Bethesda releases new screenshots for Elder Scrolls Online

After the release of one of the most successful single player games last year – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Bethesda is now working on a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) set in the Elder Scrolls world. According to Games Thirst, Bethesda has now released new screenshots that show off some of the world that will be featured in the game.

The first major change from the rest of the franchise is that The Elder Scrolls Online seems to be forgoing the first person perspective for a third-person view. Bethesda also seems to be going for an expansive world that will encompass provinces that were featured in other games, such as Skyrim from the latest game, Vvardenfell from The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Cyrodiil from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Looks like a return to Vvardenfell

Recently, information had been leaked about the possibilities of the next downloadable content (DLC) for Skyrim. There are files named “DLC2” and “Dragonborn”, which were added in the most recent update to the open world game. These files hint towards the possibility of being able to ride dragons in the next DLC, as there are animation files for riding dragons. Along with this, some other file names hint towards one of the most well-loved areas in the Elder Scroll series – Morrowind.

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Morrowind was originally the setting for the third game of the series – The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and is the home of the dark elves, aka, Dunmer. Quest markers for areas in Morrowind like Solstheim, Telvanni Castle, Karstaag, Raven Rock and Miraak Temple have been discovered in Skyrim’s files.

Skyrim puts players in control of the Dovhakiin, which is dragon tongue for Dragonborn, in the icy Viking-inspired region of Skyrim. The series is very well known for its open world that lets players roam around and do whatever they want, from exploring treacherous caverns to finding treasure, or picking flowers and making potions.

Maybe a visit to the swamps of Elsweyr will be possible

In June, Bethesda had released the first DLC for the game, named Dawnguard, which revolves around an ancient prophecy. The prophecy tells of the eternal obfuscation of the sun because of a magic ritual. Players are caught in the middle of a war between a cult of vampires and the Dawnguard, who are a group of vampire hunters. The DLC was released only for the Xbox 360 due to a 30-day exclusivity contract between Microsoft and Bethesda.

Skyrim has been a massive success for Bethesda, proving that big budget games without multiplayer can be successful. The Creation Kit for the game was released earlier this year in February. Within weeks, the Creation Kit had clocked in over two million downloads. This is a testament to the dedication of PC gamers and the popularity of Skyrim, the only other game on Steam that went toe-to-toe with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 last November. Bethesda had also announced that an average PC player of Skyrim has clocked nearly 75 hours in the game.