ZeniMax Online Studios has announced a significant shift in its content strategy for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). The popular MMORPG, which recently celebrated its tenth year, will transition from yearly expansion chapters to a seasonal content model starting in 2025.
According to Studio Director Matt Firor, the yearly chapters, which started with Morrowind in 2017 and concluded with Gold Road this year, will be replaced with seasons lasting three to six months. These seasons will include a mix of new stories, events, in-game store items, dungeons, and other content.
Transition Year in 2025
2025 will serve as a transition year as ZeniMax moves to the new seasonal approach. Players can expect the release of previously developed zone-based content and "some larger items." This change aims to allow the team to deliver more varied content more efficiently.
Areas of Focus for Experimentation
ZeniMax will be conducting experiments in several areas, gathering player feedback to refine their approach:
- Cyrodiil Performance: Testing a Cyrodiil campaign where all classes use PvP-specific skills.
- Overworld Combat Difficulty: Increasing the challenge of standard overworld combat.
- Combat Feel: Improving combat through animation, FX, and audio.
- New Zones like Craglorn: Creating smaller high-end group and "soft-group" content zones with associated gear chases.
- Guild Tools: Improving guild recruitment, interaction, and management tools.
Improvements for New and Returning Players
ZeniMax also aims to enhance the experience for both new and returning players, with plans including:
- A new PC patcher.
- Improved visuals for base game zones (starting March).
- Enhanced PC UI.
- New map and UI systems.
