Summary
- The Elder Scrolls Online is looking into making the game crossplay compatible in the future.
- Backend technology changes need to be made for crossplay to become a reality.
- There is currently no timetable for The Elder Scrolls Online crossplay.
The Elder Scrolls Online may get crossplay after over a decade of service, according to game director Rich Lambert and Zenimax studio director Matt Firor. Although some work on the underlying technology for The Elder Scrolls Online to support crossplay still needs to be done, Zenimax stated that Microsoft's current multiplatform approach could make it easier for the feature to become a reality.
Originally launched in 2014 on PC before arriving on PS4 and Xbox One a year later, The Elder Scrolls Online took players to an era set approximately 1,000 years before the events of Skyrim. After a rough first year of service, The Elder Scrolls Online transitioned to its current buy-to-play model with an optional ESO Plus subscription and various microtransactions for cosmetics. Since then, The Elder Scrolls Online has released annual expansion packs called Chapters that add new places for players to explore, including Gold Road in June 2024.
Elder Scrolls Protagonist Tier List
Many heroes have risen in the tumultuous history of The Elder Scrolls, but some protagonists are inherently more powerful than others.
Weeks after The Elder Scrolls Online revealed its 2025 plans, the development team gave an update on a long-standing player request. Zenimax stated on the fourth and final episode of The Elder Scrolls Online Podcast that the development team is looking into ways that the long-running MMORPG could support crossplay after over a decade of service. Lambert and Firor stated that Zenimax is working on changing some of the underlying technology that would make crossplay between each current game version possible and confirmed that crossplay is something that the developers have wanted to do for some time. Firor added that Microsoft's current approach to making its games playable on as many platforms as possible makes some of the work easier to manage, but stated that it will take a lot of development to make crossplay a reality.
The Elder Scrolls Online Wants to Add Crossplay to All Platforms
No timetable was given by Zenimax for when The Elder Scrolls Online would support crossplay, so fans must temper their expectations. Although The Elder Scrolls Online is available on multiple platforms, each version uses dedicated mega-servers that are divided by platform and continent. Examples include PC North America, PlayStation Europe, and so on. While ESO has managed to maintain a dedicated audience on PCs and consoles, other MMORPGs like Final Fantasy 14 have utilized crossplay as a main selling point to bring players together.
Despite these plans, Zenimax continues to make changes to the game's systems, with Scribing becoming part of the base version of ESO starting in July. With any luck, Zenimax can bring its crossplay efforts to fruition.
The Elder Scrolls Online
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 39%
- Released
- April 4, 2014
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- ZeniMax Online Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- proprietary engine, heroengine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an ever-expanding story across all of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, an award-winning fantasy RPG. Explore a rich, living world with friends or embark upon a solo adventure. Ultimate freedom—Create your ultimate RPG character, play solo or adventure with friends, and determine your fate in an ever-expanding world. With no level restrictions, go anywhere at any time in a truly open world.
Choose your adventure—Begin your adventure where you like: emerge from Coldharbour in the Base Game, battle Dragons in the Elsweyr Chapter, or get ready to face the Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, in Blackwood. All content is accessible for new players, and you can switch adventures whenever you like.
- Number of Players
- 1-4 (Co-Op)
- Genre(s)
- MMORPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- How Long To Beat
- 160+ Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
