Summary
Rich Lambert, the creative director ofThe Elder Scrolls Online, has revealed the reason why a classic version of the game has never been released. As the game approaches its 10th anniversary,The Elder Scrolls Onlineretains an enormous community of millions of players, keeping the game extremely relevant in the MMO space.
The idea of MMOs creating classic versions, giving players the chance to revisit the games as they were years ago, is not new.Old School RuneScapelaunched back in 2013, allowing players to experience Jagex’s RPG as it was back in 2007. With frequent updates voted on by the community in the years since,Old School RuneScapestill does many things better than most modern MMOs. For plenty of long-time fans, it remains the better of the two activeRuneScapeMMOs.World of Warcraft Classicfollowed in 2019, recreating Blizzard’s MMO using a build from around September 2006. However, it seems thatThe Elder Scrolls Onlinewon’t be following suit any time soon.
Speaking toThe Gamer, Rich Lambert,The Elder Scrolls Online’s creative director, confirmed the valid reason why the game won’t be receiving a classic version like some of thebest MMOs on the market. “Nobody likedESOwhen it launched, so I don’t think going back to thatis ideal, but I understand the sentiment, being able to start over and being fresh and new,” he began, before going on to say, “It’s something we’ve definitely toyed with and talked about, but we’ve spent so much time and effort turning ESO into what it is today that I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
Why The Elder Scrolls Online Skipped a ‘Classic’ Version
It’s a simple reason, but a valid one nonetheless - people just didn’t likeThe Elder Scrolls Onlineenough at launch to feel nostalgic about it today. The game came out just a few years afterSkyrim, and many were disappointed when the game was much different to Bethesda’s single-player RPG. ZeniMax Online Studios has worked for a decade to bring the game to where it is now, with many feeling thatThe Elder Scrolls Online’s version of Tamriel is without equal. Perhaps, at some point in the future, a classic version ofThe Elder Scrolls Onlinewill exist to revisit the current version of the game, but it doesn’t sound like it’s in the plans at the moment.
Nobody liked ESO when it launched, so I don’t think going back to thatis ideal, but I understand the sentiment, being able to start over and being fresh and new.
The upcomingGold Road chapter inThe Elder Scrolls Onlinelooks like it will mark a major milestone in the game’s history. The new scribing system could revolutionize character builds going forward, providing a ton of longevity to the game as it looks to its next 10 years. In the eternally competitive landscape of MMOs, it’s impressive to see a game continuing to thrive and reinvent the wheel, while increasing player counts a decade down the line. Many gamers will already have one eye onThe Elder Scrolls 6, but this MMO still has years of life left yet.
Elder Scrolls Online
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an ever-expanding story across all of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, an award-winning online RPG. Explore a rich, living world with friends or embark upon a solo adventure. Enjoy complete control over how your character looks and plays, from the weapons you wield to the skills you learn – the choices you make will shape your destiny. Welcome to a world without limits.PLAY THE WAY YOU LIKE: Battle, craft, steal, siege, or explore, and combine different types of armor, weapons, and abilities to create your own style of play. The choice is yours to make in a persistent, ever-growing Elder Scrolls world.TELL YOUR OWN STORY: Discover the secrets of Tamriel as you set off to regain your lost soul and save the world from Oblivion. Experience any story in any part of the world, in whichever order you choose – with others or alone.A MULTIPLAYER RPG: Complete quests with friends, join fellow adventurers to explore dangerous, monster-filled dungeons, or take part in epic PvP battles with hundreds of other players.
