The Elder Scrolls Online won't require PS Plus, will require Xbox Live Gold

The Elder Scrolls Online will not require a PlayStation Plus membership to play on PS4, ZeniMax Online Studios Game Director Matt Firor wrote in a PlayStation Blog update. Bethesda confirmed to Joystiq that the subscription-based MMORPG will require an Xbox Live Gold membership to play on Xbox One, however.

[GarrusVakarian]

Doesn't surprise me coming from MS, most of X1's features/services are locked behind a paywall. I wonder why MS would put this game behind a paywall when they know their main competitor isn't? Paying for the game, a sub AND XBLG is too much to ask.

The X1 is pretty much useless without XBLG unless you are only interested in SP gaming, whereas the PS4 has plenty of games/services/features that don't even need PS plus. MS really need to step their XBLSilver membership game up.

[reaperofsouls]

@ richierich

next u'll be paying EA for bullets in battlefield or having ur car fixed in neeed for speed

[Allsystemgamer]

I really hope EA isn't looking in on these comments...they may take that idea...

[truefan1]

So a game called Elder Scrolls online requires xb1 online access and you guys use it as an opportunity to down ms ft and the XB1. Also I would imagine 95% of xbox owners have xbl. Seems to be a bigger issue with Ps4 players than people with xboxes, so typical of this site.

[GarrusVakarian]

@truefan

Why so bitter? Why bash on this site just because you can't accept that this is a crappy decision from MS?

" Also I would imagine 95% of xbox owners have xbl"

...so what?!....that doesn't make the fact that 99% of the X1's appeal is locked behind a paywall acceptable. You guys are so quick to divert the blame with damage control.

The facts remain that if you don't want to buy PS plus...for ANY reason...then you can still get a lot out of your console and have a good time, the same simply can't be said for the X1 unless you are only interested in SP gaming for the entire gen.

Stop being so blindly defensive and admit that this is typical MS shafting their consumers, you you actually LIKE being treated like this? Making your consumers pay for a console sub after they have just paid for the game and the games sub is too much to ask, simple as that. And let's not get started on all the other trivial things that are locked behind the X1 paywall....

[xHeavYx]

Was anyone surprised by this piece of news? I mean, you even have to pay if you want to use Skype, which is owned by MS (and you can use it for free even on the PS VITA)

[dsswoosh]

So many dumb dumbs in here.

It doesn't matter whether you need PSN or Live Gold or not.

People with a PS4 will pay for PSN regardless and people with an XB1 will pay for Gold regardless.

The end result is that everyone will pay.

[jmac53]

Truefan is butthurt because Plus offers a ridiculous value for $50 a year and you don't even need it to play a lot of the F2P games and now ESO. Gold on the other hand nets you a 3 year old + game every month and that's about it. I have both and Plus kills it.

[DragonKnight]

Sssshhh, you're not allowed to say anything negative about Microsoft. The comment police will come in here and try to tell you what you're allowed to say and they just can't take any more Microsoft negativity no matter how deserved it is.

Literally no one should be surprised by this. Microsoft would put turning on the Xbox One behind the Gold paywall if they could. I'm surprised they actually haven't included some kind of credit card or Xbox Live card debit machine that you have to buy with your Xbox One so that you can swipe the card and pay for Live just to turn on the console.

[Milruka]

"paying for bullets"

They actually already do this in some games online.

[dedicatedtogamers]

PS4 is the best place for multiplats, and now apparently the best place for MMOs and F2P (considering the fact that PS4 has significantly MORE of those games, both now and coming down the pipeline).

The thing is, MMOs have not been popular on consoles...yet. If PS4 can corner the market for console F2P and console MMOs, they're going to dominate even more than they already are.

[CoolBeansRus]

All games that are online require XBL, why would this not require live to work? I like how everything is just blown up now-a-days.

[Dark_king]

@Milruka I remember seeing a game that you spent real money for ammo.If I recall you could actually make money also.Winner got some cash, haven't heard anything about it since then though.

As for the topic when I play MMO's I tend not to play other games.I invest lots of time in them and don't really need to pay for PS+ or Live for other games.Having said that I understand there are all kinds of gamers, some cant play one game only for 3 month straight some can.

[esemce]

And maybe fuel knowing EA.

[ThanatosDMC]

I'm disappointed. I was hoping Septic would post on here.

[UltimateMaster]

No Restrictions > Restrictions.

[GribbleGrunger]

@CoolBeansRus:

What sort of defence is 'MS always do this' when the accusation is 'MS always do this'? That's an odd post.

[MRMagoo123]

I swear MS fanboy take the cake for taking it up the arse and saying more please, they seem to enjoy the crap they take and never tire of it.

I cant imagine this news came as a surprise to anyone at all, MS are such a dirty greedy company, no wonder they have all the money in the world to waste on crap like GeOW.

[solid_snake3656]

STFU don't give them ideas

[ITPython]

One more nail in the coffin for the XB1.

At least MS's coffin will be extremely reinforced, ought to be more nails than wood at this point.

[Giul_Xainx]

What's worse about EA possibly taking up on those ideas..... a small percentage of gamers would actually buy into that stupid skiz wiz.

[MysticStrummer]

@ Miya - Exactly. A huge number of people buy these consoles and never play online.

truefan, dsswoosh, and coolbeans are clueless.

[Baccra17]

Allsystemgamer They, EA has already talked about that. I'm too lazy to look up the clip but it's on Youtube.

[cyber_daemonx]

And golf balls in Tiger Woods.

[TheTwelve]

Haven't we figured out yet that in this gen Microsoft is desperately trying to make money, even if it pisses off consumers, if they can get away with it?

If they got away with that DRM mess they would have made BANK this gen.

Microsoft is not about doing things for free so although they can duplicate PS+ if they wished they won't do it unless they truly see it is hampering their console sales.

Just the way it is! #dealwithit

[superbhoy]

it is sad but they will get away with this. Most Xbone users like being screwed by MS

[kwyjibo]

It's not just "this gen", it was last gen as well.

Only Playstation was free last gen.

[Death]

It's a matter of perspective. You have to pay for PS+ if you want online play access for the majority of games. Elder Scroll online access is "free" with or without your paid Plus subscription. The question is, how many people play online in games like this, but do not want to play online in other games? At some point it becomes irrelevant where the "paywal" exists if you are paying anyway.

Live has always been needed for online access since it ties gamers together. There are no exclusions to when your friends can't access you. It doesn't matter if you are watching a Blu-ray, Netflix, Live TV or in a subscription based MMO. The service is always running in the background keeping you connected to your friends.

[johndoe11211]

How much do you wanna bet that after hearing about this, microsoft changes it so that you don't need a gold account?

If the xbox community is smart they would be reading micrisoft the riot act right about now because of this.

[maniacmayhem]

Yea I have to wonder about that too. PS+ is required to play online. How many PS4 owners will buy a PS4 and not pay for +. I'm sure the numbers can't be that high.

Everything behind a paywall is nothing new for any 360 owner since Live is required to do anything. And more than likely any Xbox One owner would have their 360 tag transferred over.

How come a lot of sony fanboys are more interested with this than Xbox fanboys?

You guys are all upset about this and want the Xbox community to do something about it but gladly accepted pay to play online for PS4. Shouldn't you be raging to Sony about that?

[Death]

If I were to gather my friends and light some torches it would be about Sony charging for online access on the PS4. The service didn't change for PS4 to make it mandatory and you get much less bang for the buck if you are a PS4 console owner without a PS3 or Vita.

Once that is addressed I'll grab some of my Xbox friends and petition Microsoft to make access to Elder scrolls not included with my Live sub.

[Eonjay]

I have to agree. Microsoft just purchased Gears for a reported 100 million but they wont give their members better content on Live. They have the money to purchase all sorts of content for Live. They need to be more customer focused. I think they will change course though.

Edit @death...

While it is true (about PS3 being a better value than PS4 with PS+) please note that the PS4 just came out. Anyway I fully support that petition for Elder Scrolls. Even as a PS guy I want the best for all gamers. So if you make it I will sign.

[Imalwaysright]

@ Death

Well said. Its easy to spot the hypocrites on this thread. They talk crap about MS and surprisingly (not really because they're hypocrites)) they somehow forget that online play for most PS4 games is behind a paywall forcing PS4 owners to pay for PS plus.

These same hypocrites were the ones that last gen were preaching that they would never pay for online and were constantly taking jabs at MS and 360 owners at every oportunity they got but now that Sony is doing the same, it becomes acceptable. Its amazing (not really because they're hypocrites) how fast they've changed their tune.

[Mr_Writer85]

@imamalwaysright

How are you forced? If you want to play online for free then there is Warframe, Blacklight, DC Universe with Planetside 2, FF 14 and TESO.

However what if you don't want to play online but want to use Netflix?

Can you do this for free on PS4 yes

Can you do this for free on X1? No

THAT is the difference also I can't speak for everyone as I have been a plus member since it started but the games you get as part of the service, as well as the none paywall of none gaming features makes paying for plus a less bitter as you can get a lot out of it without it.

The same can't be said for X1.

Also the free PSN was SLATED by 360 fanboys for being inferior to their paid service. Sony have already gone on record to say that money will be spent from plus subs to improve PSN.

So why you think people are being hypocrites is beyond me. Maybe if you actually knew the pros and cons of both you would see Plus is a far superior service for gamers as it's main purpose is its amazing Instant Game Collection.

[air1]

Mr writer...

So Netflix was the deciding factor for you? I totally agree that ps+ is a much better value you get a crazy amount of free games but that doesn't answered why online play isn't free anymore and that value is only good if you have a ps3 and vita too..

[Imalwaysright]

@ Mr_Writer85

How aren't you forced to pay for PS+ if you want to play the online portion of most ps4 games that are and will be available on the market? What is so different about paying full price for killzone SF and being forced to pay for PS+ to access its online than paying a monthly subscription for this game and then being forced to pay for Live to be able to play it? In either case aren't consumers already paying to play the game before being forced to pay to access the online?

Also I'm talking about online play, not netflix or any other feature so I don't understand why you're bringing them up. What I'm discussing here, is that if you want to play most PS4 games online you are forced to pay for Plus.

Now I ask: where are those hypocrites that last gen were taking jabs at 360 gamers and telling everyone that they would never pay to play online? Why aren't they demanding for Sony to make online play free like it still is on the PS3?

[ShwankyShpanky]

"you get much less bang for the buck if you are a PS4 console owner without a PS3 or Vita"

And yet you still get more bang for your buck than if you're an XBL Gold member with only an Xbone.

And of course, if you DO have a PS3, well... I don't think any more needs to be said.

Now I'm just itching waiting for the Vita 2000 to be released in the west so I can put that huge PS+ Vita backlog to use (and the Remote Play).

[MarkusMcNugen]

Lets not forget that one account that has Gold on an Xbox One makes all accounts on that Xbox One also have gold.

[kneon]

@Death

You can blame Microsoft and Xbox 360 gold subscribers for Sony making PS+ mandatory for online play.

It's only because 360 owners showed they were willing to be be ripped off that Sony went ahead and charged for online. It would have been stupid of them not to charge for online when consumers have shown they were willing to pay.

[dragon82]

@MarkusMcNugen

PS+ works the exact same way. You only need one account per console with a PS+ Sub.

[k3rn3ll]

Drm push was initiated by devs not MS. PS4 would have been too if not for them being able to listen to the bad feedback at E3 for DRM befire they had they're keynote

[Mr_Writer85]

@iamalwaysright

MOST not ALL

The difference is there. If you want to play Killzone Shadow fall online yes you do, yet you then get Resogun AND (ATM) Don't Starve plus more games included in that price.

So how is having to pay MOST (not all) games, but then loads of games added to your collection a bad thing?

Here's a point.

I have a lot more disposable income then my best friend we both have a PS4, yet he cant afford plus yet and he can't always afford to buy the same games as me.

Yet despite this we game online together on our PS4's three times a week.

Would the same be possible on X1? We can still message each other and even party chat. Can the same be said for X1 as I remember even messaging your friends was behind a paywall at one point.

No so they are not the same.

End

You should change your name to Ihaventacluewhatimtalkingabout

Much more suited.

[MysticStrummer]

@Death - "how many people play online in games like this, but do not want to play online in other games?"

Lots of people play games like this and can't stand other kinds of online games, but even if they want to play something else there are already several types of games that will have free online play without PS+.

"Live has always been needed for online access since it ties gamers together. There are no exclusions to when your friends can't access you. It doesn't matter if you are watching a Blu-ray, Netflix, Live TV or in a subscription based MMO. The service is always running in the background keeping you connected to your friends."

An excellent point against XBL in my book. Who says "always online" went away?

"At some point it becomes irrelevant where the "paywal" exists if you are paying anyway"

All you guys really need a clue about how many people bought 360s vs how many paid for XBL Gold. It's less than half, so stop this whole "Anyone who buys a console will take it online" shtick please. More things behind a paywall = bad. Less things behind a paywall = good. Why is that so hard to understand?

Lastly, you geniuses are the reason PS users have to pay to play online in most games now, so bringing it up isn't a great argument for you to make. Maniac wants to know why PS users are interested in this? I just explained it.

[Imalwaysright]

@ Mr Writer85

1st my comment is directed at all the n4g hypocrite users, not your friend.

2nd I acknowledge that most, not all PS4 games online portion are behind a paywall.

3rd you're again bringing up other features when i'm strictly talking about online play that will be behind a paywall for 95% of the PS4 library.

4th I'll change my username as soon as you change yours to "MR I should really stop making useless replies to other users"

[Mr_Writer85]

@Ihaventacluewhatiamtalkingabo ut

But if those "hypocrites" are slamming MS for putting none gaming features and ALL online gaming behind a pay wall how are they being hypocrites for using a service that doesn't put all online gaming or none gaming features behind a paywall?

P.S my friends situation is an example of how Plus and Live are not the same so you can't be a hypocrite for critasizing two different things.

[Imalwaysright]

LMAO I have no clue? Irony must be your bff.

I joined this site in 2007 not in 2012 like yourself and countless times I witnessed the hypocrites talking crap about 360 gamers because they paid to play online throughout the entire gen.

I was one of those users that kept taking jabs at MS for forcing consumers to pay for online and all the users that defended it.

Now just because Sony doesn't force us to pay for online for a few select games it somehow becomes acceptable to the hypocrites to pay for ALL the other titles?

By all means, keep believing that paying for the online of 95% of games instead of 100% is some sort of moral victory that gives you an excuse to act like elitist douchebags towards gamers that choose to play on MS consoles but to me being forced to pay for online for 95% of games is just as anti-consumer as paying to play for 100% of them and my goalposts didn't change just because Sony is now forcing their user-base to pay for online.

Edit Man you're dense... Again my comments are directed at the hypocrite n4g users, not your friend and I'm strictly talking about online play being behind a paywall, not the perceived value of either service.

[Mr_Writer85]

@ivebeenheresincr2007writingut ternonsense.

I may of only been commenting since 2012 but how do you know I haven't been visiting for longer as a none commenter? Also that has no baring on the argument.

But ok let's play fair IF Plus was purely an online service you point would be valid.

But it's not so your comments are not valid.

The fact you have to ignore everything else that is added to plus makes your point laughable. You can't compare and only a fanboy would argue anyway.

Online play isn't even Plus main selling point it's the IGC

And as for calling ME dense? Again my friend was an EXAMPLE, I never once claimed it was aimed at him. I simply used his situation as an EXAMPLE (see it's there again) of how the two services are DIFFERENT.

So after dropping a bollock twice now you are the last person to be calling me dense as you have been clearly shown up for the raging fanboy you are.

[Rainstorm81]

Looking more like uralwayswrong

I understand there are people who said they wouldn't pay for online but you aren't even addressing what's being said just trying to force your narrow sighted view without looking at the full picture.

You agree with Death about "lighting torches cause Sony charges for online" I wonder where the idea came from? Isn't that also hypocritical?

IMO XBLG was a better service until after PS+ first year.....After that with what PS+ offers now with party and XGC across both Vita and PS4 not locked behind ps+ also instant game collection.....you benefit much more paying for PS+ than XBLG

If u disagree I willing to listen to all facts why it isn't currently better.....and Sony fans should thank MS ironically for forcing Sonys hand into creating a much better service that benefits the gamer much more

There is a such thing as perceived value and IMO last gen MS locked many things behind XBLG to try and raise it value....this is why people I know that play multiple consoles hated, not just it being a fee....Calling people hypocrites without knowing everyones reasoning for their XBLG dislikes takes an enormous amount of assumtion

[Eonjay]

People don't realize that Microsoft's milk and honey is Live. Not Xbox. Think about it. They withhold the majority of the services that you are already paying for and they don't pay to provider their members with decent games. Its a panacea for them.

[Kevlar009]

I'm glad I got out of Gold months ago. It took several years to accept I was buying into a system which didn't cater to my gamer needs. It was alright when I was playing CoD with friends on a daily basis, but when that wore out I begun to realize Gold wasn't for me (I even went to a third party to get Gold on the cheap for my last year).

I understand there are people who use 80% of the services and are fine with $60, but for someone who used Gold just for online play and Netflix (I can use Netflix on my Wii for free) $60 is too steep.

Personally PS+ is much more desirable. It's $10 cheaper and comes with free games every month (and not games several years old). I enjoyed my 360 but I am bidding fairwell to Xbox.

[Eonjay]

@Kevlar009

Its funny you mention that because on GamerTag Radio's Podcast a few months ago, they interviewed Micheal Patcher. He mentioned that he had spoken with Microsoft and was trying to give them advice on competing more effectively with Sony. Micheal had advised them to give away Live for a year with the purchase of Xbox One (or maybe it was six months).

Anyway, the moral of the story is that this had caught Microsoft off-guard and they were very much opposed to it. Microsoft makes bank off of Live. Anything they give away for free take the value away from a service that doesn't even give you many free games like Plus. Furthermore its only because Sony gives away top quality content that Live is looking worse and worse by comparison. Sony literally gives away more content than people can reasonable absorb. Its crazy.

[Death]

Sony giving away content is part of the reason Sony is in trouble financially. As a gamer it's nice to get something for nothing. It's less nice if the company giving it away is having trouble keeping the lights on. How many software sales has Sony lost to the Instant Game Collection?

It's interesting that people support Plus on the PS4 as being mandatory to play online based on content they receive on other platforms. If you only have a PS4, Plus is not a great value. If you have a PS3 and Vita, the deal can't be beat. I'm not sure if it is in Sony's or the customers best interest to keep giving content away.

I don't see Microsoft being in a big hurry to follow a business plan headed in the direction Sony is going.

[Eonjay]

@Death

Sony inability to milk me for profit is none of my concern. There sub plan is better from a gamer's perspective than Live. It nice that you are so concerned about Microsoft turning profits on you back but I could really care less. @50 PS+ on PS4 is a better value than Live on Xbox One. You can't be wrong about it being better on PS3 because PS3 has way more content available period. Within a year, PS+ on PS4 will be stacked with content. We all know it. Also, the content on PS+ is fully funded by member subs so it's not coming out of their pocket. They purchase bulk licenses at discounted rates.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

@Death I thought it was their T.V business?

[theoneb]

@Death see this is what I'm talking about. You and the spin tactics are pathetic. If Sony goes bankrupt it wont be because the PlayStation took them down.

Last I checked that was the division of Sony doing the best. So please try harder next time. Like I say in several posts I play good videogames period. I was at a MS kiosk in the mall yesterday and tried out Killer Instinct. It was fun and I might get a X1 just for that game.

Call me a fanboy but at least I'm an informed fanboy and know the difference between value and BS. MS and people who support thier nickel and dime tactics make me sad for the American gamer population.

[Kayant]

@Death

"Sony giving away content is part of the reason Sony is in trouble financially." - Even though that's very likely untrue seeing as the playstation division is one of better performing section for Sony as pointed out by theoneb.

So it's you are fine with a company that's in a better situation not offering you better value. Not only can match Sony with IGC if they wanted they could offer better games and extras. SMH if you don't find it wrong that the more financially able company is not able to offer to same/better value than a company that hasn't been in the best of position for years then there's no hope for you.

[SnakeCQC]

What finally made me stop buying xbl gold is when my gold expired and i couldn't use youtube, netflix etc its just ludicrous especially when my ps3 was inches away.

[Volkama]

I'm sure the number of people that won't subscribe to the console service but will consider subscribing to a single game is approximately 6.

MS and Sony both want you to subscribe. That's where the money is, not console sales.

[GarrusVakarian]

"MS and Sony both want you to subscribe. That's where the money is, not console sales."

Yet Sony still offer plenty without the need for a PS plus sub. The trick is to offer enough to make people want to subscribe...but still offer enough for people who can't afford it or simply do no want to pay. As if people need any more reasons to buy a PS4....not only is it $100 cheaper, but it still offers games/services,features right out of the box without any additional spending. The X1 is bare bones without XBLG.

But you know.....MS will be MS.

[Volkama]

But it's not necessarily bad business sense to ignore the people that don't like spending.

You might not like Microsoft's contribution to the gaming industry, but it's pretty hard to doubt their business acumen.

[cell989]

its ridiculous to see xbox fanboys defend this Death mentions that PS+ does not offer the same value to PS4 that it does for PS3. Yet he forgets GOLD offer what to the xbone? "dedicated servers" you still need to pay GOLD to use anything xnox online. With PS4 you dont have to pay twice for services, xbox fanboys really need to stop the denial train and admit they are getting ra**d with xboxlive gold memebership.

[madjedi]

@volkama about 35-40 million people were gold members out of 80 million consoles sold. And you think ignoring those potential game buying non paying silver costumers isn't bad business oh wow.

[Mystogan]

But you have to ask yourself. How many people are there going to be playing this game that don't have a PSN/XBL subscription? It's ridiculously small. Anyone who has the internet connection to play a game like ESO on a console most likely already have a PSN/XBL subscription.

[Volkama]

6. But 2 of them don't like high fantasy.

[GarrusVakarian]

Of course, i agree....but IF someone didn't want to pay for a console sub but did want to play this game....at least they will be able to on the PS4. It all adds to the appeal of the console, it may be a small thing on it's own but coupled with the other things that don't require PS plus, it makes people more inclined to buy the PS4.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Mystogen Do console owners still need to pay the monthly fee?

[MightyNoX]

@Mystogan: it's still an options and options always, always, ALWAYS trumps robbing you of choice.

[Death]

@MightyNox

You have the choice to play online for free on the PS3 or subscribe to Plus.

On the PS4 you have to subscribe to Plus if you wish to play most games online. Plus on the PS4 has very little value at this time since there is very little content available. Instead of releasing content and giving gamers a choice for Plus down the line as value improved, that choice was yanked.

Does the fact you can access Elderscrolls Online really make up for that?

[saint_seya]

Lets say i someone pays for gold, yet you had a month where your subscription ended but you have to wait another month to renew, is ok that you are unable to use things that are free everywhere else, or in this case a game that doesnt need a paywall on the other system-pc..
People here try to defend things that are against the consumers, sometimes i thing some users here have shares on MS profits or something..

[cell989]

I have 2 friends that won PS4s and only play Assasins Creed, and Fifa offline. For their online fix they play WARFRAME, BLACK LIGHT and WOW on PC. I know for a fact both are going too play this game cause they love MMOs, they wont have to pay more to play this on PS4 than what you pay for playing it on PC, unlike say..... xbone..

[MRMagoo123]

@death

Stop spouting your stupid BS over and over , you are completely missing the point from pretty much anyones post , its like you are a paid MS attack dog with no thoughts of your own "On the PS4 you have to subscribe to Plus if you wish to play most games online." take a look at what you have written there, most games , the fact you can still play around 4 games right now online for free without needing PS plus is a far better option than taking it long dry and hard by MS from behind as you seem to enjoy.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Lukas "Doesn't surprise me coming from MS, most of X1's features/services are locked behind a paywall. I wonder why MS would put this game behind a paywall when they know their main competitor isn't?"

You basically just answered your own question. Silver members don't get anything but the game they're playing. Gold unlocks everything.

Its always been that way with MS.

[GarrusVakarian]

Being a 360-only gamer up until 2011 i guess i should already know the answer really.....XBL silver was horrible, you had NOTHING, and even with Gold, it was still pitiful compared to PS plus. You just paid for the "privilege" of party chat and the odd demo every now and again.

I just wish MS were a little more...giving to ALL of their customers, not just ones who pay a premium. They need to straighten their image right now, putting things in front of the paywall would really help.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Lukas I agree but MS gives more than just the obvious apps and party chat. They do have Games with Gold and they do mark down newer games for dirt cheap.

They do run great sales I will say. GWG will continue on X1. Lets just hope its better and recent games this time around.

XBL does need work. It seems to be improving a bit now.

[filipakos]

Thats the reason i sold my xbox 360.If i wanted to buy a game (im mostly into MP games) i had to spend 10+ more euros for XBL.Maybe i was used to play for free on ps3 and it was really irritating to pay for online on xbox.Maybe its just me

[HomerJDog]

so if your wheeling to pay 15 a month what makes you think they won't pay for live.

[awi5951]

Xbox 360 let Final fantasy 11 online work with xbox live silver so why did they lock ESO out man microsoft is being stupid.

[CertifiedGamer]

Straight up I would have wanted Sony to require PS+ for this game. Sonys actions are going to allow other developers to follow the same ideas. I don't would rather pay $15 and have all my games be available to play than have 5 games with a monthly subscription. The people who are getting fucked is the customers in the long run. Microsoft and Sony should both disallow this game to be sold on their platform with these subscription based rules.

[Prime157]

"I wonder why MS would put this game behind a paywall when they know their main competitor isn't?"

What isn't behind the gold pay-wall? The e3 version of x1 was online only to justify the whole system needing to be subscription.

Good for Sony for finally doing that, they made a good decision.

[fr0sty]

PS4 f2P games that have online features do not require PS+ either, such as War Thunder. I know this because my subscription lapsed recently but I was able to keep playing it. Only when I tried playing another game was I blocked from online play.

[showtimefolks]

you even have to pay if you want to use Skype, which is owned by MS

While you can use it for free even on the PS VITA among other devices

Fanboys will never admit it that is why sony offered so many more exclusives last gen yet MS fanboys kept touting MS is better even though they used the same 3-4 IP's the whole generation

Psn-Plus is awesome yet MS offers 5 year old games for free yet Xbox Defense Force don't want to admit MS's shortcomings

No doubt MS started xblive and started real online gaming on consoles but since than sony has caught up to them and passed them up content wise but still xbliuve is better to fanboys

you can buy a ps4 and get psn-plus and download a lot of content to play. But you don't have to sign up for plus yet still be able to play free to play games
---------------------

Everything useful on xbox one is behind a paid wall

oh the cloud will make xbox one more powerful

DRM is what is next generation, that's what i ready before E3 from MS's fanboys. That xbox one is true ext gen because of all those restrictions. If it wasn't for sony ms would have no problems forcing all those policies on to gamers

Forza 5 is so much better, oh really because it has a lot less cars than forza 4, a lot less tracks than forza 4 and has a season pass that cost as much as the game itself. so i guess that's what makes it so next gen

PS4 the Ultimate gaming machine and sales show

2nd console of choice will be wiiu just to play Nintendo games in HD since most of MS's offerings exclusives wise isn't anything new

halo
dead rising
now gears of war
forza
fable

and dead rising 3 may come to ps4 in a year or so with all the dlc

[LackTrue4K]

truefan1, trying to look like a victim here on N4G, when you have been the victim of abuse from Microsoft FOR YEARS!

[shorty74a]

All online multilayer on XBone requires an Xbox live Gold account. No reason for Microsoft to make an exception just because Sony decided to make online free for this game. It seems that only Sony fans are upset about this.

[CertifiedGamer]

Not upset, but upset that other developers will look at this as an opportunity to charge subscription knowing that Sony will not require consumers to pay. This move will fuck up the industry for gamers, Monthly fees should not be accepted in the gaming world specially when you have to buy the game too.

[TheSaint]

Xbox Live the service that locks Youtube behind a paywall, no surprises here.

[Fanci]

Pretty much everyone who purchases ESO plays other games online; thus already has PSN/XBL. Which is an undeniable fact. So this doesn't really matter at all if you think logically.

[Irishguy95]

2006-2013
"Microsoft hold half of your game hostage behind a 50 dollar a year pay wall, they are evil"

Summer 2013
"Sony announce Ps+ mandatory for online play"

Just some basic fanboy hypocrisy, something is only bad when it suits their argument. Paywalls are ok now that Sony are doing them too right?

[Canadianfubar]

I could be wrong, but the attachment rate of Xbox Live gold is only around 55% is it not, with the rest having the silver account. I am pretty sure that same rate is probably the same on PS4 with PS+. Out of all my friends less than a third have PS+ on PS4.
Single player games, apps, free to play do not require it.
The pay wall of Xbox Live Gold does suck when it comes to the free apps, free to play on Xbox One. Microsoft is very greedy, yes!!
That is why I only buy Xbox One exclusives and everything else is bought on PS4.
Netflix has even stated that the PS3 in the number one console for their service, see not behind a pay wall MS!!!

[gnomefighter3d]

Ay yi yi, does this really honestly matter.

A: you'd be stupid not to have PS Plus for the $50 per yr/ $4.16 a month / roughly .15 a day. Lay off the fast food, vending machine goodies, morning coffee and any other nasty habits and KaBooom you're in. Its a great value and will offer great things to come in the future especially on PS4.

B: Coming from the XBOX 360 to the PS4 (best move I ever made) I didn't know any one that had the XBOX 360 and did not have Live(gold). I believe most XBOX users are aware that this is a service they will have to pay for when purchasing the console and its just expected to have Live "Gold"

The console war has been over for a long time, and there really is no reason to bicker back and forth about how dumb Microsoft is and how smart Sony is. We already know.

The final nail in the coffin will be PS4's backward compatibility with the announcement of "Playstation Now"

Sorry Xbox One users and Microsoft but these next 5-10 years belong to Sony, PS4, Vita and all of their users. As a PS4 user its time to seize the moment and sit back and enjoy all the services that Sony has to offer : )

[Shinox]

Could people please STOP DEFENDING M$ FOR ONCE !
They got a gift and yet THEY STILL COMPLAINING !?
Why can't people compare the good from the bad
WTF The world has become to , a world full of idiots ?
Just be happy with your console of choice and Shut the Fxxk up instead of being a brainwashed tool for a company that care mostly about money and nothing else

[THC CELL]

So Xbox players have to pay for a game,live,subscription. Wow what a knife in the back to Xbox players

[THC CELL]

Well it's confirmed ps players don't have to pay for plus to play.

[Summons75]

It was the same for FF11 on 360 so I'm not terribly surprised.

[awi5951]

No it wasnt you could play FF online on 360 with a silver account i did it because FF ran on its own software and OS outside of the 360.

[awi5951]

@ everyone that disagreed with me.

All the people who disagreed are just playstation fanboys final fantasy 11 worked on Xbox live silver for free. Thais a fact that's history deal with it and stop being idiots it just makes you looks like petty retards.

There are too many fanboys on this site that shoot their mouths about hardware/pc gaming and a host of other subjects that have no idea what they are talking about but still shoot their mouths off and im sick of it.

[liquidhalos]

Thats pretty cool for ps gamers. I was boned all last gen by MS, its kinda nice not being ripped off for a change. Cool decision its a shame we all cant score

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Cell its a knife in the back we have have to pay for Destiny, The Division and all MP games in general this gen.

Its not just MS.

[Jubez187]

I think Destiny and Division are going to require PS+ to play online.

They're games with heavily integrated MP, but they're a far cry from a Subscription MMO in terms of implementation.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

You can thank MS for starting that business practice.

[Prime157]

Yeah, I agree with kobe357, Sony had to add ps+ to compete. At least you get games as an added incentive.

In August 2013 the amount that xbl brought in was $5.6 billion, and ps+ brought in $140 million... 32:1 in favor of xbl. If you were competing with another business and they brought in 32x more money, how else could you compete in terms of online infrastructure?

[mo241]

richierich

lol
next people from their company will come to play in our houses to play half of the time. So we can only be pkaying half of the time. So we will need to buy another copy and that way an other representive from their company will come to our houses to play half of the time.
Just imagine if you got a arcade hall or lan party Half of EA will be there lol.
Well it's no surprise with all the shit their able to pull of

[Meltic]

still i dont pay for this game to play online....

[mo241]

but it is only 15 dollars a month. that is like 10.000 dollars a year. Come on don't be a smart consumer go on with the rest of the herd.

[ninjahunter]

Step your game up microsoft, youre playing catch up when you need to be making leaps and bounds.

[FITgamer]

I don't think it's F2P. I'm pretty sure it's a full priced retail game plus a monthly subscription, which is why i won't be playing it.

[Prime157]

The difference with mmos is that your paying for the server to be able to play with thousands of people at a time. Also, a maintenance team and dev team to make content basically weekly.

I understand your choice to not play a sub game; I can't anymore. However, mmo costs are usually higher than others.

[JohnnyTower]

Come on Microsoft! You are hobbling this game with another monthly fee?! As if Bethesda didn't already hurt the game with a monthly fee. So lame. The money I spend on this game would pay for a new graphics card for my pc. Looks like I'll be modding skyrim for a while yet...

[Stopher92]

God I hate M$... So sick of their selfishness. And people STILL prefer Xbox. Blows my mind how ignorant both M$ and their fans are.

[JeffGUNZ]

Oh the irony. You call an entire base of gamers who have an xbox related console as ignorant, yet you make a blanketed, arrogant statement like that. What about people who don't care about this game at all? What about people who pay for live because they game online ALL the time, they are ignorant as well? So, if I pay for Live to play Titanfall and I'm going to be a live member solely for the fact I game MP, I am ignorant? Yep, that makes sense.

[Stopher92]

Yes, I believe it's ignorant to support a company who does crap like this so often. They honestly don't care about their customers whatsoever. They aren't willing to provide value, and aren't even willing to negotiate. I'm just sick and tired of the careless decisions they make, and I will never support them. They're never going to change as long as people buy their crap. Because, to them, that means they're doing a "good job". All they see is $$$$

[JeffGUNZ]

That's fine if you don't like MS, but to blanket the entire user base is a little extreme. You know, most people could care less about MS or Sony and just like the product. I like gaming, so I get all consoles, but I am never going to generalize that every person that likes a company I don't care for it ignorant or anything like that. Your gripe seems to be with MS, you shouldn't take it out on people who enjoy playing video games.

[tommygunzII]

Ignorant:
lacking knowledge or awareness

Most that dislike Microsoft are aware of their shady ways and how they abandoned their customers for the last few years.
I see Xbox fans as either gullible or ignorant, at least the ignorant ones have an excuse since they don't follow gaming news usually.

[Godmars290]

Its about the people who own an Xbox and - somehow - don't play enough COD or the like to really justify paying for XBL. The people who can watch Netflix or Hulu on a half a dozen other devices connected to their TV, or not, and only have to pay Netflix to do it. Not MS as well.

And most of those people don't. Its also why the PS3 became the most popular Netflix streaming device despite MS having it exclusively for nearly a year - many people weren't that dumb.

[LogicStomper]

@Stopher92

"God I hate M$... So sick of their selfishness. And people STILL prefer Xbox. Blows my mind how ignorant both M$ and their fans are."

Wow... example of how N4Ggers have forgotten who they are.

Okay, I'll start from ground up as many have forgotten why they buy Xboxs and Playstations and Wiis. Firstly, why do we buy gaming consoles? What is the main reasons we buy them? It's games. We buy them to play games (games being keyword here).

Now, why do people like Xbox over the Playstation or vice versa? Is it possibly because they enjoy the games on one console rather than the other? So now ask yourself, is it ignorant of you to call an entire fan-base ignorant for buying what they want?

" They honestly don't care about their customers whatsoever."

Games with gold. Your point, dismissed.

" They aren't willing to provide value, and aren't even willing to negotiate.""

DRM. Point dismissed.

" I'm just sick and tired of the careless decisions they make, and I will never support them. "

Personal opinion (if you're not just making it up, like how you troll Xbox in most of your other comments).

"They're never going to change as long as people buy their crap. Because, to them, that means they're doing a "good job". All they see is $$$$"

The way you use the term "Good job" is very vague. Good job could be in terms of sales, quality, quantity produced, overall company value, annual revenue, business strategy and so on. Microsoft could be thinking they're doing a good job in terms of sales, whereas you're taking it out of context and saying that they're thinking good job in terms of something else.

***************************** *
@ tommygunzII

"Most that dislike Microsoft are aware of their shady ways and how they abandoned their customers for the last few years."

If by abandoned, you mean no games, well look at it now. Is it not a sign that they are pumping out more games now to make up for the lack of games earlier? Now you're probably thinking, 'well what about in 5 years time' and for that, why complain about 5 years into the future now when you can't see that far ahead.

On a side note, Isn't it ironic how you provide the definition of 'ignorant', only to make a statement such as "Most that dislike Microsoft are aware of their shady ways and how they abandoned their customers for the last few years." I'd like to see the hard facts behind this statement, or are you "lacking knowledge" for this statement?

[Mystogan]

But why do you care? You don't even have an Xbox. Why does this make you mad?

Also 99% of the people who are going to play this game already have a PSN or Live subscription. So it doesn't even matter as much as you like to think it does.

[Stopher92]

I do care. I care about the industry and games in general. And MS is doing things that are not good for the industry.. It just really disappoints me. This particular topic may not be that big of a deal, but it's ALL the other poor selfish decisions they've made combined with this that make M$ literally a giant money magnet with no passion or generously whatsoever. Sometimes I just have enough of it and have to speak my mind.

[Prime157]

It stems back to the implementation of live. Pc games didn't need a subscription base, wii didn't need a sub, ps3 didn't need a sub.

12 years now and all we get is pr spin.

[impet25]

Yea because my live sub is gonna last forever, and when it runs out I just gotta pay for live and the games sub, I'm made out of money anyway so it doesnt matter. (sarcasm)

[LogicStomper]

@Stopher92

"I do care. I care about the industry and games in general. And MS is doing things that are not good for the industry."

What decisions have had a bad impact on the gaming industry? What decisions from Microsoft have affected you on the Playstation side? All I see is "they're doing all this bad" without any examples at all. It puts to question the authenticity of your argument.

So the question is, what are all the bad decisions Microsoft has made that have impacted the entire gaming industry, that have affected you on the Playstation side?

[jackanderson1985]

i pay 40 euro a year for xbox live, i game online on average around 20-25 hours a week... i get more than enough for the money i put in

these won't affect me in the slightest, not because of it being behind the paywall but the fact it's a (according to some) a full priced game (around 60 euros here more than likely) plus a monthly sub of $15 dollars so going by devs logic that'll be 15 euro a month... after 4 months i'd have bought the game again which is nowhere near worth it

[TheRealHeisenberg]

Just lol at you and the fools that agree with you. I really feel sorry for Sony fanboys.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Don't feel sorry for Sony fans, they are not the ones getting ripped of and turning a blind eye to it.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

@ Kobe

I am unable to view your comments because I ignored you months ago. Hopefully you are smart enough to not use any more bubbles on me but I have my doubts about that.

[jessupj]

lol at you and the ignorant fools like you. You're just so eager to bend over for MS aren't you and defend them at every turn.

Don't feel sorry for sony fans though. We're not the ones that are going to have gimped multiplats for the entire generation.

It's sad that you have 5 bubbles. And people keep calling this site a sony haven. I guess you ignored Kobe because you don't like people pointing out how flawed and stupid your comments are. Feel free to ignore me too and keep sticking your head in the sand.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

Same for you jessupj, I can't see your comment so you should ignore me too. I ignored you and many others like you. You guys make me ashamed to be a Playstation fan (much different than a fanboy) and a gamer with the way you carry on. Just pull your lip over your head and swallow.

[LogicStomper]

@Kobe357

"Don't feel sorry for Sony fans, they are not the ones getting ripped of and turning a blind eye to it."

He's not feeling sorry for your money, he's feeling sorry for mentality to put it bluntly.

As for being ripped off, care to explain how I'm being ripped off? I've got a Xbox 360, and Xbox live sub and only use it to play Halo,Forza,GTA,Skyrim,Hitman,B orderlands 2 and on rare occasions MW2. I occasionally use party chat to talk with my cousins when they're on and buy DLC for games I like. So care to explain how I'm being ripped off?

@jessupj

"lol at you and the ignorant fools like you. You're just so eager to bend over for MS aren't you and defend them at every turn. "

To be honest, I actually do not (in any way whatsoever) see how TheRealHeisenberg is "defending MS" in that comment. To be frank, it actually makes you look like the "ignorant fool" here for false accusations.

"It's sad that you have 5 bubbles. And people keep calling this site a sony haven. I guess you ignored Kobe because you don't like people pointing out how flawed and stupid your comments are.Feel free to ignore me too and keep sticking your head in the sand."

Isn't it just hilarious how ironic this is. Your entire comment was an attack on Heisenberg, yet at no point did YOU point out how his comment was "flawed and stupid". Actually, if you re-read the comments, you didn't even provide an argument to dismiss his claims, you just attacked him and the Xbox fanbase rather than attack his argument. Your entire argument is an abusive fallacy, so render your entire comment invalid.

[king_george]

Im with Stopher92. This bullsh*t that MS has been pulling for years is just plain wrong and the fact that there are blind sheep that will defend this crap to no end is just sad.

I have never purchased an xbox in my life because i just hate the way microsoft treats people. I have come close but i always get pushed away by MS themselves. There are games on xbox one i want to play but as long as MS keeps this up i will never support them. Shame. Titanfall looks good too. But i'll catch the sequel on ps4

Learn to open ur eyes and see that the way MS is treating their customers is messed up people c'mon

[BOLO]

Xbone fan Stockholm Syndrome for M$FT I suppose.

[DigitalHope]

Ok so I don't need PS Plus to play ESO, but if I have PS Plus can I get some kind of discount on the monthly sub? $9.99?

[thekhurg]

If ESO was published by Sony your question would make sense.

[DigitalHope]

What does the game being published by Sony have to do with anything?

They could easily work out a deal that if you have + you get a lower monthly sub. Gets more people playing ESO on PS4.

You could even do something like have your first 30 days free with plus then a 9.99 monthly sub.

Get more people on plus and ESO for PS4.

[thekhurg]

@above

LOL WHAT? Sony doesn't need help getting people to PS+

Sony also has no invested monetary interest in the success of ESO, because they aren't the publisher. This is Zenimax Online and Bethesda's responsibility to get this ship sailing in the right direction.

[Stick89]

What the shit Microsoft. You know your public image is in complete disarray at the moment and you can't afford to do anything stupid, so what do you do. This.

This would have been the perfect opportunity to throw the "Hey! we totally get you hate being gutted by us, so why would we charge you a sub fee, just so you can pay for a sub fee". But no...you're Microsoft, you'll never learn.

[Sven Benoit]

Their public image is in disarray, yet the just posted record numbers in revenue. Yup makes sense.

[aLucidMind]

How much revenue vs how the public perceives you are not mutually exclusive.

[kenshiro100]

What does revenue have to do with looking out for gamers?

[rafaman]

Old news!

But I wonder who would buy a PlayStation and not pay for plus? It would not be wise at all. PSN plus is awesome!

So, in fact, not requiring plus means nothing. We may think its a great move, but we know that people who will buy TESO will pay for plus anyway...

[Stopher92]

True, but at least sony is generous enough to give us the option. You never know.. What if somebody's PS plus expires and they can't afford to renew it until their next paycheck? Well Sony has their back, they could still play this game online, along with other games like Planetside 2, DC Universe, Warframe, etc. I respect Sony for not screwing people over and providing fairness and high value.

[DeadMansHand]

This x 1000

[Software_Lover]

So this theoretical person wouldn't have money for PS plus but they would have money for the ESO subscription?

Just had to do it to you.

The other games that you listed are free to play, this one is not.

[CrossingEden]

Well if you can't afford to renew a game subscription til your next paycheck then your money would be better spent somewhere else, btw, nice of you to ignore the $15 subscription -_- How does Sony get our back in that situation?

[JeffGUNZ]

Thank you. Common sense here. Bubble up. Who is owning a next gen console and not having PSN+ or Live? Makes no sense at all.

[KonsoruMasuta]

A lot of people. I only get + as I see fit. Most of the time I play single player games, so it wouldn't be of any use to me. I'm getting into games like FF: ARR and I might play this.

Having to pay more than I have to, just to play these two game, would be crazy and unacceptable.

[JeffGUNZ]

@ KonsoruMasuta

You are clearly in the minority, most people on next gen. consoles are going to be paying for a prescription service. These systems are designed to be optimal with their paid subscription.

All the power to you brother, as long as you're having a good time gaming then you're doing it right!

[KrisButtar]

I have friends that will never pay for either of those services.

[LogicStomper]

What is going on in this site???

rafaman:

"But I wonder who would buy a PlayStation and not pay for plus? It would not be wise at all. PSN plus is awesome!

So, in fact, not requiring plus means nothing. We may think its a great move, but we know that people who will buy TESO will pay for plus anyway..."

11 agrees 2 disagrees.

JeffGUNZ:

"Thank you. Common sense here. Bubble up. Who is owning a next gen console and not having PSN+ or Live? Makes no sense at all."

8 agrees 18 disagrees.

Now here is where it gets creepy. Both comments have the same message, questioning who has a games console without the subscription, yet one user gets a majority agrees and the other user, disagrees.

Are there disagrees because people are judging comments based on comments? Or are people judging comments based on the character?

[memots]

My friend got a ps4 and he never plays multiplayer.

He has no interest in it at all. If he would have had to pay to use Netflix or any other thing he wants to do online he would have been pissed for the mandatory extra cost. So people cannot defend it ,

[MasterCornholio]

I'm not surprised since Sonys policies are more flexible than Microsoft's.

[deadfrag]

Expected!

[Edi007]

Hhhhhhhhhh every day come with bad news for xbone fans

[JohnApocalypse]

It would be funny if PS Plus has a discount on subscription fees

[Mikey94]

This has been known for a few months now. They said there trying to talk Microsoft into letting people without gold play to. Old news nothing new here.

[ThePope]

What I love about this is that most people that will play this game already play games online i.e. already have Xbox live and PS+. So it truly effect few people except for PS fanboys who love this stuff, and don't think things through.

That said it should be the same on both platforms.

[GarrusVakarian]

The point has gone right over your head, like so many others. Of course people who will be buying this game and it's sub will most likely already have PS plus or XBLG...that's a given. But it says a lot about both companies and the way they do business. Sony didn't need to put this in front of a paywall, but they did anyway, just like they did with many other games/services/features...to a gamer that is going to be an appealing factor when considering which console to buy.

You have a $500 console which is pretty useless without a sub and then you have a $400 console that still has a lot to offer if you don't have a sub for whatever reason. Banging on about whether or not people will have a console sub if they have ESO is irrelevant, the fact is that one company doesn't require a sub and the other does, one company consistently puts things in front of a paywall, the other consistently pouts them behind a paywall.

"and don't think things through. "

Oh sweet irony.

"That said it should be the same on both platforms."

Exactly, it SHOULD be. So why isn't it on the X1? MS shafting their consumers and making them say thank you for it. It's almost like they are purposely trying to include everything they possibly can into XBLG no matter how trivial so that Silver isn't appealing whatsoever....it's business, but it's the usual sly, greedy, soulless business that we have came to expect from MS.

The excuses for MS putting things behind paywalls always make me chuckle....it's just like when people made excuses for DRM.... "Well who doesn't have internet in this day and age? I have perfect internet so i don't mind MS's DRM".

[ThePope]

@Lukas

Lets not exaggerate here. To say a console is USELESS with out XBL is just plain wrong. You can download movies, watch TV, play demos, play single player games, listen to music, use every app except AP, and Netflix, and online MP.

I'm just trying to say it is being blown way out of proportion because 99% of people will already have XBL. Though Microsoft knows that too so you would think that it wouldn't matter if they made it so you didn't have to have XBL.

The only thing is Lukas what if the reason is because ES:Online is using the dedicated Azure servers for far better performance than standard servers. I played MMO's for a long time (even beta tested a handful) and server lag and latency is a big deal. So maybe extra value is there.

I agree with you that Microsoft should just make it free but have a sneaking suspicion there's a reason its not.

[KonsoruMasuta]

"use every app except AP, and Netflix, and online MP."

False.

You need gold to access a large amount of apps.

Netflix
Twitch
Crackle
Internet Explorer
Skype
Machinima
Blinkbox
Etc..

Most of the apps are behind a pay wall. Most of which are do not have a pay wall on other devices.

Why do I have to pay Microsoft to watch movies on a service I'm already paying for? Why do I have to pay them to play games I'm already paying a monthly fee for?

[Codewow]

This isn't really that big of news.. Sony as a whole is in the red and they need money. So they're going to offer up whatever they can to get the sales. You're going to buy a subscription for the console anyways, unless you're going to play offline and F2P games the entire time...

[kenshiro100]

WRONG.

Just stop...your ignorance is showing.

[Codewow]

Uh huh. Is it not true that Sony is suffering right now? Maybe not their console divison, but SOE is. They've been reducing staffing every year for a few years now and are still doing so. And anyone in their right mind would buy PS+. The free games are worth too much not too.

[kenshiro100]

I wasn't aware that you work with Sony. Where's your credentials?

Oh...wait.

Guess you're not aware that Sony is a huge company and has more than one division/

Don't talk about things you clearly have no understanding of and grow up.

[aragon]

lol y is this big? are u going to buy a 500 dollar machine just to play eleder scrolls online? i think not

[MasterCornholio]

Its there for fans of the franchise. However I prefer something like Everquest Next.

[MassOnesumis]

I wonder what the reason behind that is. It's been a while but I remember Phantasy Star Universe didn't require gold if you had a Hunter's License.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

So the irony to this is that more than likely 90%+ of those gaming in Elder Scrolls Online will infact have either PSN+ or XBLG. Just by being online gamers on these consoles they will have more than likely bought the subscription, so really it matters little in the big picture.

This is more a PR move than anything for Sony ....and could have been for MS too had they thought it through. Sony knows most of their users will have PSN+ so why not just say its free from PSN as it sounds nice and is a feel good thing. It really matters little to the bottom line and Sony knows that so they are smart and play that card. How MS doesn't get that is beyond me? For such a forward thinking company they are so backward thinking in many areas.

[MasterCornholio]

In my opinion it should be the same on both. But like you said PlayStation plus is such a good deal (free games) that you would have to be dumb to not have it. That's the main reason why most PS4 owners have PlayStation plus. With that said even if you needed plus for this game it wouldn't be a big deal since the majority of PS4 owners already have plus.

[Moncole]

Anyone who already owns the PS4 or Xbox One already pay for the subscription so it doesnt really matter if its behind a paywall or not.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Agreed...it really is just a perception thing. So wouldn't you rather a company like MS say "you don't really need XBLG service if you want to play this game, but thanks for buying our service anyway and enjoy the other aspects it gives you"?

[Moncole]

I don't really care because I never owned any kind of Xbox befor.

[XabiDaChosenOne]

Where is your evidence to back your statements?

[aragon]

Well said, no argument there

[SonyROXitoohya]

Lol this really doesn't even matter. Anyone who buys elder scrolls online is 100% going to already have XBL gold. No doubt sony would require it too but they are trying to play up the, we are nicer and more giving, vibe. Ahh sony, always trying something to try to make u look good instead of letting hardware and games do the talking like Microsoft.

[cyber_daemonx]

Re SonyROXitoohya, the point is you have to have XBL Gold to do pretty much ANYTHING on the bone. Typical xbot damage control.

[kwyjibo]

I've sunken over 100 hours into Skyrim, the world is big and beautiful. I've yet to touch the DLC, but will probably do so when I have the time.

I invested a similar amount of hours into Oblivion and Morrowind.

What I'm saying, is I really treasure the world of the Elder Scrolls. The lore, the locations, the details. I should be eagerly waiting in anticipation for TES Online.

But I'm not. While I would gladly pay to explore the world of Tamriel, I'm not prepared to pay a subscripton to do so.

I only have a set amount of free time, just because TES Online is 10 times (random number) bigger than Skyrim, does not mean that I'll be able to spend 1000 hours in it. There's pretty much no way I can invest any more time in TES Online than I have in Skyrim, so I cannot contemplate spending several times more money for the same experience.

[Revolt13]

i like being screwed..

[XtraTrstrL]

LOL, Microsoft just doesn't learn. I can't wait for devs to finally leave DX behind and go with other APIs like OpenGL and maybe Mantle if it pans out. So much performance is wasted with DX. I'm sure if that happens, Microsoft will be unwilling to adapt and will still force devs to convert it to DX11 for Win8.1 and Xbox. It'll just cause there to be an even larger gap between Xbox and other platforms, and there'll be little more for Microsoft to use to pull everyone in with.

They are adapting way too slowly, they got spoiled with the monopoly they basically had last gen vs PS3, and they aren't able to grow out of their excessively anti-consumer methods that made them so much $$$ in the console world. The fact that they thought they'd get away with charging for Games for Windows Live on PC shows how crazed they got from the robberies they were committing on 360. They still force you to have Live to do anything at all on X1, it's not gonna last Microsoft. Plus, once a proper fully feature packed form of Linux is released with enough basic apps people need is released, many are gonna leave Windows ASAP. I know I will. I really feel bad for the xbots too brainwashed to realize how badly they're getting robbed and misled.

I am not for Sony making us upgrade to PS+ for online play of retail games, but in comparison they atleast come off as humans that comprehend the inconvenience and have made moves to make it more of a smooth transition. Microsoft comes off as just a huge corp that doesn't think in human terms, it's all money and projected profit margins. They're gonna run their gaming division and even Windows into the ground soon enough with their current strategy. The only thing saving them right now is blind followers, it won't last.

[DevilishSix]

There is no reason for this game to be behind a paywall other than the fact that MS Live is a closed system and you will never get any of these services for free from them, even though you can get access for free on PS4 and PC.

It is pathetic, you have to pay MS just to have access to pay for access to the game.

[dazzrazz]

$60 XBL + $60 retail game +15 monthly sub.... sounds like a deal to me ! /sarcasm

[LexHazard79]

I guess I'll be playing it on PS4 then. I'm not one to make a big deal about paying $40 a yr for a service that has always been a pay to play! But I understand if some are way over their head in a hobby thats pretty expensive to begin with!

[SynestheticRoar]

This is a lol moment. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA . That was refreshing. Thank you.

[sgtGanGreen]

Is there a one person on xbox one that does not pay xbox live gold?
If they make it free for silver would not change a thing.
People still need to pay for other games.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Damn way a go Sony , but M$ why just why behind paywall with almost everything. People these dayz lol

[chaosx]

Pretty strange article. I was under the impression you needed a PS+ subscription to play online now , so the likelihood of a PS4 user doesn't have PS+ already is pretty slim. Why is it a shock that MS requires you to have Gold tom play online??
its only been the business model forever….
maybe people should be more up in arms the SONY is making people pay for online rather than it being free like it was on the PS3 or maybe we will see some developer stories on this being out raged that there games are being unfairly treated by being having people forced to pay for Plus when others don't….

[AKissFromDaddy]

Free to play games don't require PS+. War Frame, Black Light Retribution, and DCU Online are free to play games. However, because Elder Scrolls Online has it's own paywall, its smart to not double dip into their clients' wallets. I believe It also further deviates Playstation 4 and PS+ apart from Xbox One and Xbox Live Gold.

[chaosx]

yeah but lets be honest , if you own a PS4 you will be playing Killzone , CoD Ghosts, BF4 or any number of other games that have the requirement of Mandatory PS+ anyway. So why make this into a massive deal. I would like to see the number of people that own a PS4 and have not paid for PS+ , this may change my mind , but as it stands the PS4 and PS+ is basically mandatory if you want to use the console as it was designed.

edit… from what i see here in the comments ESO is not free to play.

[AKissFromDaddy]

You're right that ESO isn't free to play, but as I wrote,"because Elder Scrolls Online has it's own pay-wall, its smart to not double dip into their clients' wallets."

Agreed PS+ is needed for multiplayer focused games "without subscriptions" like Killzone, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. However, story focused games significantly outnumber multiplayer focused ones. Thus, too many story focused games like inFAMOUS Second Son, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, (maybe) The Order: 1886, Alien: Isolation, Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts III, Rayman Legends, Don't Starve, Resogun, Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs, and The Witcher don't justify paying for multiplayer. We may agree these are excellent games that don't require PS+ or XLG.

Nonetheless, multiplayer only games releasing this year like Titan Fall & Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare look really fun but are actually useless on X360 & Xbox One without Xbox Live Gold by game design. Yet, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has a retail release and a subscription fee but despite that, PS+ isn't required. Additionally, PLANETSIDE 2 is a free to play MMO First Person Shooter with thousands of players on PC and eventually Playstation 4 without PS+. Its consistent.

For all that, I'm assuming Destiny, The Division, and Evolve function without PS+ and XBL but are better with it.

So, do I have PS+? Yes I do, but its because of the service. Without that service, I'd wouldn't renew it. I had Xbox Live Gold when it was $50/year, until Microsoft announced its price increase by $10. Then I really contemplated Xbox Live Gold's value against its price and didn't renew it. When PS+ was announced I didn't use it for about a year, until my older cousin kept bragging about the games he was able to play and how I needed it. I succumbed to its allure , lol, and tried it out for 3 months. By then, I needed it, lol.

That was long, but my critical message is everything shouldn't be locked behind Xbox Live Gold, especially in comparison to PS+ because its a mockery in price($60 vs. $50), services(Instant Game Collection), game discounts(40%-67% off), and necessity because I want PS+, I need Xbox Live Gold.

Do I personally like or want Xbox Live Gold? Heck no. But I want it to be much better so that I want to renew it. Just sharing.

[chaosx]

Totally agree with everything you said. You are quite the wordsmith.

You did miss out my main reason thing for online was to play with others/ friends.
Thats why i pay for Xbox live , Hours of fun playing gears etc..with friends is worth the 30c a day. I consider those times as money well spent.

The rental offerings of PS+ when they arrived made me also look at value for money but anything before that was worth it so by that logic any fun with friends after PS+ should still be worth a gold membership .

Xbox Live has always been what it is , the PSN network has gone from a free service to a rental service then to a Xbox live'ish service with the PS4.

[AKissFromDaddy]

Understood. You're right that Xbox Live Gold was worth its value before PS+'s arrival. However, since there's been an equivalent to compare it too, I've felt that Xbox Live Gold has eroded its worth.

I wish you had more bubbles because its entertaining to have a reasonable discussion. I've enjoyed this very much. Thank you and until next time, best regards.

[MadSientist89]

MS you greedy bastards.. this is exactly the reason why FFXIV is not on xb one.. cause of MS Fatcats.

[H0RSE]

Although it's obvious the plus thisis for PS4 users, I also don't see it has horribly bad for the Xbox users, and here's why:

The percentage of users who are going to purchase an xbox just to play this game, I see as incredibly low. Hell, the percentage of xbox users in general without a gold account, is likely the minority as well. Chances are, the majority of people choosing to play on xbox will be players who game regularly, and are just adding ESO to their list and having a Gold account, will likely be something the majority of players already have anyway.

I would wager a good amount of people exclaiming how horrible this news is for xbox users, already have a paid membership for their preferred platform, meaning the news wouldn't effect them either way.

[OutcastMosquito]

Wait a minute, don't you still have to pay a monthly fee to play ESO? If so, can someone fill me in on the info? Thanks.

[Aces17]

Everyone on this site has XBL and/or PS+. But you'll will complain about this regardless because it's another free shot to take on MS.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

For those on here saying the extra cost MS is putting on this is outrageous...stand down. It's not, 90% of the ESO gamers already will be online with either PSN+ or XBLG so cost is pretty irrelevant. This is 100% a perception stance that MS failed to realize and capitalize on. Maybe MS is afraid if they let ESO go free they will have to let others go free but I just can't help but think this is a wasted opportunity by MS.

Speaking beyond the XBLG issue...I want this game to TANK HARD because I 100% hate the pricing model that Bethesda is putting on this game. $60 retail + a $15 a month sub? NO THANK YOU.

[Droid Control]

Sony should coin the tagline: Better on Playstation

[RoboticusRex]

Is anyone surprised about this? Microsoft are money grabbers. Thankfully there is another choice.

[Dan_scruggs]

One reason why this doesn't matter. On the PS4 you wont be able to play any other mutliplayer without PS Plus. So unless you only plant to play Elder Scrolls Online you will need PS plus anyway.

[AKissFromDaddy]

Free to play games don't require PS+. War Frame, Black Light Retribution, and DCU Online are free to play games. However, because Elder Scrolls Online has it's own paywall, Sony's PS+ is not required to play this game online on Playstation 4.

[Dan_scruggs]

With a lineup like that WHY would I ever need PS Plus #sarcasm

[Gran Touring]

They've had this sort of model in place since FFXI was released on the 360. I'm curious as to why MS continues to do this (same with F2P games) when it's competitor doesn't, and weirdly enough even when its the same game on another console.

[hkgamer]

not surprised, All/most apps for Xbone needs gold so why not mmorpg.

I'm guessing all the MMORPG for PS4 will not need PS+.

Also if you only have one console, Xbone or PS4 then I presume you would have PS+ or Gold anyway.

[IRNMUNKEY]

If you play online games you'll have Xbox Live Gold anyway. I think everyone that bought an X1 knew this. So who cares.

Seemingly only people complaining are PS4 owners as they see it as a justification for their choice of console.

Its only 5 dollars a month! I spend more than that a day on coffee.

[Masterh0ppa]

Who gives a shit?? I dont thats for sure... Almost everyone with a xbox console got live so who cares??

[UnHoly_One]

I would be absolutely AMAZED if there was even one single person out there that wants to play this game on XB1 and doesn't already have XBL Gold.

Gold has been required to play games online with an Xbox console since it started in 2002.

Anyone who wants to play this game and refuses to pay for Gold would surely have already planned on getting it for PS4 or PC, right?

It just doesn't make sense to me why anyone cares about this.

It's a total non-issue. More so than even all the stupid "paywall" (I hate that made up word, btw) comments that I see about Netflix.

Who is this a problem for, really? Somebody that buys an XB1 to play ONLY this game? Or they only play single player games, but also want to play a subscription based MMO?

I get what you are saying, that allowing it without paying for Gold would be better. I get it, really. But who is it really affecting?

[Jubez187]

I thought all the oblivious console gamers turned their back on this game at the (completely reasonable) thought of a subscription?

[GentlemenRUs]

Double paywall? Jeez, Sucks for those people then.

Though I won't be getting it because I can't(Well I can but I choose not to for such a crappy game) afford £10 a month on top of £50 for the game

[mhunterjr]

I don't see what the big deal is... Most of the people who play online multiplayer on consoles are paying for online service anyway

[corvusmd]

Huh? Well I guess this important to "ALL" those people that bought Ps4s or XB1's with no intention of EVER playing online except for one MMORPG.

Seems to me that there are 1 or 2 possibilities going on here. A) Sony realizes that their network does not match up to XBL, so in an attempt to create a positive image they made a deal with Zenimax to be able to say that you don't need PS Plus to play this game (even though 99% of people that will play it already have PS+) and/or B) One of these versions is getting dedicated server support while the other isn't.

[rayzorn]

sometimes i think these articles are just for fanboys.

we already knew that. sony stated any game that had a monthly fee or any ftp game did not need ps plus. and we already knew that xbox needs gold to play anything online. so this is a no brainer really.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Pay twice for the worst version? No thanks.

[snookiegamer]

I don't care whether Xbox Live or PS+ would have been required for this game....'Cos I'm not paying £14.99 per month to play what amounts to 'Skyrim' online.

They should have made the game download free, then sub us...but no, Bethesda wants £55 on top of that.

For 1 years service+Game PS4 = £234.88
For Xbox add average UK Xbox Live £39.99 total = £274.87

Both look like a rip off to me? ;/

[jacksjus]

Oh leave MS alone. XBL Gold has always been here and nothing will change. Although I find it strange that PS will allow you to bypass having a PS+ account, but you will need to have one anyway to play everything else on-line.

Not an MS fan but this is plain blogger bullshit. The only way this would be a big deal is if this was THE ONLY game that you owned on X1.

[thexmanone]

So Don`t care. I can`t see paying $15 a month to play this game.

[Razjin]

For all those who are raging over this and making it into some fan war thing please let me elaborate on the situation. First you will have to buy the game and most likely the first month will be free. Second yes ps4 has the advantage in terms of proper sub management meaning.....I the customer/kid don't have to have ps plus in order to continue to play. Third xbox live will always be the same as in you have to pay the sub in order to use its multiplayer features for "any" game. Forth mmo's haven't reach a good fan base on xbox console excluding the very few that was on the 360. Fifth there will be no dedicated servers for either so don't get your hopes up. Sixth this will be a great game give or take as long as both the economy and end game is handle well.

[Darkwizard904]

Oh look another flame bait article title for hits. Nothing I haven't seen on N4G before....(sarcasm)

[T-Dawg6]

I see why this could upset some people with an Xbox that normally play offline but honestly for me it doesn't matter. Ill always be paying for gold for everything else so it doesn't make a difference.

[Pennywise138]

PS plus is such a good investment that I don't think it changes the outcome much. It would be awesome if it was that if you had PS plus you didn't need to pay for a subscription to play the game but I know that's asking for a lot. I just hope the game is good and lives up to the ridiculous amount of fun I had with skyrim.

[Father__Merrin]

PlayStation plus is better than Xbox live, P.S.4 offers so much without plus membership access to netflix etc where as on Xbox live you need to be gold to access anything

only a deranged fanboy will agree with Xbox live policy like this it needs to change fast

[Sephs9394]

Take it, take it, bend over and take it

[S2Killinit]

that sucks for xbone owners /: wt fudge?

[sgtGanGreen]

Why that sucks? Tell me?
We all pay gold anyway to play other games.
Who is stupid enough to buy xbox one just for TheESO???

[S2Killinit]

Seriously? You dont think it sucks? Just because it doesnt effect you? Let me give you an example, i go to med school. I dont have the time, nor is it wise to play games whileschool is in session. However,being a gamer at heart, i still dish out for a new console, i have it so i dont feel left out of the exciting new generation. I would like to play netflix on my new console though, but alas i cant without paying double. Why? Because a bunch of fanboys are willing to defend a company no matter how anti consumer its policies are. Get the idea?

[first1NFANTRY]

i wonder what the aplogists will say about this. i'm all ears

ot: ps plus is proving very beneficial for gamers.

[Iamnemesis4880]

I will not buy a game that on top of my xbox live gold I have to pay them a fee to play a game I pay for and own sod them

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Never planned on buying this game but that sucks. So you pay the Elder Scrolls online fee and XBL Gold to get the same thing for just the ES fee on PlayStation? Who in their right mind would support or buy into this? I will never purchase a game that requires anything more than what I already pay.

[kenshiro100]

Wow, are they serious? That's a ripoff with a capital R.

[Sanhlami]

+1 4 PS4

[Hartsy]

Even if it was free on both consoles there's no way I'm paying £50 and then £10 a month to play it.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

As much as I want to shit on Microsoft about this, let's be realistic. Most of us who have an xbox ALREADY have a Live Subscription.

[TheSaint]

Yes, but that doesn't make it ok.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

I don't recall saying anything about it being ok.

[TheSaint]

No, but you made excuses.

[pinzir]

Most people do not want to pay an extra 15 a month along side with a gold/psn membership. And sony understands. i want to like microsoft byt they keep doing stuff that makes me not want to.

[pinzir]

so the main console people going to play it on is PS4 or pc

[GrandpaSnake]

Im willing to bet about 99% of xbox owners have live, were i believe that about 75-85% of playstation owners have ps plus on ps4. I wouldn't be surprised if it was less for ps4, one thing is for sure a lot of people still don't see on line gaming as a necessity and rather have a rich campaign/story driven game.

[Tctczach]

I hope they release the stats on people who have a Ps4 and don't have PlayStation Plus and play this game. Then see people hate on Microsoft.

[Nephesh]

NO WAY will I pay an additional price to play this! Not with PS+ and a 30MB internet bill. You suck Bethesda!

[kingPoS]

Somehow I doubt Microsoft & Sony have the same policies concerning MMO's on they're respective consoles.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[Allowen]

These are great news for the MMoRPG fans out there.
Because they know what video game console they should buy to play their games if they can not afford an expensive PC.

Every one that plays hardcore MMoRPG(s) that has subscriptions of around $15 knows that these games becomes heavier and havier for their PC to handle after every major patch or Expansion pack for these games.

The cheap solution then would be to play such games on the PS4 that hopefully will have these gamnes running perfectly fine since launch day until it dies years and years later.

[aragon]

Lot of comments for this topic. Lol so by logic Imma buy my xbone just for elder scrolls online, so I will be pissed it requires gold?

[mochachino]

Not sure subscription MMO would work if you have to pay additional for the consoles online service.

People that play MMOs tend to play them and nothing else or very little else. If they already play the game enough to warrant paying a monthly fee I'd imaging they'd be loath pay another $60 to MS for essentially nothing.

[Mithan]

Generally speaking, I think a lot of the PS4 fanboys on N4G are idiots.

That being said, the fact this requires GOLD is stupid.

[Chase51]

So how much is it per month to play this game?!?

[Grave]

$15/month + whatever you pay for XBL or $15/month on PlayStation.

[Tctczach]

*unless you already have PlayStation Plus

[kingPoS]

I'd imagine a group session at Microsoft went something along these lines...

[Ok people we're going to do it this way, if we market it right, we can sell less for more. All it needs is a linchpin, a must have service, once we have that, a multitude of services and features can be tied to it.]

Yeaaahhhhh! I get the feeling it went down like that.
.
.
.
Salt wound hurt yes?
Gateway MT6706 2008

[Azzanation]

For all the idiots out there. No one buys a next gen system and doesn't have it hooked to the net or pay for PS+ or XBL. If you do then its probably because you don't have a choice. Most people pay for Live and PS+ so Skyrim regardless if its behind a paywall is free to play to everyone on next gen systems.

[Grave]

The Microsoft gaming department's theme song for the past year: http://www.sadtrombone.com/...

[ibrake4naps]

If they do away with the monthly fee, I'll definitely try it!

[batbatz]

The game is gawd awful boring anyway, http://www.gamertechtv.com/...

[CuddlyREDRUM]

Kind of seems like this is a jab at Xbox coming from Bethesda. If they get MS to cave in on this, it could lead an MS console to almost be worthy of a purchase.

[Mr_Luke]

Nothing new.... It was the same when i played FF XI on my 360.

[pornflakes]

You need ALWAYS XBL Gold to play ANY game online.. so who cares about this neews, lol....

5 bucks for the best online experience available is nothing :)

[sgtGanGreen]

We all pay GOLD anyway LOOOOL
This is sh*t news.
I didn't buy xbox one just for this game LOL
I play other online games so I need to pay gold anyway.
If they make it free for silver would not change a thing.
But people are to stupid to realise that.
Everyone who play this game on PS4 will have ps+ anyway for other games.
Stop trolling people

[BobBelcher]

I think we're side stepping the issue that we even have to pay to play the damn game in the first place.

[DivineAssault]

Thats just a plain flat out B*tch slap! WOW it is so damn clear that PS4 is a btr console in value & power.. M$ may have a better network for now but thats not enough

[samholyyy]

the 15$ per month model is not appropriate anymore.
too bad for them, i wont go into this game as good as it may be.

destiny :-)

[PFFT]

Its highly doubtful people will be buying a Ps4 just to play ESO. Therefor anyone with a PS4 WILL be paying for both the PS+ service and the ESO subscription. NO if's or buts about it. Ill just wait till the game removes the subscription. Which i predict will be around 3 or 4 months. So all you potential buyers id wait if i were you.

[mmj]

Microsoft still think they are the pied piper whereby they can do whatever they like and their customers will follow them, that may have the case with Xbox 360 which had a lot going for it but with Xbox One they're just going to drive people towards PS4.

[Ko_Uraki]

Everryone has gold. What does it mean.

[contradictory]

welcome to PC where you don't even need to ask whether you'll need mandatory service

[joeorc]

Sony is; it really seem's is making a case to the developer's for the PS4 to be the Go to Console for MMO's.

Now that may not be viable for some gamer's who really do not play MMO's, there is a very clear Direction from Sony to make the PS4 very Viable for Developer's or publisher's who make MMO's to choose the PS4 as their #1 console to port or make their MMO for the PS4 as a Viable platform with cheaper consumer pay through being an incentive to put the MMO' on the PS4. with example:

Free 2 Play MMO's being already released on the PS4. BEING ABLE FOR CONSUMER'S TO Play those MMO's cheaper than Other New Current Generation Console's, Going further into the Generation, More PC development centric studios that may want to expand the MMO iP may have further Reason to choose the PS4 over any other Game console out there.

Example:

Sony Online Entertainment to Offer One Subscription For All Titles

Pay $14.99 and get access to Planetside 2, DC Universe Online, EverQuest Next and more

http://www.ign.com/articles...

that's pretty Enticing Incentive for Developers and consumer's that play MMO's , but its not for Everyone

[wynams]

If you are still unsure which console to get, this is tip of the iceberg ... while both Sony and MS are in the business of making money, Sony is much less slimy/greedy/scummy about it.

VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET, BUY A PS4!

[pop-voxuli]

Now I'm excited about this game, I really am BUT it either needs to be a free game with a $15 per/mo fee or a $60 retail game with free/no monthly charge, NOT BOTH!!!