Xbox Game Pass continues to be a formidable player in the gaming subscription landscape, offering a diverse selection of titles that range from blockbuster hits to indie gems. Yet, the absence of some major MMORPGs has been a notable gap. Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard, the iconic World of Warcraft remains elusive on the platform. However, recent developments suggest a promising shift with another beloved MMORPG making its way to Game Pass.
Updates from the Elder Scrolls Online Team
This month, the team at ZeniMax announced significant updates for Elder Scrolls Online, marking a transformative moment for the game after 12 years. The introduction of a free, seasonal content model, alongside new experimental content types and solo dungeons, signals a bold new direction. Most notably, Elder Scrolls Online is set to join PC Game Pass in June, expanding its reach beyond console and cloud platforms.
The push to broaden accessibility is evident. Currently, the game’s Gold Road Edition is available as one of the PS Plus Essential free games until April 6th, allowing PlayStation users to add it to their library at no cost. With new seasonal updates being free, this strategy enables players to dive into Tamriel without any initial investment, ensuring they remain engaged as fresh content rolls out. Soon, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also benefit from this expanded availability.
While Elder Scrolls Online has long been part of Xbox Game Pass Essential and Premium, it has only been accessible via console and cloud. This limitation has left PC gamers without the opportunity to fully experience the title. However, on June 2nd, the game will finally be available on PC Game Pass, accompanied by Xbox Play Anywhere support. This means subscribers can seamlessly switch between PC and Xbox consoles without incurring additional costs, typically including cross-progression—a feature that enhances the gaming experience significantly.
A long-anticipated feature among the ESO community has been crossplay and cross-progression. Currently, the console and PC versions operate in separate ecosystems. ZeniMax has acknowledged this demand and is actively working towards making crossplay and cross-progression a reality. In the meantime, the introduction of Xbox Play Anywhere will allow Game Pass subscribers to enjoy cross-progression between their PC and console gameplay, marking a step forward for this enduring MMORPG.
The expansion of Elder Scrolls Online on Game Pass is generating excitement, and many hope it heralds a trend where more major MMORPGs follow suit. Enthusiasts are particularly eager for Blizzard to take notice and consider bringing World of Warcraft to Game Pass. While this remains a distant aspiration, the potential impact of ESO on player engagement could influence other MMORPG developers. Given Microsoft’s ownership of both ZeniMax and Blizzard, the possibility of such a collaboration is not as far-fetched as it may seem.
As the gaming community anticipates the arrival of Elder Scrolls Online on PC Game Pass, discussions are buzzing about the implications for the MMORPG landscape. The future looks promising, and players are keen to see how these developments unfold.
