Elder Scrolls Online shifts from annual expansions to quarterly seasonal updates

Gamesradar reports that Zenimax Online's 2026 roadmap for The Elder Scrolls Online replaces the game's large annual expansions with smaller seasonal updates every three months, and executive producer Susan Kath said the shift is not related to Microsoft's layoffs.

The studio has said the new cadence is intended to allow for "greater choice and variety" after 11 years of annual expansions, and the change echoes a similar direction Rare took with Sea of Thieves. Kath emphasized the decision was not a response to Microsoft's downsizing, which last year heavily impacted Zenimax Online and resulted in the cancellation of Blackbird, what would have been its first new project in 12 years.

Beyond the 2026 roadmap and the studio's stated aim of more choice and variety, Zenimax Online has not provided a more detailed explanation, and it remains unclear how the quarterly seasons will affect the game's content and delivery in practice.

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Tech, Elder Scrolls Online, Zenimax Online, Susan Kath, Microsoft, Blackbird