What new zone do you think we will get next year.

Ingel_Riday · November 2

Daedric Realm.

spartaxoxo wrote: »

I suspect they're going to retry the adventure zone concept next. It would be the first since Craglorn.

I really hope not. A zone where you can't make progress unless you're in a group of four is... ugh. The idea of a beautiful zone that I only get to see in a pug, which will be warping around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to min-max daily quest rewards, sounds god awful.

Craglorn was not well received while working under that premise in 2015 and the adventure zone concept got dumped for good reason.

Anyhoots, as long as the writing is Necrom quality and not West Weald quality, I'm good with anywhere.

cyclonus11 · November 2

Hopefully western Morrowind where Blacklight is.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · November 2

I’d rather they didn’t touch anywhere on mainland Tamriel or anything else already established in lore. Stick with new or very obscure stuff like High Isle and Solstice. That way if the new stuff falls flat on its face it can be easily pushed aside and ignored without contaminating the more mainstream places, and on the off chance they pull something awesome off we can always clamor for a DLC of it in the next single player game.

Nemesis7884 · November 2

Skyrim

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Here's a reminders of stuff from last year's letter that we might get in 2026.

Increasing the difficulty of standard overworld combat

Improving the overall feel of combat with animation, FX, and potentially audio work

Experimenting with more zones like Craglorn (although not as large in area or scope), created exclusively for high-end group and soft-group content with associated gear chase

Adding and refining tools to make guild recruitment, interaction, and management easier and more logical

With the changes to our content release model, please be assured that we are not abandoning new quest content – but we will do it in different ways than we previously have. As our focus will not be on adding giant new landmasses – although we will do that from time to time – instead, we will use existing zones and areas to tell new stories.

Some of these are:
Continuing the stories in existing zones and storylines and bringing back familiar characters
New stories focused on hallmark Elder Scrolls organizations like Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, Fighters Guild, and Mages Guild
Splitting a large zone across multiple updates

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/670691/studio-director-s-letter-2025-beyond/p1

Personally, I'm expecting an adventure zone that is light on story. And then new quest content is existing zones alongside the release of the overland difficulty shaper.

That's just me personally. I think Blackmarsh would make sense for a small adventure zone but it could be anywhere really. Solstheim for Skyrim's anniversary would also make sense.

Since we just had an argonian zone with a lot of reused assets i doubt it.... could also be an adventure zone around whiterun....with giants and mamoths and maybe even dragon

Lucasl402 · November 2

reazea wrote: »

Thevampirenight wrote: »

Just wanted to get an idea what you guys think may happen next year. Hammerfell is very unlikely, and off the table (because its the obvious tes 6 location which is why they won't do hammerfell) though I added it into the poll, so there is only so many locations left. Where do you think ESO will take us next?

You're assuming we get a new zone next year. Until ZOS says otherwise I'm assuming nothing is coming down the pike. At the rate things are going I'd say we'll be lucky to get much at all in the area of new content next year.

Agreed. The future of ESO looks pretty grim right now. I'm sure they'll release something. But what is anyone's guess. But it's fair to assume it will be the same or less than what we got in 2025, and that bodes poorly for the future of ESO.

Vonnegut2506 · November 2

If things don't get markedly better in the close future, I will be visiting Someplace Elsweyr.

This_0ne · November 2

Skyrim

Tenmar Elsweyer (Torval and Corinthe), Whiteran+overland Falkreath, Whinterhold+Danstar (maybe with Shivering isles), Midle Blackmarsh or somewhere nier House Dres lands (Tear city) and argonian Thorn city. Well Falinesty wherever it is

Aliyavana · November 2

Anything but Skyrim would be my preference. Though winterhold is an exception since it would be new content in that we have not seen it in its actual prime.

rothan117 · November 2

Blackmarsh

What we will actually get is a very thin "Season" made up of recycled content consisting of a lot of timegated dailies, a few quests in old zones and loot boxes filled with vendor trash.

tinythinker · November 4

Northwold wrote: »

I know what I'd LIKE to see, which is a new, underwater kingdom, Atlantis style, revealed by some mishap.

If so... *taps the link* --> https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/237650/kissing-under-the-sea-fun-underwater-content-speculation-thread

tinythinker · November 4

While we have no idea what content will be released in 2026 and beyond, my preference for incorporating existing zones into new stories would be something like this for as long as possible:

tinythinker wrote: »

Tornaad wrote: »

My prediction is that it will be in one of the areas I circled in red. And while I am disappointed to know that I will have to wait longer to find out where, I am excited they are putting more effort into it, and even more excited to know they are breaking from the mold in the process.

This map may also show why they are moving from chapters, or at least restructuring and experimenting with content delivery - there isn't a lot of Tamriel left if the big zone format continues.

Not suggesting that is the only reason. Many other reasons have been suggested wherever people share their opinion of the game. But this one is definitely a valid one, however many other reasons there may be from hopeful and doomsday prognostications. It's inevitable that over time more new story lines will, fully or in significant part, need to be in already accessible parts of the map.

Might be nice to see some of that empty space near Stros M'Kai, Galen & Y'ffelon, and Betnikh just below Alik'r Desert, since it would be easy to blend new content those old zones in addition to the new zone. Make that peninsula and those already accessible islands the focus of a chapter level story, with the main area being the city of Hegathe:

"Hegathe (also called Old Hegathe)[1] is one of the eight major cities in the province of Hammerfell, found in the fertile grasslands on the tropical western shore landings of the Abecean Sea. Hegathe was once the capital of Hammerfell, ever since the Ra Gada landed on its shores in 1E 808 until it was moved to the north, in the Kingdom of Sentinel. It is known for its austere ramparts that harken back to antiquity, and is considered an equal to Wayrest in terms of splendor. The name originally referred to the wastelands that was later designated as Hammerfell, deriving from the Aldmeri word for "Deathland". Despite the meaning of the name, the entire peninsula that the city itself is found upon is a lush subtropical rainforest biome, reaching as far north as Abibon-Gora and as far east as Khefrem."

That, or the neighboring area on the isthmus that connects Hew's Bane to the rest of Hammerfell. That would feature the city of Gilane and the new storyline could center there but also run through Hew's Bane and possibly Stros M'kai. Gilane has some lore during the time period relevant to ESO, such as having refused a shipload of Kothringi refugees fleeing Black Marsh. But like the peninsula Hegathe sits on, its wide open for lore development during the period of the Interregnum.

I'm aware of speculation and possible leaks leading some people to think that TES 6 will be in Hammerfell, but the concept of taking any smaller area of an unexplored area of the map and blending it with existing areas can also be an opportunity to link them together and not have those other zones only be thought of or remembered for their original zone stories. Done well, such efforts can help the existing areas on the map feel more tied into the larger rhythm of cultural, trade, and societies of the regions of Tamriel they inhabit. Giving more depth and feeling of potential old zones would be amazing.

On the other hand, just a quick set of run-through quests that just happen to take place in a few old zones rather than having the events feel really seated in them would come across as low effort. Here's to getting the former rather than the latter

Destai · November 4

Hammerfell

Given the Redguard prince that's come onto the scene, I wouldn't be surprised if we had something in Hammerfell. It would be cool to explore more of their lore.

I would love to see more Daedric realms though. Like @Sarannah mentioned, Meridia's realm would be cool. So would Vaermina's and Azura's.

duagloth · November 4

Realm of crates and let downs

tomofhyrule · November 4

Another thing they could do now that they moved away from Chapters is that they no longer have the requirement that everything needs to connect.

Consider the Thieves Guild DLC: it gave us a small-size zone focusing on the TG, and a totally unrelated trial in Reaper’s March. Those didn’t need to relate, but we still got it all. Even more recently, people were already talking about how the West Weald Chapter didn’t exactly relate to Scribing, as opposed to the very Mora-themed Class dropping with the Mora Chapter.

The team could lean into the idea that not everything needs to relate, and they can totally add new content without a Chapter. Bring on the Dwemer Artificer class and a Balfiera dungeon and expanded TG and DB repeatables in Chapter zones and a trial set in Wrothgar. It doesn’t need to have interconnected stories anymore. But it does need to exist.

Continuing along the trend of “we’re not releasing anything except bugs now, but cool stuff is coming soon, we pinkie promise!” ain’t cutting it.

BardokRedSnow · November 4

Skyrim

Thevampirenight wrote: »

Radiate77 wrote: »

It has to be Skyrim, we’re due for a nostalgia trap.

Skyrim makes the most sense and not because of nostagia, because they have two big areas they can do with it.
Either that or an island with redguard content which I do think they need to do some redguard content even if its not in Hammerfell. It will be interesting to see though what they do.

Thats exactly what I said before some forum warriors got upset about it lol.

Winterhold would have a lot of potential for everyone because of the magic history behind it and we've not seen it in its full glory before.

Just anything but another *** Island, please.

BardokRedSnow · November 4

Skyrim

Also no more squeezing in three alliance related areas or politics, please. It is so old and transparent... I mean thus far the main quest for solstice not only copies high isle as an island except lamer, but even the quest starts similarly except more boring.

Three alliance leaders in high isle, three representative leaders in Solstice.

Secret bad guy summons storm and separates them, secret bad guy separates representatives during a teleportation.

Both cases you find all three, except again this was much lamer in solstice.

It's painful rn tbh. Also the dialogue gets worse and worse it feels like. The new cast talks to me and explains things sometimes like its Dora the Explorer.

ToddIngram · November 5

What evidence do we have to indicate there will even be a new zone next year?

Ingenon · November 5

ToddIngram wrote: »

What evidence do we have to indicate there will even be a new zone next year?

I think ZOS said that next year would have something to do with the Dark Brotherhood. But I do not recall any details about whether that would be in a new zone.

redlink1979 · November 5

I'd like to see Pyandonea and have the Maomer as a playable race.

James-Wayne · November 5

Daedric Realm.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a PvP related zone to go with the new abilities we now have in Vengeance...

Story content will be small and spread out so maybe DB or TG quests

laniakea_0 · November 6

Skyrim

ok, let's see...
I doubt we'll get another big island so soon. Nothing in Black Marsh since this year is pretty Argonian. not cyrodiil or Morrowind either. had those too recently. if rumors are to be believed, Hammerfell is out of the question since it seems to be the setting for TES6. My guess would be a mountainous area. we haven't really had that kind of setting with lots of verticality since Orsinium. So I'm thinking it's that area between Craglorn and The Rift bordering on northern Cyrodiil and including the area up to and surrounding the Throat of the World. possibly also deep caves that may or may not be related to Black Reach. I'd expect to see Nords, Reachmen and maybe Orcs and Imperials there.

Fata1moose · November 6

Skyrim

I'm hoping for Whiterun + Falkreath after the events of the dungeon. Whitetrun is my favorite town in Skyrim and I really like Lake Falkreath as well so that would be cozy.

They have to move away from random made up/obscure islands especially blatant asset flips like Solstice. Fill out the mainland and maybe do something like Shivering Isles. No more Solstice/High Isle please.

Erickson9610 · November 6

We've been getting new zones for the past several years consecutively, so it's hard to imagine that trend would just stop. It's also hard to imagine cramming in all the usual content for a DLC in an existing zone which already has its own content.

Instead, there are several spots still available in Tamriel (presuming we never visit another continent), and also different realms of existence. Maybe we'll get another DLC like the Clockwork City, where we start the prologue in an existing zone and then take a portal to the new zone that's not in Tamriel. That would mean future expansions don't necessarily need to create new islands or fill in the Tamriel map, while having the freedom to continue making the content that DLC zones usually have.

Northwold · November 6

tinythinker wrote: »

Northwold wrote: »

I know what I'd LIKE to see, which is a new, underwater kingdom, Atlantis style, revealed by some mishap.

If so... *taps the link* --> https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/237650/kissing-under-the-sea-fun-underwater-content-speculation-thread

Good shout! I don't think I'd want swimming as that would get tiresome fast. Just the kingdom being underwater. But with a lovely breathable atmosphere etc!!

Razmirra · November 6

Hammerfell

I want to see eastern Hammerfell or central Black Marsh because there has been no real expansion for the Redguards and only got some partial additions for the Argonians.

Tired of Skyrim, leave that for 2027 or something. I'd not mind mini-zones such as that small sliver between north and south Elsweyr also, given I'm a big Khajiit/Elsweyr region roleplayer.

Also, tired of Daedric plots, I'd like to see more political upheaval stories like Wrothgar, High Isle and the Dark Brotherhood/Gold Coast regions.

twisttop138 · November 6

BardokRedSnow wrote: »

Also no more squeezing in three alliance related areas or politics, please. It is so old and transparent... I mean thus far the main quest for solstice not only copies high isle as an island except lamer, but even the quest starts similarly except more boring.

Three alliance leaders in high isle, three representative leaders in Solstice.

Secret bad guy summons storm and separates them, secret bad guy separates representatives during a teleportation.

Both cases you find all three, except again this was much lamer in solstice.

It's painful rn tbh. Also the dialogue gets worse and worse it feels like. The new cast talks to me and explains things sometimes like its Dora the Explorer.

Dialogue options that ask them to remind us what stuff we already did is

Erickson9610 wrote: »

We've been getting new zones for the past several years consecutively, so it's hard to imagine that trend would just stop. It's also hard to imagine cramming in all the usual content for a DLC in an existing zone which already has its own content.

Instead, there are several spots still available in Tamriel (presuming we never visit another continent), and also different realms of existence. Maybe we'll get another DLC like the Clockwork City, where we start the prologue in an existing zone and then take a portal to the new zone that's not in Tamriel. That would mean future expansions don't necessarily need to create new islands or fill in the Tamriel map, while having the freedom to continue making the content that DLC zones usually have.

I mean, I want very much to agree with you but they were very clear. New stories in old zones. Revisiting old stories. 3 to maybe 6 months seasons. I'm gonna be surprised if we get any of the things we got in chapters in any abundance. I'm seeing prologue length quests, maybe a couple at the beginning of a season and a couple with a golden pursuit to wrap it up. Maybe some golden pursuit style slash fallout 76 style list of activities that give you rewards. Throw some furnishing plans, maybe a dungeon and sell a year pass to all seasons in 2026 for 50 or 60 dollars and call it a day.

I very much want to believe it'll be more. That the animation memory changes that Kevin says are for upcoming systems means they heard us and are going to make 26 a banger year for us. I want it to be good. I'm even optimistic as I smoke that copium. But after this year, I'm not too sure. I only know that to win back many in the community, it's gonna have to be one hell of an announcement.

ISO_Flow · November 6

Skyrim

We all HOPE it will be skyrim, but will they understand that is what we wanted lol

BardokRedSnow · November 6

Skyrim

I sure wish people here in this thread were in this one lmao:

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/8379549#Comment_8379549

Vindicated. Winterhold, Whiterun, either of those would be great for a DLC

reazea · November 6

James-Wayne wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a PvP related zone to go with the new abilities we now have in Vengeance...

Story content will be small and spread out so maybe DB or TG quests

There are no new abilities with vengeance. And if vengeance is mandated it will be the death of ESO PvP.

I don't anticipate much for 2026. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it's as much content as we got in 2025, but I'm expecting less.

twisttop138 · November 6

ISO_Flow wrote: »

We all HOPE it will be skyrim, but will they understand that is what we wanted lol

Who's we all, lol? There's tons of folks that are sick of Skyrim. I'm kinda over it. Though to be fair, I'll take anywhere. Here's how I see 2026 season 1. A new threat faces the dark brotherhood. Now you must gather your allies to save the brotherhood and maybe Tamriel, from certain destruction. Journey across Tamriel, to iconic and beloved locales as you assemble your team and investigate this grave threat. Will you be able to stop it in time? Something like that right, but really it's: Meet at the gold coast sanctuary. Pick up quest. Go search out a lead for the enemy and bump into an old ally while there. Who didn't they use? Abnar Tharn? Maybe Raz? For sure Elam. Some old delves and public dungeons will have some new spaces behind doors added. Maybe a new location in a couple old maps. 1 for each alliance. Then we find out the threat was within the whole time and the real prize is the friends we made along the way. Season 1 over. Slap on a golden pursuit where we do activities and get rewards. Maybe longer then normal. Not anything like a fallout 76 season. No no no, they'll say.
Or maybe we get dawnstar and winter hold and we all get blown away. Who knows.