Microsoft does not
The Elder Scrolls Online is among a handful of noteworthy MMOs to stick with the subscription model. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — it means we’re (in theory) getting a full game instead of the illusion of one — but it’s not going to come cheap, especially for console players. Bethesda VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines tells OXM there’s been discussion with Microsoft about waiving the Xbox Live Gold membership fee for the game.
As you can imagine, the company hasn’t been swift to erode the “value” of its online service by letting one title off the hook here, another there. “The answer right now is that’s the way it works,” says Hines, “but it’s something that we’re aware of and we keep pushing on, to see if there’s something that can be done. We’ll let you know if there’s movement there.”
This is one of those things that sound nice but likely won’t go anywhere. Unless Wargaming and Bethesda team up to put the heat on. Microsoft has been reversing a lot lately.
Bethesda is “pushing” to let you play Elder Scrolls Online on Xbox One without Xbox Gold [OXM]