The Elder Scrolls Online is going to try to make a comeback.
The massively multiplayer online role-playing game is getting rid of its mandatory subscription service. Starting March 17, anyone who owns or buys it (redubbed the Tamriel Unlimited version) can play without paying a monthly fee. The Tamriel Unlimited version is also coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 9.
This isn’t a surprising move, since The Elder Scrolls Online didn’t make a huge splash when it launched last April. It’s hard for a new MMO to compete with established games like World of Warcraft, which has a staggering 10 million subscribers as of November. Getting rid of the monthly fee will make The Elder Scrolls Online a more attractive option.
Of course, the game isn’t technically going free-to-play. You still have to buy a copy of Elder Scrolls Online. Other MMOs, notable Guild Wars 2, have used a similar service with success.
A premium subscription service will also still exist, called ESO Plus, which gives you in-game benefits and a monthly allotment of crowns, an in-game currency.