The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) in 2018 offered a variety of free digital content, promotional events, and trial opportunities for players. These initiatives ranged from temporary free-play weekends to exclusive items for subscribers and time-limited in-game events. The programs were designed to attract new players, reward existing subscribers, and promote specific content releases, such as DLC packs and expansions. The available information details specific offers, their eligibility requirements, and the periods during which they were active.
ESO Plus Subscriber Benefits
ESO Plus, the subscription service for Elder Scrolls Online, provided its members with periodic exclusive free items. These items were made available for a limited time through the Crown Store. A rollout of several new subscription benefits on November 13, 2018, included this feature. Specific free items for ESO Plus subscribers were tied to particular dates.
From December 6, 2018, to January 3, 2019, a free Statuette: Vivec, Warrior-Poet was available. This item is described as a tabletop-sized statue of the living god Lord Vivec, the Warrior-Poet. From January 3 to February 7, 2019, another free item, the Statuette: Clavicus Vile, Masque, was offered. This is a miniature statue of the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, holding his Masque, accompanied by his dog Barbas.
Additional ESO Plus exclusive items were listed for future dates in 2025. From June 19 to July 31, 2025, a free Statuette: High Elf Mage was scheduled. From July 31 to September 11, 2025, a free Statuette: Redguard Warrior would be available. From September 11 to October 30, 2025, a free Painting: Carapace Caverns was planned. The description for the High Elf Mage statuette notes, "Some claim to know the provenance of this sleek piece of art, but they know nothing. Especially when it comes to how impressive your home would be with a replica in it!" The Redguard Warrior statuette is described as a miniature statue often used within royal tombs. The Painting: Carapace Caverns is described as a painting representing Carapace Caverns, a bismuth-veined cave plagued by an ancient undead curse.
Free Play Events and Promotional Offers
A major promotional event in 2018 was a free play weekend. From August 9 to August 15, 2018, anyone could play the core game and the Vvardenfell zone (from the Morrowind Chapter) for free on console or PC. This was presented as a way for players to experience Morrowind if they had not purchased it. The event was promoted as an opportunity to adventure with others or alone in a persistent world.
A separate promotional offer was tied to QuakeCon 2018. Players who watched the Elder Scrolls Online keynote address on Friday, August 10, 2018, at noon Eastern on Twitch or YouTube could receive a free Flame Atronach wolf pet and five Ouroboros crown crates. The keynote was expected to provide "all-new information" about the Wolfhunter and Murkmire DLC packs.
ESO Plus Bonus and Free Trial Events
The ESO Plus Bonus Event provided an opportunity for non-subscribers to experience subscription benefits. This event allowed non-subscribers to activate a free trial of ESO Plus from the Crown Store. The trial included benefits such as increased Gold and Experience and full access to DLC content for the event's duration. However, the trial did not include the subscription Crowns that paying members receive.
A specific instance of a free trial was associated with the Clockwork City Celebration Event. During this event, a temporary free trial of ESO Plus was available to access the Clockwork City DLC completely for free. The Clockwork City DLC was also on sale in the Crown Store during this period.
Seasonal and Content-Specific In-Game Events
2018 featured numerous in-game events that awarded players with special items, currency, and loot. These events often promoted specific DLC content or game expansions.
The Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood Celebration Event in 2018 allowed players to earn enhanced rewards from the corresponding DLC zones (Hew's Bane and Gold Coast). Rewards were doubled from group bosses, delve bosses, and regular nodes. Defiled Whiskers drops from Maw of Lorkhaj bosses were also doubled. Daily Heists and Sacraments yielded increased rewards, with players receiving two coffers for completing these tasks, one of which was guaranteed to be the highest possible reward. Both DLCs were available at a discounted price, and their Collector's Bundles returned to the Crown Store at a discount.
The Jester's Festival 2018 involved completing daily quests to earn a Jester's Festival Box. Each box contained a selection of festival-related items, which could include unique recipes, furnishings, or collectibles.
The Anniversary Jubilee 2018 event allowed current ESO Plus members to earn a Crown Crate for each day they logged in. This occurred over three separate periods: January 9-15 (Flame Atronach Crown Crates), April 24-30 (Scalecaller Crown Crates), and July 10-16 (Psijic Vault Crown Crates). The crates were delivered after each event period.
The Psijic Vault Crown Crate Preview was an event that offered a preview of the new Psijic Vault Crown Crates. Specific details about player rewards from this event are not provided in the source material.
The Midyear Mayhem 2018 event focused on Player vs. Player (PvP) combat. A related blog post detailed PvP changes coming in Update 19, including the new Istirus Outpost battleground, keep recall stones, new keep decay rules, and new PvP cosmetics. These changes were available to all players, regardless of DLC ownership.
The Orsinium Celebration Event 2018 promoted the Orsinium DLC. The Imperial City Celebration Event 2018 promoted the Imperial City DLC. The Summerfall event was also listed for 2018, though specific details about its activities or rewards are not provided in the source material.
The Witches Festival 2018 was a Halloween-themed event. Specific activities or rewards for this event are not detailed in the available source material.
The Clockwork City Celebration Event, in addition to offering an ESO Plus free trial, also featured Event Tickets. Players could earn two Event Tickets per account per day from Group Boss daily quests in Clockwork City, for a total of 24 Event Tickets by the event's end. This event was the second opportunity for players to work towards obtaining the Nascent Indrik mount by purchasing event-specific Indrik feathers (the Gilded Indrik Feather) with Event Tickets from The Impresario.
The Undaunted Celebration Event 2018 allowed players to earn Mysterious Reward Boxes by completing random Group Dungeons from the Activity Finder. These boxes had a chance to include a wide variety of rewards, such as consumables, collectibles, style pages, costumes, pets, mounts, and homes. An ultra-rare jackpot prize granting 130 mounts at once was also available. This event was the third opportunity to obtain the Nascent Indrik mount, with the Onyx Indrik Feather available for purchase with Event Tickets.
The New Life Festival 2018, similar to the previous year's event, provided players with a 100% XP buff, an ice-themed skin, and the opportunity to acquire a collection of New Life Festival-themed items.
Other Notable Game Updates and Information
Alongside the events and promotions, other information was released for Elder Scrolls Online players in 2018. A blog post was published detailing PvP changes coming in Update 19, which were available to all players. These changes included the new Istirus Outpost battleground, new keep recall stones, new keep decay rules, and new PvP cosmetics.
Conclusion
In 2018, Elder Scrolls Online employed a multi-faceted strategy to engage its player base through free content and promotional events. ESO Plus subscribers received exclusive free items and earned Crown Crates during special bonus periods. Non-subscribers were given opportunities to try the service through free play weekends and limited-time ESO Plus trials. A comprehensive calendar of seasonal and content-specific events provided ongoing rewards, from unique collectibles and cosmetics to in-game currency and rare mounts, often tied to the promotion of specific DLC packs and expansions. These initiatives served to both attract new players and provide continuous value to the existing community.