Elder Scrolls Online has been in business for over a decade now, and this is how Bethesda did it.

The world of MMORPGs has been around for ages. However, only a few titles have managed to remain intact and relevant in this highly competitive genre of video games. One of these games is Bethesda’s very own Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), a 2014 title that has easily made the studio a whole bank up until now.

Elder Scrolls Online is one of the best MMORPGs out there | Zenimax Online

However, it was not always like this. Elder Scrolls Online made a lot of noise during its debut, and it was not because of how good it was but because of its flaws. It was plagued by many different issues that we are going to talk about later, but the important thing to note is how it was eventually able to make an impact, something that last year’s Throne and Liberty, unfortunately, failed to do.

Elder Scrolls Online has generated over $2 Billion in revenue as other games struggles

The game had a rocky start during its launch | Zenimax Online

As discussed, Elder Scrolls Online’s reception was not great at the beginning, with many players even dismissing it as just a cash grab that happens to use the Elder Scrolls name. Surprisingly, instead of backing down at the time, the studio doubled down on the game and decided to adapt instead in order to survive.

The first thing Bethesda decided to do was get rid of the not-so-popular subscription model at the time and execute a buy-to-play model. This allowed players to buy the game and its expansions just once and enjoy them until the end of support, instead of paying for access to the game every now and then.

The studio also produced many quality-of-life improvements, which, along with other improvements, eventually made Elder Scrolls Online a game enjoyed by the masses. A similar impact on the gaming industry was also expected by last year’s Throne and Liberty, which unfortunately just didn’t pop off and stayed as a name to be remembered and not a game to be played.

On the other hand, according to reports, as noted by Massively Overpowered, Elder Scrolls has gone on to generate over $15 million for the studio every month, which ultimately accounts for over $2 billion in revenue in the game’s lifetime up until now. A stable revenue stream like this, along with other massively popular franchises under the same publishing house, is an impressive feat by Bethesda that many studios can only wish to conquer someday.

Why Elder Scrolls Online was eventually able to make it despite its issues

Elder Scrolls Online has slowly built a massive revenue stream over time | Zenimax Online

The difference between ESO and Throne and Liberty boils down to adaptability and player trust. The former listened to its community, made meaningful improvements, and continuously expanded its world. Meanwhile, Throne and Liberty just continued with a dull story and dependence on PvP to make progress in the game.

Calling back to how Elder Scrolls Online was when it eventually came out, users participating in the game’s official subreddit reacted the following when they learned about the $2 billion revenue stream.

In the end, ESO’s $2 billion success isn’t just about having an iconic IP; it’s more about learning and delivering an experience that keeps the players coming back. Throne and Liberty, on the other hand, serves as yet another reminder that in the world of MMORPGs, hype means nothing if you can’t deliver on your promises.