Bethesda wants Elder Scrolls Online access without Xbox gold

In light of the recent announcement that Elder Scrolls Online will charge a monthly fee, series publisher Bethesda Softworks is pushing Microsoft to allow those without a gold membership of Xbox Live access to the game.

In an interview with OXM, lead gameplay designer Nick Konkle and Bethesda’s marketing boss Peter Hines presented this inquiry to Microsoft so players won’t have worry about  another fee.

Hines said, “We feel like most people such as yourself currently pay that subscription not to pay a game, but to play all games online. So in that sense, when I’m playing Call of Duty online I don’t feel like I’m paying my monthly Xbox Live sub for Call of Duty - I’m just paying it because that’s a thing that I do, and whatever game I’m playing at the time is the one that benefits.”

Hines continued, “Having said that, we have been in talks with Microsoft about that very thing, and seeing whether or not there’s any room to change their minds about that, for folks who are only paying The Elder Scrolls Online and don’t want to pay for an Xbox Live Gold subscription, just to pay the Elder Scrolls Online… that’s the way it works, but it’s something that we’re aware of and we keep pushing on, to see if there’s something that can be done. We’ll let you know if there’s movement there.”

It’s easy to see why Bethesda is pushing for this. On top of the initial $60 title, players are being asked to pay an extra $15 each month on top of the $60 for a one-year Xbox Live gold membership. It has not been said, however, if they are asking the same from Sony. PlayStation 4 will require a PlayStation Plus membership to play titles with multiplayer components.
The Elder Scrolls Online will release for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC sometime in Spring 2014. For 23 minutes of Elder Scrolls Online gameplay, click the link here.