Elder Scrolls Online: Oh the Angst & the Humor of Pre-Order Bonuses

 

Yesterday, The Elder Scrolls Online released the pre-order bonuses and the hate immediately began to flow.  People are outraged over complete nonsense and I am enjoying their tears immensely.  The majority of the tears go something like this: “OMG they destroyed faction pride!”  or my personal favorite, “It is a money grab by ZOS and it destroys the lore!”

First off let’s deal with the race issue.  Past Elder Scrolls games, you fire it up pick the race you want and you are on your adventures in Tamriel.  No restrictions, no artificial barriers.  ESO had artificial barriers in place, and still does for those that do not pre-order.  Those barriers restrict your race choice to one of three factions.  That severely limits role playing opportunities for those that want to actively role play in game.  You cannot, without pre-ordering, role play an Orc Sorcerer orphaned and raised by childless Khajits in Elsewhyr nor can you play an Altmer who disapproves of the blatantly racists and elitist attitudes of the Aldmeri Dominion and decides to go fight for the personal liberty ideals embodied by the Ebonheart Pact. 

The pre-order bonus allowing players to play any race in any alliance gives players more freedom, more creativity, and the personal choice that has always been present in Elder Scrolls games.  Racism has always been a part of Elder Scrolls games too.  The blatant racism of the Nords and High Elves in Skyrim for example.  I do not believe the pre-order bonus in any way fundamentally alters that racism of the game.  A Breton Dragonknight that sells his sword to the Aldmeri is going to be paid and utilized but not respected.  The Orc Nightblade that matures in Ebonheart territory will always know she is different that those around her.  The Argonian that choose to heal the valiant warriors of the Daggerfall Covenant will be accepted and thanked for her efforts.

Now for my second favorite complaint, the lore destroying money grab.  I think the lore can be easily handled by players.  Zenimax Online did nothing to destroy the lore yesterday.  I am at a loss to understand the concept of the pricing being a money grab.  The box price for the digital and hard copy is the industry standard of $60.  The fact that anyone was surprised by this is funny.  The digital collector’s edition is a mere $20 more and it includes the Imperial race, mudcrab pet, a HORSE, and Rings of Mara.  The physical edition of the Collector’s Edition is underpriced at $100.  No seriously, for that additional $20 bucks you get a statute, a map, and a lore book in addition to the items that come with the digital collector’s addition.

I think the money argument is based on consumers expecting far too many things for free this days.  There is a blatant attitude of entitlement that is rampant and out of control.  Truth be told, if the initial buy-in (which includes 30 days of free game play) and the monthly subscription is too much then perhaps playing a video games isn’t the wisest decision you could be making.  Everyone has different finances and priorities but the sense of entitlement is outrageous.  ZOS spent their investment money on the title, and are entitled to see a return on that investment.

I can’t wait for the game to be released.  I will utilized my Rings of Mara and enjoy my horse while my playing against the race-alliance barrier.

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