The Elder Scrolls Online News: What Changes did Bethesda Make in the Transition to the MMO Space?

A little under a year ago, Bethesda announced that they would be bringing their successful open world RPG series online with a new MMO. The Elder Scrolls Online is set for release late in 2013, and will be a major departure from the games that came before it.

Aside from taking place in the same world as Oblivion and Skyrim, TESO will feature a much different gameplay style than the other titles in the series. Obviously the biggest difference is that it will be the first Elder Scrolls game to have multiplayer, including both cooperative PVE as well as PVP features.

In terms of PVP, the game will allow players to choose a faction and battle over a limited number of keeps, outposts, and support structures such as farms. Players level 10 and above can group together to capture these bases for their alliance and guild. Larger battlegrounds and siege weapons will also be available for some of the bigger battles.

Additionally, TESO will feature set classes, instead of the skill based system previously seen in Skyrim. So far, the Dragonknight, Templar, Sorcerer, Warden, and Nightblade classes have been revealed. These will determine what special abilities your character has, but do not effect which weapons you can wield.

Similar to previous Elder Scrolls games though, these abilities will become more powerful the more often they are utilized. A total of six skills can be equipped at any time: two weapon skills, three class skills, and an "ultimate ability."

Instead of a first person perspective and WASD control scheme, TESO will feature a more traditional MMO interface. However, players will still need to control when their character attacks, blocks, and dodges. Successfully attacking or defending will net you "Finesse" points, which can be used to activate special, class-based abilities.

A release date for The Elder Scrolls Online has not been announced, but the most recent update pointed towards a late 2013 release. Beta signups are currently ongoing.