ESO’s dreugh is one ugly mutha… shut yo mouth!

ZeniMax teases Elder Scrolls Online's dreughIf you’ve a taste for anthropomorphic bugs with faces that only a Predator could love, you’ll probably enjoy the latest Elder Scrolls Online update. ZeniMax has posted a new entry on its website detailing the creation of the game’s dreugh (emphasis on ugh) that features a bit of lore and a brief video clip of the creatures in action.

“Dreugh are primarily found in the eastern areas of Tamriel,” ZeniMax explains, “but can likely also be found anywhere coastal. Land dreugh can be found as far inland as Cyrodiil.” If you’ve played Morrowind and Oblivion you’ve likely encountered earlier versions of the dreugh, and if not, well, what are you waiting for? Head past the cut for the clip and then to the official site to learn more.

 

Elder Scrolls Online exalts the Unforeseen Queen

I totally didn't foresee a queen, dude.

The Elder Scrolls Online’s latest lore entry is asking you to read between the lines just a little bit. On its surface, the entry is straightforward enough, giving players a peek at the reigning queen of the Aldmeri Dominion. Ayrenn the Unforeseen Queen is just another one of the Alliance leaders, right? But the fact that the entry is written in the style of an in-game document allows for some additional hints to be dropped along the way.

In the official documents, Ayrenn is nothing more or less than the culmination of tradition, a perfectly prepared queen to lead the High Elves. But it becomes clear from the story that this is a queen who left her tradition behind for quite some time until she decided to return, a woman more than willing to break the rules to obtain what she wants. Take a look at the full entry and get ready to bend your knee to the queen in the game, since she may very well bend it for you otherwise.

Elder Scrolls Online answers queries about the Daggerfall Covenant

The Elder Scrolls Online

The word “Daggerfall” has special significance to the Elder Scrolls community, which is perhaps why the Daggerfall Covenant has received considerable interest among those following the development of The Elder Scrolls Online. ZeniMax has a brand-new player Q&A that covers the lore and history of this faction.

The Daggerfall Covenant encapsulates the Bretons, Redguard, and Orcs, and is symbolized by a lion. A significant question is why the Orcs would join forces with the other two races. The devs responded by saying that the race feels inferior to others and is trying to get established as an Imperial province, although it’s “an alliance of convenience.”

The developers also talked about the variety that’s going into the Alik’r Desert, a plague of werewolves that’s a significant part of the game, what towns we’ll be seeing in the region (Bergama, Camlorn, and Lainlyn), and how the alliance between the races overcomes their religious differences.

 

Elder Scrolls Online lore video covers the history of war

TESO

If you’ve been keeping an eye on The Elder Scrolls Online, you’ve probably noticed that its three chief factions are at war. The Aldmeri Dominion, Daggerfall Covenant, and Ebonheart Pact have been established as mortal enemies — but why? Loremaster Lawrence Schick sheds a little light on the three-way conflict in a new lore video.

You’re a hip, savvy Internetter; we know you don’t have a lot of time. Here’s the skinny: All three alliances want to control Cyrodil, the central part of the continent that houses the very heart of Tamriel. The Tharns that rule Cyrodil are weak, and each alliance thinks that it has the power to steer Tamriel in the proper direction.

Skip below the cut to watch the video to learn about all the intricate details.

 

Elder Scrolls Online beta signups now live

The Elder Scrolls Online Alliance cinematic

Bethesda and ZeniMax want you to know that beta signups are officially open for The Elder Scrolls Online.

A new press release trumpets the announcement (though “timing and details of the start of playtests will be provided at a later date”), and the firms have also released a slick new cinematic trailer that will whet your appetite for Tamriel over the course of its whopping six-minute run time.

TESO will make use of ZeniMax’s megaserver technology to “avoid the hassle of shard selection.” The game will also feature a built-in social network which the company says makes the new MMORPG “one of the most socially enabled games ever created.” You can sign up for beta via the game’s official website, and we’ve embedded the new trailer just past the break.

[Source: Bethesda press release]

 

Cinematic trailers – awful or awesome?

The Elder Scrolls Online cinematic

So ZeniMax released a spiffy teaser vid for The Elder Scrolls Online last week. The six-minute clip had it all: dank dungeons, luscious locations, and enough daredevil gravity-defying combat to fill an entire summer’s worth of action films.

The only problem, to hear some folks tell it, was that none of the thrills, chills, and gratuitous violence on display will be possible in the finished game. The video was a cinematic, you see, and even though there’s a decent amount of TESO gameplay footage floating around the internet already, the trailer served as something of a rallying cry for fans who’d rather see the cinematic’s budget go toward a gameplay trailer.

What say you, Leaderboard readers? Are MMO cinematics an awful waste of development dollars or do you enjoy them for what they are? Settle the score once and for all after the cut.

Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively’s Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o’ judgment — and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!

Leaderboard: Cinematic trailers – awful or awesome?Awful    413 (35.9%)
Awesome    736 (64.1%)

 

The Elder Scrolls Online lead deals with differences between the MMO

The Elder Scrolls Online lead deals with differences between the MMO and singleplayer RPGs

With all of the excitement over The Elder Scrolls Online’s beta signups, Game Director Matt Firor has his hands full adjusting the expectations of those used to single-player Elder Scrolls titles. Firor danced around several specific questions by The PA Report on how the MMO would tackle the world, heroism, guilds, and politics in comparison to the single-player games.

Firor expanded a bit on how the team is putting together the larger world of Tamriel, especially the areas yet unseen by single-player gamers: “The Elder Scrolls IP is very down-to-earth and gritty, so we had to take the traditional ‘these are High Elves’ fantasy visuals — tall towers, white marble, landscaped terrain — and merge them with the grittier and more medieval-realistic (there are poor High Elf farmers, etc.). It came together very well.”

He said that while players won’t always be at the center of attention, game NPCs will recognize great deeds and instancing will be used for important moments. One thing that won’t happen as in the single-player titles is for characters to become the heads of game guilds (as opposed to player guilds). Firor also hinted that the Emperor of the world will be based on player PvP performance, but declined to give any further specifics.

ESO food truck hits the road in March for US tour

TESO food truck hits the road in March for US tour

If The Elder Scrolls Online were to serve snacks to players, what would be on the menu? Now you can find out! On March 10th, the TESO food truck will start a cross-country jaunt across the US to bring tasty treats and swag giveaways to fans.

Starting at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, the truck will make 11 stops over the year at various conventions — including PAX and PAX East, E3, and Comic-Con — as well as a number of universities. Joining the kick-off festivities in Austin will be composer and singer Malukah. For more details on other tour dates, check out the official announcement.

 

ESO’s newest story post delves into the life of High King Emeric

TESO's newest story post delves into the life of High King Emeric

Meet High King Emeric, a true renaissance man. He’s a Breton, a merchant lord, a skilled fighter, leader of the Daggerfall Covenant, and a diarist. A new story post for The Elder Scrolls Online tells the story of his training and ascension, as told by our daring hero himself. Read the riveting tale of how he goes from studying accounting to breaking sieges, finding a bride, taking a throne, and ruling.

If the Daggerfall Covenant isn’t really your speed, there are similar tales for the leaders of the Aldmeri Dominion and the Ebonheart Pact.

 

The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates 1M Facebook likes with new armor concept art

The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates 1M Facebook likes with new armor concept art and videos

Zenimax Online and Bethesda Softworks were feeling generous on this Valentine’s Day by giving us a bit of a peek at some concept designs for heavy armor in the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls Online MMO.

The armor concept shows off High Elven, Nordic, and Breton heavy armors.

In addition, the developers celebrated one million Likes on their Facebook page by releasing a short tribute video. And speaking of videos, one more from the TESO team: the eleventh edition of “Developer Question of the Week” features UI designer Kristy Keaton. Check out all the new goodies over at the game’s Facebook page.