Dedicated Elder Scrolls Online Fanbase Keeps the Game Alive

The Elder Scrolls Online Trio

Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls Online has stood as one of the definitive fantasy MMOs for the past ten years. Backed by a massive franchise and sporting dozens of expansions, the game has continually escalated in popularity. As such, many fans have been asking exactly how high the game’s player count is.

When judging its player count, there are several metrics for a massive game, such as Online. Fortunately, this MMO passes with flying colors. Here is a breakdown of The Elder Scrolls Online’s current statistics and what they mean in the broader context of the medium.

Elder Scrolls Online’s Player Count

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Talos
Image from Elder Scrolls V Skyrim, courtesy of Bethesda Softworks

According to MMO Populations, one of the largest data sites for online gaming, The Elder Scrolls Online maintains a massive player count. The game boasts over 24 million registered players and has 25 thousand daily active. However, it should be noted that this player base is spread out across many servers and varying regions. The numbers from the same site indicate that Online’s player count has remained stable and shows no signs of declining soon.

By MMO standards, these numbers show that the game is alive and well. Most recently, the annual expansion of Gold Road arrived this summer to widespread acclaim, further cementing the game’s position. The expansion was released in tandem with the game’s tenth anniversary. Regarding a single-player game, Skyrim sold sixty million copies across its evolving forms.

How These Numbers Compare

While these numbers may look impressive, they should be compared to those of other MMOs to gauge their success. From MMO Populations, ESO currently stands as the 12th most populous MMO in the market compared to other large titles. To put those statistics into perspective, the blockbuster World of Warcraft has 150 million registered users and half a million daily players.

Another example is Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, released around the same time as Elder Scrolls Online. This game boasts around 60 million users and a quarter of a million daily players. Comparatively, these statistics show that Elder Scrolls Online is, at the very least, in the same league as the big MMOs.

Given their high maintenance costs, MMOs depend more on a constantly active and growing player base than any other genre. Concord’s disastrous failure last month shows that not maintaining a high enough player count can quickly destroy a game. Hopefully, Online can maintain its loyal fanbase for years to come.

The MMO’s History

When an IP with a rich universe becomes large enough, creating an MMO to unite fans is practically customary. In 2014, barely a few years after Skyrim’s monumental success, Bethesda launched The Elder Scrolls Online. The first arc of the game had players joining one of three factions as they vied for control over the continent. However, all were united in their battle against the invading Daedric Prince Molag Bal.

Elder Scrolls Online has continually released massive expansion packs for the past decade to keep the game fresh and ensure the adventure never ends. Despite the game’s rocky start, Bethesda earned back its fans by listening to their feedback and adjusting its pay model to be more broadly accessible through “Tamriel Unlimited.” Since then, the MMO has maintained a stable presence online.

However, Elder Scrolls Online’s future remains uncertain for several reasons. The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced six years ago. While Bethesda has not followed up with a proper trailer or release date, one can expect the developer’s marketing to shift toward promoting the sequel. However, given the MMO’s scale and population, it’s unlikely Bethesda has any plans to put this juggernaut to rest anytime soon.

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