Bethesda Throws Open 'The Elder Scrolls Online' Beta For Xbox One And PS4

As the impending June release window for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 version of "The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited" closes in, the developer ZeniMax Online Studios have launched the beta for both consoles on April 23. The beta kicks off on April 23, at 10 A.M. EDT and continues until 10 A.M. on April 27.

Unlike most other beta programmes, this isn't completely open. Gamespot reports that only those who had earlier signed up have received invites. Now would be a good time for subscribers to check their spam folders for the invite and associated instructions on how to get going. It must be noted that not everyone who signed up for the beta has been accepted.

It seems that the developer may have done this to control server loads. If true, that seems like a poor decision because then there's no real means to gauge server loads when the game is finally thrown open for everyone. Let's hope this doesn't translate into the typical launch day woes associated with online multiplayer titles.

Those who have been lucky enough to receive an invite would bode well to begin the beta download as soon as possible. That's a good idea because the client download is expected to be massive. In fact, the retail version on the console will exceed the 50GB Blu-ray capacity limit. This will be offset by a 15GB day-one patch to deliver the remaining game content.

It would be a good idea to go through the exhaustive FAQ created by Bethesda to prime gamers for the ongoing beta programme. It points out an important detail that prevents players from carrying over their beta character builds and items into the retail version of the game. Therefore, it would be unwise for gamers to get too invested in their characters because all progress in the beta will be wiped clean before the actual release.

Interestingly, the FAQ also mentions that the beta actually incorporates the entire game and it isn't just a pared down trial version as one would assume. Cinema Blend notes that both console versions will have separate servers for North America and Europe. In other words, cross platform play will not be available in the beta programme.

"The Elder Scrolls Online" had launched a year back in April 2014 to cold critical reception and many compromising bugs, item duplication exploits and subscription issues. This lukewarm response was seen in the subscription figures as well.

Killer Guides notes that the beta programme for the game managed to rack up five million registered members, but the actual retail version could only muster up 1.2 million subscribers. That prompted the publisher Bethesda Softworks to drop the subscription model in favour of a one-time retail price tag. The repackaged game was dubbed "The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited."

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