The Elder Scrolls Online reveals a new seasonal system change for 2025

by

Summary

  • ZeniMax Online is moving to a new seasonal system for ESO content updates.

  • Named seasons will bring storylines, items, and dungeons every 3-6 months.

  • The new approach aims for more varied content and frequent updates.

Eschewing the annual DLC release format for chapters, ZeniMax Online has announced a new seasonal system to deliver fresh content to The Elder Scrolls Online players. Since 2017, The Elder Scrolls Online received a new major DLC every year, along with other standalone releases and updates to dungeons, areas, and more.

Released in 2014, the game initially received mixed reviews. The studio responded with a significant update, addressing many of the concerns raised by critics and improving the game's status and sales. With The Elder Scrolls Online recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, it seems that ZeniMax felt it was time to once again change the formula of how it expands the world of Tamriel.

Things The Elder Scrolls Online does better than most other MMOs

Related

6 things The Elder Scrolls Online does better than most other MMOs

The Elder Scrolls Online reveals various aspects of its experience, setting it apart from most other MMOs on the market.

Announced in ZeniMax Online studio director Matt Firor's year-end letter to players, the new content model will see named seasons lasting either three or six months. The semi-annual releases will include a mix of new The Elder Scrolls Online content including storylines, events, items and dungeons. As Firor states, the new approach will “let [ZeniMax] focus on a wider variety of content spread throughout the year.” Updates, fixes, and new systems will also be able to roll out more dynamically as the development team is reorganized around a modular framework for release when ready. In addition, according to a post on Twitter from The Elder Scrolls Online team, the new content model will generate lasting quests, stories, and areas, unlike the temporary content models used by other seasonally updated games.

The new model will introduce The Elder Scrolls online content more frequently

Overall, the developer says it's looking to disrupt the traditional cycle and make room for experimentation, while freeing up resources to tackle a list of tweaks and improvements to performance, balance, and player guidance. Players can also expect to see new content occupying existing lands, as the new territories are rolled out in smaller chunks than in the annual model. Other items in the anticipation file are different The Elder Scrolls Online texture and art improvements, a UI update for PC players, and new improvements to the map, UI, and tutorial systems.

This pivot from ZeniMax seems like a reasonable response to the changing ways players access content and the turnover rate of new players in any MMORPG setting. As ZeniMax Online Studios prepares to produce a new IP, having a new batch of experiences available every few months can help it gain long-term retention across various player demographics for long-timers. The Elder Scrolls Online.

Leave a Comment