New thread: Should the base game become free-to-play?

JiubLeRepenti · June 8

Hi folks,

I come here with an idea that is not new. I also know many people will agree with it, and many others won't.

As you know, the game has not been in its best shape for a few years now. I'm personally very happy with the new approach ZOS has adopted over the past year, with a focus on QoL content, PvP, endgame content, and events.

But let's face it: the few figures (SteamDB) we have about the game's population still aren't that good. I don't know if they'll move in a good or bad direction, but for now they're not very good.

So, maybe it's time for ZOS to make the base game free-to-play?

I know that ZOS has already introduced a new and very generous plan, with all the previous chapters and expansions added to the base game. And even if the base game can be obtained for a very cheap price today, I think this low price is still a psychological barrier for many people who would like to try the game at any time of the year.

Of course, there would be side effects, like people creating multiple accounts to reach the 10-person limit in their guild to gain access to the guild bank, or gamblers. But these people are already farming accounts when the game has a free trial period.

I bet the game would still be wildly profitable with the Crown Store, the Deluxe Editions, etc. And the game would reach a wider range of players who might try it and decide later to invest time—and money—in it.

What do you think about it?

Cheers,

Jiub

SkaiFaith · June 8

No

I have the feeling it shouldn't go free but I don't like the sale options we have now either.

20 going to 5 on sale? I wouldn't ask more than 15 for base game, but I also wouldn't go down to 5, just 7,50 maybe?

The Premium option always "felt a bit of a scam" (unfair is probably a better term than scam) to me because it gives you ONLY THE FIRST HALF of year long stories... So personally I would totally get rid of that and just offer a TRUE premium option that includes EVERYTHING released but it costs 120 (a typical price nowadays for the top tier edition of games).

If they'd want to keep "mid tier" options, I'd let the player choose between an edition that has only all DLC dungeons and an edition that has only all DLC zones. Each should cost 69? Something like that.

I'd reserve the free to play card as the absolute last resort (Especially since if you have ANY kind/tier of GamePass the base game is already included).

LunaFlora · June 8

No

no.

edited to add:
my main problem is the amount of bots that would get into the game.

Free is great for bringing in new players so i am not absolutely against it.

JiubLeRepenti · June 8

Yes

SkaiFaith wrote: »

I have the feeling it shouldn't go free but I don't like the sale options we have now either.

20 going to 5 on sale? I wouldn't ask more than 15 for base game, but I also wouldn't go down to 5, just 7,50 maybe?

The Premium option always "felt a bit of a scam" (unfair is probably a better term than scam) to me because it gives you ONLY THE FIRST HALF of year long stories... So personally I would totally get rid of that and just offer a TRUE premium option that includes EVERYTHING released but it costs 120 (a typical price nowadays for the top tier edition of games).

If they'd want to keep "mid tier" options, I'd let the player choose between an edition that has only all DLC dungeons and an edition that has only all DLC zones. Each should cost 69? Something like that.

I'd reserve the free to play card as the absolute last resort (Especially since if you have ANY kind/tier of GamePass the base game is already included).

(COPIED FROM PRECEDENT WRONG THREAD)

5$ or even 7.5$ will still be a psychological barrier for potential new players.

I would agree if the game were in its best shape. But that's not the case at all. This is the main factor I consider here.

I'm just afraid of ESO reaching a very low point in terms of population and the consequences it would bring. From what I see, the game doesn't seem able to regenerate its pool of new players...

MRAW · June 8

No

JiubLeRepenti wrote: »

Of course, there would be side effects, like people creating multiple accounts to reach the 10-person limit in their guild to gain access to the guild bank, or gamblers. But these people are already farming accounts when the game has a free trial period.

Rather spammers and scammers that try to trick ppl on their website to buy ingame gold or achievements with real money. Or bots. Free trial periods need to be timed correctly by suchs guys and the spamming accounts will be cleared away after a couple of days, so I think it would be a bad experience for all legit players.

ESO_player123 · June 8

No

I do not want the game filled with bots and gold selling spammers.

JiubLeRepenti · June 8

Yes

MRAW wrote: »

JiubLeRepenti wrote: »

Of course, there would be side effects, like people creating multiple accounts to reach the 10-person limit in their guild to gain access to the guild bank, or gamblers. But these people are already farming accounts when the game has a free trial period.

Rather spammers and scammers that try to trick ppl on their website to buy ingame gold or achievements with real money. Or bots. Free trial periods need to be timed correctly by suchs guys and the spamming accounts will be cleared away after a couple of days, so I think it would be a bad experience for all legit players.

I know, but would it be that bad if, on the other side, the game could make x2 or x3 its number of players?

And also, why wouldn't ZOS be able to take care of these gamblers if the game was permanently F2P?

JiubLeRepenti · June 8

Yes

ESO_player123 wrote: »

I do not want the game filled with bots and gold selling spammers.

Bots/scammers can already get the game for a very, very low price. We all know the base game can be optained at a very low price at any moment of the year...

And again, what about all the new potential players it could bring?

JiubLeRepenti · June 8

Yes

I need to go, will read your replies later

spartaxoxo · June 8

No

No. But there should be a mega bundle that gives people all the story dlc, both chapter and small. As well as another bundle that gives them all the dungeons.

ESO_player123 · June 8

No

JiubLeRepenti wrote: »

ESO_player123 wrote: »

I do not want the game filled with bots and gold selling spammers.

Bots/scammers can already get the game for a very, very low price. We all know the base game can be optained at a very low price at any moment of the year...

And again, what about all the new potential players it could bring?

While $5 is not much, it's still a bit of a deterrent. I'd rather see the number of players we have now than have the bot/spammer infestations that I observed on FTP servers of another game I played.

ganzaeso · June 8

No

The game's cost is there for many good reasons. Future content will be free after the initial purchase.

AScarlato · June 8

No

I voted no because the game is already very cheap on sale.

Free accounts just typically result in problems with spammers and bots as others mentioned.

LesserCircle · June 8

No

No, unlike other MMOs a subscription isn't required, I feel like it's a very reasonable price of admission and free to play would only bring bots and a worse crown store

AzuraFan · June 8

No

The base game is on sale often for a really low price. If someone isn't willing to spend $5-10 for a huge amount of content, they won't be willing to spend on anything else. ESO needs people who are willing to shell out a few bucks now and then, not players who won't ever want to pay for anything.

Blood_again · June 8

No

JiubLeRepenti wrote: »

ESO_player123 wrote: »

I do not want the game filled with bots and gold selling spammers.

Bots/scammers can already get the game for a very, very low price. We all know the base game can be optained at a very low price at any moment of the year...

And again, what about all the new potential players it could bring?

A kind reminder that crown store gifts were limited 1.5 months after the free ESO giveaway in EGS.
We still have to deal with the consequences of one week of ESO being FTP. Yes, 3 years later.

Also, you can see the potential of new free players in starting zone chats every time ESO has a free play week. It is very educational, you know.

Having it FTP once more really has a huge potential. Honestly, I'm not the one who wants to face the consequences of that potential. No, thank you!

colossalvoids · June 8

Yes

That's the only way if they want to grow somehow. They've already captured all tes fans they can with morrowind, skyrim parts and blackwood, mmo people are also informed enough to play it or not already, with most just laughing the game off. The only way up is making it free hoping someone would stick or become a paying customer. Seriously doubt they can afford existing on die hard fans only with so many exoduses and bad taste in people's mouths.

Soarora · June 8

No

ZOS has a free trial system they could enable again whenever. But yeah, the game being free would not go well as we have already seen. Not to mention people creating multiple accounts for harassment/ban evasion.

FurryCandyHearts · June 8

i think it's ok how it is now. 5$ summer sale from steam is awesome for pc. There's usu a yearly free play for a week too from Zeni. That's enough i think. It's enough for people to try it and see if they like it. Also it's enough for exp players who want 9 or more alt accounts who want to set up a (or some) private guild banks to store some mats or gear in.

freespirit · June 8

No

We are finally seeing virtually no gold/crown selling spam adverts on PC-EU, personally I would hate to see a return to them.

The population on EU still seems good, the Night Market has seen the Group Finder offering plenty of choice for that content.

Some days I play from 4pm - 2am Uk time and it is only at the latter hours I see less other players.

For me, I would much rather see cross play done and done well, I would hate to see the bots and scammers return!

DarkStrifeYT · June 8

No

Hell no. The sheer ammount of bots and cheaters that will influx in?! There was one free weekend and the fact so.many bots joined in during those 2 days and made starter zones (everything had a level) was insane.

meekmiko · June 8

No

DarkStrifeYT wrote: »

Hell no. The sheer ammount of bots and cheaters that will influx in?! There was one free weekend and the fact so.many bots joined in during those 2 days and made starter zones (everything had a level) was insane.

Don't forget how bad it was when it game was absolutely free to own on Epic for like a week.
Bots and Gold Scammers galore came outta that one.

The_Drop_Bear · June 8

Population is basically at what it was pre covid, its not bad

Alphawolf01A · June 8

No

The forum has spoken.

Nope.

Gabriel_H · June 8

No

SkaiFaith wrote: »

20 going to 5 on sale? I wouldn't ask more than 15 for base game, but I also wouldn't go down to 5, just 7,50 maybe?

A new game costs at least $40 if not more. You typically get 40 - 80 hours of playtime to complete everything.

ESO base game has well in excess of 200 hours of playtime to do the bare minimum, and well in excess of 2,000 hours to complete everything.

KalevaLaine · June 8

No

It is quite cheap in general. And some chapters will be added to the basegame, so probably it should not be free.

In my opinion, ESO is geared more toward casual players. For example, they don’t want to have to pay a subscription to play, like in other major MMOs.
Unfortunately, ESO+ is packed with quality-of-life features like the crafting bag, so players end up subscribing even though they don’t have to. You can also tell by the fact that the shop is just filled with items that make life easier, but they’re also constantly repetitive. People buy something and then leave.

So, long story short: make the base game cheap, and people will come on their own.

majulook · June 8

No

Base game is can be found on sale for under 10 USD several times a year. Base game is massive and takes a long time to complete. Even at the current prices around 20 USD its one of the best game prices for the amount of content you get.

Bguk · June 8

No

Adding to the chorus of No. The base game is very cheap as is, and on sale often enough if $20 is too much for someone.

Treeshka · June 8

No

I said no but if they implement some sort of gatekeep to prevent bots from flooding it can work.

Things like, you can not trade with other players. You can not send any message at all. You can not join guilds. But not sure how this not messaging anyone will work as the base game has instanced group content. So for now i am not seeing base game becoming a free.

On the other hand, many people said that base game is very cheap, i think one of the problems is the install size. I know in some places connection speed is high and downloading ESO is fast, like in an hour or so. But for some locations installing ESO takes almost 8 hours or even 10 to 12 hours.

Maybe in the future developers can find a way to reduce this size somehow. Like if you are only owning base game, you only download things that is related to base game. But judging from all the cosmetics players have, animations etc it does not seems feasible for this game.

Bo0137 · June 8

No

DLCs and Chapters: yes, these should become free.

Base game: no, should have a price.

Reason being: 1. less bots; 2. the community would value the game more if there's a price tag (not only current players, newcomers too); 3. the base game is very cheap anyway;

Nemesis7884 · June 8

not sure if i understand the question, there are constantly discounts on the base game where you can get if for less than 10 bucks...?
it took me 30seconds on google to find a 15 usd version that isnt even discounted...

The Elder Scrolls Online

New thread: Should the base game become free-to-play?

New thread: Should the base game become free-to-play? 158 votes