2026 Story Content

AVaelham · January 7

So, other than the Night Market - which is a new type of zone (faction-based group event in Fargrave), we are not getting any new zones this year.
Instead, we are getting two storylines: a new Thieves Guild adventure and Sheogorath Returns For The Millionth Time It's Not Funny Anymore. Gone are the days when we'd get a cinematic reveal about the overall storyline.

What are you thoughts on this?

zenonuk · January 7

For me, if it gives them time to fix a bunch of bugs/defects/issues/QoL ... the stuff that SHOULD have happened in 2025 as part of the "transitional" year... then they've bought an extra year grace from me (I was about to ditch it after 2025). But again it's all down the delivery/implementation, so we'll see. That fact that I don't need to pay for anything this year, all the main content will be added for free to the base game... that's a win, I can validate their delivery and promises, and maybe I'll resubscribe to eso+ for 2026.

I'll give them this year to sort themselves out, and we'll see what the reveal in 2027 offers for big and meaty questing/story content and lore updates.

Lugaldu · January 7

Disappointed, what else can you say.

AzuraFan · January 7

I don't mind not having a new PvE zone in 2026. Of course, I'm interested in how many hours of story content there will be.

One good thing about seasons is the content will vary. So while there's no new zone this year, there could be a new one in early 2027. They can't go too long without some new area to explore or they'll lose all of us who enjoy exploration.

As for Sheogorath, I'm not a fan and I'm tired of him, especially since I just finished the Shivering Isles in Oblivion Remastered. So I wasn't thrilled to hear that he'll feature in the story content here, but I can't have everything.

(It was pretty funny playing Oblivion and having Mannimarco in the MG questline, at the same time I'm doing the Solstice story here. Will that guy just die permanently, already!!).

spartaxoxo · January 7

The Night Market sounds pretty expensive but I guess we shall see. It sounded more like Craglorn than a dungeon but I don't actually know. I guess we'll know more later. I was a bit confused on that point.

Syldras · January 7

No new zone doesn't only mean no new stories. It also means no new furnishing style, no new antiquities, no new incursions, delves, open dungeons (including their collectibles),... Last year we already got no new companions and no new ToT deck. It's clear there's a constant content reduction from year to year. This doesn't make me optimistic when it comes to ESO's future.

Jaimeh · January 7

Syldras wrote: »

No new zone doesn't only mean no new stories. It also means no new furnishing style, no new antiquities, no new incursions, delves, open dungeons (including their collectibles),... Last year we already got no new companions and no new ToT deck. It's clear there's a constant content reduction from year to year. This doesn't make me optimistic when it comes to ESO's future.

I honestly don't understand how people can't see that these changes do not mean good things for the future of the game.

"AVaelham wrote: »

Gone are the days when we'd get a cinematic reveal about the overall storyline.

Those trailers were amazing, it makes me sad to think of the kind of quality content we had in the past. And now it seems we are stuck in a time loop of meaningless events.

Syldras · January 7

Jaimeh wrote: »

I honestly don't understand how people can't see that these changes do not mean good things for the future of the game.

I'm not someone who normally says this, but it feels like the game is slowly dying. I appreciate they introduce overland difficulty options, and start with solo modes for some dungeons (we'll see how many years they'll continue, and whether they'll stop before any dungeon is on the list that I haven't soloed yet), but it's clear there's so little new content now.

Jaimeh wrote: »

Those trailers were amazing, it makes me sad to think of the kind of quality content we had in the past. And now it seems we are stuck in a time loop of meaningless events.

Thinking back to the Morrowind/CWC/Summerset arc, or Wrothgar, or Elsweyr, is saddening indeed. I had expected the quality to remain on that level - at least. I actually believed there could be even more growth because those chapters were a huge success. Unbelievable to think where we are now.

AScarlato · January 7

Story focused player here.

To me more Sheogorath probably means more “quirky’ characters and ‘humor’ which I must put in quotes since it has worn out its welcome for me the more and more prevalent it becomes.

While madness can be a compelling theme to explore I doubt based on recent writing that we will be getting anything very deep or thoughtful.

I do hope they handle the Thieves Guild well but we will see.

I probably will wait on reviews and play all the CRPG epics I have ignored over the years instead. I have followed some excellent discussions from some users here and if they post more this year it will help me decide how much time to set aside for ESO.

GMdoghunter · January 7

To sum it up,we are getting absolutely NO new story content,(Dungeons etc) whatsoever this year.
A battlepass is going to be introduced in all honestly if you want to purchase it at the premium+ leve is $30 per time X either 3 or 4 for the seasons.

ESO+ on top of that.
Even though both are completely optional,Nothig new is getting added to the game thsi year.
We will basically be playing through old content for the next year.

They are doign a few ingame events (Night market etc) but if that turns out like the Writhing wall it will become boring very quickly.

It probably will be a very uninteresting year for eso,The changes that are beign made are not really for the better.
There is good and bad in everythig but htis year is going to be particularly hard on eso i think.

Nothig for long term veteran players either ,Not even a new zone questline/storyline.

It's a shame to see this,i always gave eso the benefit of the doubt,but it is just turning into corporate greed.

Soarora · January 7

I’m not pleased with Sheogorath, unless ZOS is somehow going to fix their interpretation of him. I have not liked any of his interpretations in this game.

That said, I’ve wanted them to stop writing if anything because the last time they made something I was happy with was… Elsweyr? Hopefully they can sink time into writing GOOD stories for the future.

licenturion · January 7

For someone who recently finished all quests and has 100 map completion and the sticker book there is no new content.

I can play the dungeons I played for 100 times again in story mode or another difficulty to obtain another cosmetic reward on top of the thousands I already have.

But I saw this coming for a while and after the stream I made up my mind that I will probably finish the pursuit as my last journey in Tamriel for a while, leave my trading guilds and take a yearlong break until I see more zone content and dungeon content.

Also the Night Market looked like it was just another map made with old existing assets and enemies.

AzuraFan · January 7

GMdoghunter wrote: »

To sum it up,we are getting absolutely NO new story content,(Dungeons etc) whatsoever this year.

We're getting new story content in season 1. We're not getting a new zone, though.

A battlepass is going to be introduced in all honestly if you want to purchase it at the premium+ leve is $30 per time X either 3 or 4 for the seasons.

ESO+ on top of that.

The premium battlepasses give you a chance to unlock premium collectibles. All content (dungeons, quests, zones, etc.) is free. Since I'm an ESO+ player who bought all the chapters and story DLCs, this will actually be cheaper for me. I'll get all the content for free. If a season has premium collectibles I want, I can buy the premium pass, otherwise I don't pay anything.

AScarlato · January 7

Syldras wrote: »

No new zone doesn't only mean no new stories. It also means no new furnishing style, no new antiquities, no new incursions, delves, open dungeons (including their collectibles),... Last year we already got no new companions and no new ToT deck. It's clear there's a constant content reduction from year to year. This doesn't make me optimistic when it comes to ESO's future.

Also no new bard. Maybe not something many cared about, but some expansions had some amazing songs. Like Elsewyr, Summerset, and Topal Bay in Blackwood.

Danikat · January 7

I'm disappointed that the only new story content in the announcement is temporary, and it sounds like even if you perfectly match ZOS's schedule for required activity time you'll only get to play 2/3 of it because there's 3 factions to choose from, you can pick 1 each time and it will only be available twice.

I know they say future season passes might occasionally include zone and/or story content and some of that might not be temporary, but apart from some names mentioned in passing in supplemental info like the survey we've been told absolutely nothing about that. We've barely been told anything about the Night Market so at the moment it seems like the game's world and story is at best a secondary consideration.

Basically it seems like an afterthought, thrown in because they didn't want to only announce a payment plan for virtual items, but not something worth more than a passing mention in the announcement of the payment schedule.

As someone else said in another thread it sounds like they adapted the shareholder's presentation for the player one - the focus is entirely on how much they expect us to pay and things which would be irrelevant to shareholders, like the story and lore of the game's world, are only mentioned as catchy names they can use to head up marketing materials.

metheglyn · January 7

licenturion wrote: »

Also the Night Market looked like it was just another map made with old existing assets and enemies.

The Night Market is in Fargrave, so it would be an already existing map, I believe.

GMdoghunter · January 7

licenturion wrote: »

For someone who recently finished all quests and has 100 map completion and the sticker book there is no new content.

I can play the dungeons I played for 100 times again in story mode or another difficulty to obtain another cosmetic reward on top of the thousands I already have.

But I saw this coming for a while and after the stream I made up my mind that I will probably finish the pursuit as my last journey in Tamriel for a while, leave my trading guilds and take a yearlong break until I see more zone content and dungeon content.

Also the Night Market looked like it was just another map made with old existing assets and enemies.

Totally agree with everything that you have said there,i think my time in Tamriel has come ot an end or until they at the very least add some meaningful content.
Just like you i have done everythig there basically is to do in the game,i have done all dungeons,stories trials,cleared achievements to i'm blue in the face repeating the same stuff ingame.

With no content as suh moving forward,it's time for me more than likely to take a break.

Soarora · January 7

Danikat wrote: »

I'm disappointed that the only new story content in the announcement is temporary, and it sounds like even if you perfectly match ZOS's schedule for required activity time you'll only get to play 2/3 of it because there's 3 factions to choose from, you can pick 1 each time and it will only be available twice.

I know they say future season passes might occasionally include zone and/or story content and some of that might not be temporary, but apart from some names mentioned in passing in supplemental info like the survey we've been told absolutely nothing about that. We've barely been told anything about the Night Market so at the moment it seems like the game's world and story is at best a secondary consideration.

Basically it seems like an afterthought, thrown in because they didn't want to only announce a payment plan for virtual items, but not something worth more than a passing mention in the announcement of the payment schedule.

As someone else said in another thread it sounds like they adapted the shareholder's presentation for the player one - the focus is entirely on how much they expect us to pay and things which would be irrelevant to shareholders, like the story and lore of the game's world, are only mentioned as catchy names they can use to head up marketing materials.

I don’t think the night market is story content. It seemed to more be an event PvE mode kind of like overland craglorn. An overland for grouping and experienced players.

tomofhyrule · January 7

Soarora wrote: »

I’m not pleased with Sheogorath, unless ZOS is somehow going to fix their interpretation of him. I have not liked any of his interpretations in this game.

That said, I’ve wanted them to stop writing if anything because the last time they made something I was happy with was… Elsweyr? Hopefully they can sink time into writing GOOD stories for the future.

This.

Sheogorath has severely overstayed his welcome. I quite literally groaned when I saw that pop up on screen.

I see there are a lot of people who are also celebrating (?) a reduction in everything else (Dungeons, new Classes, etc.) as acceptable tradeoffs to still get story content in the vein of the Thieves Guild and Uncle Sheo whatever. But honestly, with the writing we've had lately... I'd honestly prefer the new story stuff take a backseat for more Dungeons and new Classes to come in; at least the Encounters team consistently releases banger Dungeons and Arcanist was really fun to use on release.

licenturion · January 7

GMdoghunter wrote: »

licenturion wrote: »

For someone who recently finished all quests and has 100 map completion and the sticker book there is no new content.

I can play the dungeons I played for 100 times again in story mode or another difficulty to obtain another cosmetic reward on top of the thousands I already have.

But I saw this coming for a while and after the stream I made up my mind that I will probably finish the pursuit as my last journey in Tamriel for a while, leave my trading guilds and take a yearlong break until I see more zone content and dungeon content.

Also the Night Market looked like it was just another map made with old existing assets and enemies.

Totally agree with everything that you have said there,i think my time in Tamriel has come ot an end or until they at the very least add some meaningful content.
Just like you i have done everythig there basically is to do in the game,i have done all dungeons,stories trials,cleared achievements to i'm blue in the face repeating the same stuff ingame.

With no content as suh moving forward,it's time for me more than likely to take a break.

Also since they said that gameplay content would be free now for everyone with the basegame from now on (which is basically 5 euros in a sale these days), I wouldn't expect much when it comes to new zones and dungeons. Maybe a dungeon or a smaller zone like Galen every two or three years... That stuff cost a lot of resources to make but will free be going forward. So I never expect anything meaty anymore going forward. They will probably focus on game systems mainly, like they do for this year.

But I am not bitter or anything. I saw this coming for a while. Besides I got around 2500 hours of fun out of this game according to my stats, so I had a good time and good value for money.

Seraphayel · January 8

To be fair, there was a lot more stuff announced for this year, just look at the roadmap:

We have no clue about the new dynamic world events, we don’t know what High Seas of Tamriel will be, we don’t know what the Sage‘s Vault is or how the dynamic storms in Skyrim will work.

The roadmap to me looks great, but we‘re given so little information about it, that it‘s hard for me to see how the year is shaping up to be. Overland difficulty alone could be something major yet we don’t know anything about it (that will luckily change soon as Kevin announced).

licenturion · January 8

Seraphayel wrote: »

To be fair, there was a lot more stuff announced for this year, just look at the roadmap:

We have no clue about the new dynamic world events, we don’t know what High Seas of Tamriel will be, we don’t know what the Sage‘s Vault is or how the dynamic storms in Skyrim will work.

The roadmap to me looks great, but we‘re given so little information about it, that it‘s hard for me to see how the year is shaping up to be. Overland difficulty alone could be something major yet we don’t know anything about it (that will luckily change soon as Kevin announced).

Yeah but this is just some added stuff to zones we have been playing for years. The story content on the roadmap is probably like the prologue quest they did for every expansion. And the other stuff looks like 'modes' they temporary add to existing stuff.

I think people in this thread are mainly disappointed that there isn't anything on the roadmaps like Apocrypha, West Weald, Orsinium to wow us. You know...new stuff. Not 'reimagined old content' (which to be fair Solistice + subclassing already sort of was in a way). I am pretty sure if they had something in the works like a brand new zone they would have shown it off because this stuff has been the major selling point for ESO for a decade.

Seraphayel · January 8

licenturion wrote: »

Seraphayel wrote: »

To be fair, there was a lot more stuff announced for this year, just look at the roadmap:

We have no clue about the new dynamic world events, we don’t know what High Seas of Tamriel will be, we don’t know what the Sage‘s Vault is or how the dynamic storms in Skyrim will work.

The roadmap to me looks great, but we‘re given so little information about it, that it‘s hard for me to see how the year is shaping up to be. Overland difficulty alone could be something major yet we don’t know anything about it (that will luckily change soon as Kevin announced).

Yeah but this is just some added stuff to zones we have been playing for years. The story content on the roadmap is probably like the prologue quest they did for every expansion. And the other stuff looks like 'modes' they temporary add to existing stuff.

I think people in this thread are mainly disappointed that there isn't anything on the roadmaps like Apocrypha, West Weald, Orsinium to wow us. You know...new stuff. Not 'reimagined old content' (which to be fair Solistice + subclassing already sort of was in a way). I am pretty sure if they had something in the works like a brand new zone they would have shown it off because this stuff has been the major selling point for ESO for a decade.

You‘re right, but this was expected. The moment they said they are moving away from Chapters it was clear that the previous given type of content from Chapters isn’t returning either. They even told us that they will move away from introducing new zones and give us stuff in old zones instead.

They basically said what is coming now. If players are disappointed now, they didn’t listen to what they said about the whole transitional model and the eventual change to the system how new content is developed and released.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · January 8

Soarora wrote: »

I’m not pleased with Sheogorath, unless ZOS is somehow going to fix their interpretation of him. I have not liked any of his interpretations in this game.

That said, I’ve wanted them to stop writing if anything because the last time they made something I was happy with was… Elsweyr? Hopefully they can sink time into writing GOOD stories for the future.

I may be jumping to conclusions saying so, but I got ‘he’s popular, he’ll bring in players!’ vibes from his inclusion. 😮‍💨 We still haven’t had Vile pop up to demand his payment for his help in Summerset. Mora had left a hook in Laramil in West Weald. Solstice had a cliffhanger that could be followed up on.

But yes, I haven’t been impressed with the more recent writing either. Here’s hoping.

AScarlato · January 8

Seraphayel wrote: »

licenturion wrote: »

Seraphayel wrote: »

To be fair, there was a lot more stuff announced for this year, just look at the roadmap:

We have no clue about the new dynamic world events, we don’t know what High Seas of Tamriel will be, we don’t know what the Sage‘s Vault is or how the dynamic storms in Skyrim will work.

The roadmap to me looks great, but we‘re given so little information about it, that it‘s hard for me to see how the year is shaping up to be. Overland difficulty alone could be something major yet we don’t know anything about it (that will luckily change soon as Kevin announced).

Yeah but this is just some added stuff to zones we have been playing for years. The story content on the roadmap is probably like the prologue quest they did for every expansion. And the other stuff looks like 'modes' they temporary add to existing stuff.

I think people in this thread are mainly disappointed that there isn't anything on the roadmaps like Apocrypha, West Weald, Orsinium to wow us. You know...new stuff. Not 'reimagined old content' (which to be fair Solistice + subclassing already sort of was in a way). I am pretty sure if they had something in the works like a brand new zone they would have shown it off because this stuff has been the major selling point for ESO for a decade.

You‘re right, but this was expected. The moment they said they are moving away from Chapters it was clear that the previous given type of content from Chapters isn’t returning either. They even told us that they will move away from introducing new zones and give us stuff in old zones instead.

They basically said what is coming now. If players are disappointed now, they didn’t listen to what they said about the whole transitional model and the eventual change to the system how new content is developed and released.

We were disappointed back then, but then they went ahead and released Solstice right after. So the disappointment was drowned out by "SEE! A NEW ZONE! YOU WORRY FOR NOTHING!"

I have long seen a decline in the quantity of content for years now, only for concerns to be drowned out by voices who claim I and others like me were overreacting, or that bug fixes and QOL would surpass new content as something to lure in new and returning players. That clearly has not happened and as much as I like account-wide outfit slots and faster horse training, I fail to see such offerings as being all that helpful long-term. I only see 2026 as further decline. I do hope I'm wrong.

Seraphayel · January 8

It obviously is a further decline, don’t be fooled about that. But, and this is important, it‘s free stuff you don’t have to pay for. The argument of less content had weight to it when you needed to pay for it. Now you get it for free, so any content is a positive, even if the quantity is less.

Honestly, I would have preferred if they just staid with Chapters. I liked the model and I liked the content that came with it. One big new zone, one big new narrative, one big new feature. It worked, at least for me. Yes, it got boring and very formulaic, but only because they didn’t take any risks with it.

Juju_beans · January 8

Definitely a new type of season. I'm looking forward to it.

Syldras · January 8

Seraphayel wrote: »

It obviously is a further decline, don’t be fooled about that. But, and this is important, it‘s free stuff you don’t have to pay for. The argument of less content had weight to it when you needed to pay for it. Now you get it for free, so any content is a positive, even if the quantity is less.

But how exactly does that help? "You barely get any content, maybe nothing interesting at all, but hey, it's free!" isn't exactly an argument to keep me interested. And I think I'm not the only person who would leave (for a break or for good) once there's nothing interesting to do anymore (for now I think I'd replay Morrowind/CWC/Summerset another time, but what's after that...? I don't know).

Sheridan · January 8

So, all the new content like zones (if there even will be one) and quests will be temporary "events" now and last only for 3 months? That's bad news for me. I usually postpone my walkthrough of the new stories for a couple months after release for the player crowds to dissipate and major bugs to be fixed, and then complete it at my own pace. But from now on, everything will always be a rush, and you'll have to wallow in the crowds breaking all the immersion?

metheglyn · January 8

Sheridan wrote: »

So, all the new content like zones (if there even will be one) and quests will be temporary "events" now and last only for 3 months? That's bad news for me. I usually postpone my walkthrough of the new stories for a couple months after release for the player crowds to dissipate and major bugs to be fixed, and then complete it at my own pace. But from now on, everything will always be a rush, and you'll have to wallow in the crowds breaking all the immersion?

No, that's not how it'll be. The Night Market is a thing that will be around for a short duration and then return at a later time, but content like storylines and zones will be permanent. The Night Market is experimental at this stage, and they said if players like it well enough, it could also become permanent.

Gabriel_H · January 8

AVaelham wrote: »

we are not getting any new zones this year.

Depends where the new story is set, does it not?

Given the sister company released Oblivion last year I wouldn't be surprised if we get the Shivering Isles. It would make sense to pull in Oblivion only players.