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The Elder Scrolls Online delayed 'about six months' for consoles

Sinan Kubba
Updated ·4 min read
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Update: Bethesda confirmed it's delaying the Xbox One and PS4 versions of The Elder Scrolls Online by "about six months." The publisher said it's been a "challenging process" addressing a number of issues specific to the console versions of its MMO.

"​We continue to work on the console versions of ESO, and game development has been progressing steadily," reads a company statement sent to Joystiq, "but we are still working to solve a series of unique problems specific to those platforms. Integrating our systems with each console manufacturer's networks -- which are both different from the PC/Mac system as well as different from each other-has been a challenging process. It has become clear that our planned June release of the console versions isn't going to be possible. Though we have made great progress, we have concluded that we'll need about six months to ensure we deliver the experience our fans expect and deserve."

As a means of making it up to fans, Bethesda announced a special offer that allows PC and Mac owners to claim a digital version of the game on Xbox One or PS4 for $20. The offer only applies to players who purchase the PC or Mac version of the MMO by the end of June, and adventurers can transfer their characters over to either of the console versions when they're released. The $20 purchase also comes with 30 days of added game time.

[Image: Bethesda]

Original Story: ​The Elder Scrolls Online won't venture onto consoles in June if Bethesda's own FAQ page is to be believed. As captured by a Reddit user, the FAQ noted a projected Xbox One and PS4 delay of "about six months," so Zenimax Online Studios can ensure the MMO's acceptable to release. The page has subsequently been altered with no mention of a delay visible.

"The Elder Scrolls Online officially launched on April 4, 2014 on PC and Mac," the page read. "While it has become clear that our planned June release of the console versions isn't going to be possible, we have made great progress, we have concluded that we'll need about six more months to ensure we deliver the experience our fans expect and deserve."

Google Cache reveals the page previously noted June dates for Xbox One and PS4, but now makes no mention of the consoles' launch window. Also, while we weren't able to capture the FAQ page ourselves, a Google search shows cache that verifies the text was present.

Bethesda's yet to officially announce a delay on either Xbox One or PS4, and retailers such as Amazon, GameStop, and Walmart are still listing the console versions for June. We've reached out to the publisher for comment, and will update this story as we learn more.

[Thanks, HF!]

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We've been grateful to our fans for the wonderful response to our recent launch of The Elder Scrolls Online for PC/Mac, but we know many of you are eagerly waiting to play the game on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

We continue to work on the console versions of ESO, and game development has been progressing steadily, but we are still working to solve a series of unique problems specific to those platforms. Integrating our systems with each console manufacturer's networks -- which are both different from the PC/Mac system as well as different from each other-has been a challenging process. It has become clear that our planned June release of the console versions isn't going to be possible. Though we have made great progress, we have concluded that we'll need about six months to ensure we deliver the experience our fans expect and deserve.

We know that the news of an ESO console delay is as disappointing to many of you as it is to us. We want to do what we can to make it up to our fans who want to start playing now, so we have worked out the following arrangement with Sony and Microsoft:

Via a special offer, anyone who purchases and plays the PC/Mac version of The Elder Scrolls Online by the end of June will have the opportunity to transfer their character(s) to either console version when they are released. The offer will allow you to begin playing immediately on the PC/Mac, and then add the PS4 or Xbox One version and transfer the character(s) you have created and developed. And, you don't have to pay full price for the game twice. For $20, eligible PC and Mac players will have the option to add a full, digital version of ESO on either the PS4 or the Xbox One with your character transfer(s), and another 30 days of included game time.

Whether you decide to take advantage of this offer or not, we promise to do everything we can to get the game released on both consoles as quickly as we can. We will keep everyone updated with additional details regarding character transfers, specific offer dates, when you can expect console beta to start, and of course, when ESO on consoles will launch.

Thank you for your patience and loyal support.