Skyrim’s follow-up will be Cyrodiil’s first MMO.
One of the most robust, critically-acclaimed single-player experiences in recent videogame history is officially moving to multiplayer with Bethesda’s newly unveiled The Elder Scrolls Online, an MMO currently in development for Mac and PC.
“We have been working hard to create an online world in which players will be able to experience the epic Elder Scrolls universe with their friends, something fans have long said they wanted,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “It will be extremely rewarding finally to unveil what we have been developing the last several years. The entire team is committed to creating the best MMO ever made – and one that is worthy of The Elder Scrolls franchise.”
Like other TES titles, The Elder Scrolls Online will examine a previously unseen era in Tamriel history, set a full 1,000 years prior to the events of Skyrim. Unlike other recent entries in the series, however, the game will span multiple territories across the continent, taking players everywhere from the familiar mountains of Skyrim to the arid badlands of Elsweyr.
Story details are predictably sparse at this point, but Zenimax Online, the studio developing the game, has revealed that players will be attempting to stop/survive Deadric Prince Molag Bal’s effort to suck the world into his demonic realm of demons for what is, most likely, some sort of demonic purpose. In between those narrative bits, subscribers will be busy solo-questing, exploring a myriad of dank caves and dungeons with their pals, and participating in a “player-driven PvP conflict that pits three player factions against each other in open-world warfare over the province of Cyrodiil and the Emperor’s throne itself.”
Pricing model, specific mechanics, and other particulars have yet to be announced, but Zenimax has targeted 2013 for the game’s release, meaning it probably won’t be too long before we get the rest of the scoop. More information is set to be revealed with June’s issue of Game Informer.
Source: Game Informer
Image: BethBlog
