Bethesda and Zenimax Online Studios are working together on an Elder Scrolls version of a MMO. The thing is, they have pledged to be different to the "usual" MMOs (such as World of Warcraft) and branch into a unique experience with this title. My first concern upon hearing of the title was "Will it be the typical third person MMO or will it play like its storyline predecessor, Skyrim. As I have no had access to the beta I can not say how it plays but it definately looks like the typical Elder Scrolls game with the first person perspective, unique combat style and Mana/Health/Stamina bars at the bottom and the world compass at the top. It does have the usual MMO styled dungeons etc. but these seem to be based on storyline quests rather than for the purpose of grinding.
A little bit about the game and story itself, it is set in all (yes all) of Tamriel. This means you will be able to explore the lands of Morrowind etc. with your friends while gaining XP for discovering locations. You can simply switch between first and third person views with the ease of a mouse scroll but also switch your own preset weapons with the press of a button. This means that players can go straight from a bow with all the bow skills to dual wielding blades without a problem. From gameplay revealed in August 2013, there appears to be three allegiances with 3 races in each. Your race is bound to an allegiance so if you want nord you're stuck with that group. However, other than that there apears to be very little restrictions. As they described, players can decide to go from a mage with all the mage skills etc. to finding a badass sword and becoming a swordsmen instead. Freedom at last. Also, loot is individual to the player so no fighting over that legendary boss item. Levelling up skills is done by discovering sky shards, 3 gives you the chance to learn or morph and ability. As I've seen little of the morphing I'm assuming it is a term that they are using for upgrading or changing it to a certain aspect e.g. fire.
If this game keeps along this path, it is to be the best thing that has happened to fans of the Elder Scrolls franchise as it will give them access to all of their favourite areas in one game with the multiplayer that they have begged for as well. Along with the excellent customer service provided by Bethesda and Zenimax it should be a real highpoint of 2014 in terms of games. The only downside is the fact it will be a monthly subscription based MMO but so was World of Warcraft and it now has one of the largest fan bases going so fair play. I'm ver much looking forward to its release early this year.
