As The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) approaches its 10th anniversary, the game’s developers are considering a technological overhaul in the style of Final Fantasy 14. In an interview with GamesRadar+, ESO’s creative director, Rich Lambert, emphasized the importance of setting ESO up for the future, technology-wise as the game turns ten. The age of some systems in the game has led to player-facing issues, with Lambert acknowledging that they don’t do a good job of surfacing those systems for players.
Studio director Matt Firor suggests that ongoing improvements in ESO are more likely to be case-by-case rather than part of one major overhaul. However, he implies that Zenimax, the developer of ESO, is prepared to take on the challenge of making necessary upgrades. Despite running on an aging engine, Firor believes the game is scalable and will continue to look for graphical upgrades as they move forward.
The success of Skyrim changed perceptions of what an Elder Scrolls RPG could be, leading ESO to undergo radical changes. Firor emphasized the need for the game to evolve with the changing expectations of players. Overall, the developers are committed to making necessary improvements to ESO to ensure its longevity in the ever-evolving MMO landscape.
