression as Longevity

  In this week's Elder Scrolls Online column, we take a look at Zenimax' progression model for ESO which should serve to keep players working on their characters long after the max level. Read on for more of Bill Murphy's thoughts on the matter, and see if you agree.

  Posted on 12/10/2012 by William Murphy

• A Missed Opportunity in UGC?

  We've recently talked about what makes Elder Scrolls games what they are and what Zenimax Online needs to do with The Elder Scrolls Online to create that feeling, but what about user generated content? This peripheral (yet staple) feature of the series hasn't yet been mentioned with regards to TESO, but this week we weigh in on what could possibly be a missed opportunity to capitalize on one of the series' largest strengths.

  Posted on 11/26/2012 by Michael Bitton

• Tamriel One Thousand Years Ago

  One of the things that seems to strike a chord in fans of The Elder Scrolls Online is the way that ZeniMax is making the game feel like an Elder Scrolls game. Sounds weird, but it makes sense to those who love the series. We have something to say about that and hope you'll join the conversation in the comments.

  Posted on 11/19/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Making it Feel Like TES

  Ever since the announcement of The Elder Scrolls Online, players have been clamoring to make sure their voices are heard by developers that they want TESO to perfectly capture that "Elder Scrolls" feel. We've got a few thoughts to share about how that's happening so be sure to check it out before leaving your ideas in the comments.

  Posted on 11/16/2012 by William Murphy

• The Ebonheart Pact

  This week in our ESO weekly column, we take a look at the Ebonheart Pact and its effect on the game world. Read on and then join the conversation in the comments.

  Posted on 11/07/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• 21 Things You Should Know About ESO

  In The List this week, we expand the usual number hugely as we talk about the recently revealed new information about The Elder Scrolls Online. See what we have to say before adding your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 11/02/2012 by William Murphy

• Megaservers vs. The Elder Scrolls

  There are some clear benefits to going with a single-server solution in an Elder Scrolls MMO, but are there some potential pitfalls with Zenimax Online's particular implementation? We weigh in below!

  Posted on 10/29/2012 by Michael Bitton

• Giving It that Elder Scrolls Feel

  The Elder Scrolls Online has generated a metric ton of conversation here and around the web. One of the questions that comes up frequently is "What does ESO have to do to make it more Elder Scrolls-ish?" In today's column, we examine the factors that we think must be included. See if you agree!

  Posted on 07/09/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Five E3 2012 Expectations

  This week marks the annual E3 Expo in Los Angeles. We will have boots on the ground during the show to bring you all the latest happenings in the gaming world. In The List today, we take a look at the things we believe will make marks on people during E3. See what you think and then leave us a thought or two in the comments.

  Posted on 06/04/2012 by William Murphy

• Targeting the MMO Market

  The Elder Scrolls Online has taken the MMO community by storm with both supporters and detractors weighing in on the discussion. Devs are aimed squarely at this particular market. We take a look at why that's the goal and some of the challenges devs will face. Read on!

  Posted on 05/25/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Should Elder Scrolls Online Be F2P?

  In today's Free Zone, we take a look at the recently announced Elder Scrolls Online and wonder if, just maybe, it should become a free-to-play title. See what we think and then add your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 05/08/2012 by Richard Aihoshi