Official Discussion Thread for "Save on 30-Day ESO Plus Memberships during the April 2025 Sale"

Varana · April 18

Okay, let's summarise:

If you currently pay (you know, for emphasis that money is being exchanged) for ESO+, you get

- shafted because you pay double for the dungeons in ESO+ and the Season pack.
- no response about that when pointing it out multiple times over multiple threads. Nada. Nichevo. Silence.
- shafted for not being eligible for the discount.
- not a single thought during internal testing because this apparently came as a surprise, or
- not worth a mention in the announcement so it comes as a surprise to you.

Thanks for nothing, I guess. Turns out paying for ESO+ means ZOS hates you.

Can someone please make the monetisation team or whoever is responsible for this travesty listen to Stuga on repeat for the rest of Easter?

maxandkon · April 18

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

It seems like you may be trying to change the sub through your Steam account page. In order for the discount to apply through steam, you need to go through the ESO Store Page and select the ESO+ membership from there. It should then display the discounted sub. If you are still encountering issues, please let us know and we can take it back to the team to investigate.

This will not work for players who have already purchased a subscription at least once, as Steam will always lead them (me) to the subscription setup page. And also for Steam, since the discount is only for "1st month", everything works as it should, so players for whom this will not be their 1st month will not receive this discount under the current conditions. It needs a different method altogether, since the current one obviously shouldn't have worked, Steam itself formally explains why

So this is actually misleading advertising, maybe not intentionally, but at least in the current situation:

All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale.

sans-culottes · April 18

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Izanagi.Xiiib16_ESO wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

LadyHermione wrote: »

Same here for the PC version on the eso accounts page. I have a recurring membership.

If you are getting it through the ESO account page, the discount only applies to those without an active membership. Each storefront has their own rules for how the discount applies, so please make sure to check the article for those specific rules.

ESO Store (PC/Mac)
Only players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership can access the sale.

I always wonder why companies run promotions which alienate their existing paying base users. I'm sure it must be effective otherwise it wouldn't be run but it really loses good will.

For example lets hypothetically say my subscription auto-renewed today. I would now pay double price for the next months subscription compared to someone who had let their subscription elapse and then renewed it.

Wouldn't it be far better to give all active recurring subscriptions X number of free days too (or the difference in crowns)? Happy customers spend more.

Ideally, that would be great. The goal is never to intentionally alienate anyone. We are working in accordance to rules around subscriptions and the limitations those rules can bring.
Platforms outside of us each have their own rules on how sales on subscriptions work. So that is outside of our control.

There are also tech limitations for things like free days that would cause a bigger issue for current subscribers, so we need to be careful about how sales get rolled out. And that only gets more complicated different platform rules. Our goal is to make sure we are creating value for as many folks as we can, without causing issues for anyone who is an existing subscriber.

All that being said, this is the first time we are doing and ESO+ sale, so we will take this feedback to see if any changes can be made for future iterations.

@ZOS_Kevin, I appreciate your reply and the attempt to explain the situation, but the issue here isn’t platform limitations or technical constraints. The real problem is that this promotion openly devalues loyalty. That’s what people are responding to.

For years, ESO+ has been presented as the premier way to access content. Now, for the first time ever, long-term subscribers are being told: “You’re not eligible for the discount. Only new or lapsed customers get rewarded.” That’s a tough message to swallow.

No one is asking for the moon here. Matching the discount, crediting some Crowns, offering timed perks—any one of those would go a long way toward showing that the company values its current supporters just as much as it wants to attract returning ones.

Saying “we’ll take the feedback” without addressing the core inequity doesn’t reassure us. It just makes it seem like customer goodwill is a resource ZOS is willing to spend, not something it wants to preserve.

If this is really about making ESO+ feel valuable, then existing subscribers should be part of that conversation, not left behind.

MickyEtt · April 18

Asdara wrote: »

While it’s great to see offers like this being made available, it's honestly a bit disappointing that active subscribers are completely excluded. ZOS drops this "insane" 50% discount on ESO Plus, the first time ever, and then goes:
“Hey, here’s an awesome deal we’ve never done before! …But wait, you’re already a loyal paying subscriber? Nah, not for you. Move along.”

If you’re on Steam, cool—you get the discount even if you're subbed. But the rest? Nope. Nothing. Apparently, being a consistent supporter means you’re less deserving of a deal than someone who’s never paid a cent for ESO Plus.

It feels like loyal players who have been consistently supporting the game through ongoing memberships are being penalized, while only non-members benefit from the discount. I think many of us would appreciate if long-time supporters were shown a bit more love during these promotions—whether through loyalty discounts, extra perks, or at the very least, equal access to these kinds of sales.

Loyalty shouldn’t mean getting left out.

I completely agree. As someone who just reupped for another 3 months earlier this week, I feel completely left out. I wish they also would have told us in advance that this was going to happen so we could prepare, rather than them just "springing" this on all of us.

First, the season pass feels like it's taking away ESO Plus value, then they go and do this sale that doesn't apply for current subscribers? It really does feel like they don't care about our loyalty as much anymore.

Maythor · April 18

They know what they are doing, this isn't news to them. Every company does this, they know they have many of us on a hook which means we'll keep paying for ESO+ due to the way we play.

It does, however, inform us of their real feelings towards us players who "belong" in this #ESOfam.

Ingenon · April 18

I have bought new chapters and been an ESO+ subscriber for multiple years.

Announce that you are planning to charge me twice for dungeons this year if I buy the season pass and renew my ESO+ subscription?

Announce a discount on one month of ESO+ and then announce that current subscribers are not eligible for the discount?

I just cancelled the automatic renewal of my ESO+ subscription.

TheDutchChef · April 18

Same issue here with steam.
It shows on the "menu" for €6,50
And as soon as you get to the payment part it auto raises it up to the €12,99 costing one...
And the person for who it is can't do it through paypal or any of the other payment options as she got the funds for it on the steam....
We going to get solution for this issue? @ZOS_Kevin
Would love to see this getting fixed and probably a lot more people do

exiars10 · April 18

There is a long thread in Steam under announcement:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/306130/eventcomments/599650146629765915

This "Intro Offer" (6,49 € for a month) doesn't work.
If you have active subscription, you cancel it, and try it again, you can't as you are already subscriber.

However, it doesn't matter as in the other two cases it doesn't work either:
1) if you are not active subscriber, but you were in the past (my case) or
2) you want to subscribe for the first time.

Once you click on "6,49€ for a month, then 12,99€ / month" and "Add to Cart", you'll be redirected to Steam Subscription page, but you'll get:
The Elder Scrolls Online: Plus Membership - 12,99€ (1 Month(s) @ 12,99€/Month)

But, there is more...
I loged into ESO site, clicked on "Manage Membership", and I when I click on "Set up your recurring membership†", I get an option for:
* 30 Day Membership - Price: €12.99 every 30 days Sale Price: €6.49 for 30 days

And my account is linked with Steam, so something is broken between ZOS and Steam.

sittaraha1_ESO · April 18

I need some clarification is the 50% off the first month or 50% for each month of the reoccurring subscription?

Hamfast · April 18

As much as I would like the discount, having only been an ESO+ subscriber since 2014, is it worth the effort to try to get it?

valenwood_vegan · April 18

sittaraha1_ESO wrote: »

I need some clarification is the 50% off the first month or 50% for each month of the reoccurring subscription?

Just the first month. It's 50% off a 1 month sub, which then renews at the regular price.

[EDIT to add a picture, so ya don't have to take my word for it :P ]

Orbital78 · April 18

update from guild mate that was charged full price, it seems ZoS and Steam are not on the same page.

coop500 · April 18

As if existing ESO plus members weren't already feeling shafted haha, oh wow.

SeaGtGruff · April 18

I just pay for an annual subscription. It costs about $5 more than 9 months at the monthly fee, so it's like getting 2-and-2/3 months for free every year.

Ty89 · April 18

Dang, us Playstation players really getting some love. 👍🏻

LycanthropyManiac · April 18

All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale.

I contacted Steam support and they told me that the discount only applies to those who have never subscribed before.

@ZOS_Kevin What to do now?

ZOS_Kevin · April 18

Orbital78 wrote: »

update from guild mate that was charged full price, it seems ZoS and Steam are not on the same page.

Can you do me a favor, could you DM me a copy of your receipt showing the incorrect pricing? Or purchase history showing the transaction. We are working with Steam to try and resolve this.

FlaviusVoyage · April 18

@ZOS_Kevin

The article says that "All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale."

It is not working for me. =(

Source: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/67917 (ESO official site)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/306130/The_Elder_Scrolls_Online/ (Steam site)

"Sale Platform Conditions
If you've never had an ESO Plus membership, this is a great opportunity to try it out at a hefty discount. However, there are some conditions based on platform, so please check your platform below carefully to see if you can participate in this sale.

ESO Store (PC/Mac)
Only players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership can access the sale.

Steam (PC/Mac)
All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale.

Xbox Store
Xbox players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership can access the sale.

After the sale is over, all 30-day memberships will renew at non-sale price. Epic Games Store players can still acquire ESO Plus membership from the official ESO Store. If you have any further questions about the ESO Plus sale conditions, please feel free to contact Customer Support. "

Sarannah · April 18

Would love to have this sale available to all ESO players, so we can all buy ESO+ with a discount. Maybe stack the discount or future discounts for ESO+ the same way as is done for crown packs. Up to 40% off for buying a year of ESO+.

SpiritKitten · April 18

This is a lot of freaking out over $7

ZOS_Kevin · April 18

Hi all, just a slight update here. We are aware that some Steam users are having trouble opting in to the discount price. We have escalated this to Valve and will hopefully provide an update on Monday. Thanks for your patience as we work through this.

NeoniKa · April 18

FlaviusVoyage wrote: »

@ZOS_Kevin

The article says that "All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale."

It is not working for me. =(

Source: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/67917 (ESO official site)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/306130/The_Elder_Scrolls_Online/ (Steam site)

"Sale Platform Conditions
If you've never had an ESO Plus membership, this is a great opportunity to try it out at a hefty discount. However, there are some conditions based on platform, so please check your platform below carefully to see if you can participate in this sale.

ESO Store (PC/Mac)
Only players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership can access the sale.

Steam (PC/Mac)
All Steam players, including those with active memberships, can access the sale.

Xbox Store
Xbox players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership can access the sale.

After the sale is over, all 30-day memberships will renew at non-sale price. Epic Games Store players can still acquire ESO Plus membership from the official ESO Store. If you have any further questions about the ESO Plus sale conditions, please feel free to contact Customer Support. "

I'm a Steam player and I got the same problem. I even cancelled my subscription, but it didn't help. Clearly it's not for all Steam players but only for Steam players who do not currently have an active ESO Plus membership.

The problem is that, even if you are a Steam player, the subscription is done at the ESO account, and not at the Steam account (at least mine is). So, in fact it's the same of ESO Store. Most likely this promotion only works on Xbox Store.

LadyVonde · April 18

I haven't had my ESO+ active for a few months now and went to go purchase thru Steam, I clicked all the right places and still got charged as if I was doing full price. I just put in a ticket with screenshots to Steam CS so we will see what they say, but now that I am here reading all of this, it is probably the same thing that happened to me. It just automatically takes you to subscriptions to renew for a month and the discount wasn't on that screen for whatever reason.

This promotion certainly isn't functioning as intended it seems, at least not as someone who is going thru Steam.

This was after I clicked ok not realizing it charged full price, but you can still see it doesn't show a discount...

Orbital78 · April 19

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Orbital78 wrote: »

update from guild mate that was charged full price, it seems ZoS and Steam are not on the same page.

Can you do me a favor, could you DM me a copy of your receipt showing the incorrect pricing? Or purchase history showing the transaction. We are working with Steam to try and resolve this.

I asked the guild mate if they had a forum account or made a support ticket with ZoS. I cannot produce that info as I personally waited since I saw the $15 price tag. The whole reason I brought this up first, I didn't think I would get the correct pricing.

It does seem that there is a miscommunication with Steam/Valve though. They appear to think it was only a new/first time ESO+ deal (stated by that support reply) and was kind of what I was feeling as well.

agelonestar · April 19

Simply astonishing.

I don’t mind or object to any means by which ZoS can monetise ESO - it’s a business after all, and I’m not naive.

BUT!

There’s already uproar from ESO+ subscribers following the way ZoS has transitioned from the Chapters to Season Pass model, and the obvious negative impact on the value of the ESO+ subscription. Now, ZoS is putting ESO+ on sale…..but NOT if you’re already a loyal, fee-paying customer!

So, we’ve had no response from ZoS - nothing to give subscribers a reason to feel less ripped off. Instead, everyone else can have a discount while we wait. Yeah, I feel much better now!

As I said, simply astonishing.

Darkmage1337 · April 19

Katheriah wrote: »

As a loyal subscriber for many years I cannot actually find the right words to describe how much this pisses me off.

What marketing genius thinks it's a good idea to exclude loyal customers?

Exactly this. This situation is an absolute insult to us loyal ESO subscribers.
My monthly sub renewed 2 days before this half-off sale was announced, too.
Happy 11-Year anniversary to ESO! We will remember this disgraceful event.

jlats · April 19

Any updates for PlayStation? I am still unable to purchase it and am still getting this error message, despite not being subscribed to ESO+ since December. (Sorry for these awful photos of my tv screen but it wouldn’t let me screencap)

allochthons · April 19

I just bought the 1 month deal on Playstation (in the US). Total price: $8.15
(ETA given RoseTheSnowElf's question below: the account I bought the ESO+ on has never purchased it before, just used the free ESO+ weekends)

RoseTheSnowElf · April 19

@ZOS_Kevin

Is this accurate? From the article (emphasis mine): PlayStation Store - PlayStation players who have never had ESO Plus membership can access the sale

So only customers who've NEVER subbed?
NOT customers who don't have a current sub, or haven't subbed in the past 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, etc?

That's a strange stipulation. Even if it's a Sony one, I'm not convinced this promotion has any impact on Sony in the slightest.

I currently do not have a sub, haven't for about a year. If the never is accurate, I guess I'll stop checking the PS store. 😕

Verling · April 20

It's all very sad.
Many companies attract new customers with discounts just for them. It is ok.
But the whole point is how it was written in the promotion. When information is not accurate or correct, it is a disgrace to the company and a loss of reputation and trust.
I cancelled the subscription renewal. I'll check on April 22 when the current one ends. If there is no discount, then I will wait to buy until the next event.
I've been playing for 4 years without a subscription, no problem.