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Official Feedback Thread For 2026 ESO Reveal

  • ZOS_Kevin
    ZOS_Kevin
    Community Manager
    React wrote: »
    Perhaps I missed this, but I don't think I heard the term "medium sized PVP zone" uttered a single time by anyone on the broadcast. If I did miss it then that is my mistake, but as I'm taking this survey I've noticed that the "medium size PVP zone" is mentioned as a talking point from the broadcast multiple times.

    @ZOS_Kevin Any insight to share here?

    That probably was not supposed to be in the survey. The mode is still being scoped out. So that is why it was not in the stream. But it is being worked on.
    Community Manager for ZeniMax Online Studio and Elder Scrolls OnlineDev Tracker | Service Alerts | ESO Twitter
    Staff Post
  • Catagami
    Catagami
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    The battlepass reveal honestly killed any hype or motivation I had left for the game.
    I'm gonna take a break and see how it turns out, maybe check out some new content after a few months, but for now I just want to go play something else.
  • L_Nici
    L_Nici
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    I am very unhappy with how ESO Plus gets treated here. Sure nothing got taken away from it officially, but if all old DLCs get added to the Basegame over time, all ESO Plus has left is the crafting bag. It would have been way better if ESO Plus would just have covered the Premium Pass (the middle one not Premium+) in its entirety, just being able to get 1 Season Pass for 12 months of ESO Plus is not fair treatment at all.
    PC|EU
  • KalevaLaine
    KalevaLaine
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    Noticed nothing about the new trial as it was written in the thumbnail. And nee dmore info about the system with ESO+ and the other stuff in combination.

    But the things sound nice to me. ;)
    Edited by KalevaLaine on January 7, 2026 9:11PM
    💜 シカバネ // PC EU (3600CP)

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    From-Deepest-Ashes - Warden Heal // Rad Red Rubbish - Templar PVP Heal
    Taarie Finwe - Arcanist Heal & DD // Elenwen Finwe - Sorcerer Heal & DD
    Jora Strong-Heart - Dragonknight Tank // Gharol gra-Shargakh - Templar DD
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    My YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShikabaneGaming
  • Tariq9898
    Tariq9898
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    @ZOS_NickG You’re the best, thank you!
  • method__01
    method__01
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    soooo no new zone ,nothing to explore and my sub is only for craft bag?
    and i have to pay a pass for a dungeon? for earn cosmetics?

    maybe i watched other game stream?


    edit : my sorcs will sub sub sub par class till end of year? till you decide to take action?
    Edited by method__01 on January 7, 2026 9:12PM
    PC EU/NA /// PS4 EU/NA

    Vasanha
    This one hears nothing. Sees nothing. This one only sweeps.
    desperately need a survey assistant
  • alternatelder
    alternatelder
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    You're making it mostly free, but made the season pass $120 if you're someone who prordered chapters at the higher tier. On top of (maybe) buying ESO+ for a discount on one season. This game is now even more of a full time job, events and endeavors and other stuff need to be trimmed down. Can't imagine how a new player will feel being bombarded with daily chores left and right if they are affected by fomo.
  • johnjetau
    johnjetau
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    So is this new Tamriel Tones system a one off payment to cover the full year or is it a payment each season - thus 4 times a year.

    I ask because it says that the $29.99 version is in USD. As someone living in Australia that converted to AUD at the current exchange rate is approx $45.00 AUD.

    And if we pay for each season - 4 Seasons - than that is going to be almost $180.00 p/year.

  • spartaxoxo
    spartaxoxo
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    Really not liking how ESO+ doesn't cover the battlepass premium thing. A year of ESO+ building up to ''purchase'' one of them doesn't make it better.

    A year is kind of absurd ngl. And I'm currently on a year sub. Especially as a PlayStation Plus player.
    Edited by spartaxoxo on January 7, 2026 9:10PM
  • AzuraFan
    AzuraFan
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    This reveal was make or break for me. If I didn't like what was coming, I was going to finish up a few achievements and exit. But...

    It was much better than what I expected to hear. I had downgraded my ESO+ from annual to 3 mos when it renewed, in case it was going to be the exit scenario. I'm going to reverse that later so I'll be back to annual when my current sub expires. Don't get me wrong, the proof will be in the pudding. But there is such a change in attitude that I'm willing to invest in another year of ESO+ and give this new leadership a chance.

    I especially like that seasons won't be cookie-cutter.

    As far as the class changes go, my main concern is the warden class, so I'm glad to see that the class will be done this year in season 1. I was hoping I wouldn't have to wait a year or longer to see the changes.

    Solo dungeons? Take my money. Maybe "play as you want" really is being taken seriously as a guiding principle now.

    I like that endeavors are going away. On some days, after doing the endeavors I didn't have time to do much else. And logging in and doing three tasks every day felt stale, and that's when boredom starts to set in.

    Anyway, a positive reveal for me.
  • WolfStar07
    WolfStar07
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    The premium tome and bonuses come with subscribing to eso+ for 12 months. My year sub just renewed at Christmas. Since you guys don't do refunds, even if I were to cancel at any point this year, I've already paid for that year. Do I get the premium tome and bonuses right off the bat, or do I need to wait another year?
  • Tra_Lalan
    Tra_Lalan
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    Nick for president. Great stream, thank you. :)

    When you have players trust, they are more willing to give you their money.

  • Eternity_Was
    Eternity_Was
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    Please implement a voting system in-game to gauge feedback prior to major changes, so that even the most reclusive players can have input on our community as a whole
  • metheglyn
    metheglyn
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    johnjetau wrote: »
    So is this new Tamriel Tones system a one off payment to cover the full year or is it a payment each season - thus 4 times a year.

    I ask because it says that the $29.99 version is in USD. As someone living in Australia that converted to AUD at the current exchange rate is approx $45.00 AUD.

    And if we pay for each season - 4 Seasons - than that is going to be almost $180.00 p/year.

    You don't have to pay for the tiers if you don't want to; you can just participate in the free one. But I believe each tome/season will cost separately.
    Edited by metheglyn on January 7, 2026 9:11PM
  • Tandor
    Tandor
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    On the whole, I'm very positive about all of this.

    However, whenever new flashy and glitzy animations are introduced they need to be optional. They're great for some players, and game-breaking for others.

    I'm delighted for console users that all updates and patches from now on are going to be launched simultaneously across all platforms and servers. That seems to be just one of the good things to come from the new leadership team, being part of the decision no longer to do things a certain way just because that's how it's always been, but rather to listen to player feedback on how those things should be done.
  • esotoon
    esotoon
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    You lost me at Battlepass. COD: ESO is not what the players want. It is what Microsoft shareholders want.
  • Destai
    Destai
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    I am overall more excited than I thought I would be. Honestly, I had prepared myself for more of what we've seen in previous years. Right now, the game's uninstalled but I'll likely reinstall it now that I feel like there's direction. It's funny how far communication can go.

    I took the survey, feeling reservedly positive about the game. I just hope the follow through is there.

    One thing I forgot to add to the survey - please let me purchase horse upgrades all at once. Yes, the change you're making is nice and is appreciated, but let this one go.
  • Tandor
    Tandor
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    esotoon wrote: »
    You lost me at Battlepass. COD: ESO is not what the players want. It is what Microsoft shareholders want.

    Just as well the free option is there then, it seemed pretty extensive.
  • Pevey
    Pevey
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    This was by far the best, most-humble, most-transparent, and most-exciting stream that I have ever watched in my 12 years of actively playing ESO. A big thank you to the devs for all of your time, effort, and energy in creating this showcase and improving communication to the community.

    I agree. I'm a bit disappointed that there is no lure of a grand new zone like in the past. But, even so, I liked the stream. The direct communication is a breath of fresh air.
  • Fischblut
    Fischblut
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    ✭✭
    Please, help me understand the purchasing options. Is it $30$ per year for seasons, or $30 x 3 per year? I select the extra version because the Wolf mount with day/night appearance is attractive to me, and other seasons might have something nice as this bonus as well :D
    And if I buy 12 months subscription, I can only select 1 season for free (and only after 12 months have passed, or immediately?)

    Also, I've renewed a yearly plan just few days ago, and I'm not sure if this means that I'm no longer eligible for my free season because my subscription time is already ticking?

    So far this money question makes me more scared than excited :'(

    Outfit slots per account will actually make me buy them when they are at 40%-50% sale (or maybe we can earn them also) :)
    Also, I am moderately excited for Gold Coast Bazaar. It gives me feeling of Black Lion Trading Post in GW2 :blush: If it is what I hope it is, I will be very very very happy... :smiley: Official and easy currency exchange please!

    I hope the class reworks won't include nerfs, and werewolf models will have different color options.
    And if overland difficulty increase will only be option and won't affect players by default, it's ok. I like my overland and quests easy <3
  • AnonomissX
    AnonomissX
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    For Cyrodiil, "continuing with Vengeance" was mentioned very quickly, in passing, near the end of the stream. Does that mean you will at least continue to offer the Grey Host campaign along side of Vengeance? There are those of us who HAAAATE Vengeance and resent being forced into that play style while being denied our usual campaign preference. I play on Xbox NA server and my guildmaster in my PvP guild feels like quitting if Vengeance is the only option when you implement it Please elaborate.
    Ebonheart Pact, Nord Templar/healer on NA Xbox server. My main toon WAS a tall and foxy redhead - now she has been gamma-irradiated and has green skin and black hair. 3 other characters I only use for writs. Can't be bothered to create multiple toons - EXCEPT now my WW is getting spooled up for Cyrodiil - Blood For The Pact! IRL cranky sometimes redhead chick at large in Las Vegas, NV
  • twisttop138
    twisttop138
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    tophatsaur wrote: »
    Getting back into ESO after a few years away. I watched the livestream, and was left a little confused. I mostly play ESO for the story and zones; are no new ones being added for 2026? Or, is there going to be a separate announcement for what to expect story/content-wise, and this one was for a general overview? I haven't played since Blackwood and so am accustomed to the big announcements with the cinematics and flair. Has ESO moved away from this?

    No you understand perfectly. No new zones. Barely any actual content. A year of really cool qol stuff but not much more. No dungeons either.
  • Ingel_Riday
    Ingel_Riday
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    Honestly, I wasn't too enthused about the presentation.

    I get that you want to try new things, re-invigorate the game, and experiment. Game design is art, and artists need the chance to spread their wings and do new things. It sounds like you're aiming to do that, and I respect it.

    That having been said, I feel like a customer who enjoyed your still-life paintings of apples and tangerines. It's great that you want to paint geckos and iguanas, now... but that's not really why I'm here. Or, for a better analogy... I get that you're tired of making pizzas and pizza sales are declining year over year, but I don't really want peanut-butter sushi and kale, dude. I'm a pizza guy. I wanted more pizza.

    No new full-zone (that we're aware of). No new 25 to 30 hours of questing and exploring content. Instead, we're getting a couple hours of new quest content tied to the Thieves Guild, some Sheogorath content (which could be anything at this point), some experimental class changes and features, and battle passes (which we can pay premium prices to permanently unlock and earn at our own pace).

    That last one FLOORED ME. Battle passes... in a game that already has a SUBSCRIPTION FEE fee and GAMBLING CRATES. Oh, and let's not mice words. They are gambling crates. The Crown Crates even have Pacrooti as a mascot, for God's sake. Battle passes. Battle passes. Gadzooks.

    I don't mind battle passes in Marvel Rivals, because its' a free-to-play fps. It's not locking core quality-of-life features behind a Marvel Rivals Plus subscription. It's not throwing gambling crates in my face and saying "you want that costume? If you spend $100, you might just get it... or enough gem fragments to barely afford it. Oh no, you already had that item. You get gems instead." It's not nearly as covetous as this game, which is weird to say about a free-to-play game from Communist China.

    This is not Marvel Rivals. I deeply mind them here. But hey, when a new zone comes out once in a blue moon...we'll that get as a free base-game update, purportedly, when it happens, which could be whenever because seasons aren't beholden to dedicated new zone release schedules. So it all nets out, eh?

    I somehow doubt it.

    I just wanted more pizza. Zones to explore with better writing and less agenda. A rework that added combat challenge other than "watch out for that one hit kill attack" or "better get a tank friend because the Silorn minotaur kills non-tanks in one hit." Not experiements and battle passes. More pizza. More comfort food. Not checklists that I have to pay for the right to do at my own pace, with new checklists every three months ad-infinitum.

    Oh well. I do wish you the best with this, but I'm not particularly stoked at present.

    Edit addition: as an addendum, it's really hard to get excited about quality of life features when battle passes are looming ahead in an already heavily-monetized game. If anything ultimately makes me quit this game, it'll be the excessive FOMO and monetization. $139.99 for 12 months of ESO, which gets me one premium battle-pass. Gotta buy the other 3, for $29.99 each (or so the rumors go. Battle passes in Marvel Rivals are $19.99, fyi). Awesome. $230 down the drain... for no new zones. But don't forget the gamble crates. If you want coveted items from those, that'll be about $99.99 every three months to beat the RNG odds. So We're looking at $630 now... for no new zones. But now the back-bar gains experience too and mount training goes faster. Maybe if we're real lucky, we'll finally be able to hide floating hip-plates on our character models (been dreaming about that for 8 years).

    Bleh. I love you kids, but want an awful value proposition. "Well Ingel, you used to spend $49.99 for the Chapter Deluxe Edition, $39.99 for the Mini-Chapter Deluxe Edition, and $59.99 or so on the four new dungeons (deluxe editions with bonus cosmetics). The battle passes are cheaper than that!"

    Yes, but those things were NEW ZONES AND QUESTS. I got stuff for that money that wasn't checklists and busy-work. I wasn't paying for lists of chores to do to earn cosmetics and crown potions. I was paying to wander High Isle or Elsweyr. It was meaningful content and not "things to do" to keep me busy and engagement numbers up. I'm so nonplussed, haha. I'm sorry.
    Edited by Ingel_Riday on January 7, 2026 9:36PM
  • Seminolegirl1992
    Seminolegirl1992
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    ZOS_Kevin wrote: »
    Hi Everyone! Thanks for tuning in to the 2026 ESO Reveal Stream. If you missed the live show, the VOD is available to be viewed here.

    With the reveal stream finished, we now want to hear from you! Let us know what you think about what's in store for ESO in 2026. The things you like, dislike, or have general questions about. This is your thread to communicate your initial thoughts about the new Seasons Model, New Systems (like Tamriel Tomes and Gold Coast Bazaar), Quality of Life changes, etc. with the forum community and ESO Dev team. We will use commentary posted here as a reference point for communication between now and Season Zero/ Update 49 release.

    We also have a longer survey for those interested in giving us feedback on how you feel about the stream generally and the content plan for 2026. You can fill that survey out here.

    Your constructive feedback* and questions will let us know what information we can better clarify leading up to launch and beyond. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the 2026 content! Also feel free to participate in the poll as well!

    *Friendly reminder to keep the Community Rules in mind when replying. Thank you!
    PC Players, remember you will be able to check out Update 49 on PTS this coming Monday! We look forward to hearing your feedback there as well.

    a trending positive poll- a first in a while! very excited about the reveal Kevin- major props to you and Nick and Susan for hearing players out.
    @Seminolegirl1992 PC/NA CP 2600+ PVE, PVP, RP, Housing: Tel Galen, Fair Winds, Moon Sugar, Grand Psijic, Forsaken, HOTLC, Bastion, Ravenhurst, Gardner, Alinor, Hakkvild's, Gorinir, Kragenhome, Hundings, & more- feel free to come see!
    Misery's Master | Unstoppable | Mindmender | Swashbuckler Supreme | Planesbreaker | Dawnbringer | Godslayer | Gryphon Heart | Immortal Redeemer | Tick Tock Tormentor | Dro-m'athra Destroyer | Former Empress
  • Lugaldu
    Lugaldu
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    I would have liked to learn something about the story content, but aside from mentioning Thieves Guild and Uncle Sheo as keywords, there was nothing – I play ESO for the stories, not for rewards. And there was no mention of a new zone either. Because a new zone always means new furnishings – I don't need a higher limit of housing slots in my houses if there aren't any new furniture or structural furnishings to inspire me to build new houses/decorate something new and excting.
  • zenonuk
    zenonuk
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    So... small issue on the survey... this question:

    "This stream felt less formal and more authentic than in past ESO announcement streams. "

    For me I appreciated the more sombre/professional attitude, it had a lot less spin/hype/pr/marketing. To that end, I felt the stream was MORE formal and MORE authentic.... and that was a good thing imo.

    Given my feeling about ESO after 2025 you have a lot to prove, but this was a very good first step. Now let's see how the delivery/implementation lives up to the expectations you've set. Good luck!

    [EDIT: PS: It was good to see you rolling back the guild trader to 30-day sales... I hope this sets a trend for you admitting when things don't work and rolling back on mistakes. Overall there's a lot of be hopeful about.]
    Edited by zenonuk on January 7, 2026 9:18PM
  • Faltasë
    Faltasë
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    Not sure how people can be excited about the battle pass system.

    I guess the main takeaway is at least we can get more endeavors per year, which is good, assuming that you don't retroactively change the costs for things that cost seals.

    XBOX 2015-2019
    PC-NA 2019-2022, 2025-present

    ESO still needs a better combat dev team. They're bad at their jobs.

    Auri-El is the one true God.
  • adamsmith42
    adamsmith42
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    Feels like priorities are out of place... 90% of what i heard in the livestream was talk about visuals... the catchphrases 'class balance' and 'rework' got dropped a lot, but there were zero details beyond that...

    I'm quite active in endgame raiding, currently raid lead 5 different cores; one thing that's gotten really bad in the last year is roster prog; constantly looking for fills and permanent members for teams; a year ago i could put out a ping and not have to worry about it, these days i have to actively DM a bunch of people trying to find someone to cover a spot - the game has been hemorrhaging players since subclassing was announced/released.

    And you know how many of those people left the game because they didn't like the animation for engulfing flames or stampede?

    ZERO

    The number of people who left because of frustration with the lag/rubberbanding/disconnects, or their class getting nerfed into obscurity, or just plain wanting to play anything besides a beam build and have it be viable (by viable i mean not be a handicap to the group compared to if they were in a beam build) in end game content (hardmode/trifectas for the newer trials)?

    I honestly don't know; i've lost count

    (but on a side note, i can think of a few who left back in u35, and the nail in the coffin there was the change to the jabs animation for plar... just a reminder that a new animation isn't always better)
  • DragonRacer
    DragonRacer
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    Quick initial thoughts:

    1. I hope someone posts a Cliff Notes of all the changes coming, because that was A LOT and my brain is going brrrrrrr

    2. I am very encouraged that you are listening to - and implementing - player feedback, like increasing furnishing limits on some homes and REVERTING BACK TO 30 DAY GUILD TRADER LISTINGS THANK YOU 8 POUND 6 OUNCE BABY JESUS.

    3. I would like to have clarification on the new season pass model and how this whole "ESO+ earns X/Y/Z" thing actually works. I have been an ESO+ subscriber for years now, but I am on a 6-month auto-renew level rather than the one-year auto-renew level because it is easier for me to financially absorb in 6 month increments rather than the once a year big ol' lump sum. Would my account be viewed then as only a 6 month subscriber or how is this all working?

    4. April 2nd made me laugh because that means Season Zero starts on my birthday. Happy birthday to me! :blush:
    PS5 NA. GM of The PTK's - a free trading guild (CP 500+). Also a werewolf, bites are free when they're available. PSN = DragonRacer13
  • GatheredMyst
    GatheredMyst
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    At first I was tepid about a Battle Pass, but... taking a step back...

    ... they have to earn their money somehow.

    Reality is, I paid for the Season of the Worm Cult and didn't get what I felt was my money's worth. I don't say that to be harsh, insulting, etc. I just didn't like the content.

    With the new model, this does two things that I think are compelling:

    1.) It makes it so that you can try out the content and see how much you like it without paying for anything. Don't have to fork over X number of $ to take a shot at new stories, the Night Market, etc. I don't have to BUY The Night Market and hope it works out. I can just PLAY it and decide how much of it is worth my time.
    2.) It puts the onus on the devs to really deliver with that content. I made the Season's of the Worm Cult example above for a reason. How many people do you think would have bought the battle pass during that season? Probably not many, after they started chewing on it a little bit. If the devs don't deliver, they don't make their money, simple as that.

    So long as there are an appropriate number of rewards being put into the actual zones as well, and everything cosmetic isn't being stuffed into the battlepass, i'll be fine with optional cosmetics finding their way into the battle pass instead.

    If the battle pass is all I get for cosmetic options, i'm not likely to be happy at all.

    Also, I agree: ESO+ should cover the cost of the Premium+ Tier every 6 months. That's two out of the three battle passes for free, with the cost equivalent of a "Chapter" update every year. Feels more fair than once every 12 months. That will make it feel like the folks who are subscribed to ESO+ are getting the same value they've been getting for their prior years subscribed to the game, and bottom line, if they have a battle pass that they're working on for cosmetic rewards, they're more likely to stay subscribed longer, thus increasing the amount of money ZOS will be earning in the long run.

    My 2 gold.
    Edited by GatheredMyst on January 7, 2026 9:22PM
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