Big Changes for The Elder Scrolls Online: Cross-Progression & No More Expansions

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By Gaming News
24 February 2026 no comments
The Elder Scrolls Online is breaking down platform barriers and completely restructuring how Tamriel expands

The Elder Scrolls Online has always been built on massive scale and dense lore. Now, ZeniMax is completely overhauling the underlying architecture of the game. Platform walls are falling, and the traditional yearly expansion model is being replaced entirely.


Xbox and PC Environments Finally Merge

A curious 20MB placeholder file recently appeared on the Xbox PC app for ESO. It doesn’t boot up yet, but it signals a massive shift in the background. The MMO is officially transitioning into an Xbox Play Anywhere title later this year. This means the historically separate PC and console versions are finally uniting.

Details on how existing saves will merge are still under wraps. However, the studio previously confirmed that full cross-play and cross-progression are actively in development for a later date.


The Shift to a Seasonal Model

Starting April 2, 2026, Tamriel moves to a three-month seasonal format. The biggest takeaway is that all new gameplay additions are completely free for base-game players.

Season Zero: Dawn and Dusk introduces the Night Market. This is an experimental event zone located in the Oblivion plane of Fargrave. Players choose a faction and tackle challenging PvE encounters. The zone is only open for seven weeks, but similar events will cycle back in future seasons.

Also learn more about the confirmation of The Elder Scrolls 6 going back to crated Dungeons and Engine Upgrade!


Retiring Event Tickets for Better Economies

The seasonal shift brings the Tamriel Tome, functioning similarly to a modern battle pass. It features a free track packed with rewards, plus an optional premium tier.

Old Event Tickets are being retired. They are replaced by uncapped Trade Bars, which are earned through regular gameplay. These bars can be spent at the new Gold Coast Bazaar starting March 25. The storefront features a rotating inventory of around 100 previously retired mounts and cosmetics.


Update 49 Overhauls Core Combat

Before Season Zero even starts, Update 49 drops on March 9 and fundamentally retools a lot of core mechanics. Dragonknights are getting a massive visual and mechanical refresh first. If you love swinging heavy steel, the Two-Handed skill line is also getting a fresh coat of paint.

ZeniMax is also making the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood DLCs completely free for all base-game owners. Plus, starting in March, PC and console updates will finally launch on the exact same day. No more avoiding spoilers while waiting weeks to play what your PC friends are already enjoying.


In Conclusion: The Second Era Never Looked So Bright

It feels like the developers are finally tearing down the oldest, most frustrating barriers in the game. Unifying the player base and dropping paywalls for story content is exactly what we needed.

Whether you’re gearing up for the new Veterancy PvP system or just want to explore the Night Market, the map feels wide open again.

Dust off your armor and reallocate those skill points for free. Tamriel is calling us back home!

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A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

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