The Elder Scrolls Online will not require a monthly subscription to play from March 17, Bethesda has announced. The game will finally arrive on PS4 and Xbox One on June 9, too, the publisher confirmed – 12 months after it’s delay.
The subscription-free version will be titled The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, with existing PC owners automatically upgraded to the new version when it releases.
To support the new model, a new virtual currency is being introduced that will allow players to purchase “convenience and customization items for your characters, as well as services and content” using Crowns. 500 crowns will be gifted to the player initially with extra crowns available at an additional cost.
You can still continue to pay an optional membership if you wish, however, thanks to a new ESO Plus subscription service. ESO Plus offers members exclusive in-game bonuses, a reoccurring allotment of Crowns and access to all DLC packs for the duration of the membership.
A PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold account will also be required to play the game on console. Bethesda says that, while the PS4 version wouldn’t have previously required a PS Plus account to play, “because we are removing the requirement for a monthly game subscription, you will now need to ensure you have an active PSN account with PlayStation Plus to play ESO as long as you like.”