The Elder Scrolls Online ditches subscriptions

The Elder Scrolls Online is dropping its subscription model from March.

Rebranding the game as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, Bethesda is switching business models for its MMO set in the Elder Scrolls universe meaning players will have full access to the title by simply buying the core game.

This free access will be supported by a store that will sell additional vanity items, character progression boosts and DLC packages which are planned for the future. These DLC packs will include new areas and quest lines and won’t necessarily be accessible as part of the core game.

A membership option will also be available in the form of ESO Plus if anyone really wants to keep paying a regular fee for the game. This membership will grant access to all of the aforementioned DLC packs as well as character progression boosts and various vanity items.

Any current subscribers that are already signed up beyond the March cut-off point will not be entitled to a refund but will be automatically enrolled into ESO Plus until their subscription expires.

Rumours that The Elder Scrolls Online was going to drop its subscription model started to look more credible back in December when Bethesda removed the option to sign up for a six month subscription.

Bethesda also announced that a version of The Elder Scrolls Online is also on the way for Playstation 4 and Xbox One and is due for release in June of this year.

Launching in April 2014, The Elder Scrolls Online has been considered a commercial success, generating approximately $111m in subscription model and hitting at least 1.2 million subscribers by October 2014 according to SuperData Research.