Why Isn’t The Elder Scrolls Online Free-to-Play Yet?

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is presently available for just $5, offering a remarkable 75% discount from its standard $20 price. This raises the question: why is this MMORPG not already free-to-play?

While $5 gives access to the base game, fully experiencing ESO requires additional investment. The Gold Road Collection, which encompasses all major DLC released thus far, costs $50. Furthermore, the ESO+ Membership, regarded as essential by many players, adds another $15 per month.

As free-to-play games increasingly dominate multiplayer gaming—particularly in the MMO genre—it is surprising that titles like ESO and others still demand an initial purchase.

Consider New World, for instance. Launched in 2021 for $40, its price has actually increased, now sitting at $60 with the upcoming release of New World: Aeternum in October 2024. The game avoids heavy monetization tactics, aside from the optional $20 Premium Reward Track available with each new season pass.

On the other hand, Black Desert Online adopts a different model. It only costs $10 to enter, yet its in-game cash shop is heavily monetized. Players often find themselves spending on cosmetics, pets, inventory upgrades, and essential features like storage maids and increased weight limits. Critics frequently label it as pay-to-win, with its “Value Pack,” which operates like a subscription, costing $15 per month.

Next is Sea of Thieves. It retails for $40, but it’s also part of Game Pass, making it seem like a “soft” free-to-play option. Many players access it via their subscription, despite the initial purchase requirement.

I understand the business rationale, but there’s a strong argument for all four of these games to transition to a fully free-to-play model. Perhaps Sea of Thieves could retain its current structure since Game Pass effectively serves as its subscription model at $12 per month. And New World operates on a buy-once and (mostly) done basis. However, for ESO and BDO, which are largely centered around microtransactions, dropping the initial fee altogether might be a wise move.