Please not the combat system from ESO! Fans discuss the new AAA MMORPG from the developers of Elder Scrolls Online

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It has been clear since 2019 that the developers of Elder Scrolls Online are working on a new AAA MMORPG with a new IP. But what information is known about the project five years later? What should a new online role-playing game from the ESO team look like? This is exactly what the community is currently discussing.

What do we know for sure about Zenimax’s new project?

  • In August 2018, Zenimax officials were looking for reinforcements for a new project with a new IP, i.e. a previously unknown brand.
  • In May 2019, Zenimax boss Matt Firor confirmed that the project would be a AAA game with a new engine. The game was in pre-production at the time. Incidentally, this is still the status that Zenimax’s official recruitment site is selling to the outside world (via zenimaxonline.com).
  • In November 2022, Creative Director Ben Jones explained on the “Product Builders Podcast” (via YouTube) that 200 developers were now working on the ambitious project.
  • Further details can be found in the various job advertisements for the project. Game designers with MMO, RPG and open world experience were temporarily sought, but also developers for the implementation of first and third person perspectives.

    • With Elder Scrolls Online, Zenimax is responsible for one of the most successful service games of the past decade. Here is the trailer for the latest chapter, Gold Road:

    The Elder Scrolls Online – Gold Road in the announcement trailer

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    Like Elder Scrolls Online, but different

    What is the community currently discussing? There is an exciting thread on Reddit since this week in which MMORPG fans discuss the known status quo of the Zenimax MMORPG and express their wishes and fears.

    Thread creator Fit-Bass-7238 is surprised that the project has been in development for so long, but there have been no official updates, insider reports or leaks in recent years. Instead, there have been all sorts of rumors about a sci-fi MMO, an Elder Scrolls Online 2 or a new MMORPG for Star Wars (even if two of the three do not fit the “new IP”).

    Below the post there is a colorful bouquet of comments, here is a selection:

  • Excuse_my_GRAMMER writes (via Reddit): “Zenimax doesn’t make an announcement until they’re 6 months out. But remember, the studio is now owned by Microsoft, so who knows if it will even come out or if the whole thing will be reshuffled.”
  • DashboardGuy206 sums up the thoughts of various fans (via Reddit): “ESO, but set in the Star Wars universe, with better combat and a less intrusive cash shop, that is literally my ideal game. That would be insane.”
  • Dystopiq is pinning its hopes on gamescom 2024 (via Reddit): “Gamescom is just around the corner. Maybe we’ll find out something there.”
  • Revave has a first-hand update (via Reddit): “I had the opportunity to speak with Rich Lambert at the ESO Tavern, where he briefly mentioned that they are still working on the new game and some of the new staff have been assigned to that project, if I understood him correctly.”

    • How does MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz assess the status quo? First, I can confirm what Revave says. Whenever I’ve gotten Zenimax boss Matt Firor on the mic over the past few years, my final question has been about the studio’s new project, and even though he wasn’t allowed or willing to give me any details, he always confirmed that they were still working on it.

    I think the “rumors” about ESO 2 and Star Wars are nonsense. It has been communicated too often and clearly from different directions that the project is supposed to be a new IP. I don’t know whether there will be new information at gamescom 2024.

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    What is clear to me, however, is that Elder Scrolls Online is still running successfully today. Zenimax probably doesn’t feel any pressure to present the new project as soon as possible. In addition, it takes a lot of time to develop a new engine for an ambitious project. Personally, I don’t expect an official announcement until next year or the year after.

    But I also hope that the new MMORPG will use a combat system that feels more powerful and direct than in ESO. In addition, in my opinion, every paid service game could do without optional subscriptions and a packed in-game shop. However, if someone announces an MMORPG like this, I’ll be right at the front of the hype train.

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