The Elder Scrolls Online will have monthly subscriptions

Subscription models seem to be going extinct, but that hasn't stopped Zenimax Online and Bethesda from announcing that The Elder Scrolls Online will require a flat monthly fee to play.

“We're building a game with the freedom to play - alone or with your friends - as much as you want," said Zenimax Studios president Matt Firor in an interview with Gamestar. A game with meaningful and consistent content - one packed with hundreds of hours of gameplay that can be experienced right away and one that will be supported with premium customer support.”

As is standard practice you'll get 30 days of full access included in the box. But after that you'll have to pay in return for unlimited game-time.

It's a strange move given the prevalence of free-to-play. "The Elder Scrolls games are all about allowing the player to go where they want, be who they want, and do what they want," Firor said. "We feel that putting pay gates between the player and content at any point in game ruins that feeling of freedom, and just having one small monthly fee for 100% access to the game fits the IP and the game much better than a system where you have to pay for features and access as you play."

The basic monthly charge will be $14.99/€12.99/£8.99, but players can "expect some discounts if you buy multiple months at a time."