A Decade of Exploration: Reflecting on Elder Scrolls Online's Enduring Success

As The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates its tenth anniversary, Creative Director Matt Firor reflects on his journey with the game, which began long before its launch. Firor was appointed to lead the project when Zenimax Online Studios was first announced in 2007. When asked what motivates him to continue working on the game after such a long period, Firor cites the fact that ESO has been the flagship title for the Elder Scrolls IP since 2014. The game's ability to introduce new lore to the Elder Scrolls universe and its collaborative approach with Bethesda Game Studios are key factors in his enduring enthusiasm. However, Firor simplifies his motivation to a desire to provide a virtual home for players, emphasizing the importance of community and the game's role as a 'safe harbor' during the pandemic, which saw a significant surge in player numbers. The game's success is evident, with Firor announcing that ESO is on the verge of crossing the $2 billion lifetime revenue milestone. While the game's growth may not follow a continuous upward trajectory, Firor describes it as cyclical, with players leaving and returning in patterns that the game's chapter system is designed to accommodate. This flexibility, both in terms of time commitment and gameplay variety, is crucial to ESO's enduring appeal, allowing players to engage in diverse activities, from hardcore PvP to casual home decoration. Firor's vision for ESO aligns with the concept of a virtual world, where players can immerse themselves in different experiences, a notion that resonates with the metaverse idea. However, he emphasizes that a successful virtual world requires engaging content and systems, rather than just technological advancements. Reflecting on the development process, Firor acknowledges that the team's initial approach, rooted in 2004-2006 game concepts, was perhaps too conventional, and the launch of Skyrim prompted a necessary pivot towards creating a more dynamic, Skyrim-like experience. The ability to adapt and iterate, investing in flexible tools and engines, was key to the game's eventual success. As Firor looks back on his journey with ESO, his primary takeaway is the importance of flexibility, community engagement, and continuous iteration to ensure the game remains relevant and appealing to its players.