The Elder Scrolls Online not free-to-play, uses monthly subscription

After a long wait, Bethesda finally revealed the business model the studio is using for the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls Online. While there was some hoping for a free-to-play model (we honestly didn't believe it would happen), it was the classic monthly subscription model that won. The reveal was made by ZeniMax Online General Manager Matt Firor in an interview with Gamestar.

“The Elder Scrolls games are all about allowing the player to go where they want, be who they want, and do what they want,” Matt Firor said. “We feel that putting pay gates between the player and content at any point in game ruins that feeling of freedom, and just having one small monthly fee for 100% access to the game fits the IP and the game much better than a system where you have to pay for features and access as you play.”

ESO will include in the box 30 days of full access, after which you'll have to pay for a monthly subscription that will set you back $14.99/€12.99/£8.99.