Why Now is a Great Time to Play ESO

The Elder Scrolls Online is undergoing significant changes in 2026, making it an opportune time for both returning and new players to engage with the game. A major shift is the introduction of a seasonal content model, replacing annual updates with regular, quarterly drops of new gameplay additions, zones, storylines, classes, and systems. These seasons will also incorporate quality-of-life improvements and balance updates, directly influenced by community feedback. For existing owners of the ESO base game, all future content will be accessible for free. This includes new zones, dungeons, storylines, classes, and skills as they are released. Additionally, four classic DLCs – Imperial City, Orsinium, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood – have been integrated into the base game and are now available to all owners without extra cost. Players will continue to have access to the Morrowind chapter and the Warden class. A new feature called Tamriel Tones introduces a rewards track with free rewards for all players, alongside optional paid tiers offering exclusive items and currencies. This seasonal model also brings the Gold Coast Bazaar, an in-game shop where players can purchase collectibles using "trade bars." Trade bars are earned through gameplay and Tamriel Tones, not through direct purchase with crowns, and there is no limit to how many can be accumulated. The bazaar will feature rotating limited-time collectibles that were previously available through various sporadic channels, as well as evergreen items. Season zero, "Dawn and Dusk," launched on April 2nd and runs until July 8th, featuring around 100 collectibles in the Gold Coast Bazaar. A new experimental zone, the Night Market, located in the Oblivion realm of Fargrave, became available on April 29th for a seven-week period. In this zone, players can pledge allegiance to one of three factions and participate in challenging PvE encounters to earn a unique in-game home. Importantly, event zones like the Night Market are confirmed to return in later seasons, mitigating potential FOMO. Season zero also brings significant gameplay upgrades, including redesigned combat and class skill lines, UI streamlining, and enhancements to both PvE and PvP. Players can now respec their skills and attributes directly from the UI without gold or scrolls, and existing respect scrolls can be sold to vendors. XP accumulation has been standardized across front and back bars. The Dragon Knight class has received a rework with refreshed animations, VFX, sound, and abilities. Future seasons will feature updates for Wardens and Sorcerers. Two-handed weapon skills have been refreshed, with further updates planned for werewolf designs, including a female werewolf model and a balance update. Later in season zero, a class mastery system and challenge difficulty for overland PvE content will be implemented. PvP progression has been unified across Battlegrounds, Imperial City, and Cyrodiil campaigns, with new veteran perks available for returning players. The Elder Scrolls Online is available on PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.