Elders Scrolls Online

What Elders Scrolls Online does

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the Elder Scrolls universe, developed by ZeniMax Online Studios in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and published by Bethesda Softworks. The company serves individual consumer gamers globally across PC/Mac, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series S/X, Steam, and Epic Games Store, with the game supporting cross-platform multiplayer through proprietary Megaserver infrastructure. The core product is a unified MMORPG offering quests, dungeons, PvP battles (Alliance War, Battlegrounds), crafting, player housing, and 24 unique story zones across Tamriel, with 8 playable classes and continuous content expansions including annual chapter releases and seasonal content (Season Zero, Season One).

The business operates a multi-stream monetization model: a free-to-play base game with paid Standard and Deluxe editions, an ESO Plus monthly subscription granting access to all DLC plus a craft bag and monthly Crowns, and a Crown Store virtual economy where players purchase cosmetic items, mounts, pets, housing furniture, DLC, and Crown Crate loot boxes using Crowns virtual currency (packs from 750 to 21,000 with volume discounts). DLC dungeon packs are priced at 1,500 Crowns and full chapters at 3,500 Crowns. Distribution spans direct download (elderscrollsonline.com), PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass integration. ESO is wholly owned by ZeniMax Media Inc., which was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in 2021 for approximately $7.5 billion, making the game part of Xbox Game Studios. The product holds ESRB Mature 17+ and PEGI 18 ratings and operates in markets spanning North America, Europe, and Asia (including USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Russia, China, and Japan).

Name

Elders Scrolls Online

Legal name

ZeniMax Media Inc.

Website

https://elderscrollsonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Elder Scrolls Online is a cross-platform MMORPG developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, serving individual gamers globally via PC/Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store. It monetizes through a free-to-play base game, ESO Plus subscription, and a Crown Store virtual goods marketplace, and is wholly owned by Microsoft via ZeniMax Media Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game)

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (713120)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms (BPAMAKAA), Gaming & Virtual World Social Platforms (MPACAJAG)

Keywords

• Massively multiplayer online game
• Online role-playing game
• Virtual goods marketplace
• Game subscription service
• Downloadable content expansions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Crown Store Microtransactions: Virtual currency (Crowns) used to purchase in-game items including cosmetic outfits, mounts, pets, housing items, DLC, and Crown Crates for randomized rewards. Crowns available in packs from 750 to 21,000 with volume discounts.
2. ESO Plus Subscription: Monthly subscription providing access to all DLC game packs, crafting bag, free monthly crowns, and exclusive discounts in the Crown Store.
3. Game Sales (Base Game and Chapters): One-time purchase revenue from base game editions (Standard and Deluxe) and major chapter expansions released annually. Base game includes Morrowind chapter; Deluxe editions include additional chapters.
4. Crown Crates: Loot box-style randomized reward system offering cosmetic items, mounts, and other collectibles for Crowns currency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Elder Scrolls Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the Elder Scrolls universe, distributed across PC/Mac, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One/Series S/X platforms. The game is offered as a free-to-play base experience with paid Standard and Deluxe editions, optional ESO Plus subscription, and a Crown Store virtual goods marketplace where players purchase cosmetic items, mounts, pets, housing furniture, and DLC using Crowns currency.

Product overview

The Elder Scrolls Online is a unified MMORPG product featuring a core game client (Standard and Deluxe editions) distributed across PC/Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store platforms. The offering includes a premium subscription service (ESO Plus), a virtual goods marketplace (Crown Store) with Crowns currency, and Crown Crate loot boxes. Content expansions come through DLC dungeon packs and full chapter zones, with seasonal content via Season Zero and the Content Pass 2025. Additional features include housing, companions, skill lines, mounts, and cosmetic customization through the outfit system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crown Store: In-game virtual store where players purchase Crowns to buy cosmetic items, DLC content, mounts, pets, housing items, and other digital goods using the game's premium virtual currency.
• ESO Plus
• Crowns
• Crown Crates

Products and services

• The Elder Scrolls Online Award-winning MMORPG set in the Elder Scrolls universe, featuring quests, dungeons, PvP battles, crafting, housing, and exploration across Tamriel. Distributed across PC/Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
• Standard Edition

Quantifiable outcome

• Cross-platform play across PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Microsoft / XboxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 July 2026Microsoft owns ZeniMax Media (parent of ZeniMax Online Studios) following acquisition in 2021. Xbox serves as both parent company and distribution platform, with 379 layoffs affecting ZeniMax operations including 213 at ZeniMax Online Studios as part of broader reset initiative under new Xbox division leader Asha Sharma.
• Bethesda SoftworkscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBethesda Softworks is the publisher of The Elder Scrolls Online, handling distribution and marketing under the Bethesda brand umbrella.
• Sony Interactive Entertainment / PlayStationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlayStation platform partner for console distribution of The Elder Scrolls Online on PlayStation 4 and 5, with Crown Store integration through PlayStation Store.
• Valve Corporation / SteamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSteam platform distribution partner for PC/Mac version of The Elder Scrolls Online with cross-platform play capabilities.
• Epic GamesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEpic Games Store distribution partner for PC version of The Elder Scrolls Online with cross-platform play support.
• Content Creators (Tales of Tamriel, trash_ashx, kasskroot, Zero Period Productions)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial TESO Creator Program partners who create content including podcasts, streams, guides, and videos promoting the game to their audiences.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Lord of the Rings Online (Standing Stone Games): Long-running licensed-IP fantasy MMORPG with subscription, expansions, and a premium store. Closely comparable to ESO's older MMO + premium-IP positioning in the Western subscription MMO tier.
• New World (Amazon Games): Big-budget fantasy MMORPG with cross-platform PC/console ambitions and a microtransaction storefront. A relevant peer because it is a recent AAA MMORPG competing for the same paying live-service audience.
• Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare / EA): Free-to-play MMORPG built on a major franchise IP with subscription (preferred status) and a Cartel Market microtransaction store — a near-mirror of ESO's free base game + ESO Plus + Crown Store structure.
• Black Desert Online (Pearl Abyss): Long-running fantasy MMORPG with heavy cosmetic and convenience microtransaction economy. Competes for the same Western MMO player base and benchmarks against ESO's Crown Store monetization intensity.
• Final Fantasy XIV (Square Enix): Leading subscription MMORPG with major expansion cadence and a strong story-driven brand IP — closely comparable to ESO's positioning as a story-rich fantasy MMO with a recognized franchise behind it.
• World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment): The category-defining subscription-based MMORPG from Blizzard. Direct competitor to ESO in the Western fantasy MMO space, with a similar mix of subscription, expansion, and microtransaction revenue.
• Lost Ark (Smilegate / Amazon Games): Free-to-play action MMORPG with aggressive monetization and seasonal content updates. Comparable to ESO as a cross-platform (PC/console) Western-market MMO competing for similar live-service time and spend.
• Guild Wars 2 (ArenaNet / NCSOFT): Buy-to-play fantasy MMO with living-world seasonal content and gem-store microtransactions. Comparable business model mix (base purchase + ongoing microtransaction store + expansion chapters) to ESO.
• RuneScape / Old School RuneScape (Jagex): Long-running subscription MMO with membership, microtransaction bonds, and expansion content — comparable to ESO on longevity, recurring subscription revenue, and multi-decade content cadence.

Broad incumbents

• Bethesda Game Studios (The Elder Scrolls single-player franchise): Sibling studio under ZeniMax/Microsoft producing single-player Elder Scrolls titles (Skyrim, upcoming Elder Scrolls VI). Comparable as the broader Elder Scrolls IP owner and a primary cross-promotion channel for ESO's player acquisition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TESOnline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ZenimaxOnlineStudios
• Instagraminstagram.com/elderscrollsonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/EldersScrollsOnline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-elder-scrolls-online

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elders Scrolls Online