The Elder Scrolls Online is officially entering a bold new era and it’s not just another Chapter drop. In a special sneak peek at the Elder Scrolls Online Direct 2025 Preview Event, Bethesda and ZeniMax Online Studios pulled back the curtain on what’s next for Tamriel’s favourite MMO. We’re talking revamped systems, new zones, returning fan-faves, and yes… the return of the Worm Cult.
Say goodbye to Chapters and hello to a Season Pass
Studio Head Matt Firor officially kicked things off with a message that signalled a serious shake-up: after eight years of annual Chapter expansions, the team is retiring the old model. Instead of one big drop a year, 2025 content will roll out in seasonal updates, kicking off in June with Seasons of the Worm Cult, a continuation of ESO’s original main story from 2014.
This marks the first time the base game storyline is getting a full-blown sequel. The Worm Cult is back with a vengeance, and they’re dragging us to Solstice, a brand-new island filled with cultists, dark secrets, and a Caribbean-inspired aesthetic. High Elves, Argonians, palm trees, and trouble is brewing in the vibrant city of Sunport. You will storm Sunport in an early mission to wrest it from cultist control. It’s colourful, chaotic, and just a little bit cursed.
If you’ve been hoping to see familiar faces again, Seasons of the Worm Cult is delivering fan favourite characters like Razum-dar, the ever-gruff Skordo, master mage Gabrielle, Prince Azah, and the legendary Vanus Galerion will all be part of the storyline. New enemy types also join the fray, including Argonian Behemoths, stone-skinned Argonian warriors, and Daedric satyr-horrors that look like they wandered in from DOOM.
All of the new content announced, including Seasons of the Worm Cult, Solstice Island, dungeons and the new Ossein Cage trial, will be available through a 2025 Content Pass at USD 49.99. While the pass promises access to everything the team revealed during the preview, there’s some understandable trepidation. Being cautious of season passes that don’t always deliver bang for buck is very valid. However, compared to the traditional model of paying full price for a single yearly Chapter, this approach spreads new content out over time, allowing for a more consistent flow of story, features, and updates throughout the year. If ZeniMax keeps the quality high and the drops frequent, the 2025 Content Pass could prove to be both a better value and a more engaging way to experience ESO.
Subclassing is finally here
In perhaps the most exciting announcement of the entire preview, ZeniMax confirmed the long-requested subclassing system is coming this June. Once your character hits level 50, you’ll be able to add new skill lines from other classes, mixing and matching. Whether you want to throw fireballs as a Nightblade-Warlock hybrid or tank as a Templar-Necromancer, there are apparently over 3000 combinations to experiment with. More details on subclassing are promised soon, but it’s safe to say this change will substantially change the way you play the game.
New raid? Of course There’s a new raid. Also coming in June is Ossein Cage, a massive 12-player Trial set in Coldharbour. This Daedric vault contains a relic that absorbs pain and suffering to unleash raw power. ZeniMax says they’re experimenting with new encounter mechanics and rewards to get everyone involved.
Post-June, all players will face The Writhing Wall, a massive, soul-constructed barrier dividing Solstice in two. In a large-scale, server-wide event, we must all build siege camps, collect resources, and work together to tear down the wall and discover what’s lurking on the other side. The devs teased new alliances, fresh enemies, and a climactic showdown with the Worm Cult beyond the barrier. It’s pitched as a server wide event, so each ESO server will need to collectively work towards objectives to take down the wall.
ESO is as accessible as ever
2025 won’t just be about new stories and fights but also about making ESO more welcoming for everyone. ESO has already introduced a revamped tutorial experience, but will also start upgrading the starting zones with better graphics, lighting, and detail. A “welcome back” system will be implemented for returning players, helping ease you back into the world and it’s thousands of changes and content updates without overwhelming. Other upgrades, such as PC user interface, patcher improvements, and even combat changes will be coming soon.
And yes, PvP is getting some long-overdue love. The devs say Cyrodiil Champions and PvP performance fixes are high on their radar for the year ahead. This has been a key part of previous Chapters that has felt neglected and undercooked. There definitely seems to be a focus on multiplayer content in general with this update, building a community that will keep you engaged consistently rather than relying on an annual drop of narrative content.
To keep the hype going, the team released the first-ever live-action ESO promo and an emotional dev diary showcasing the passion of the ZeniMax team. Senior Engagement Manager Gina Bruno was beaming as she introduced the footage, and it’s clear the devs are all-in on making 2025 feel special.
The Seasons of the Worm Cult prologue quest is live right now, so you can jump in and start exploring the early stages of this new story. You’ll need the 2025 Content Pass to access all the upcoming seasonal updates, though ZeniMax says the length and format of each Season may vary. We look forward to adventuring in this new era soon.
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Omi Koulas
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