ZeniMax Online Studios plans to launch three distinct seasons throughout 2026. In a surprising move, several legacy DLCs—including Greymoor, Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, and Imperial City—will be folded into the base game, making them available to all players alongside the fresh seasonal content.
“This pivot toward base game improvements and increased transparency isn’t just a temporary shift,” the development team explained. “It represents the foundation of our new philosophy and is essential for the longevity of ESO. By shaping the next decade of Tamriel alongside our community, we can ensure the game’s best years are still ahead of us.”
While these updates sound promising for the player base, some industry analysts remain cautious given ZeniMax’s position under the Microsoft banner. Earlier this year, reports emerged that “Project Blackbird”—a rumored Destiny-style MMO shooter from the studio—was abruptly canceled during a wave of Microsoft layoffs. Given that Xbox head Phil Spencer reportedly championed that project before its demise, questions linger regarding Microsoft’s long-term expectations for ESO’s financial performance.
It remains to be seen whether this move is a genuine creative evolution or a strategic pivot to stabilize the MMO’s revenue through a more modern monetization model. Transitioning to a battle pass system could be the developers’ way of securing the game’s future in an increasingly volatile corporate climate.
