Update:Â Oops! It looks like all this kerfuffle was for nothing, and the original forum post on the matter was incorrect. A further clarification on the matter reads:
Thanks for your patience with this and for all of the additional questions. The information in the previous post was incorrect, and we have received further clarification on how account linking will work on the consoles.
The physical console version of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited does not require a one-time game code. As with any other boxed PS4 / Xbox One game only the game disc is needed for verification.
So there you go. No code needed, no trade ins prevented and no reason to march on Bethesda HQ with flaming torches and pitchforks in hand. (Though if you really want to do that, I’m sure you can anyway)
Our original post follows.
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of The Elder Scrolls Online will ship with a one time use code to activate the game, much like the PC version. That means once the code is used the disks are effectively worthless.
It works the same way as the PC version in that the code included in the box is to activate your ESOTU account and the discs are for installation purposes. If you own the disc but don’t have a key, you’ll be able to install the game and reach the login screen, but you won’t be able to log in and access the game without an active ESOTU account.
Presumably you will be able to reinstall your game and login in to your account if you buy a new console, but you will not be able to rent or trade pre-owned copies.
Will this news put you off from buying the game? Perhaps it will push your towards buying the digital version? Let us know in the comments.
You may also be interested in the full trophy list for the game, which you can find here.
Source: TESO Forums via NeoGAF
Clarification:Â TESO Forums
MrYd
This can only end in one of 2 ways.
1. The internet gets all upset and the game ends up selling 3 copies.
2. Someone at Microsoft ends up saying words similar to “Sure, when WE want to do it, it’s evil and we have to change our mind, but when someone else does it, it’s fine?”
It might also mean the price of the game drops quite quickly. Faster than PS4 games seem to be dropping lately anyway.
spacedelete
why do people like you not like it when people voice their opinions ? what makes your opinion so special compared to others ? this could be very bad and other publishers will start doing this as well. once we lose our ownership rights of the disc we lose every right.
Starman
@Spacedelete – You really should stay away from comment boards where people post their opinions. You seem new to the internet.
MrYd
Ah, Mr Irony is back. Complaining about people complaining again.
Except in this case, if you could be bothered to read, I didn’t express an opinion one way or the other.
As it happens, I’m leaning towards “it’s a bad thing”. Except in this case it’s maybe slightly more justified, given the ongoing costs of an MMO. New copies give them money to keep the game going, second hand copies wouldn’t give them any money, but there’d be someone still playing using resources that cost money.
But now I’m explaining myself to trolls.
Forrest_01
Not only did you not express an opinion one way or another, you didn’t bash anyone else’s either, so what warranted that comment in the first place is simply baffling.
dirtiestturnip
I was planning on renting this to see what it was like before dishing out the £40 for it, now I will just sit tight and wait for reviews.
You also can’t trade in FFXIV. I think that this is the way a lot of games are going to go in the next 10 years or so, hopefully it will mean cheaper games like on PC.
TSBonyman
It’s a shame they decided to go online-only with this. The Witcher 3 might have had some competition.
DividSmythe
Well that’s disappointing really with no resale value. If I do ever see me getting this it’ll have to be heavily discounted in a Ps store sale. Never mind The Witcher 3 will keep me very interested for a while, I hope.
wonkey-willy
“no CD patch?”
Starman
This has gone from “no buy”, to “definite buy” back to “no buy”
Goodbye.
Starman
Now to “probably buy as long as no more shenanigans occur”
MuggleMind
Think I may be in the minority here.
I pre-ordered the game, and this news doesn’t bother me. Yes, I see a potential for more players if the game had a resale value. However, I’d imagine there would then need to be a startup fee if you don’t have the code, and I suspect there would be complaints about that too.
Maybe I wear rose-tinted glasses though, as I have to admit that I very rarely buy pre-owned games and never get rid of any of my games.
Still, if MrYd is right, and the game sells only 3 copies, that should make it easier for me to take control of one of the regions at least. Looking forward to meeting the other two players for wars when convenient! :D
cam_manutd
Not surprising given its an mmo and they are generally not for resale. I am not interested in this given how much it pales on comparison to FF 14 which is continually evolving and engaging despite a monthly subscription.
hazelam
this may surprise people, but i’m ok with this.
it’s an MMO, you’re paying for the account really.
you can’t trade in Guilds Wars, or The Secret World.
or any of the other buy then play for free MMOs.
still a couple of questions remain though, does this mean you can play the game without needing to put the disc in?
so i could switch from, say GTA to TES Online without having to swap discs? i have GTA on disc.
and can other users on the console play?
i have my doubts if that will be possible, but it would be cool.
as for download vs physical.
it depends, what comes in the box, like a manual and/or a map.
and of course the price.
if one is significantly cheaper, then that’s the one i’d go for, and i think i know which one is likely to end up being more expensive.
i’d love the Imperial edition, but damn, so expensive.
anyway, this is one of the, very, rare instances where no resale option would not put me off one bit.
hazelam
ok then, nothing’s changed for me then now it turns out you can trade it in.
except i guess that would answer my questions about needing the disc and whether other users could play.
does make the physical copy a more attractive prospect though, of course i’d probably have gone for that option anyway given the PSN store prices for new games.