Elder Scrolls Online Beta Starts This Month

Yesterday, Bethesda officially launched its beta test of The Elder Scrolls Online. The first lucky beta group was comprised of ‘friends and family’ of Bethesda, but don’t worry, faithful Elder Scrolls fan. Your time approaches rapidly.

Invitations to the general public for the first round of beta events will be sent around the end of March. We’ll post notifications on our website and social media channels whenever we send a batch of invitations. When we do, check the  e-mail address you used to register for the beta. If you’ve been selected, you’ll receive an invitation with instructions.

HOW THE BETA WORKS

In the beginning of the beta program, invitations will be for scheduled play sessions. This means that the game will only be available for play during specific times (provided in the invitation). Every beta event will have a clear focus; our developers will be looking for feedback on specific areas, features, or other gameplay elements.

Unfortunately, this means your schedule is going to revolve around Bethesda, and not the other way around. 

It does mean, however, a more in-depth and helpful beta response for the Bethesda team, which logically concludes a better end result. 

Never fear, though. Bethesda understands you (probably) have a life outside of TESO.

At first, beta events will generally be held on the weekends, and each test will have limited windows of access to the game. You’ll receive your invitation in advance so you can make time to participate. While there will only be a few events per month early on, they will be held more frequently as we approach launch. As we progress through testing, we’ll also begin scheduling longer tests that allow testers to provide more detailed feedback on topics like progression.

The first few rounds of beta invites are likely to be smaller and more focused. As the release date nears, however, stress tests will begin to verify the stability of game servers. The later beta tests “will likely require thousands of participants, and stress tests will be even larger!”

If you’re as addicted to beta news from Bethesda as I am, you can read more about what they will require from their testers at the TESO blog.