In 2014, the expansive realm of Tamriel will support multiple players simultaneously for the very first time. And in order to stoke excitement for the release of its much anticipated RPG, The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax Online has released a short video demonstrating the character creation tools for the upcoming MMO.
In tandem with the reveal, Jared Carr, the studio’s art director, also expressed his thoughts about the customisable system:
“We have a dedicated team of character artists who have spent a considerable amount of time and energy developing this for players because we understand how important it is, and I think you can really see that dedication when you create a character.”
Class has always been a cornerstone for Bethesda’s hallmark series; from Nord to Argonian, the franchise has always offered a rich and varied roster of selectable races. For The Elder Scrolls Online, though, the studio is doubling down on the flexibility of a character’s design. The Sims-like tools will allow players to tinker with the finer details of their hero, including muscle composition, tattoos and more facial adjustments than you can shake a Daedric long sword at.
In keeping with the genre’s heritage, the game will feature cooperative play, huge PVP fights and a litany of quests to complete on your own or with friends. It’s important to note, however, that The Elder Scrolls Online will require a monthly subscription fee of $15 (£9); a move that will see the studio forgo the free-to-play model implemented in likeminded games such as DOTA 2 and Phantasy Star Online 2.
Though it was previously slated to release in 2013, The Elder Scrolls Online will now raise its multiplayer portcullis in early 2014 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac. Until then, be sure to check out the character creation video for yourself and give us your thoughts about the system in the comments below.