It’s hard to believe Elder Scrolls Online has been around for ten years. In that time, the game has gone from a PC-only subscription-based service to a multi-platform experience. Watching this year’s Elder Scrolls Online Direct 2025 has proved that ZeniMax isn’t slowing down anytime soon. There are are some huge changes coming in 2025. We got to watch the presentation early. With a brand-new approach to how content is delivered, we’ve got every little detail about everything coming to ESO this year.
No more chapters
The biggest change is how content is set to be delivered. Chapters are no more, at least not how they have been released before. Content in ESO will be released throughout the year, and this year focuses on the Worm Cult, followers of legendary Daedric Prince as they seek revenge following on from the original story told all the way back in 2014. There is a “bold new story to tell,” as the Order of the Black Worm have killed everyone, and it is up to you to destroy them once and for all.
It will follow the story originally told in 2014, with themed story content, dungeons, and in-game content. The story takes place in Solstice, a gorgeous tropical land where Argonians and High Elves live together. Despite it’s beautiful architecture and nature, there’s something much more sinister present. The fantasy-like Altmer and Argonian architecture stands tall in Sunport, Solstice’s capital city. There’re also Daedric ruins which intend to add new mysteries to the story, helping to flesh out what players will be unravelling as the year rolls on.
Beware the Tideborn
Unfortunately, the Worm cult has established a base on the island, with a new leader called Wormblood who plans to bring glory back to the cult. The Tideborn, the name of this new cult, are hellbent on killing you and your allies, but that’s where things get interesting. For players who have followed ESO since its inception, a host of returning characters will be joining the fight to destroy the Tideborn, such as Razum-Sar, Skordo, Gabrielle, Vanus Galerion, and Prince Azah.
Solstice brings with it a bunch of new monsters for players to fight against. Argonian Behemoths covered in feathers look quick and deadly. Also, the Stone Argonians are a new type of Daedra that look like satyrs who worship Molag Bal. These challenging monsters add more danger to the future of Elder Scrolls Online in 2025, and the Direct gave us a great look at how they’re going to push players to the limit when wandering through Solstice and seeing them face to face.
ZeniMax will be releasing a new 12-person trial called Ossein Cage when Update 46 releases. It takes place in a gigantic vault in Coldharbor, where the location turns pain and suffering into great power. It looks incredible, and while trials aren’t for everyone, the Ossein Cage was a standout feature shown off during Elder Scrolls Online Direct 2025, and I would highly recommend players diving in and seeing just how rewarding they can be when working with others to destroy the dangers lurking within.
Subclassing will change your character forever
Perhaps the biggest change as far as gameplay goes is Subclassing. It is a “brand-new way to help players build to their player fantasy.” by having more freedom to build their character, players can use Skill Lines from other classes upon reaching level 50, offering over 3,000 different combinations for when crafting your perfect character. It will mean someone you have stuck with for over ten years can now change completely due to Subclassing, and it’s a very exciting prospect, especially as ESO is evolving this year.
In the summer, new story content will unite the entire ESO community together. The Writhing Wall stands tall, dividing Solstice in two. It is a conjuration made up of souls, and all players across a single server will have to work together to tear it down. A new weapons will need building to do so, as well as improving defences and defending siege camps from the evil that lurks in Solstice. Once the wall has been breached, a second part to the story takes players to the Eastern parts of the land where the worm cult’s power resides.
Finally, the way content is paid for has changed as well. The Content Pass bundles everything set to arrive over the coming year, starting off with the Worm Cult Prologue Quest available right now. Future seasons might now always be this long, as the developers mentioned ‘Remix Seasons’ which revisit storylines from the past and can be anything from three to six months long. Just to round off the presentation, players can claim a pet monkey by using the code ‘2025ESODirect.’
