New ESO Launcher – Testing and Launch Plan (PC and Mac)

ZOS_Kevin · May 2023

Hi everyone!

We’ve been hard at work on a new, optimized PC/Mac launcher for The Elder Scrolls Online and are ready to begin our public testing and launch phases. In this post, we’ll tell you all about the improvements we’ve made to the new launcher and how you can help us test it. Once we’re done with the initial testing phases, the new launcher will roll out globally to all players on the PC/Mac servers.

Testing and Launch Phases
Below is a summary of the public testing and launch phases for the new ESO launcher.

Opt-in PTS Phase for PC: Starting on May 2, 2023 (end date is TBD)

During this phase, the new ESO launcher will be available for an opt-in test with the PTS server.

Opt-in PTS Phase for Mac: July 10 to July 25, 2023

During this phase, the new ESO launcher will be available for an opt-in test with the PTS server.

Opt-in country-Specific Live Servers Rollout: Timing TBD

During this phase, we will begin rolling out the new ESO launcher to select countries and regions before the full global launch. This is also an opt-in test and will be PC only.

Global launch: Timing TBD

During this phase, the current ESO launcher will be replaced with the new ESO launcher for all players on the PC/Mac servers.

PTS Phase Instructions

Our first public test is opt-in and will be only for the PTS server. To participate in the test, you will need to upgrade to the new launcher. We do need as many global participants as possible and appreciate all who are willing to join. For PC, you can share your feedback in this thread. For Mac, please use this thread.

Open the current Elder Scrolls Online launcher and click on the settings icon button (the small cog/wheel) in the top right corner.
Once in the Launcher Settings, click on the Launcher Beta tab.
Click the Upgrade button. In the pop-up window, click on Upgrade again.
The launcher will update to the new beta version. This will take a few minutes. The launcher window may close while updating but it should come back up.
When the installation is complete, it will open the new ESO launcher window. You can tell you are on the new launcher by the purple beta flag in the upper right corner.

In order to play on the live servers again after participating in the new ESO launcher PTS test, you do need to revert to the current launcher. Doing this is easy, and only something you will need to do during the PTS phase.

Open the upgraded Elder Scrolls Online launcher and click on the settings icon button (the small cog/wheel) in the top right corner.
Once in the Launcher Settings, click on the Launcher Beta tab.
Click the Downgrade button. This will immediately close the window and start the reversion process. Once complete, you will be able to play on the live servers using the launcher again.

New ESO Launcher Features & Improvements
The new ESO launcher functions nearly identically to the current version. The new launcher contains the following new features and improvements:

General

Patching and installing is faster, more efficient, and has less patching steps. The launcher will also more consistently catch invalid file issues and offer to repair them.
You can change the launcher’s text size to be larger and easier to read
New keyboard and gamepad navigation support for the launcher on PC/Mac so it’s easier to navigate it without using a mouse
New options in the Settings Menu:
Obsolete File Checker (This file checker automatically checks your Launcher installation directory for outdated or unneeded files and proposes to remove them in order to save space and prevent future errors.)
Log File Locator
Functionality added to transition to and from the new launcher (temporary for the pre-launch phases)
Error messaging presents clearer details on internal launcher issues.
Visual changes on the loading bar while patching including the following:
Display disk speed
Display network speed
All progress is displayed through a single loading bar
Resolution scaling, including 4K support
Improved news feed design, including larger font and more details included
Access to log files via the Settings Menu (for installs, patches, and errors)
A new Accessibility Settings menu
This is pictured below and can be opened with the icon.

Related Customer Support Articles

Destai · May 2023

Mic-drop level of communication. Great work!

Ek1 · May 2023

What Destai said and how does this interact with Steam users?

Torobravo · May 2023

After upgrading, it couldnt find my ESO installations and tries to download Live and PTS like a fresh installation. Then I downgraded to try and prevent a massive download. Now it's repairing. I'm fine with trying to use it again but the fact it couldnt find either live or PTS and tried to download them again is a big issue for me.

I'll update again after it repairs. Looks like it's going to take some time.

StihlReign · May 2023

The update and downgrade processes were fast and seamless. The post-upgrade, file check, was very fast. The new launcher seems to run cooler, 3 degrees (so maybe less cpu intensive).

The new launcher looks nice.

manwoodsal · May 2023

I had main and beta turned on my older launcher.. .I upgraded to the new beta launcher. It will only show the PTS version of the game. I have downgraded and make sure beta is turned off.. Upgraded again but only see it showing PTS.. Just downgraded again to make sure can get into main game.

manwoodsal · May 2023

Sorry.. Didn't notice that it was only link to PTS.

James-Wayne · May 2023

New launcher couldnt find my game installed which was a custom directory not the default ESO install one. After downgrading the launcher, it couldn't find my PTS copy and is now downloading 80 odd gig

Silly me for not backing up the install I guess.

Lauranae · May 2023

Could you explain this

Choose the scaling
launcher
windows

I did not test it as i was not understanding what i would do

Elsonso · May 2023

Torobravo wrote: »

After upgrading, it couldnt find my ESO installations and tries to download Live and PTS like a fresh installation. Then I downgraded to try and prevent a massive download. Now it's repairing. I'm fine with trying to use it again but the fact it couldnt find either live or PTS and tried to download them again is a big issue for me.

I'll update again after it repairs. Looks like it's going to take some time.

Are you sure it was actually downloading? When I fired mine up, it started a repair action, but I don't think it actually downloaded anything.

shadyjane62 · May 2023

I am too afraid to test the new launcher. I have had a lot of problems, much like everybody else lately, and don't want to spend a lot of time installing and uninstalling the launcher.

I wish I had confidence in it.

WinifredWillow · May 2023

I tried the new launcher. I was able to get on to PTS just fine. Logged out and remembered I had to "downgrade" to be able to get on to the regular servers and that's where the issues started. I was able to get the launcher from repairing the game that it couldn't locate (?). I was able to go back to the original launcher but now if I want to use the original launcher to use PTS, it prompts me redownload everything again. I might fiddle with it some more during the weekend, I typically don't have a lot of time during the work week.

sol0 · May 2023

I really love the new 4k scaling feature.. I can see the launcher again!

as for constructive criticism the only thing I don't like is that I have to recheck the box for
"check for obsolete files after next launcher startup" each time I want to use it.. this maybe by design but I would like it to run that check each time.

grade= HOMERUN!

Tommy_The_Gun · May 2023

"New keyboard and gamepad navigation support for the launcher on PC so it’s easier to navigate it without using a mouse"

My Steam Deck will love it.

Amarthiul · May 2023

I realise you're not officially supporting the Steam Deck but I was also interested in how the gamepad mode for the Beta Launcher would work, so I briefly tested it just now.

On a positive note, the launcher updates successfully (it seemed to hang mid-update but exiting and relaunching it fixed that), and it is possible to get the gamepad mode to work the same as it does on PC. However, I have to change the controller settings to "Mouse Only" and then back to the default for the launcher to let me use the D-Pad to move around and select things. An initial movement of either the D-Pad or the joystick highlights the "Install / Pause / Play" button in the bottom right hand corner of the launcher, but I then cannot 'click' it or move to another button.

On a vaguely-related note: would it be possible to have a setting somewhere to make the launcher exit when the game starts? Currently it impacts performance on the Steam Deck so people have to manually kill it. It would be a really nice Quality of Life change.

Reverb · May 2023

It’s really nice to have 4k support on the launcher. I had no problem downloading it or using it to launch PTS, and no problems changing back and logging into the live server when I was done testing.

A good experience overall.

rpa · May 2023

As far as I can tell new launcher worked as good/bad as the old one. Other than taking unexpectedly long and getting stuck when internet broke, no problems. Old launcher also can get stuck if my connection acts up.
I had the new launcher get stuck in 'Upgrading' with no UI when my 4G connection keeled over and died, which it does few times per day. Fixing the connection did not help, resetting my potato and starting launcher again did. Also it takes rather long time to finish upgrade. After it was done, launched PTS fine. Downgrade when I wanted to launch live version also took rather long. I assume up/downgrade checks game files?

Azirius · May 2023

I am also having issues with the launcher when PTS is installed. I had to downgrade to regain access to the normal game. Otherwise nice to see you haven't neglected your launcher

Reverb · May 2023

Azirius wrote: »

I am also having issues with the launcher when PTS is installed. I had to downgrade to regain access to the normal game. Otherwise nice to see you haven't neglected your launcher

That’s expected. Did you even read the instructions? It specifies in this thread that the new launcher is currently working only for PTS and that

In order to play on the live servers again after participating in the new ESO launcher PTS test, you do need to revert to the current launcher

Azirius · May 2023

Reverb wrote: »

That’s expected. Did you even read the instructions? It specifies in this thread that the new launcher is currently working only for PTS and that

Well, now I feel really stupid xD I did read the instructions, but obviously glazed over some stuff. Thanks for clearing that up for me

Reverb · May 2023

Azirius wrote: »

Reverb wrote: »

That’s expected. Did you even read the instructions? It specifies in this thread that the new launcher is currently working only for PTS and that

Well, now I feel really stupid xD I did read the instructions, but obviously glazed over some stuff. Thanks for clearing that up for me

I get it, it’s really a lot of info in the post, and very easy to miss some details.

It will be nice when this is out of the pilot stage and able to be used for the live game.

richo262 · May 2023

With the font so large a lot of information is missed.

I think the Games tab is pretty redundant since it only ESO and ESO PTS.

If the font is to get larger, but the Games tab was scrapped entirely making the News feed larger as well, that would be nice.

This would require if 'PTS' has been enabled that the 'Play' button gets cut in half, one for Install/Play ESO and one for Install/Play PTS. If the PTS is not enabled, then the standard Install/Play remains.

Unless ZOS intends on releasing a third option the games tab seems to be needlessly occupying 1/3 of the real estate on screen.

Essentially:
Scrap the Games tab and have the News tab extend to fill the space.
IF PTS is off, the Install/Play button is as it is
IF PTS is on, there are two Install/Play buttons where the present Install/Play is.
Could even have a 2nd download bar appear under the primary if PTS is on.

Then you have freed up a large portion of room to fill with news.

vsrs_au · May 2023

I love the new display scaling option, I'll have less eye strain trying to read the unscaled text in the various announcements.

I installed the new launcher, had a look at it, downgraded to the existing one, then started and played ESO with no problems, so that feature works (at least, it does for me).

Elsonso · June 2023

@ZOS_Kevin

I assume that now that Necrom is out and presumably the beta launcher thing is over, we should to revert from the beta launcher to the real one? I have it installed on a secondary PC and want to make sure that there is no other reason to keep it installed.

ZOS_Kevin · June 2023

Hey @Elsonso no change on our end yet regarding the beta launcher. You are free to revert it if you like, however, we don't have next steps as of yet. Our teams are still looking at data before we move on to the next step.

jbrianj · June 2023

I like the new Beta Launcher. The whole thing is way more responsive than it was as well the better DPI scaling. Wonder when this will be usable on the Live servers.

gel214thb14_ESO · July 2023

It looks a bit better I guess? I have no idea what is happening behind the scenes but it worked for me. I didn't have to update the PTS so I couldn't test that.

ZOS_Kevin · July 2023

Hi everyone!
We’re happy to let you know that players on Mac can now join the new ESO launcher. The Mac test is for the PTS only, and will run from July 10 to July 25. Please use this feedback thread for any Mac-specific feedback and issues during this test.
Thank you for helping us try out the new ESO launcher on Mac!

thegreatme · July 2023

No official PTS Housing / Furnishings Feedback thread?

TaSheen · July 2023

Please tell me using the new launcher will NOT be mandatory. I only use the launcher on patch days. I HATE game "front ends" whether developer provided or stuff like steam. For me, they're totally superfluous.

Canasta · August 2023

An upgrade to new launcher followed by a downgrade has broken my launcher.

Only the Install function is avaialble, no repair option, and it tried to DL the full game again.

I can run the game just fine with the eso64.exe, but as soon as they release a patch to live I will be stuck.
I have a support ticket logged, waiting for a solution at the moment.