Imperial Edition...

cofdimmu_ESO

I purchased the Imperial Edition back in May of 2014 through the Elder Scrolls website. A friend of mine purchased it through Green Man Gaming a month later. My friend received codes with her purchase that gave her the ability to play any race in any alliance. I'm curious as to why, when she purchased the game through a different company, did she receive these codes and I did not? On a side note, the code she received was for the Explorer's Pack.

Seravi

I purchased the Imperial Edition last year when the game was released. I also received the Explorer's Pack as well. The Explorer's Pack is the one that allows you to play any race in any alliance.

From the support page:

What comes with the Digital Imperial Edition?

This edition provides the full game along with this exclusive collection of digital rewards:

Play as an Imperial: Become an Imperial and play in any Alliance. Gain unique bonuses, crafting styles, gear, and more.
White Imperial Horse: Summon this Imperial mount and journey through Tamriel with speed.
Mudcrab Vanity Pet: Explore Tamriel with a mudcrab pet by your side.
Rings of Mara: Complete the Ritual of Mara with a friend and receive an experience bonus when you play together.


What was the Explorer’s Pack?

When players pre-purchased the game through The Elder Scrolls Online PC/Mac Store or pre-ordered at any participating retailer, they were then eligible to receive the Explorer's Pack, a digital bundle that included:

The ability for the player's characters to join any alliance, no matter which race you choose
The Scuttler, a tiny but loyal vanity pet
Bonus treasure maps that will lead the player to loot

It is no longer possible to obtain the Explorer's Pack for PC/Mac as a pre-order or pre-purchase bonus. It will, however, be available to players who pre-order a console edition (PS4 or Xbox One) of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.

KhajitFurTrader

As far as I remember it, the perk to play any race in any alliance was only ever part of the Explorers Pack, not the Imperial Edition (which gave the Imperial race in any alliance, Imperial crafting style, and a horse). The original Explorers Pack came with pre-ordering, and can now be bought in the Crown Store.

As to why and how re-sellers bundled their codes, maybe they just threw in everything that was available to them at the time?

Seravi

You can purchase the Adventurer Pack in the Crown Store if you want to play any race in any alliance.

cofdimmu_ESO

Yes, I know all of that. My question is, why did my friend receive the code for the Explorer's Pack when purchasing through a different company and I did not, when I purchased directly from the ESO store? Did they not offer the code or was I just not sent one?

Dagoth_Rac

cofdimmu_ESO wrote: »

Yes, I know all of that. My question is, why did my friend receive the code for the Explorer's Pack when purchasing through a different company and I did not, when I purchased directly from the ESO store? Did they not offer the code or was I just not sent one?

You were not supposed to receive the Explorer's Pack if you ordered after the game released. You ordered in May 2014, which was after release, so you correctly received no Explorer's Pack code. Your friend also should not have received Explorer's Pack. If he did, it is likely because Green Man Gaming did not understand that it was a pre-order perk and sent the Explorer's Pack code along when they were not supposed to.

ZOS_GaryA

Hey @cofdimmu_ESO,

The Explorer's Pack was included as a bonus for anyone who pre-ordered a copy of ESO prior to April 4th, 2014. After this date, the bonus was removed from digital copies of the game on our site as these purchases were no longer pre-orders. Unfortunately, we're unable to speak to the offerings of third-party retailers.

As @Seravi pointed out, the ability to play Any Race/Any Alliance is now available as a part of the Adventurer Pack in the Crown Store.

Glierhuin

cofdimmu_ESO wrote: »

Yes, I know all of that. My question is, why did my friend receive the code for the Explorer's Pack when purchasing through a different company and I did not, when I purchased directly from the ESO store? Did they not offer the code or was I just not sent one?

It was a preorder bonus. If you buy it now you don't get it. If you buy an old retail box or buy from a retailer who still got the old boxes / keys with the preoder bonus, you will get the explorer's pack